Obama speaks about the Cambridge Police Arrest

[Gunslinger]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0709/Obama_Cambridge_police_acted_stupidly.html

"I don’t know – not having been there and not seeing all the facts – what role race played in that, but I think it’s fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry; number two that he Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home," Obama said in response to a question from the Chicago Sun-Times's Lynn Sweet.

"Separate and apart from this incident is that there’s a long history in this country of African-American and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately," the president said, eagerly engaging the issue of racial profiling, a concern earlier in his career that has seen little White House attention to date.

Toward the end of the video he says this gem, "Blacks and Hispanics are picked up more frequently, and often times for NO cause, cast suspicion even when there is good cause".

And this man is President?

[simssk]

"eagerly engaging the issue of racial profiling"

Imagine that.

[HeyJude]

I had hoped he would have said "no comment", since he didn't know the whole story.:rolleyes:
He was very unprofessional to say the police were stupid.

[Gunslinger]

It's the truth, man.

This country still has racial issues, and the cops are corrupt, racist jerks.

Thanks for your input and qualifiers in your statement.

:rolleyes:

[Quaere_Verum]

I had hoped he would have said "no comment", since he didn't know the whole story.:rolleyes:
He was very unprofessional to say the police were stupid.

Being that he's a Democrat he has to promote racism. Party of slavery, segregation, Jim Crow. It's in the genes man.

[fjccommish]

I got picked up outside my house. I told the officer I lived right there, but he took me to the station. I'm white.

This case is a racist, the guy who was arrested, and other racists trying to make big news out of it. If he hadn't argued with the officer, he wouldn't have been arrested.

[Fitz]

If he hadn't argued with the officer, he wouldn't have been arrested.
Which is really an issue unto itself... arguing with a police office shouldn't be grounds for arrest.

[Justus]

I can now sleep at night knowing Obama's opinion on this.

[Gunslinger]

Which is really an issue unto itself... arguing with a police office shouldn't be grounds for arrest.

He didn't just argue.

He caused a Public Disturbance, which is against the law.

His status and color have no bearing on whether he is allowed to break the law or not.

[bbt630]

This country still has racial issues,...No argument there...
... and the cops are corrupt, racist jerks.For responding to a neighbors call of someone trying to enter a locked house through a window?

the bastards. :rolleyes:

[Greyghost]

I had hoped he would have said "no comment", since he didn't know the whole story.:rolleyes:
He was very unprofessional to say the police were stupid.

My thoughts exactly, he clearly stated he did not know the whole story but goes on to give the one sided story of his "friend" and squarely places the blame on the police. He should have had no comment on the matter because it is not his place to make a judgment on that matter. I was more angered when he used the race card.

[Physics Hunter]

Thanks for your input and qualifiers in your statement.

:rolleyes:

Ouch! Scathing reply.

[Gunslinger]

Ouch! Scathing reply.

I get tired of the unqualified the general cop hate replies that go into all of the threads involving police.

[Physics Hunter]

Has anyone bothered to add that Cambridge Mass ranks with Berkeley as a Liberal cesspool? I would bet those cops had more racial sensitivity training than firearms training.

[Physics Hunter]

I get tired of the unqualified 'cop hate' replies that go into all of the threads involving police.

It was a compliment.

[Gunslinger]

Has anyone bothered to add that Cambridge Mass ranks with Berkeley as a Liberal cesspool? I would bet those cops had more racial sensitivity training than firearms training.

I'm in an "Instructor Techniques Workshop" right now and got my 9th 'sensitivity' training so far this year.

I'm in Florida though.

[Gunslinger]

Nothing unqualified about it.

To go along with personal experiences, just do a quick YouTube or Google search on Police Brutality.

They abuse their power.

Cops are jerks.

I'm a cop.

[Physics Hunter]

I'm in an "Instructor Techniques Workshop" right now and got my 9th 'sensitivity' training so far this year.

I'm in Florida though.

I love to guess and be proven out! It is almost suprising that these cops had time to go out on a call with all the training...

I lived in-and-around Boston for several years. It was the longest period of my life that I did not even fire 1 round of ammo. The laws were way too restrictive.

The home of the Revolution run by Communists, yeesh.

[Wake-Up]

He didn't just argue.

He caused a Public Disturbance, which is against the law.

His status and color have no bearing on whether he is allowed to break the law or not.

Pure BS. I can only assume, like Obama, that you were there to witness this public disturbance inside the homeowners house as reported in the timeline. This was a weak attempt to justify lousy decision by the officer.

People believing there is no racial profiling are living in a fantasy world. I have witnessed it first hand while out with my best friend who is a minority. Stopping a white, black, hispanic when the report is a person of X description is committing Y is not racial profiling but stopping a person based on their color alone is and it does happen. We don't know the motivation behind this officer yet but it sounds more like he was mad the resident was questioning his authority.

Regardless, the man was in his own home, offered ID (as reported), common damn sense whether he was arguing with of officer or not should have resulted in a an immediate departure by the officer. The police have a tough job, no doubt, but when faced with someone that can prove who they are that should have ended the encounter at that point.

If this officer can not tolerate and elderly man getting in his face while proving he is right is in the wrong line of work.

[CaptainCrunch]

Yeah, any time a cop arrest a black man it's because 1. the cop is stupid and 2. cops are racist. It's really just that simple, America's first African American President, Barraq Hussein Obama explained it to me tonight. Just because he's a follower of the Nation of Islam and Black Liberation Theology is no reason to doubt his reasoning against white cops.

[Physics Hunter]

Wow, I just heard (FNC repeat) of the Oprompter Teleconference at the end where he quipped that quote about Police and minorities.

What smarmy crap! Well, let's hope the Police unions take that one to heart.

[Gunslinger]

I don't care.

You called me a Jerk.

[Greyghost]

Nothing unqualified about it.

To go along with personal experiences, just do a quick YouTube or Google search on Police Brutality.

They abuse their power.

Cops are jerks.

Wow how about that, if you do a google search for police brutality that is what you will find. You know if you also do a search for all the good that the police do you will also find instances of this.

The only jerk is one that make sweeping generalizations about the men and women who put their lives on the line each and every day to protect YOU. They do this with low salaries and no thanks from citizens such as yourself who would rather claim they are nothing more than corrupt thugs.

I wonder what your "personal experience" was too, did you do something wrong that warranted the police confronting you? Were you belligerent towards them? I doubt if you were you would have the guts to admit it but instead you do nothing but insult them absolutely no facts what so ever to back up your ridiculous claims.

You owe all the men and women of the police force a huge apology and should be thankful they are there to protect and serve you.

[Gunslinger]

Pure BS. I can only assume, like Obama, that you were there to witness this public disturbance inside the homeowners house as reported in the timeline. This was a weak attempt to justify lousy decision by the officer.

People believing there is no racial profiling are living in a fantasy world. I have witnessed it first hand while out with my best friend who is a minority. Stopping a white, black, hispanic when the report is a person of X description is committing Y is not racial profiling but stopping a person based on their color alone is and it does happen. We don't know the motivation behind this officer yet but it sounds more like he was mad the resident was questioning his authority.

Regardless, the man was in his own home, offered ID (as reported), common damn sense whether he was arguing with of officer or not should have resulted in a an immediate departure by the officer. The police have a tough job, no doubt, but when faced with someone that can prove who they are that should have ended the encounter at that point.

If this officer can not tolerate and elderly man getting in his face while proving he is right is in the wrong line of work.
You may have failed to read the part in the report where the Officer attempted to leave the yelling elder in his home and walk outside.

The elder man then followed the cop out of the house and to the street, still yelling and escalating a situation the officer was trying to leave alone after verifying the Home Owner was indeed the person on scene.

He was then causing a Public Disturbance and in violation of Law.

He was arrested.

[monkeymom]

For those who think this was a racist act on the part of the officer - does that also apply to the black officer who was present?

[Greyghost]

You failed to read the part in the report where the Officer attempted to leave the yelling elder in his home and walk outside.

The elder man then followed the cop out of the house and to the street, still yelling and escalating a situation the officer was trying to leave alone after verifying the Home Owner was indeed the person on scene.

He was then causing a Public Disturbance and in violation of Law.

He was arrested.

Those who want nothing more than to play the race card and demonize the police do not care what the elder man did. The only thing they look at is that a black man was arrested at his own home. What he did to warrant this arrest in irrelevant. For the president of our country to side with the elder man and call the police stupid is a slap in the face of these officers.

[Gunslinger]

Nice spin, Bill O'Reilly.

Cops are jerks, not changing my opinion.

You are not specifically, BUT ALL COPS ARE.

Underlines, Bold added by me.

http://forums.hannity.com/faq.php?faq=vb_faq#faq_rules_faq_item

Abusive Posting:

Personal attacks, wishing death on innocents, racism, antisemitism, and trolling are all prohibited and can result in a ban.

[Gunslinger]

Those who want nothing more than to play the race card and demonize the police do not care what the elder man did. The only thing they look at is that a black man was arrested at his own home. What he did to warrant this arrest in irrelevant. For the president of our country to side with the elder man and call the police stupid is a slap in the face of these officers.

I'm personally insulted by our President because I go out every day and do my job to the highest standard I can and this President calls me a Racist.

[Greyghost]

Nice spin, Bill O'Reilly.

Cops are jerks, not changing my opinion.

You are not specifically, BUT ALL COPS ARE.

You insulted him personally when you claimed all cops are racist jerks. I doubt you would see this since you are blinded by your extreme hatred.

[Greyghost]

I'm personally insulted by our President because I go out every day and do my job to the highest standard I can and this President calls me a Racist.

It was possibly the most insulting comment I have ever heard a president say and it was towards our own law enforcement. This man has more respect for our enemies than he does for the people who he would rely on to protect him. Absolutely disgraceful.

[Gunslinger]

It was possibly the most insulting comment I have ever heard a president say and it was towards our own law enforcement. This man has more respect for our enemies than he does for the people who he would rely on to protect him. Absolutely disgraceful.

He gave ammunition to criminals I'm going to be arresting in the future to further cry some sort of discrimination.

[Gunslinger]

The report me to the teacher...I didn't know we were in first grade.

The general public hates cops, and most minorities view them as racist.

This is pretty well known, maybe not to the boys in blue however.

Your obvious lack of respect for the rules is an issue that should be brought up to the moderators.

[Physics Hunter]

It was possibly the most insulting comment I have ever heard a president say and it was towards our own law enforcement. This man has more respect for our enemies than he does for the people who he would rely on to protect him. Absolutely disgraceful.

When I saw Gunslingers post and read it I did not completely understand the outrage. It was the dismissive smarmy delivery, like everyone knows and agrees with this, that really ****ed me off.

[hillplus]

Sigh, this world gets crazier all the time.

Obama made a mistake by speaking on it in that way.

The Professor made a mistake by making it about race right out of the starting gate.

And the cops made a mistake by not backing off and apologizing immediately and frankly, not understanding the guy's anger.


Wish we could just get over all this stuff and start treating each other with respect.

[who]

"I don’t know – not having been there and not seeing all the facts – what role race played in that,


but I think it’s fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry; number two that he Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home," Obama said in response to a question from the Chicago Sun-Times's Lynn Sweet.



Gates, Obama allowed, "is a friend, so I may be a little biased here. I don't know all the facts."

[Gunslinger]

Then. Do. It.

Honestly, I don't care.

I'll go watch some funny videos of cops getting hit while writing a ticket on YouTube.

http://forums.hannity.com/showthread.php?p=58187961#post58187961

You can monitor that thread.

[who]

You insulted him personally when you claimed all cops are racist jerks. I doubt you would see this since you are blinded by your extreme hatred.
I'm not sticking up for Black Lantern, but he did not make a personal attack.

Liberals are called some of the nastiest names on here. Unless it's directed at someone, it's not a personal attack.

We learn to not take these things personally.

[Gengar]

"I wasn't there and don't know what happened. Regardless... the cops acted stupidly!"

Is this guy for real? :))

[Gunslinger]

"I don’t know – not having been there and not seeing all the facts – what role race played in that,


but I think it’s fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry; number two that he Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home," Obama said in response to a question from the Chicago Sun-Times's Lynn Sweet.



Gates, Obama allowed, "is a friend, so I may be a little biased here. I don't know all the facts."
I don't understand why the President would say he doesn't know the whole story and then go on a rant about racist cops stopping minorities for 'no good reason'.

I have pretty thick skin but this actually upset me.

[Fitz]

I'm not sticking up for Black Lantern, but he did not make a personal attack.

Liberals are called some of the nastiest names on here. Unless it's directed at someone, it's not a personal attack.

We learn to not take these things personally.

At this point it's escalated well beyond that.
But I love being a dick about semantics as well :D

[Gunslinger]

At this point it's escalated well beyond that.
But I love being a dick about semantics as well :D

Thanks.

Maybe I'll watch some cop funerals too.

Fun times.

He's trolling and making personal attacks, which requires some skill to do right.

[Gabby]

Sigh, this world gets crazier all the time.

Obama made a mistake by speaking on it in that way.

The Professor made a mistake by making it about race right out of the starting gate.

And the cops made a mistake by not backing off and apologizing immediately and frankly, not understanding the guy's anger.


Wish we could just get over all this stuff and start treating each other with respect.

Why should the professor have been angry to start with? The cops got a call about two people trying to jimmy open the door to the house. The police responded. They asked teh man who was in the house for his ID to show that he was indeed the legal resident of the house. He, the professor, initially refused to provide ID and got angry that he was even asked. The police (both the black police officer and the white one) left the house. The professor followed them out yelling at them.

The professor was out of line. All the professor had to do was to provide and id without giving the cops a hard time.

When my house was broken into, the police asked me for ID. I showed it without arguing. That was the end of it.

[hillplus]

Thanks.

Maybe I'll watch some cop funerals too.

Fun times.

Dude....not cool.

[Gunslinger]

Hey Gunslinger,

What do you think about the cops getting killed all the time in Mexico?

I think it is making the world a better place.

The less corruption, the better.

You and I have nothing left to discuss.

You are trolling and I believe in direct violation of forum rules.

You have been linked to the rules and informed of your actions.

[who]

I don't understand why the President would say he doesn't know the whole story and then go on a rant about racist cops stopping minorities for 'no good reason'.

I have pretty thick skin but this actually upset me.
Well, I won't comment, as I don't know the whole story myself.

Maybe he shouldn't have.

I can understand how it would bother you though - and thank you for your service.

[Fitz]

He's trolling and making personal attacks, which requires some skill to do right.
hence the "escalated well beyond that"

Yep, he's on his way out.

Pretty weak trolling for someone who's already set on a ban.

[who]

Black Lantern - way way way over the line now.

I'm exiting this disgusting thread.

Sorry he ruined it for you Gunslinger.

[Gunslinger]

Well, I won't comment, as I don't know the whole story myself.

Maybe he shouldn't have.

I can understand how it would bother you though - and thank you for your service.

It bothered me because he basically said that all cops are racists.

I take a great deal of pride in my job and as a third generation cop, my father and his father instilled a deep sense of duty in me to do the right thing all of the time.

I don't know how to word it any differently.

[hillplus]

Why should the professor have been angry to start with? The cops got a call about two people trying to jimmy open the door to the house. The police responded. They asked teh man who was in the house for his ID to show that he was indeed the legal resident of the house. He, the professor, initially refused to provide ID and got angry that he was even asked. The police (both the black police officer and the white one) left the house. The professor followed them out yelling at them.

The professor was out of line. All the professor had to do was to provide and id without giving the cops a hard time.

When my house was broken into, the police asked me for ID. I showed it without arguing. That was the end of it.

I said that the Professor made a mistake, but you and I were not there, we do not know when and how things happened. I just think that since the guy was older and the fact that historically black men have gotten the short end of the stick, the cops should have just walked away.

BTW I have lots of respect for cops and disagree with someone else here who has disparaging words for them.

[Gunslinger]

Black Lantern - way way way over the line now.

I'm exiting this disgusting thread.

Sorry he ruined it for you Gunslinger.

It happens.

Thanks for your attention while the thread was productive.

[RedStatePaPa]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0709/Obama_Cambridge_police_acted_stupidly.html





Toward the end of the video he says this gem, "Blacks and Hispanics are picked up more frequently, and often times for NO cause, cast suspicion even when there is good cause".

And this man is President?

The asshat is stirring up so much **** it isn't even funny.

[Gunslinger]

I said that the Professor made a mistake, but you and I were not there, we do not know when and how things happened. I just think that since the guy was older and the fact that historically black men have gotten the short end of the stick, the cops should have just walked away.

BTW I have lots of respect for cops and disagree with someone else here who has disparaging words for them.

That's the thing. The cop did walk away. He left the man in the house. The elderly man pursued him out, continuing to yell.

[Fitz]

It bothered me because he basically said that all cops are racists.

I take a great deal of pride in my job and as a third generation cop, my father and his father instilled a deep sense of duty in me to do the right thing all of the time.

I don't know how to word it any differently.

I can see why you'd take it more personally than others, but I definitely picked up a different level of severity (poorly worded).

It definitely is an issue, but I definitely don't think he meant to imply all cops are racist.

[Gunslinger]

I can see why you'd take it more personally than others, but I definitely picked up a different level of severity (poorly worded).

It definitely is an issue, but I definitely don't think he meant to imply all cops are racist.

My personal biased may be effecting the way I understood the video. I'll review it again and verify what I heard him say.

[RedStatePaPa]

Way past your bedtime.

[AvgGuyIA]

Why was a local "issue" even brought up in a presidential news conference? He could have spent the time telling us in detail what his ObamaCare is going to do. We still don't know how he intends for us to pay for it.

[Fitz]

My personal biased may be effecting the way I understood the video. I'll review it again and verify what I heard him say.
I should probably do that as well, haven't actually seen it, that was just my impression from the transcript

[Blemonds]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0709/Obama_Cambridge_police_acted_stupidly.html





Toward the end of the video he says this gem, "Blacks and Hispanics are picked up more frequently, and often times for NO cause, cast suspicion even when there is good cause".

And this man is President?Obama is obsessed with race and Socialism. His press confrence covered both

[Gunslinger]

I should probably do that as well, haven't actually seen it, that was just my impression from the transcript

Much of what he says isn't in the partial transcript in the link. I believe the last few seconds is where he ups the fire.

[Raoul Duke]

I am no fan of the police (sorry gun) but what Obama did is irresponsible for 2 reasons

1. it makes the job harder for good cops
2. if this turns out to be the cop doing his job - it makes life easier for the corrupt ****ty cops to get away with it

Good thing SoSo has their backs...

[Gunslinger]

Why was a local "issue" even brought up in a presidential news conference? He could have spent the time telling us in detail what his ObamaCare is going to do. We still don't know how he intends for us to pay for it.

I believe the President and the Professor are friends on some level.

[Gunslinger]

I am no fan of the police (sorry gun) but what Obama did is irresponsible for 2 reasons

1. it makes the job harder for good cops
2. if this turns out to be the cop doing his job - it makes life easier for the corrupt ****ty cops to get away with it

Good thing SoSo has their backs...

Both of your points are accurate.

[Physics Hunter]

My personal biased may be effecting the way I understood the video. I'll review it again and verify what I heard him say.

No. The video is the tell in this one. The Prez. simply states Police racial bias as if it is accepted fact and turns and walks away. I cussed at the TV.

[Gunslinger]

No. The video is the tell in this one. The Prez. simply states Police racial bias as if it is accepted fact and turns and walks away. I cussed at the TV.

Yea, thought my understanding of the video would change after watching it again.

All it did was make my blood boil.

:frown:

[Raoul Duke]

Both of your points are accurate.

I honestly can't even imagine what he was thinking -

hopefully he has something to say about the mayor in Maryland and his poor dogs :rolleyes:

[Fitz]

Much of what he says isn't in the partial transcript in the link. I believe the last few seconds is where he ups the fire.

Yeah, there's definitely something lost to vagueness and what exactly is meant by often.

I'm sure that people are picked up for no or at least very poor reasons at least occasionally, and it could easily be argued that having it happen once is too often.

He definitely could have stated that better...


As an aside the inflection on 'stupid' came off a bit harsh/accusatory, from the transcript I had imagined it being more of an off the cuff "**** happens" kinda thing.

[Gunslinger]

I honestly can't even imagine what he was thinking -

hopefully he has something to say about the mayor in Maryland and his poor dogs :rolleyes:

I'm going to show this video to the head of our union tomorrow.

I think an apology is in order but I doubt he'd even think he's acted unprofessionally.

[Physics Hunter]

Yea, thought my understanding of the video would change after watching it again.

All it did was make my blood boil.

:frown:

Well, from one law abiding citizen, God bless you and your family.

You did not deserve the crap in this thread, worst I have ever seen.

[Raoul Duke]

I'm going to show this video to the head of our union tomorrow.

I think an apology is in order but I doubt he'd even think he's acted unprofessionally.

never - the man is a super hero in his own mind

its amazing - in one statement he disparages the police, makes it harder for them to do their job, and potentially makes it harder to prove that bad cops are acting out of line...

he is a disaster...

[Gunslinger]

Well, from one law abiding citizen, God bless you and your family.

You did not deserve the crap in this thread, worst I have ever seen.

Thanks for your appreciation, Lord knows we don't hear that often.

:hug:

[Gunslinger]

never - the man is a super hero in his own mind

its amazing - in one statement he disparages the police, makes it harder for them to do their job, and potentially makes it harder to prove that bad cops are acting out of line...

he is a disaster...

I am going to show this video around tomorrow and to some officers I know that voted for him. I want to know their reaction to the comments.

[Raoul Duke]

I am going to show this video around tomorrow and to some officers I know that voted for him. I want to know their reaction to the comments.

please let us know - I am getting a feeling that crap like this is turning people on him

oh, and since you seem like on of the good ones, I appreciate what you guys do too

[Broseph]

Although I disagree with Obama on most issues, I have to agree with him here.

It's not a big secret that there are plenty of cops that should probably have 'To harass and intimidate' instead of 'To protect and serve' on the side of their car, and this problem is exaggerated often times if you're a minority or a young person.

Maybe Obama has gone through a DWB traffic stop and that has shaped some of his opinion on the matter.

[Raoul Duke]

Although I disagree with Obama on most issues, I have to agree with him here.

It's not a big secret that there are plenty of cops that should probably have 'To harass and intimidate' instead of 'To protect and serve' on the side of their car, and this problem is exaggerated often times if you're a minority or a young person.

Maybe Obama has gone through a DWB traffic stop and that has shaped some of his opinion on the matter.

I agree with you that a lot of cops are like that, however, we don't know the full facts of this case yet, and I think that him saying anything beyond that is largely irresponsible

[Gunslinger]

Although I disagree with Obama on most issues, I have to agree with him here.

It's not a big secret that there are plenty of cops that should probably have 'To harass and intimidate' instead of 'To protect and serve' on the side of their car, and this problem is exaggerated often times if you're a minority or a young person.

Maybe Obama has gone through a DWB traffic stop and that has shaped some of his opinion on the matter.

This man is the President.

What he says is heard by the entire nation.

His comments and accusations were unprofessional.

[BigBear]

I agree with you that a lot of cops are like that, however, we don't know the full facts of this case yet, and I think that him saying anything beyond that is largely irresponsible
Possibly, but it's very difficult to imagine that given the reported circumstances it wasn't stupid at some level to arrest a Harvard professor inside his own home. Maybe Obama as a Harvard alum took the reported event a bit personally.

[Raoul Duke]

Possibly, but it's very difficult to imagine that given the reported circumstances it wasn't stupid at some level to arrest a Harvard professor inside his own home. Maybe Obama as a Harvard alum took the reported event a bit personally.

one thing that I have noticed about these kind of situations is escalating stupidity on both sides

[Gunslinger]

Possibly, but it's very difficult to imagine that given the reported circumstances it wasn't stupid at some level to arrest a Harvard professor inside his own home. Maybe Obama as a Harvard alum took the reported event a bit personally.

He was outside of his home, after yelling at the officer inside the home for asking him for ID reference the reported Burglary in progress.

Officer verified he was the home owner and walked out of the home, leaving the man inside to yell.

The professor followed him outside and to the street, still yelling and causing a public disturbance, which is a crime.

Would I have arrested him? Nope.

But it was a lawful arrest by the book.

[who]

I agree with you that a lot of cops are like that, however, we don't know the full facts of this case yet, and I think that him saying anything beyond that is largely irresponsible
Ok, I'm back for just a few minutes...I'm way overtired and should be in bed now, but...

I have done some reading on this, and I have to say - how would you react if you were arrested in YOUR OWN HOME for disorderly conduct AFTER showing the police your ID and proving it's YOUR DAMN HOME!

I know I'd be upset.

[Fitz]

ooh, there's the bait, let's see if he takes it!

[Raoul Duke]

Ok, I'm back for just a few minutes...I'm way overtired and should be in bed now, but...

I have done some reading on this, and I have to say - how would you react if you were arrested in YOUR OWN HOME for disorderly conduct AFTER showing the police your ID and proving it's YOUR DAMN HOME!

I know I'd be upset.

I'd be ****ed too - hell, I'd likely react the same way
... and the cop would probably arrest me

Don't think the president would care too much though

[who]

I'll grant, this may be a biased report, but it is clear, we are not getting the full story yet. I keep reading conflicting accounts. We perhaps never will.

This paragraph struck me:

"To his minuscule credit, Officer Crowley's report claims that he did realize it was Gates' home early into the incident.

But to what hopefully is his eternal regret, instead of leaving the situation immediately once the crime he was called in for was proven to be a mistake, Crowley continued to exchange harsh words with Gates and unnecessarily radio for backup.

The officer then demanded that Professor Gates step out of his home, and in front of a gathering crowd of neighbors and onlookers, a man who was one of TIME's 25 most influential Americans in 1997, was arrested for "disorderly conduct."

[Gunslinger]

Ok, I'm back for just a few minutes...I'm way overtired and should be in bed now, but...

I have done some reading on this, and I have to say - how would you react if you were arrested in YOUR OWN HOME for disorderly conduct AFTER showing the police your ID and proving it's YOUR DAMN HOME!

I know I'd be upset.

http://www.theawl.com/2009/07/the-skip-gates-police-report-well-this-is-what-happens-to-black-men-in-america

I'm trying to find the entire report, but that's the first snippet I found.

[who]

I'd be ****ed too - hell, I'd likely react the same way
... and the cop would probably arrest me

Don't think the president would care too much though
Do you know who this guy is?

Take just a moment to read this, if you can:
http://www.alternet.org/rights/141485/what_makes_the_arrest_of_professor_henry_louis_gat es_jr._so_tragic/

[Gunslinger]

I'll grant, this may be a biased report, but it is clear, we are not getting the full story yet. I keep reading conflicting accounts. We perhaps never will.

This paragraph struck me:

"To his minuscule credit, Officer Crowley's report claims that he did realize it was Gates' home early into the incident.

But to what hopefully is his eternal regret, instead of leaving the situation immediately once the crime he was called in for was proven to be a mistake, Crowley continued to exchange harsh words with Gates and unnecessarily radio for backup.

The officer then demanded that Professor Gates step out of his home, and in front of a gathering crowd of neighbors and onlookers, a man who was one of TIME's 25 most influential Americans in 1997, was arrested for "disorderly conduct."

Since we have Gates side, I'm trying to find the full report from the Sergeant who made the arrest.

[bubba104]

Being that he's a Democrat he has to promote racism. Party of slavery, segregation, Jim Crow. It's in the genes man.

***?

[Gunslinger]

I found an article with an actual picture of the arrest. Wow.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/23/birth_of_a_flashpoint_gatess_neighbor_captured_the _moment/

[XBlacklashX]

I'll grant, this may be a biased report, but it is clear, we are not getting the full story yet. I keep reading conflicting accounts. We perhaps never will.

This paragraph struck me:

"To his minuscule credit, Officer Crowley's report claims that he did realize it was Gates' home early into the incident.

But to what hopefully is his eternal regret, instead of leaving the situation immediately once the crime he was called in for was proven to be a mistake, Crowley continued to exchange harsh words with Gates and unnecessarily radio for backup.

The officer then demanded that Professor Gates step out of his home, and in front of a gathering crowd of neighbors and onlookers, a man who was one of TIME's 25 most influential Americans in 1997, was arrested for "disorderly conduct."

Seems like a guy who doesn't want to admit he's wrong and that might enjoy being a bully.

[who]

Since we have Gates side, I'm trying to find the full report from the Sergeant who made the arrest.
I'll look forward to reading it.

And sorry again for what you had to deal with in your thread.
The guy was a jerk.

You seem very ernest, fair and honest to me.

Thank you again for your work.

Way past my bedtime.

Night now! :sleepy eyed waves:

[Gunslinger]

I'll look forward to reading it.

And sorry again for what you had to deal with in your thread.
The guy was a jerk.

You seem very ernest, fair and honest to me.

Thank you again for your work.

Way past my bedtime.

Night now! :sleepy eyed waves:
Night! ♥

[Gabby]

Gunslinger,

I've calmed down a bit.....
Sorry again.

Apparently Gunslinger has not come to a place of peace in this yet. If he does he will in his own time.

Enough is enough. That last post... the one with all empty space makes it hard to even read this thread. What you are doing is becoming stalking.

Please let it go so that we can all dicuss the topic.

[Gunslinger]

Apparently Gunslinger has not come to a place of peace in this yet. If he does he will in his own time.

Enough is enough. That last post... the one with all empty space makes it hard to even read this thread. What you are doing is becoming stalking.

Please let it go so that we can all dicuss the topic.
He's trolling now, just ignore him please.

I'm still looking for those reports, I remember seeing them on a news site.

[RTchoke]

I found an article with an actual picture of the arrest. Wow.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/23/birth_of_a_flashpoint_gatess_neighbor_captured_the _moment/

Somebody has some anger issues and probably a big ass chip on his shoulder.

[Drawz]

What an ass.

[Gunslinger]

Somebody has some anger issues and probably a big ass chip on his shoulder.

I would hate to venture into speculation but that's how its coming off.

By his statements, it would seem that he is the person who initiated the race comments.

[Drawz]

Summer's Eve.

[Gunslinger]

Summer's Eve.

I'm not familiar with that term. What's that?

[Fitz]

I'm not familiar with that term. What's that?
lol, google it

edit: meh, google's not descriptive enough
****** is what you're looking for

edit v2: on second thought, stick with google

[Gunslinger]

lol, google it

Oh wow. Ha.

[Gunslinger]

Alright guys, I've got to be up at 0630 (4.5 hours).

Night!

[Drawz]

The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed

"Childe Roland to the Dark Tower came."

One of my favorite books, though I thought the series declined by the time Wizard Under Glass was published.

[Gunslinger]

"Childe Roland to the Dark Tower came."

One of my favorite books, though I thought the series declined by the time Wizard Under Glass was published.

I know. :(

We can discuss that series tomorrow, when I'm home from work.

Night.

:hug:

[RTchoke]

I would hate to venture into speculation but that's how its coming off.

By his statements, it would seem that he is the person who initiated the race comments.

Hate to sprinkle on anyone's parade, but that's the way it's coming off to me also.

It leaves the impression this guy is used to using the "don't you know who I am" remark along with the rant of "you're just a racist" when not given the preferential treatment he feels he deserves.

That is just MHO based on personal experience and what I have read so far. Keep in mind I say so far since I don't think everything is out there yet.

[Physics Hunter]

GS, kill it for the night and pick it up tomorrow.

On to the world.

Was this a 16 year old fool, or someone trying to distract us from something greater.

I leave the larger "We" with that thot.

[Gabby]

Photo of the arrest... sorry if this link was already posted....

http://www.demotiximages.com/photo/bulkuploadphoto-21744

[Drawz]

Hate to sprinkle on anyone's parade, but that's the way it's coming off to me also.

It leaves the impression this guy is used to using the "don't you know who I am" remark along with the rant of "you're just a racist" when not given the preferential treatment he feels he deserves.

That is just MHO based on personal experience and what I have read so far. Keep in mind I say so far since I don't think everything is out there yet.

Clearly, you're just a racist who likes to pee on people!

Don't you know who I am!?

Think pink? So you're one of those Homer-Sexuals too!?

What is this world coming to?

;)

NOTE: this post is entirely in jest, please don't report my faux bigotry.

[RTchoke]

Clearly, you're just a racist who likes to pee on people!

Don't you know who I am!?

Think pink? So you're one of those Homer-Sexuals too!?

What is this world coming to?

;)

NOTE: this post is entirely in jest, please don't report my faux bigotry.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/Tweeney/funny-pictures-cat-giggles-teehee1.jpg

Don't worry. I "got" it. ;)

[Drawz]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/Tweeney/funny-pictures-cat-giggles-teehee1.jpg

Don't worry. I "got" it. ;)

OMG! Now you're posting pics of ***** licking!

"Won't someone think about the children!"

Crazy Liberal Craziness!:))

[ShinGouki]

I personally distrust most younger cops. I'm half black, half white. I've never really been profiled per say, but I have noticed that many cops are more uneasy around me when I'm driving than when my white friends are.

Not only that, but our local police force is very, VERY corrupt.

Personally, I can understand the police justification; blacks commit more crimes when compared proportionately to whites. I understand that.

But a guy like me, who dresses preppy (polos, pants that fit with a belt, nice shoes, etc.), has no criminal record, and doesn't match that "gangsta" stereotype at all (heck, I don't even use Ebonics) why should the cops be uneasy around a guy like me? I mean, if I was wearing a shirt that said "Kill the police!" and I was dressed stereotypically "gangsta" and talking using ebonic slang (which I hate BTW; my children will not speak it) then yeah, I'd understand.

[ShinGouki]

@ Gunslinger

I do thank those good cops for their service. I'm friends with several police officers, most of whom are white.

But you gotta admit, there are some who, either unwittingly or on purpose, profile those they stop.

There have been several cases where I have went through a roadblock and noticed one of the cops tense up. I've never seen one go to his weapon, but I could tell that he was prepared for what he sensed was an inevitable showdown.

But, for every cop like that, there was another (usually the one checking my ID) who were great cops who were polite and treated me as an innocent.

I've noticed that it's usually younger cops who are more likely to profile. The older cops on the force have never tensed up around me; the younger cops have.

[flannie]

Can someone give me a link to the report of the incident? It was mentioned but I never saw a link. I would like to read what actually happened and in what order. Thanks!

I don't believe this is a matter of racial profiling at all. He sounds arrogant (or maybe just rattled by the events) but the police had every reason to believe the home was being invaded. They did the right thing, to my way of thinking.

[RTchoke]

OMG! Now you're posting pics of ***** licking!

"Won't someone think about the children!"

Crazy Liberal Craziness!:))

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/Tweeney/chazz_billy_lolcats-funny-pictures-.jpg

Who you calling a liberal? :evil:


:))

[Wild Bill03]

During the primary election I was saying (Because of Obamas own words in his own book and 20 years of Rev. Wright) that if Obama was elected it would set back racial relations 40 years and I was right. Proof is all over the internet in confrontations like we saw in the earlier pages of this thread between Gunslinger and the pinhead that got booted and the press conference was only a few hours ago. (BTW Thanks for all you do Gunslinger!).

Its not the fact that hes black and hes President, its his beliefs and racial anger. If Bill Cosby had won the election it would have brought the races closer just like everyone incorrectly claimed it did when Obama won, and Cosby is just as qualified for the office as Obama.


If what I read is correct the professor teaches a class on the oppression of minorities, even if he doesnt its clear hes a race baiter. And when the idiot in chief said in his rant last night that the professor was a friend of his I knew what side he was gonna take since his own book says in his own words "Thats just how white folks will do ya". The professor being a friend of Obamas fits the template of the sort of people the idiot calls friends and mentors.


I knew after the election we were instore for the worst President in history and only six months he has done nothing but prove me right.

Thanks to everyone that voted for the admitted crackhead, there were plenty of warning signs and no real reason to vote for someone with no political or professional track record to go by. Your vote has ruined my country.

Enjoy the increased racial tensions (and riots if he is an illegal alien and removed from office, that warning was there too).

[Texas dude]

He didn't just argue.

He caused a Public Disturbance, which is against the law.

His status and color have no bearing on whether he is allowed to break the law or not.
Public disturbance? He was in his house. Is that still cause for an arrest?

[msny]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0709/Obama_Cambridge_police_acted_stupidly.html





Toward the end of the video he says this gem, "Blacks and Hispanics are picked up more frequently, and often times for NO cause, cast suspicion even when there is good cause".

And this man is President?

Totally inappropiate for him to comment on this.
It was a local matter, handled locally.

The federal goverment is now stepping into local affairs?

[zantax]

Public disturbance? He was in his house. Is that still cause for an arrest?

No, he was not.

[msny]

Pure BS. I can only assume, like Obama, that you were there to witness this public disturbance inside the homeowners house as reported in the timeline. This was a weak attempt to justify lousy decision by the officer.

People believing there is no racial profiling are living in a fantasy world. I have witnessed it first hand while out with my best friend who is a minority. Stopping a white, black, hispanic when the report is a person of X description is committing Y is not racial profiling but stopping a person based on their color alone is and it does happen. We don't know the motivation behind this officer yet but it sounds more like he was mad the resident was questioning his authority.

Regardless, the man was in his own home, offered ID (as reported), common damn sense whether he was arguing with of officer or not should have resulted in a an immediate departure by the officer. The police have a tough job, no doubt, but when faced with someone that can prove who they are that should have ended the encounter at that point.

If this officer can not tolerate and elderly man getting in his face while proving he is right is in the wrong line of work.

Point taken, BUT the POTUS has NO business dealing in this
local matter.

If Gates now wants to sue, there seems to be prejudice,
and this extra pressure by Obama will hurt him in the end.

[msny]

Public disturbance? He was in his house. Is that still cause for an arrest?

Well burglers do go into houses, right?
Police had no idea, at first, what was going on there.

The point is calling police stupid and at fault without
knowing the facts is nothing a POTUS should be doing.

He just undermined police officers everywhere.

[zantax]

Well burglers do go into houses, right?
Police had no idea, at first, what was going on there.

The point is calling police stupid and at fault without
knowing the facts is nothing a POTUS should be doing.

He just undermined police officers everywhere.

And got who knows how many minorities arrested, I can hear it now, "I don't have to shut up racist cop, Obama is President now", clik clik

[who]

No, he was not.
Yes, he was. The police INSISTED he go outside - THEN they arrested him for Disorderly Conduct.

[Czhorat]

For those who think this was a racist act on the part of the officer - does that also apply to the black officer who was present?


I'll pop into this thread with a "yes". Recent social psych studies of such things show that African Americans show some of the same prejudices against African Americans as whites. It's a sign of how deeply ingrained and insidious racism is in America.

As much progress as there's been, there's still a long way to go.


My answer to Gunslinger is that I do not believe all cops to be racist; I do believe that some are, and that some unconciously act on racial stereotypes.

[Czhorat]

Totally inappropiate for him to comment on this.
It was a local matter, handled locally.

The federal goverment is now stepping into local affairs?

A reporter directly asked him about it. Had he not answered, I'm sure he'd be accused of being evasive.

[zantax]

Yes, he was. The police INSISTED he go outside - THEN they arrested him for Disorderly Conduct.

No, they did not INSIST, want to make up anything else?

[SFC(R)L]

Yes, he was. The police INSISTED he go outside - THEN they arrested him for Disorderly Conduct.

I read the police report and the citizen left his domicile of his own accord and continued his assault on the fficer outside resulting in his arrest.

he should be prosecuted.

[SFC(R)L]

Public disturbance? He was in his house. Is that still cause for an arrest?

try reading the arrest report.

[who]

No, they did not INSIST, want to make up anything else?
"police report that Gates refused to step outside to speak with him."

He was IN HIS Home. The officer refused to give his name and badge number.

[SFC(R)L]

"police report that Gates refused to step outside to speak with him."

He was IN HIS Home. The officer refused to give his name and badge number.

The arrest report is clear.

He left his domicile on his own and assaulted the officer outside.

[ModerateVoice]

Totally inappropiate for him to comment on this.
It was a local matter, handled locally.

The federal goverment is now stepping into local affairs?

Interesting point considering it took Obama three days to comment on the recruiting station shooting in which one of our troops was murdered. When conservatives expressed outrage that Obama selectively chose to immediately address the Tiller murder but ignored the recruiting station murder for three days, the liberals all stated that the recruiting station killing was "just a local story" and did not merit Obama's commentary.

[zantax]

"police report that Gates refused to step outside to speak with him."

He was IN HIS Home. The officer refused to give his name and badge number.

The officer gave his name twice, his badge number is, get this, on his badge. Nobody forced him to leave his home and nobody forced him to act disorderly, in fact he was warned twice that he was being disorderly.

[who]

I read the police report and the citizen left his domicile of his own accord and continued his assault on the fficer outside resulting in his arrest.

he should be prosecuted.
There are always two sides to every story. The police, and the citizen's.
It appears they are divergent.

"Professor Gates immediately called the Harvard Real Estate office to report the damage to his door and requested that it be repaired immediately. As he was talking to the Harvard Real Estate office on his portable phone in his house, he observed a uniformed officer on his front porch. When Professor Gates opened the door, the officer immediately asked him to step outside. Professor Gates remained inside his home and asked the officer why he was there. The officer indicated that he was responding to a 911 call about a breaking and entering in progress at this address. Professor Gates informed the officer that he lived there and was a faculty member at Harvard University. The officer then asked Professor Gates whether he could prove that he lived there and taught at Harvard. Professor Gates said that he could, and turned to walk into his kitchen, where he had left his wallet. The officer followed him. Professor Gates handed both his Harvard University identification and his valid Massachusetts driver’s license to the officer. Both include Professor Gates’ photograph, and the license includes his address.


Professor Gates then asked the police officer if he would give him his name and his badge number. He made this request several times. The officer did not produce any identification nor did he respond to Professor Gates’ request for this information. After an additional request by Professor Gates for the officer’s name and badge number, the officer then turned and left the kitchen of Professor Gates’ home without ever acknowledging who he was or if there were charges against Professor Gates.

As Professor Gates followed the officer to his own front door, he was astonished to see several police officers gathered on his front porch. Professor Gates asked the officer’s colleagues for his name and badge number. As Professor Gates stepped onto his front porch, the officer who had been inside and who had examined his identification, said to him, “Thank you for accommodating my earlier request,” and then placed Professor Gates under arrest. He was handcuffed on his own front porch.

Professor Gates was taken to the Cambridge Police Station where he remained for approximately 4 hours before being released that evening. Professor Gates’ counsel has been cooperating with the Middlesex District Attorneys Office, and the City of Cambridge, and is hopeful that this matter will be resolved promptly. Professor Gates will not be making any other statements concerning this matter at this time.


http://www.theroot.com/views/lawyers-statement-arrest-henry-louis-gates-jr

[zantax]

There are always two sides to every story. The police, and the citizen's.
It appears they are divergent.

"Professor Gates immediately called the Harvard Real Estate office to report the damage to his door and requested that it be repaired immediately. As he was talking to the Harvard Real Estate office on his portable phone in his house, he observed a uniformed officer on his front porch. When Professor Gates opened the door, the officer immediately asked him to step outside. Professor Gates remained inside his home and asked the officer why he was there. The officer indicated that he was responding to a 911 call about a breaking and entering in progress at this address. Professor Gates informed the officer that he lived there and was a faculty member at Harvard University. The officer then asked Professor Gates whether he could prove that he lived there and taught at Harvard. Professor Gates said that he could, and turned to walk into his kitchen, where he had left his wallet. The officer followed him. Professor Gates handed both his Harvard University identification and his valid Massachusetts driver’s license to the officer. Both include Professor Gates’ photograph, and the license includes his address.


Professor Gates then asked the police officer if he would give him his name and his badge number. He made this request several times. The officer did not produce any identification nor did he respond to Professor Gates’ request for this information. After an additional request by Professor Gates for the officer’s name and badge number, the officer then turned and left the kitchen of Professor Gates’ home without ever acknowledging who he was or if there were charges against Professor Gates.

As Professor Gates followed the officer to his own front door, he was astonished to see several police officers gathered on his front porch. Professor Gates asked the officer’s colleagues for his name and badge number. As Professor Gates stepped onto his front porch, the officer who had been inside and who had examined his identification, said to him, “Thank you for accommodating my earlier request,” and then placed Professor Gates under arrest. He was handcuffed on his own front porch.

Professor Gates was taken to the Cambridge Police Station where he remained for approximately 4 hours before being released that evening. Professor Gates’ counsel has been cooperating with the Middlesex District Attorneys Office, and the City of Cambridge, and is hopeful that this matter will be resolved promptly. Professor Gates will not be making any other statements concerning this matter at this time.


http://www.theroot.com/views/lawyers-statement-arrest-henry-louis-gates-jr


What a crock. That is directly contradicted by the officers report and the second officer on the scenes report as well as the crowd who gathered to watch this apparently, according to the professor, calm encounter. In short, it's his word against two cops, one of which is also a minority.

[who]

The officer gave his name twice, his badge number is, get this, on his badge. Nobody forced him to leave his home and nobody forced him to act disorderly, in fact he was warned twice that he was being disorderly.
My front porch is still my HOME, dammmit.

If, after I have shown you it it MY DAMN HOUSE, provided identification - you better damn well say you are sorry for the mistake and get out.

I appreciate what officers do, but they were wrong here.

You know, it kills me, if this were David Horowitz, (Make that David Horowitz WITH A CANE) for example, who was arrested in his own house, somehow I think the spin on this would be a whooooole lot different.

[Jousts]

"police report that Gates refused to step outside to speak with him."

He was IN HIS Home. The officer refused to give his name and badge number.

That is strictly hearsay right now Who. The bottom line is there is a difference of opinion as to what truly happened. The officers have one view and the Profressor has another.

I will not make a judgement call on this as I was not there and I do not have all of the facts.

What I do know is that the police department in Cambridge Mass have been through many sessions of sensitivity training. What I do not yet know is whether or not this officer has a history of such cricumstances. That in itself will shed a bit more light on the situation.

What I do know as fact is that this Professor broke into his own home and witneses believed the home was being robbed. White or black, when an officer arrives at a home that was reported as being robbed, he or she does not know WHAT to expect from the individual inside.

WE CAN NOT FORGET THAT.

Out of respect of this, and appreciation for the bravery of our police force, ALL OF US should immediately do whatever the officer asks.

Even Obama said "there were words exchanged".....intersting how he brushed that off as a "side thing" by the way......Why was there an exchange of words? Why didnt the Professor, out of consideration of the position the Police were in simply show his ID?

I am white and I was asked by an officer to produce my ID when he caught me breaking into my own car. I appreciated his attempt to ensure I was the owner of the car. Imagine my OUTRAGE if I showed up to see an officer assisting someone else break into my car.

Furthermore....Imagine the outrage the Professor would have felt if he found out that the police arrived and SOMEONE ELSE claimed to be him in the house...when in fact it was a theif?

So I have plenty of reason to question what truly took place.

Obama, by the way, made a judgenment call based on his heart, lack of evidence.....and THAT concerns me more than anything.

[who]

What a crock. That is directly contradicted by the officers report and the second officer on the scenes report as well as the crowd who gathered to watch this apparently, according to the professor, calm encounter. In short, it's his word against two cops, one of which is also a minority.
You do know the charges have been dropped and the Police have apologized, right?

[ModerateVoice]

Innocent until proven guilty applies equally to the police in this matter as it does to the professor..............Which makes me wonder why the Harvard lawyer/President of the United States decided to convict the police in the press while admittedly not knowing all the facts in the case.

[ModerateVoice]

You do know the charges have been dropped and the Police have apologized, right?

Political pressure, anyone?

[who]

That is strictly hearsay right now Who. The bottom line is there is a difference of opinion as to what truly happened. The officers have one view and the Profressor has another.

I will not make a judgement call on this as I was not there and I do not have all of the facts.

What I do know is that the police department in Cambridge Mass have been through many sessions of sensitivity training. What I do not yet know is whether or not this officer has a history of such cricumstances. That in itself will shed a bit more light on the situation.

What I do know as fact is that this Professor broke into his own home and witneses believed the home was being robbed. White or black, when an officer arrives at a home that was reported as being robbed, he or she does not know WHAT to expect from the individual inside.

WE CAN NOT FORGET THAT.

Out of respect of this, and appreciation for the bravery of our police force, ALL OF US should immediately do whatever the officer asks.

Even Obama said "there were words exchanged".....intersting how he brushed that off as a "side thing" by the way......Why was there an exchange of words? Why didnt the Professor, out of consideration of the position the Police were in simply show his ID?

I am white and I was asked by an officer to produce my ID when he caught me breaking into my own car. I appreciated his attempt to ensure I was the owner of the car. Imagine my OUTRAGE if I showed up to see an officer assisting someone else break into my car.

Furthermore....Imagine the outrage the Professor would have felt if he found out that the police arrived and SOMEONE ELSE claimed to be him in the house...when in fact it was a theif?

So I have plenty of reason to question what truly took place.

Obama, by the way, made a judgenment call based on his heart, lack of evidence.....and THAT concerns me more than anything.
As reported on Fox 25 (Boston station) the professor provided the officers responding with 2 forms of ID.
It was only when he asked for the names and badge numbers of the officers that he was considered "disorderly conduct"

[zantax]

My front porch is still my HOME, dammmit.

If, after I have shown you it it MY DAMN HOUSE, provided identification - you better damn well say you are sorry for the mistake and get out.

I appreciate what officers do, but they were wrong here.

You know, it kills me, if this were David Horowitz, (Make that David Horowitz WITH A CANE) for example, who was arrested in his own house, somehow I think the spin on this would be a whooooole lot different.

It sure would be, the President nor the Governor would have said a word. I guess when Gates said they didn't know who they were messing with, he was right.

I explained in the other thread, this happened to me before, the cps treated me as a potential burglar, as they should have. I have also explained that just having an ID with that address on it is not concrete proof you are entitled to break into a residence, he's lucky he wasn't cuffed inside the minute he became uncooperative. What if he was an estranged husband, no longer legally entitled to reside there? What if he had been evicted two months ago?

Fact, an ID with an address on it is not proof you are legally entitled to break into a residence.

[who]

Political pressure, anyone?
You arrest a man on his OWN PORCH for disorderly conduct AFTER you have been provided ID (two forms) - and you think it was political pressure that caused them to drop the charges??

I guess we can assume you think the charges should have stuck.

You know, be careful. These words paying tribute to government abuse may just come back to bite you.

[Canadian Jane]

Which is really an issue unto itself... arguing with a police office shouldn't be grounds for arrest.


However, refusing to provide identification when a police officer finds you breaking into a house SHOULD be grounds for arrest.

Until the officer can verify his story - it is the right thing to do. White, black - I don't care what color his skin is. The circumstances required follow-up from a police officer.

I think this professor is really just a man who was embarrassed to be in that situation with witnesses standing around - so he tried to turn it into a rascist issue.

It is pathetic - and the fact that Obama bought into the scam shows once again how unqualified he is to be President.

As another poster pointed out - he didn't know the details - he should have responded with "no comment".

But he used it as a way to once again promote rascism in the U.S. (yes, by continually dredging it up at every opportunity - I see that as promoting. To be honest, I'm tiring of it - there's reverse rascism as well - do you really do any good by focusing on the hate all the time, instead of pointing out the good?).

But what was REALLY unforgiveable is the fact that he actually said the police were "STUPID" - when he already admitted that he didn't know the circumstances.


Irresponsible is the only description I can use for Obama's comments.


The Cambridge poice have confirmed that the officer followed protocol. They stand behind him. He said that he will never apologize - because he has nothing to apologize for. The man has an exemplary record - from what I've read so far. I think Obama might have to offer a retraction on the "stupid" comment when all the dust settles.

[who]

It sure would be, the President nor the Governor would have said a word. I guess when Gates said they didn't know who they were messing with, he was right.

I explained in the other thread, this happened to me before, the cps treated me as a potential burglar, as they should have. I have also explained that just having an ID with that address on it is not concrete proof you are entitled to break into a residence, he's lucky he wasn't cuffed inside the minute he became uncooperative. What if he was an estranged husband, no longer legally entitled to reside there? What if he had been evicted two months ago?

Fact, an ID with an address on it is not proof you are legally entitled to break into a residence.
The State issued ID Also had his DAMN picture on it.

HE also showed him ANOTHER form of ID.

[zantax]

The State issued ID Also had his DAMN picture on it.

HE also showed him ANOTHER form of ID.


So? What does the picture prove? Does that prove he isn't an estranged husband home to collect the furniture he lost in the divorce or kidnap the kids he didn't get custody of? You do know they don't confiscate your ID the minute the judge says you don't live there any more right?

[Canadian Jane]

So? What does the picture prove? Does that prove he isn't an estranged husband home to collect the furniture he lost in the divorce or kidnap the kids he didn't get custody of? You do know they don't confiscate your ID the minute the judge says you don't live there any more right?


Agreed. The officer had a valid reason for detaining the man until he could confirm the situation.

This is a case where Obama should have followed the script offered by his trusty teleprompter.

[who]

"I think [the officer] owes me an apology for what he did," Gates told a Boston television reporter Tuesday night. "He should look into his heart and know that he is not telling the truth and he should beg my forgiveness." Gates has raised the possibility of filing a lawsuit over the arrest.

....Gates and his lawyer have said that the professor cooperated fully, providing both his Harvard identification and a drivers license to prove he lived in the home. They said the officer refused to identify himself and lured Gates out of the home to arrest him.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=528593

[Jousts]

As reported on Fox 25 (Boston station) the professor provided the officers responding with 2 forms of ID.
It was only when he asked for the names and badge numbers of the officers that he was considered "disorderly conduct"


But that was based strictly on the Professors opinion.

I ask you this.....if he did as he said, and showed his ID without any type of issue.....why would he have asked for their badgfe numbers?

Obviously there was an exchange of words. So the wquestion is....do you believe it was as simple as

"we were called here out of concern of a robbery. A neighbor saw someone breaking in to this house so Please present your ID showing you are the owner of this home so we can put this to rest. Right now, for all we know, you could be someone who broke into this house."

"Sure officer, I understand. Here is my ID"

WHo...put your heart aside.....and tell me that type of exchange would have resulted in "words" that would have required the professor requesting his badge number.

[zantax]

"I think [the officer] owes me an apology for what he did," Gates told a Boston television reporter Tuesday night. "He should look into his heart and know that he is not telling the truth and he should beg my forgiveness." Gates has raised the possibility of filing a lawsuit over the arrest.

....Gates and his lawyer have said that the professor cooperated fully, providing both his Harvard identification and a drivers license to prove he lived in the home. They said the officer refused to identify himself and lured Gates out of the home to arrest him.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=528593

Beg? Lure? This guy is pretty funny. But he'll get what he wants, no cop in his right mind would dare defy him now.

[Mortis]

How come the Globe has taken the PDF of the arrest report off of their webpage?

[Canadian Jane]

But that was based strictly on the Professors opinion.

I ask you this.....if he did as he said, and showed his ID without any type of issue.....why would he have asked for their badgfe numbers?

Obviously there was an exchange of words. So the wquestion is....do you believe it was as simple as

"we were called here out of concern of a robbery. A neighbor saw someone breaking in to this house so Please present your ID showing you are the owner of this home so we can put this to rest. Right now, for all we know, you could be someone who broke into this house."

"Sure officer, I understand. Here is my ID"

WHo...put your heart aside.....and tell me that type of exchange would have resulted in "words" that would have required the professor requesting his badge number.



Agreed. In the article I read the professor was yelling to bystanders about being a victim of racism, etc.

This likely made him appear suspicious - a man who had a right to be there wouldn't completely freak out on an officer.

An estranged husband could.

Think about it - there are many women murdered by estranged husbands these days. A police office has a responsibility to make sure that this isn't one of those situations.

Hindsight is 20/20. This officer may well have been set up to look like a rascist, when in fact he is simply doing his job. Is that right? Should you crucify this guy to appease the civil rights movement - whether it's true or not?

[zantax]

How come the Globe has taken the PDF of the arrest report off of their webpage?


Anything that contradicts Obama or makes him look bad has a bad habit of disappearing from the net.

[who]

So? What does the picture prove? Does that prove he isn't an estranged husband home to collect the furniture he lost in the divorce or kidnap the kids he didn't get custody of? You do know they don't confiscate your ID the minute the judge says you don't live there any more right?
Strawman much?

[Jousts]

"I think [the officer] owes me an apology for what he did," Gates told a Boston television reporter Tuesday night. "He should look into his heart and know that he is not telling the truth and he should beg my forgiveness." Gates has raised the possibility of filing a lawsuit over the arrest.

....Gates and his lawyer have said that the professor cooperated fully, providing both his Harvard identification and a drivers license to prove he lived in the home. They said the officer refused to identify himself and lured Gates out of the home to arrest him.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=528593

So you are convinced that this officer...knowing he was the owner, and with no resistance on the professor's part, decided to prompt an action so he can arrest an individual that he knew was an upsatnding citizen (professor at Harvard), knew was the owner of the house, and ultimately would put him in a position that he is in now?

Sorry....there is more to this story. I am not sure who was in the wrong, but in a he said she said, I need to look at what is more credible.

If the Professors story was "yes, I resisted as I was insulted that someone thought I was a theif and I had to prove I was not so I was a bit resistant.....THEN I would say there is credibility to his story.

But he is saying he was 100% compliant and the officer was antagonistic non the less.

Sorry....I have an issue with that.....it defy's logic.

[ModerateVoice]

You arrest a man on his OWN PORCH for disorderly conduct AFTER you have been provided ID (two forms) - and you think it was political pressure that caused them to drop the charges??

I guess we can assume you think the charges should have stuck.

You know, be careful. These words paying tribute to government abuse may just come back to bite you.

I am applying healthy skepticism to this particular issue for a number of reasons:
(1) The professor is an associate (or friend) of Obama
(2) The professor dropped the "you don't know who you are messing with" bomb.......meaning he knowingly ratcheted up the rhetoric because he knew he could count on using his political ties to exploit this issue to his favor.

.........from personal experience:
(3) When I worked for a prominent university in the early 90's, (which I will not name), I worked in a department in which I witnessed the university cover up the rape of one student by her ex-boyfriend who was the former student body president. (Politics trumping justice)..........................the ex-boyfriend later became a DC lobbyist and was shot in a robbery.
(4) I worked in and around the entertainment industry for 20 years. One of the all too common methods of intimidation in Hollywood is to drop the "Do you know who I am" bomb. Due to the nature of my business, I was immune to that threat, but folks do abuse their power with such stupid remarks.

Taking all four points I have outlined, I draw no conclusions on what actually happened. The fact of the matter is that we don't have all the facts...............However, taking into consideration that same set of points I have made, I can plausibly see how the professor may have mismanaged his anger at having the police show up at his house by deciding to turn the tables on the police by playing the whole "you don't know who you are messing with" bomb and turn the whole thing into a political issue because he knows that his friends in the administration will cover his ass.

Now, in contrast, there is another high profile case in which a police officer pulls over an ambulance and clearly abuses power (in my opinion) when he pins a black ambulance driver up against the ambulance and threatens to arrest the guy...........I side with the ambulance driver in that issue, and I am very strongly sceptical of the professor discussed in this thread.

[Canadian Jane]

Strawman much?


Actually domestic violence inflicted by an estranged husband is quite common.

Years ago I worked as a paralegal. One of my boss's clients (a woman) was murdered in the parking lot of a mall by her husband.

In another case a few years later, another of my bosses would take a completely different route home because a client's husband had threatened her. We also had an alternate exit in our office, just in case.

You don't take these things lightly.

[ThinkingMan]

All the cops had to say was "I don't care about what was, all I care about is what is."

It worked for billy club wielding black panthers at the polls. Should work for them.

[zantax]

Obama quote...

"But I think it's fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry

Really? Why would I be angry about a cop doing his job and making sure no one was breaking into my house? I'd offer him coffee and get out the good cookies.

[ThinkingMan]

Anything that contradicts Obama or makes him look bad has a bad habit of disappearing from the net.

And from CNN.

[Raoul Duke]

Do you know who this guy is?

Take just a moment to read this, if you can:
http://www.alternet.org/rights/141485/what_makes_the_arrest_of_professor_henry_louis_gat es_jr._so_tragic/

sorry for the late reply - it was my bed time too

I might not have done a very good idea explaining my position. I don't know who was in the right in this case (in fact, my gut is to generally assume that the police are wrong), however, it was idiotic for Obama to mention it beyond "We don't have all the facts yet"

[zantax]

Strawman much?

Someone doesn't know the definition of strawman. It's not a strawman, it's a fact, an ID is not proof you are entitled to break into or enter a residence, period, that is undeniable fact.

[zantax]

If the Obama Club doesn't like it, it vanishes.

I call them digital brown shirts.

[who]

But that was based strictly on the Professors opinion.

I ask you this.....if he did as he said, and showed his ID without any type of issue.....why would he have asked for their badgfe numbers?

Obviously there was an exchange of words. So the wquestion is....do you believe it was as simple as

"we were called here out of concern of a robbery. A neighbor saw someone breaking in to this house so Please present your ID showing you are the owner of this home so we can put this to rest. Right now, for all we know, you could be someone who broke into this house."

"Sure officer, I understand. Here is my ID"

WHo...put your heart aside.....and tell me that type of exchange would have resulted in "words" that would have required the professor requesting his badge number.
I have just as much a right to ask for the officers ID as he does of asking me for my identification IN MY OWN HOME.

Why did the officer refuse?

Put your heart aside and remember this man is an old man with a cane (and called one of Time's 25 most influential men in America) suffering from a bronchial infection and was not even able to raise his voice to the levels the police made it out to be.

YEah. I think the arrest was stupid.

[Jousts]

sorry for the late reply - it was my bed time too

I might not have done a very good idea explaining my position. I don't know who was in the right in this case (in fact, my gut is to generally assume that the police are wrong), however, it was idiotic for Obama to mention it beyond "We don't have all the facts yet"

THAT more than anything else concerns me.

He has created anger and hatred to a police force that has not yet been proven in the worng in any way shape or form.

It was irresponsible...and quite immature of him to do so on INTERNATIONAL TV....

Now...an incident that is yet to be judged upon in a proper way has been judged upon by the world......without all the facts, but with the ASSUMPTION that all the facts have been analyzed and juidged upon.

SO now our Police have a negative reputation INTERNATIONALLY.

The man needs to show restraint when on the international stage.

Such is why EXPERIENCE should be an issue when electing Presidnets.

[Jousts]

I have just as much a right to ask for the officers ID as he does of asking me for my identification IN MY OWN HOME.

Why did the officer refuse?

Put your heart aside and remember this man is an old man with a cane (and called one of Time's 25 most influential men in America) suffering from a bronchial infection and was not even able to raise his voice to the levels the police made it out to be.

YEah. I think the arrest was stupid.

And a man with a cane needs only one hand to hold the cne.

Imagine what can be done with the other.

He had every right to ask for the officers ID.

What was his reason to ask? Do you truly believe he simply wanted to make sure he was an officer?

Sorry...I will not make a judgement call on this until I see all of the evidence.

But I am convinced the Professors story is incomplete. It seemed to have left out WHY he wanted the officers ID...and I must believe there was an exchange BEFORE he did.

[Canadian Jane]

I have just as much a right to ask for the officers ID as he does of asking me for my identification IN MY OWN HOME.

Why did the officer refuse?

Put your heart aside and remember this man is an old man with a cane (and called one of Time's 25 most influential men in America) suffering from a bronchial infection and was not even able to raise his voice to the levels the police made it out to be.

YEah. I think the arrest was stupid.


I don't know. He was able to "bellow" out to bystanders:

"Gates, who upon his arrest allegedly bellowed to a gathering crowd on Ware Street, “This is what happens to black men in America!” believes he was targeted by Crowley - whom he called a “rogue” cop - because of his race."


And the Cambridge police department is supporting the officer:

"In a statement expressing its “full and unqualified support” for Crowley, the Cambridge Police Superior Officers Association called its brother a “highly respected veteran supervisor with a distinguished record.
“His actions at the scene of this matter were consistent with his training, with the informed policies and practices of the department and with applicable legal standards.”




http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1186567

[who]

I am applying healthy skepticism to this particular issue for a number of reasons:
(1) The professor is an associate (or friend) of Obama
(2) The professor dropped the "you don't know who you are messing with" bomb.......meaning he knowingly ratcheted up the rhetoric because he knew he could count on using his political ties to exploit this issue to his favor.

.........from personal experience:
(3) When I worked for a prominent university in the early 90's, (which I will not name), I worked in a department in which I witnessed the university cover up the rape of one student by her ex-boyfriend who was the former student body president. (Politics trumping justice)..........................the ex-boyfriend later became a DC lobbyist and was shot in a robbery.
(4) I worked in and around the entertainment industry for 20 years. One of the all too common methods of intimidation in Hollywood is to drop the "Do you know who I am" bomb. Due to the nature of my business, I was immune to that threat, but folks do abuse their power with such stupid remarks.

Taking all four points I have outlined, I draw no conclusions on what actually happened. The fact of the matter is that we don't have all the facts...............However, taking into consideration that same set of points I have made, I can plausibly see how the professor may have mismanaged his anger at having the police show up at his house by deciding to turn the tables on the police by playing the whole "you don't know who you are messing with" bomb and turn the whole thing into a political issue because he knows that his friends in the administration will cover his ass.

Now, in contrast, there is another high profile case in which a police officer pulls over an ambulance and clearly abuses power (in my opinion) when he pins a black ambulance driver up against the ambulance and threatens to arrest the guy...........I side with the ambulance driver in that issue, and I am very strongly sceptical of the professor discussed in this thread.
Well at least you are keeping your mind open.

I did at first, but the more I read, the angrier I become about it.

I will, on your thoughtful reply (And Jousts) step back some and wait for more information to come out.

[zantax]

Well, what happens to him if he uses the Obama HealthlessCare in his condition? Will he be a counselled every year, or every five years about options such as Hospice as the CITIZENRY's elderly will be? Or is he in a different group because he's Obama's friend?

He'll accuse the hospital of racism and get a gold plated cane, fully reimbursed.

[who]

Well, what happens to him if he uses the Obama HealthlessCare in his condition? Will he be a counselled every year, or every five years about options such as Hospice as the CITIZENRY's elderly will be? Or is he in a different group because he's Obama's friend?
^^ This is why I mostly ignore your posts.

[SUKKIE34]

First off... LET'S GET THE STORY STRAIGHT......
Gates was in his home... never in this original police report, does the officer say, GATES WAS OUTSIDE HIS HOME..GATES WAS IN HIS HOME AT THE TIME OF THE ARREST!!!! The front of your porch is your home...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/17512830/Gates-Police-Report
Here's a copy for your review..

2nd point..
Gates HAD NO IDEA.. that police were being called to his home. He's in his house, and the police are at the door telling him their investigating a "break in"..
now if you are not breaking in your home, and have no idea that someone called the police.. when they arrive at your door.. you would be like WTH, what do you mean a break in?? so he got upset...

After the police was assured that it was Gates home, he should have left, plain and simple.. but no just because Gates was upset that it would be assumed, a black man was breaking in a house... and continued to express that,...on his own front porch... the police officer turned around went back up on the property and arrested him..

The officer was wrong, obviously...as the Cambridge Police "dropped the charges"...and redacted this police report from the WEB.

[who]

:boohoo: Get off my porch then. lol
You think this forum is your porch???

Holy crap.

[Jousts]

Well at least you are keeping your mind open.

I did at first, but the more I read, the angrier I become about it.

I will, on your thoughtful reply (And Jousts) step back some and wait for more information to come out.

That is all I ask of anyone...keep an open mind.

I believe Obama should have done the same....for more reason than we should have.

Now...I will give you my belief on this:

The Professor was rightfully insulted by his neighbors...not the police. They did the right thing by calling the police....but he was insulted non the less....and with the racial profiling out there BY MANY PEOPLE...not just the police....I dont blame him.

He allowed his "embarrassment" affect his attitude...as I probably would have.

And this attitude gave him reason to resist showing his ID....as I may have done if I were in his shoes.

They insisted, he resisted, it got heated.

He then came to his senses and showed his ID...but now the officer was very much irate at the "threat" of "you dont know who you are messing with"...And whereas I would understand WHY the officer was irate....I believe it is his responsibility NOT to allow his "anger" to get in the way of his professionalism.

THAT is where I believe the officer dropped the ball.

All theory on my part...

[Jousts]

You think this forum is your porch???

Holy crap.


By the way Who....per your avatar and the "quote" next to it...."life is good"...

I disagree whole heartedly...

Life is GREAT.

[Raoul Duke]

what really ****es me off is that there are very real examples of the police ****ing up (http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/08/07/mayor.warrant/) that get buried...

[Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0709/Obama_Cambridge_police_acted_stupidly.html


Toward the end of the video he says this gem, "Blacks and Hispanics are picked up more frequently, and often times for NO cause, cast suspicion even when there is good cause".

And this man is President?

I'm not sure what he said that was incorrect.

[Jousts]

what really ****es me off is that there are very real examples of the police ****ing up (http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/08/07/mayor.warrant/) that get buried...

Yes....this is true.

Likewise...and in no way an excuse for what you say....

"there are many examples of outstanding bravery and professionalism by the police that get un-noticed and un-reported"

[Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese]

I have just as much a right to ask for the officers ID as he does of asking me for my identification IN MY OWN HOME.

Why did the officer refuse?

Put your heart aside and remember this man is an old man with a cane (and called one of Time's 25 most influential men in America) suffering from a bronchial infection and was not even able to raise his voice to the levels the police made it out to be.

YEah. I think the arrest was stupid.

While legally the police are not able to compel you to show them ID, they are legally allowed to compel you exigent to a lawful detention or arrest.

[who]

By the way Who....per your avatar and the "quote" next to it...."life is good"...

I disagree whole heartedly...

Life is GREAT.
I agree. Life is GREAT! And it is a gorgeous day here in New England. I'm out to enjoy a bit of it soon.

I will chill a little (yeah reading about this -not just here, but all over the web - (man some of the racists have come out of the woodwork on some sites. geeze) has caused my ire to be pumped up a bit, plus I am dire need of more sleep. ugh.)

As I punch up some java, put on a smile, and take the day by the horns!

:hug:

[SUKKIE34]

This is what upsets me after reading all of your post... instead of being upset about the police violating your privacy in your own home.. and arresting you in your own home for what "he(police officer) considered tulmutuous behavior"... they arrest you..

You all should be more concerned about for rights being violated.... but nooooooooo
because it's a black and white issue.. you draw sides.. and apparently always end up on your side..irregardless of the facts and your own common sense.


Just reading the "police report".. and all the useless "explanations" given by the officer... screams of "him" trying to justify... a bad personal decision. The officer just didn't like what Gates was saying... and that's not an arrestable offense.

And if anyone doesn't believe that Gates was in his own home... GET A COPY OF THE SURVEY ON HIS HOUSE AND SEE THAT FROM POINT TO POINT..... THE PORCH AND FRONT STEPS ARE CONSIDERED HIS PROPERTY

[msny]

A reporter directly asked him about it. Had he not answered, I'm sure he'd be accused of being evasive.

Think again.
The right answer should have been:
"no comment, its a local issue, and I defer to local authorities"

That is not evasive, its putting the issue squarly where it belongs
at the local level.

IF that had been done, there would be no headlines on this
story today.

[Jousts]

I'm not sure what he said that was incorrect.

It was not what he said.....becuase it is true.

It was when he said it that was outright wrong.

To apply it to a situation that has not yet been identified as racial profiling is doing exactly what we were NOT taught to do....make a judgement call based on only one side of the story.

[Jousts]

I agree. Life is GREAT! And it is a gorgeous day here in New England. I'm out to enjoy a bit of it soon.

I will chill a little (yeah reading about this -not just here, but all over the web - (man some of the racists have come out of the woodwork on some sites. geeze) has caused my ire to be pumped up a bit, plus I am dire need of more sleep. ugh.)

As I punch up some java, put on a smile, and take the day by the horns!

:hug:


I was angered by the police-EMT situation.....really ****ed me off......

But that was once I saw the video and heard both sides of the story.

And yes...the web brings out many negatives as it is anonymous and allows true feelings to come out.

We have come a long way....we have a longer way to go.

[zantax]

First off... LET'S GET THE STORY STRAIGHT......
Gates was in his home... never in this original police report, does the officer say, GATES WAS OUTSIDE HIS HOME..GATES WAS IN HIS HOME AT THE TIME OF THE ARREST!!!! The front of your porch is your home...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/17512830/Gates-Police-Report
Here's a copy for your review..

2nd point..
Gates HAD NO IDEA.. that police were being called to his home. He's in his house, and the police are at the door telling him their investigating a "break in"..
now if you are not breaking in your home, and have no idea that someone called the police.. when they arrive at your door.. you would be like WTH, what do you mean a break in?? so he got upset...

After the police was assured that it was Gates home, he should have left, plain and simple.. but no just because Gates was upset that it would be assumed, a black man was breaking in a house... and continued to express that,...on his own front porch... the police officer turned around went back up on the property and arrested him..

The officer was wrong, obviously...as the Cambridge Police "dropped the charges"...and redacted this police report from the WEB.

Nonsense, on your porch is not inside your home, it's on your property but not in your home. And he admits to trying to force his front door, as it was swollen shut, so any rational person would understand why a neighbor might view that as someone trying to break into the home. And the officer didn't just "assume" Gates was breaking into the home, he was acting on a complaint from a neighbor. Spin, spin, spin, are you dizzy yet?

[who]

While legally the police are not able to compel you to show them ID, they are legally allowed to compel you exigent to a lawful detention or arrest.
He showed them an ID. Two forms.

[Raoul Duke]

Yes....this is true.

Likewise...and in no way an excuse for what you say....

"there are many examples of outstanding bravery and professionalism by the police that get un-noticed and un-reported"

I agree - my original concern with obama's comments was that it hurts good cops and potentially the ability to go after bad ones

[SUKKIE34]

In some cities, stoops are considered public property. Is it an actual porch or a set of steps as in a brownstone?


lol..since I like you and your point is valid... I will get the picture of the house...be right back

[PheonixOps]

I think that the President could have articulated this better by saying: "The Professor is a personal friend of mine. I don't know the exact details and any opinion made by me would be from the standpoint of being a friend. But I am also the President, so I will withhold any further commentary or opinion on this matter."
That would have ended it right there. Bad form on his part.................................

[Jousts]

I agree - my original concern with obama's comments was that it hurts good cops and potentially the ability to go after bad ones

Not to mention how his words made our police forces look in the eyes of the world.

In essence...he dammed ALL cops in their eyes. They do not get to see the great things our officers do.

[zantax]

I think that the President could have articulated this better by saying: "The Professor is a personal friend of mine. I don't know the exact details and any opinion made by me would be from the standpoint of being a friend. But I am also the President, so I will withhold any further commentary or opinion on this matter."
That would have ended it right there. Bad form on his part.................................

Finally, an honest liberal shows up.

[Jousts]

I think that the President could have articulated this better by saying: "The Professor is a personal friend of mine. I don't know the exact details and any opinion made by me would be from the standpoint of being a friend. But I am also the President, so I will withhold any further commentary or opinion on this matter."
That would have ended it right there. Bad form on his part.................................

THAT should have been the MOST he should have said.

[msny]

Interesting point considering it took Obama three days to comment on the recruiting station shooting in which one of our troops was murdered. When conservatives expressed outrage that Obama selectively chose to immediately address the Tiller murder but ignored the recruiting station murder for three days, the liberals all stated that the recruiting station killing was "just a local story" and did not merit Obama's commentary.

OK fine, I expect, no demand, that Obama speak out on EVERY
case where HE thinks HE needs to stick HIS nose into it.
Nevermind, HE doesnt need to be running the country.

Is that reasonable, or cant we trust the local police anymore?
Sounds like Obama doesnt anymore, and he wants to run
local goverment, from a national level.

Thats riduculous, and an abuse of the bully pulpit.

[Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese]

He showed them an ID. Two forms.

The fact that his address was on both, and simply running his name through an MDT would show if he had a domestic violence or restraining order beef preventing him from being in his house should have ended it right there.

[zantax]

The fact that his address was on both, and simply running his name through an MDT would show if he had a domestic violence or restraining order beef preventing him from being in his house should have ended it right there.


It did end it, the cop was trying to leave, Gates wouldn't let it go and kept on yelling.

[SUKKIE34]

Nonsense, on your porch is not inside your home, it's on your property but not in your home. And he admits to trying to force his front door, as it was swollen shut, so any rational person would understand why a neighbor might view that as someone trying to break into the home. And the officer didn't just "assume" Gates was breaking into the home, he was acting on a complaint from a neighbor. Spin, spin, spin, are you dizzy yet?


not dizzzzy... yet..

ok lets go with your facts... but the police report states the the neighbor met him at the house in front with the cordless phone... does the neighbor not know GATES..
Just using my own life experience when I have become involved with some thing like this... After the neighbor saw GATES... she probably exclaimed.... OH ITS YOU.. THAT MR GATES....


YOU KNOW WHY I SAY THIS... because the police report...going in order..reading directly from it...says "While I was lead to belive that Gates was lawfully in the residence, I was quite suprised and confused with the behaviour he exhibited towards me.... (now bold for you)... I asked Gates to provide me with photo identification.... So the police assessed the situation, knew he was the resident.. and since the police is the professional... HE LET IT GET OUT OF CONTROL.... Gates was well in his rights to be upset in his own home.

[Jousts]

It did end it, the cop was trying to leave, Gates wouldn't let it go and kept on yelling.

We dont know that as fact. That was how the police remembered it.

Keep an open mind. There are too many conflicting details.

[Jousts]

not dizzzzy... yet..

ok lets go with your facts... but the police report states the the neighbor met him at the house in front with the cordless phone... does the neighbor not know GATES..
Just using my own life experience when I have become involved with some thing like this... After the neighbor saw GATES... she probably exclaimed.... OH ITS YOU.. THAT MR GATES....


YOU KNOW WHY I SAY THIS... because the police report...going in order..reading directly from it...says "While I was lead to belive that Gates was lawfully in the residence, I was quite suprised and confused with the behaviour he exhibited towards me.... (now bold for you)... I asked Gates to provide me with photo identification.... So the police assessed the situation, knew he was the resident.. and since the police is the professional... HE LET IT GET OUT OF CONTROL.... Gates was well in his rights to be upset in his own home.

So do you truly believe the officer asked Gates for ID, he willfully showed it at first request.....and the words exchanged were simply becuase the officer wanted to start trouble?

Sorry...dont have a judgement call yet on this....but logic makes me question WHAT started the "exchange" of words.

[who]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07212009/photos/louis_gates_arrest.jpg (javascript:SLIDES.hotlink())




On his front porch. HIS property.

[Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese]

It did end it, the cop was trying to leave, Gates wouldn't let it go and kept on yelling.

The cop lured him out by refusing to give him his badge number as required by law, and then beefed him.

I'm not saying the prof is blameless, but the cop definitely pulled a fast one here, and the fact that the charges were dropped almost immediately, before it could go to arraignment, proves it.

[Mojotiger]

They always say, if scene one made a noise, always make sure scene two has a BIGGER noise so it will be the one remembered. I wonder what he was YELLING OUT to be HEARD?

Pretty sure it went something like this...

"Come and see the violence inherent in the system. Help! Help! I'm being repressed!"

"Oh, what a giveaway! Did you hear that? Did you hear that, eh? That's what I'm on about! Did you see him repressing me? You saw him, Didn't you?"

[zantax]

not dizzzzy... yet..

ok lets go with your facts... but the police report states the the neighbor met him at the house in front with the cordless phone... does the neighbor not know GATES..
Just using my own life experience when I have become involved with some thing like this... After the neighbor saw GATES... she probably exclaimed.... OH ITS YOU.. THAT MR GATES....


YOU KNOW WHY I SAY THIS... because the police report...going in order..reading directly from it...says "While I was lead to belive that Gates was lawfully in the residence, I was quite suprised and confused with the behaviour he exhibited towards me.... (now bold for you)... I asked Gates to provide me with photo identification.... So the police assessed the situation, knew he was the resident.. and since the police is the professional... HE LET IT GET OUT OF CONTROL.... Gates was well in his rights to be upset in his own home.

Supposition, we don't know the neighbor knew Gates on sight. Or that she could see him until he came out of the house at the end, after the officer had already accepted he was the resident.

[Jousts]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07212009/photos/louis_gates_arrest.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:SLIDES.hotlink())




On his front porch. HIS property.

This photo shows him being arrested on his property. I do not believe anyone is denying that happened.

But I will say this...a picture like this can AND will create outrage without knowing all of the facts.

I can and WILL get passed this picture as anything relevant. I can not let empathy for the man cloud my judgement.

[who]

The cop lured him out by refusing to give him his badge number as required by law, and then beefed him.

I'm not saying the prof is blameless, but the cop definitely pulled a fast one here, and the fact that the charges were dropped almost immediately, before it could go to arraignment, proves it.
Amadou Diallo reached for HIS identification in a public space when confronted by police and, 41 gunshots later...

[zantax]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07212009/photos/louis_gates_arrest.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:SLIDES.hotlink%28%29)




On his front porch. HIS property.


Gee, I wonder why that black cop isn't looking outraged at his racist brother's in blue's behavior?

[Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese]

Amadou Diallo reached for HIS identification in a public space when confronted by police and, 41 gunshots later...

The Diallo thing is overblown, a rookie yelled "Gun!" and they all started firing. Admittedly, the were wrong tactically from the jump, and paid for it by being put on the Bow and Arrow Squad.

You wanna see some real police malfeasance? Read up on Patrick Dorismond.

[Mohawk5]

I don't know about you guys but the three Montgomery County Police Officers I saw on the way to work today were two blacks and one hispanic. I wonder who they like to pull over.

[HeadOnStraight]

Well burglers do go into houses, right?
Police had no idea, at first, what was going on there.

The point is calling police stupid and at fault without
knowing the facts is nothing a POTUS should be doing.

He just undermined police officers everywhere.
The POTUS starts out by stating "I don’t know – not having been there and not seeing all the facts" and then he says later on that the police acted stupidly.

This seems to be a tend with 0bama, he makes declarative statements and judges things without having all the facts. When this man speaks, always keep in mind that he routinely speaks, even authoritatively, from a position of complete and utter ignorance. Just the type of person we want with his finger on the nuclear button. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :hand:

[Jousts]

Amadou Diallo reached for HIS identification in a public space when confronted by police and, 41 gunshots later...

And I hear, and read of many stories here in NYC where officers are shot as the individual reaches for their ID and instead pulls out a saturday night special.

This does not excuse the Diallo murder by any means....but it just shows you how difficult an officer job can be.

I make a mistake in my career, it costs me money.

They make a mistkae in THEIR career, it can cost them their lives...or the lives of the innocent.

[Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese]

I don't know about you guys but the three Montgomery County Police Officers I saw on the way to work today were two blacks and one hispanic. I wonder who they like to pull over.

Actually, interestingly enough, black and Latino ghetto cops are notorious for being more brutal than their white counterparts because no one can put a racial beef on them.

[SUKKIE34]

Supposition, we don't know the neighbor knew Gates on sight. Or that she could see him until he came out of the house at the end, after the officer had already accepted he was the resident.


now are you dizzy..spin..spin..spin..

here is a video so you can see the front of the house.. there is a full front porch.. and walkway.. that must be set back from the street at least 25 feet..
If you debate whether this is the man's property or not..I just won't entertain that discussion...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X9h-o8q9AA

[zantax]

now are you dizzy..spin..spin..spin..

here is a video so you can see the front of the house.. there is a full front porch.. and walkway.. that must be set back from the street at least 25 feet..
If you debate whether this is the man's property or not..I just won't entertain that discussion...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X9h-o8q9AA


What are you talking about? I never said he wasn't on his property. Are you hearing voices in your head?

[Jousts]

Gee, I wonder why that black cop isn't looking outraged at his racist brother's in blue's behavior?


Maybe he is....a photo does not tell the story of emotion. It is a snapshot.

Let this play out before making judgement calls.

[Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese]

Jeez Tommy....you're better than that kind of response.

I speak from personal experience, one, and read a book like The Corner (written by a totally pro-police former journalist and a former cop) if you don't believe me.

[Jousts]

I speak from personal experience, one, and read a book like The Corner (written by a totally pro-police former journalist and a former cop) if you don't believe me.

I take back my criticism.

Post being deleted.

[jasan22]

The cop lured him out by refusing to give him his badge number as required by law, and then beefed him.

I'm not saying the prof is blameless, but the cop definitely pulled a fast one here, and the fact that the charges were dropped almost immediately, before it could go to arraignment, proves it.

The officer gave him his name and badge number on two different occasions by the time he was leaving. I would hope you have read the arrest report, with witnesses, and not what the professor is spewing.

Edit: the charges were dropped, IMHO, for purely political reasons, since the police dept came to the defense of the officer.

Link to arrest report: http://www.amnation.com/vfr/Police%20report%20on%20Gates%20arrest.PDF

[SUKKIE34]

Funny.. if Gates continued down in to the public to harrass the officer.. why is he in handcuffs directly in front of his door.. If he was out in public exhibiting tumlutous behavior.. why was he arrested directly 1 foot from his front door.. he's right in front of his house

[jros]

Obama did not call the cops stupid....he said they acted stupidly...which is different, correct and obvious.

[zantax]

Funny.. if Gates continued down in to the public to harrass the officer.. why is he in handcuffs directly in front of his door.. If he was out in public exhibiting tumlutous behavior.. why was he arrested directly 1 foot from his front door.. he's right in front of his house

He was on his porch, nobody disputes that.

[zantax]

Obama did not call the cops stupid....he said they acted stupidly...which is different, correct and obvious.

The only thing correct and obvious is that Obama is stupid for commenting on a case he himself admits to not having all the facts on.

[jasan22]

Funny.. if Gates continued down in to the public to harrass the officer.. why is he in handcuffs directly in front of his door.. If he was out in public exhibiting tumlutous behavior.. why was he arrested directly 1 foot from his front door.. he's right in front of his house

Why was he pulling the race card, the "do you know who I am" card. He continued to cause the disturbance out of his home, last time I checked a porch was no in the home, was told to stop the disturbance, continued, and kept with the race baiting. I would have arrested him also. Too bad for him the officers have witnesses to his tirade.

[LadyGunSlinger]

I think all Americans are sick of the race card being thrown around. Police cannot even function in their capacity as our enforcers without some jerk using his race as a weapon. What's more is that most Americans don't pay attention to this crap any longer..it's like the boy who cried wolf over and over and over. Get a new line.. this one no longer flies especially in my generation.

[Jousts]

Obama did not call the cops stupid....he said they acted stupidly...which is different, correct and obvious.

How do you know?

How does Obama know?

[Jousts]

I think all Americans are sick of the race card being thrown around. Police cannot even function in their capacity as our enforcers without some jerk using his race as a weapon. What's more is that most Americans don't pay attention to this crap any longer..it's like the boy who cried wolf over and over and over. Get a new line.. this one no longer flies especially in my generation.

How do you know the race card was used?

[LadyGunSlinger]

How do you know the race card was used?
:rolleyes:

[jasan22]

How do you know the race card was used?

"This is what happens to a black man in America" Yelled by the professor while accusing the officers of being racist.

[Jousts]

All of you, on both sides of the issue have valid and noble comments based on assumptions.

The problem is, you are all giving your opinions as based on fact.

[Jousts]

"This is what happens to a black man in America" Yelled by the professor while accusing the officers of being racist.

Has Gates admitted to saying this or does he deny saying it?

[jasan22]

Has Gates admitted to saying this or does he deny saying it?

Check the arrest report, everyone who heard the ass heard him yell that, and other race baiting comments.

[SUKKIE34]

Why was he pulling the race card, the "do you know who I am" card. He continued to cause the disturbance out of his home, last time I checked a porch was no in the home, was told to stop the disturbance, continued, and kept with the race baiting. I would have arrested him also. Too bad for him the officers have witnesses to his tirade.


Now that's the crux of the matter... "the race baiting"... Is race baiting a reason to be arrested... if so please let me know.. Is saying do you know who I am..(in my own home.. you are asking me ID to prove).. illegal.. is so please let me know..

Truthfully, I would have been upset and insulted too.. now that real.. I wonder can anybody else be real on this board..humm

[jasan22]

All of you, on both sides of the issue have valid and noble comments based on assumptions.

The problem is, you are all giving your opinions as based on fact.

Don't know about you, but I read the arrest report, not sure if some of the knee jerk reactionary libs read it, or they read "reports" of the incident.

[Jousts]

Don't know about you, but I read the arrest report, not sure if some of the knee jerk reactionary libs read it, or they read "reports" of the incident.

Arrest reports are no more than hearsay just like the words of Gates.

An investigation is necessary to make a final judgement call.

[jasan22]

Now that's the crux of the matter... "the race baiting"... Is race baiting a reason to be arrested... if so please let me know.. Is saying do you know who I am..(in my own home.. you are asking me ID to prove).. illegal.. is so please let me know..

Truthfully, I would have been upset and insulted too.. now that real.. I wonder can anybody else be real on this board..humm

Those comments, in and of themselves, are not reason to arrest. The reason was the officer left the residence because he could not transmit or hear the transmission due to the acoustics of the residence. Gates was asked to come outside if he wanted to talk, he came outside and kept causing a disturbance, drawing a crowd. He was told to quiet down and that he was causing a public disturbance, and what would happen. Kept it up and was arrested. Causing a public disturbance, on your property or not, is cause for arrest. Anyone who pulls the race crap and "do you know who I am" crap is an ******* of major proportions.

[jasan22]

Arrest reports are no more than hearsay just like the words of Gates.

An investigation is necessary to make a final judgement call.

Kind of sucks that the officers have witnesses and Gates has his **** poor word.

[Jousts]

Check the arrest report, everyone who heard the ass heard him yell that, and other race baiting comments.

I admit to have not read the arrest report.....by design.

I do not want to make a judgement call until those qualified and with access to all evidence make a judgement call.

That attitude has worked for me for years.

Just wish Obama was mature enough and used restraint before making a judgement call on INTERNATIONAL TV.

But that is for another day.

[LadyGunSlinger]

Now that's the crux of the matter... "the race baiting"... Is race baiting a reason to be arrested... if so please let me know.. Is saying do you know who I am..(in my own home.. you are asking me ID to prove).. illegal.. is so please let me know..

Truthfully, I would have been upset and insulted too.. now that real.. I wonder can anybody else be real on this board..humm

Oh please.. My Go_, get real! Challenging a police officer over and over and then threatening him with who you are as if you are not held to the same laws as every day Americans because you're friends with Al Baraqi Hussein would have gotten his lard ass thrown in to any jail in America. You libs are so worried about race that you no longer care about respecting those who risk their lives daily. It's disgusting.

[jros]

How do you know?

How does Obama know?

Just my impressions from what I read.

I think Sgt. Crowley let a simple situation get way, way out of hand. I don't know what the SOP is, but I am also suprised that none of his fellow officers or the Harvard PD was able to calm things down without handcuffing and arresting the Professor. Do they usually arrest people for screaming on their front porch?. Why didn't they just drive away?. Why didn't another officer or a superior officer take charge and calm things down and make a disorderly situation more orderly? Maybe Sgt. Crowley was indeed following procedure exactly. Maybe those procedures need to be reviewed.

Like I said, Obama didn't call the Police stupid, he said they acted studiplyand the Professor likely overreacted also.

[jasan22]

I admit to have not read the arrest report.....by design.

I do not want to make a judgement call until those qualified and with access to all evidence make a judgement call.

That attitude has worked for me for years.

Just wish Obama was mature enough and used restraint before making a judgement call on INTERNATIONAL TV.

But that is for another day.

Fair enough. However, to wish that Obama was mature is a like wanting to fly without wings, won't happen. It was already said, but I doubt the fool knows he made more of an ass out of himself.

[Jousts]

Just my impressions from what I read.

I think Sgt. Crowley let a simple situation get way, way out of hand. I don't know what the SOP is, but I am also suprised that none of his fellow officers or the Harvard PD was able to calm things down without handcuffing and arresting the Professor. Do they usually arrest people for screaming on their front porch?. Why didn't they just drive away?. Why didn't another officer or a superior officer take charge and calm things down and make a disorderly situation more orderly? Maybe Sgt. Crowley was indeed following procedure exactly. Maybe those procedures need to be reviewed.

Like I said, Obama didn't call the Police stupid, he said they acted studiplyand the Professor likely overreacted also.

My THEORY:

The Professor was rightfully insulted by his neighbors...not the police. They did the right thing by calling the police....but he was insulted non the less....and with the racial profiling out there BY MANY PEOPLE...not just the police....I dont blame him.

He allowed his "embarrassment" affect his attitude...as I probably would have.

And this attitude gave him reason to resist showing his ID....as I may have done if I were in his shoes.

They insisted, he resisted, it got heated.

He then came to his senses and showed his ID...but now the officer was very much irate at the "threat" of "you dont know who you are messing with"...And whereas I would understand WHY the officer was irate....I believe it is his responsibility NOT to allow his "anger" to get in the way of his professionalism.

THAT is where I believe the officer dropped the ball.

All theory on my part...
http://forums.hannity.com/firestorm/misc/progress.gif

[jros]

My THEORY:

The Professor was rightfully insulted by his neighbors...not the police. They did the right thing by calling the police....but he was insulted non the less....and with the racial profiling out there BY MANY PEOPLE...not just the police....I dont blame him.

He allowed his "embarrassment" affect his attitude...as I probably would have.

And this attitude gave him reason to resist showing his ID....as I may have done if I were in his shoes.

They insisted, he resisted, it got heated.

He then came to his senses and showed his ID...but now the officer was very much irate at the "threat" of "you dont know who you are messing with"...And whereas I would understand WHY the officer was irate....I believe it is his responsibility NOT to allow his "anger" to get in the way of his professionalism.

THAT is where I believe the officer dropped the ball.

All theory on my part...
http://forums.hannity.com/firestorm/misc/progress.gif

I agree.

I will emphasize ...the President did not call cops stupid, he said they acted stupidly.

[tinydancer]

The media is finally allowing a different perspective on these baseless charges of racism by Gates.

Officer Crowley has led diversity training courses. And when he was a Brandeis University Police officer, he desperately tried to save the life of Celtic player

Crowley was a certified emergency medical technician when he performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Lewis, to no avail, after the player’s heart stopped on July 27, 1993. In a Globe interview later that day, Crowley said he rushed to the university’s Shapiro Gymnasium, confirmed that Lewis had no pulse, and frantically tried to revive him.

“I just kept on going,’’ he said. “I just kept thinking, ‘Don’t let him die - just don’t die.’ ’’

Now, 16 years later, he stands accused of racism by Gates, one of the foremost scholars on race in America.


Later on in the article, it says that Gates wants to now make a documentary on racial profiling in America, so it appears profiting from this incident isn't out of the question.


http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/23/officer_at_eye_of_storm_says_he_wont_apologize/?page=1

[SUKKIE34]

Oh please.. My Go_, get real! Challenging a police officer over and over and then threatening him with who you are as if you are not held to the same laws as every day Americans because you're friends with Al Baraqi Hussein would have gotten his lard ass thrown in to any jail in America. You libs are so worried about race that you no longer care about respecting those who risk their lives daily. It's disgusting.


see... you get real.. you think my assessment and/or opinion of this situation... "makes me a LIBERAL"... no.. no ... baby.. I am not a liberal...
I don't follow talking points or just blindly come from any political position.. I just use my common sense and life experience... to decide my own.. emphasis.. my own opinions..

maybe you should try the same...

[Jousts]

I agree.

I will emphasize ...the President did not call cops stupid, he said they acted stupidly.


True....but he does not know that as fact yet.

He assumed it...and it may be a good assumption...but he stated it as fact.

It was immature and irresponsible seeing as much of the world had live access to that presser.

[tinydancer]

I agree.

I will emphasize ...the President did not call cops stupid, he said they acted stupidly.

He should have declined to comment. Obama should have zipped his lips as soon as he finished saying "I don't know all the facts in this case".

[Kegler300]

These police officers were just doing their job to protect the home owner from a burglary. They didn't know him from Adam, and he immediately pulls out the race card. My opinion is that those who throw out the race card are usually the ones who are racist. Screw him. Next time there's a burglary call at his residence, ignore it.

[tinydancer]

True....but he does not know that as fact yet.

He assumed it...and it may be a good assumption...but he stated it as fact.

It was immature and irresponsible seeing as much of the world had live access to that presser.

Bingo. Spot on.

[SFC(R)L]

Arrest reports are no more than hearsay just like the words of Gates.

An investigation is necessary to make a final judgement call.

arrest reports are official government documents and carry the effect of testimony under oath.

willfully falsifying an arrest report is a serious offense.

[penner01]

I had hoped he would have said "no comment", since he didn't know the whole story.:rolleyes:
He was very unprofessional to say the police were stupid.I'd like to see his little book of criteria that sets out what nature of events he decides it would be "presidential" to weigh in on. Some things that he remains moot on yet he'll insert himself into something like this? For one, it was fairly evident from the original OP on the topic that this guy wasn't arrested for breaking into a home - it was for his conduct. And the statement itself........wow, this hard to believe. Tell me about true colors showing through

[penner01]

I agree.

I will emphasize ...the President did not call cops stupid, he said they acted stupidly.And the President commented "stupidly". These comments were totally irresponsible for someone in his capacity.

[penner01]

My THEORY:

The Professor was rightfully insulted by his neighbors...not the police. They did the right thing by calling the police....but he was insulted non the less....and with the racial profiling out there BY MANY PEOPLE...not just the police....I dont blame him.

He allowed his "embarrassment" affect his attitude...as I probably would have.

And this attitude gave him reason to resist showing his ID....as I may have done if I were in his shoes.

They insisted, he resisted, it got heated.

He then came to his senses and showed his ID...but now the officer was very much irate at the "threat" of "you dont know who you are messing with"...And whereas I would understand WHY the officer was irate....I believe it is his responsibility NOT to allow his "anger" to get in the way of his professionalism.

THAT is where I believe the officer dropped the ball.

All theory on my part...

http://forums.hannity.com/firestorm/misc/progress.gif

And you have no basis for a theory that the officer let anger get in the way of professionalism. Maybe too, somebody shouldn't have let their racist attitude get in the way of an easy resolution to what the police had been sent there to investigate. Eductated guy......right?

[Jousts]

And you have no basis for a theory that the officer let anger get in the way of professionalism. Maybe too, somebody shouldn't have let their racist attitude get in the way of an easy resolution to what the police had been sent there to investigate. Eductated guy......right?

Hey...back off and read my posts.

Not to mention that I simply offered a theory.....and made it clear that it was a theory.

[who]

And for the other side of the story:

Skip Gates Speaks <-link (http://www.theroot.com/views/skip-gates-speaks)

The Root: We’ve all seen the police and media reports around your arrest last Thursday in Cambridge, Mass., Charles Ogletree issued a statement to The Root that included a synopsis of the incident. But what have you been going through since Thursday?

Henry Louis Gates Jr.: I’m outraged. I can’t believe that an individual policeman on the Cambridge police force would treat any African-American male this way, and I am astonished that this happened to me; and more importantly I’m astonished that it could happen to any citizen of the United States, no matter what their race. And I’m deeply resolved to do and say the right things so that this cannot happen again.

Of course, it will happen again, but … I want to do what I can so that every police officer will think twice before engaging in this kind of behavior.

TR: Can you describe, in your own words, what went on in and outside of your home? When did you suspect you were the victim of racial profiling?

HLG: I just finished making my new documentary series for PBS called “Faces of America.” It was a glorious week in Shanghai and Ningbo and Beijing, and on my trip, I took my daughter along. After we finished working in Ningbo we went to Beijing and had three glorious days as tourists. It was great fun.

We flew back on a direct flight from Beijing to Newark. We arrived on Wednesday, and on Thursday I flew back to Cambridge. I was using my regular driver and my regular car service. And went to my home arriving at about 12:30 in the afternoon. My driver and I carried several bags up to the porch, and we fiddled with the door and it was jammed. I thought, well, maybe the door’s latched. So I walked back to the kitchen porch, unlocked the door and came into the house. And I unlatched the door, but it was still jammed.

My driver is a large black man. But from afar you and I would not have seen he was black. He has black hair and was dressed in a two-piece black suit, and I was dressed in a navy blue blazer with gray trousers and, you know, my shoes. And I love that the 911 report said that two big black men were trying to break in with backpacks on. Now that is the worst racial profiling I’ve ever heard of in my life. (Laughs.) I’m not exactly a big black man. I thought that was hilarious when I found that out, which was yesterday.

It looked like someone’s footprint was there. So it’s possible that the door had been jimmied, that someone had tried to get in while I was in China. But for whatever reason, the lock was damaged. My driver hit the door with his shoulder and the door popped open. But the lock was permanently disfigured. My home is owned by Harvard University, and so any kind of repair work that’s needed, Harvard will come and do it. I called this person, and she was, in fact, on the line while all of this was going on...

More at link.

[Middy]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0709/Obama_Cambridge_police_acted_stupidly.html





Toward the end of the video he says this gem, "Blacks and Hispanics are picked up more frequently, and often times for NO cause, cast suspicion even when there is good cause".

And this man is President?

This man is as mistaken about this issue as he is about almost everything else. First he says he does not know the details, and then he says the cop acted stupidly. It seems that Obummer frequently speaks about things he knows nothing about.

It's interesting that he said the Professor was a friend of his. He can be added to his list of fine friends like Wright, Ayers, Rezko, Rashim, etc.

[DLaw911]

I had hoped he would have said "no comment", since he didn't know the whole story.:rolleyes:
He was very unprofessional to say the police were stupid.Yes, "no comment" or "I want to hear the entire story first" would have been the better answer. Now it gives people something to talk about OTHER than health care.

What probably happened is the professor got home from a long trip, could not get into his house and a neighbor saw what appeared to be a burglary. The neighbor called the police. The professor was probably tired and irritable and failed to cooperate and got busted. While the officer COULD have given the professor a citation, or simply done nothing, the fact that he made an arrest was not necessarily contrary to law.

As for President Obama's statements about racial profiling he was and is correct but, again, he should not have brought it up because it gives his opponents something else to talk about than health care.

[who]

Gates arrest: racial profiling or 'tempest in a teapot'? (http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0722/p02s01-usju.html)

Prosecutors in Cambridge, Mass., on Tuesday dropped disorderly conduct charges against Henry Louis Gates, a prominent professor at Harvard University and author of multiple books about the black experience in America.

But Mr. Gates' arrest on the front porch of his own home last week became a moment of national reflection, with Gates insisting that the incident was evidence of the persistence of racial profiling – even in one of America's most liberal cities.

Gates has told The Washington Post that he now intends to do a documentary on racial profiling – an idea that had "never crossed his mind" before now. The "criminal justice system is rotten," he said.

Gates was returning from filming a TV project called "Faces of America" in China last Thursday. According to the police report, police received a call that two men black were trying to break into Gates's house. In fact, the two men were Gates and his driver, who were trying to open the front door, which was jammed.

Both sides have suggested that the other was argumentative. The police report says Gates eventually became verbally abusive, accusing the officer of suspecting him simply because he was black. He was arrested soon after and placed in jail for four hours.

Cambridge police officials claim that the incident was an unfortunate escalation of wills. "I think what went wrong is that you had two human beings that were reacting ... and cooler heads did not prevail," said Cambridge police spokeswoman Kelly Downes. "It wasn't Professor Gates's best moment, and it was not the Cambridge Police Department's best moment."

Law enforcement analysts are inclined to agree, suggesting that the incident may have been only a "tempest in a teapot."

"The best motto for a police officer is that sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me," says George Kirkham, a former police officer and now a professor of criminology at Florida State University. "People wind up venting, and you have to let them vent."

More at site...

I think this sums it up: "It wasn't Professor Gates's best moment, and it was not the Cambridge Police Department's best moment."