There are only four words that anyone should be saying about this entire incident, including the President:

"I was not there".

Having said that, note the following:

1. I've never know a cop to abuse his/her power.
2. I've never known a black person to get over-excited.

And anyone who says you can/should be able to rant/rave in the presence of a cop, in your own home, with impunity?

Thanks for playing and please pick up your lovely parting gift-basket.

soy_bomb: So if a cop invites you outside, it give you the right to violate the law?

He violated no law until he was outside. I object to the repeated accusation that Gates "followed" him outside, as if it was his idea, alone.

Officer had established no break-in had taken place, and simply should have left, without the "Would you care to continue to yell at me outside"?

I've said it be fore, Gates acted like a douche, but there was no need for the officer to make the situation arrest-worthy.

I have a really hard time taking seriously anyone who uses the word "cockamamie."

soy_bomb: Super Chronic: Well that's that -- Sgt. Crowley once tried to resuscitate a dying black guy, so that means there can't possibly be any conscious or unconscious racial bias.

Why did former police commissioner Ronny Watson request that he teach the course in Racial Profiling prevention?

None of this matters. It really doesn't. I don't even think it had anything to do with race.

However, the cop was wrong. The charges were DROPPED.

spelunking_defenestrator: Personally I think the invitation to have a beer with the president and talk it over is a super save on Obama's part.

Agreed. *That* was crucial. Really good move on his part.

And lets be honest, who the Hell would not want to have a beer with the President? I hate Obama's policies, but he is probably a likeable guy and I bet it would be a good conversation and, well, he is the freakin President! What beer would he drink though? Beer snob? I would still go yellow beer.

Then again I bet Bush would be fun to have a beer with back when he was drinkin.

"Son, this is me and the President and the racist asshole who caused such an incident that I got to go to the White House"

zippolight2002: glassa: 7of7: I still don't see how Obama's answer was wrong. The cops acted stupidly that's the bottom line. Ultimately I bet no matter how Obama responded the right wing and the media would have turned it into an opportunity to whaargarble.

Yeah, because it's stupid to check into a breaking & entering 911 call if it's a black man's house...and then try to confirm that the person in the house is the one who lives there...ESPECIALLY if it's a black man.

Who cares if the owner gets attacked & killed by someone hiding in the house later on?

//Gates was an ass (I respected him before this)
///hope the cops release those tapes

They did release parts of them, and the big "OMGBBQ" is that the 911 caller never mentioned a black suspect. You know... since she could see SO well in the dark and all you'd think she would have said something. And if she did say "i think its a black suspect" and was wrong, she would have been labeled a racist by black people possibly didnt have ANYTHING to do with it.

So, the cop didn't know the race of the people supposedly breaking in. Even more reason to confirm the man in question was the homeowner. And even more reason for Gates to cooperate instead of being an ass. For all anyone knew, there could've been someone else in the house hiding.

BTW, the lady who called 911 isn't white.
And it wasn't dark, as you can plainly see in the picture of him being arrested.

patrick767: You realize Obama is doubtless really pissed off that an hour press conference on healthcare has been overshadowed by the media's obsession with his 30 second answer at the end to a totally unrelated question?
/you stupid farkwad

They focused on that question because everything else he said in that press conference was verbal parsley. At the end of every answer the audience was left wondering what the hell he had just said. What ever happened to the followup questions the press used to be able to ask? At least then they had somewhat of a chance to ask it again and wrench something comprehensible out of a presidential obfuscation-fest.

DaCaptain19: There are only four words that anyone should be saying about this entire incident, including the President:

"I was not there".

Having said that, note the following:

1. I've never know a cop to abuse his/her power.
2. I've never known a black person to get over-excited.

You've never left your house?


And anyone who says you can/should be able to rant/rave in the presence of a cop, in your own home, with impunity?

Thanks for playing and please pick up your lovely parting gift-basket.

Cite the law please.

"Cockamamie"?

Yup...I can't even focus on this cockamamie scheme.

Wait... are you referring to the "scheme" you've probably not even read, but you know the republicans are against it because the insurance companies who back them, and stand to lose significant amounts of money, are against it?

Cockamamie!

PascalsGhost: How did Gates violate the law and why were any charges dropped?

He was charged with disorderly conduct. Later the charges were dropped. Maybe with your G.E.D. in law, you can explain why. I guess you are just shocked in history of our legal system that this is the first instance where someone has been arrested and later the charges were dropped.

Sgt. Crowley once tried to resuscitate a dying black guy, so that means there can't possibly be any conscious or unconscious racial bias.

Crowley also teaches seminars on teaching cops how to avoid racial profiling. The Cambridge Police Department is nationally recognized among police departments for their sensitivity in these matters. Not to mention that his partner is hispanic, and that a black officer arrived on the scene shortly after.

All you've really got are these pseudo-psychological quack gambits that don't make any sense. Give it up. Maybe he secretly hates people who wear glasses. Maybe he saw that Gates was wearing a pink polo, and thought he could man him up by arresting him, and gave him a secret stealth beating that Gates forgot about that left no marks or bruises.

OH NO WAIT, I've got it, the officer just HATES every Ware St. resident and is going on a rogue mission to charge every Ware St. resident with disorderly conduct. Thank you for saving the good residents of Ware Street! Your valor will not be forgotten in these difficult times.

Ahhhhh,,, the poor black folks,,,,, they gots it so ruff.

What upsets me about the entire discourse surrounding healthcare reform is that there is this sizable group of people who feel that no reform is necessary. Our private, largely employer-driven insurance system:

1. Costs too much
2. Results in substandard care despite superior physicians and technology.
3. Fails to cover

Does anyone need a citation for one of this three points? If you disagree, then we can discuss it, but you can't simply identify these problems and then claim that no change is necessary. The only argument I consider honest is that people aren't entitled to comprehensive healthcare, and while I agree with this in principle, our current laws stipulate that we will simply pay way more when the uninsured show up at the ER's doorstep, rob & steal in desperation, or go bankrupt and become a drain on social programs.

Theaetetus: CBR ME ASAP: then calling a cop stupid without knowing the facts,

He didn't call the cop stupid. Perhaps you don't know the facts.

Sorry "acted stupidly". You knew what I meant, stop being a douche.

Bob16: Remember that all reports made out by cops are then written in stone and delivered by Moses.

Sigh.

The point is, the smart lie would have been "Gates followed me outside as I attempted to leave peaceably">

Not: "I asked him three times if he'd like to to step outside and yell at me some more". (Did you read it?)

So, even with the cop presenting his best story, he shouldn't have arrested Gates.

yesanded: the "scheme" you've probably not even read

Who has? John Conyers says we don't need to and neither does Congress.

PascalsGhost: soy_bomb
None of this matters. It really doesn't. I don't even think it had anything to do with race.

However, the cop was wrong. The charges were DROPPED.

I'll bet the charges are dropped in 99% of cases like this. The cop probably arrested him just to get him to STFU, and never expected the charges to stick.

This is ridiculous. And it's not going to get better any time soon. In England, there is no equivalent for "African American". There is no "African English". People are just English. Same in Australia and most every country in the world. We're the only ones that still tolerate this concept of "African American", as though there were ANY difference other than skin color. And if it's a question of origins, who gives a sh*t? NOBODY living in the US is a former slave, nor were their parents. I come from French, Spanish, Italian, and Argentinian ancestors, I have American citizenship amongst others, and I don't qualify myself as anything but American regardless of the color of my skin. And it's not like white people are opressing black people. There is more black on black, and black on white crime than the other way around. In addition, there is a healthy dose of affirmative action going around, AND, our president, is distinctly indistinct when it comes to race. The race card has been played to death and is now only useful as a coaster.

All_Farked_Up: Cops don't have to be racist to be jerks

African studies teachers don't have to be racist to be jerks either. If this guys house got broken into again he'd probably blame the cops for that too.

ooochromeooo: There is no "African English". People are just English.

Except those damn Pakis.

Bloody wogs.

Deucednuisance: He violated no law until he was outside. I object to the repeated accusation that Gates "followed" him outside, as if it was his idea, alone. Officer had established no break-in had taken place, and simply should have left, without the "Would you care to continue to yell at me outside"? I've said it be fore, Gates acted like a douche, but there was no need for the officer to make the situation arrest-worthy.

Unless the cop dragged Gates out of his home, the cop did nothing wrong. Gates made it an arrest-worthy situation. If this is the higher brain function we expect from an Ivy League professor, there are a bunch of kids getting ripped off. I could understand a white guy wearing a wife beater coming out of a trailer home acting this way, not an esteemed educator.

Is there a Whitehouse race relations Czar yet ?

We could appoint one. Someone with government experience. Level headed and takes a balanced approach.....

I have been saying this for months. Every time something bad happens, you can expect something like this.

1. Speaker Pelosi calls the CIA a bunch of liars, creating a huge national outrage (deservedly), people call for her head. So the Obama/Axlerod/Emmanuel team announces the Sotomayor nomination early.

Result... Sotomayor outrage trumps Pelosi outrage


2. Obama's ill-thought health care reform is met with massive criticism and backlash. Obama/Axlerod/Emmanuel team has staged "press conference" with final question about racial profiling and Professor Gates/Police debacle. Obama still gaffes it.

Result....Racism outrage trumps press coverage of massive fail of Obamacare bill.


The politics of distraction.


Waiting for the next chapter.

Gates broke no law but some law was probably on the verge of being broke.

The cop had to do something.

After all Bush's brilliant strategy in Iraq has shown us the clear advantage of preemptive action.

Bob16: soy_bomb: Deucednuisance: The officer's own report states repeatedly that he invited Mr. Gates to join him outside.

Remember that all reports made out by cops are then written in stone and delivered by Moses.

If you don't believe them you'll burn in hell.

So, you honestly believe that the cop showed up saw an uppity negro and decided to arrest him for being black?

PascalsGhost: Cat Food Sandwiches: elchip: Cat Food Sandwiches: When?

Okay, my bad, he said that he chose his words poorly, and didn't mean to malign the Cambridge Police Department or Officer Crowley, he says that the police probably overreacted, but so did Gates, and he called Officer Crowley and apparently had a friendly conversation.

So what do you want, blood?

No, I like it when Democrats perpetuate the belief that they are weak on Defense and Law Enforcement.

By pointing out that no law was broke and the cop was wrong to arrest him?

I'm glad you know the law better than the police.

CBR ME ASAP: So, you honestly believe that the cop showed up saw an uppity negro and decided to arrest him for being black?

Ah Einstein.

What law did Gates break ?

nopokerface: John Conyers says we don't need to and neither does Congress.



John Conyers wants Reparations for Slavery and his wife is corrupt and going to prison.

Like he has any credibility.

DaCaptain19: And anyone who says you can/should be able to rant/rave in the presence of a cop, in your own home, with impunity?

Thanks for playing [The Game of Democracy] and please pick up your lovely parting gift-basket.

I assume that's what you meant, since you're apparently advocating fascism.

" The current climate is perfectly symbolized by the recent Gates incident where it was not the crazy behavior of Gates that was considered abnormal and "stupid", but reflexively that of the police officer diligently perfoming his duty."
- Redhawk

Just a few comments about the cockamamie scheme.

1. We are the only 1st world country on earth without some sort of Universal Healthcare scheme.

2. The other first world countries haven't imploded and many have a higher standard of living than the U.S.

3. Not everyone can go buy healthcare. You can be told "not for you" for many, many, reasons. Or have exclusions.


4. Taxpayers are still on the hook when the uninsured or underinsured show up at the E.R. because they didn't have insurance to take preventative measures. (i.e. Pravastatin is much cheaper than a triple bypass)

5. Industries that do not normally provide healthcare include entertainment, construction, janitorial, the arts, graphic design, and sectors of the service industry.

6. Hospitals are on board because it will save money (see item 4)

7. While people whine about the commie plot insurance and pharmaceutical lobbyists are controlling the debate in Washington to make sure it is shaped to fatten their profits and with no regard for what is best for the American people.

8. Politicians are fine with 7.

9. Chances are that something is going to pass and it is going to suck because people are too self interested to try to educate themselves about the issue.

Bob16: Gates broke no law but some law was probably on the verge of being broke.

The cop had to do something.

After all Bush's brilliant strategy in Iraq has shown us the clear advantage of preemptive action.

A bu..bu..but Bush argument in a thread that has absolutely nothing to do about Bush. Nicely done.

PascalsGhost: soy_bomb: Super Chronic: Well that's that -- Sgt. Crowley once tried to resuscitate a dying black guy, so that means there can't possibly be any conscious or unconscious racial bias.

Why did former police commissioner Ronny Watson request that he teach the course in Racial Profiling prevention?

None of this matters. It really doesn't. I don't even think it had anything to do with race.

However, the cop was wrong. The charges were DROPPED.

The charges getting dropped has nothing to do with whether or not the cop was right or wrong. Don't be so obtuse. The charges were dropped because the police knew the media would have even more of a field day if the ticket stuck.

Are Americans really so sad they can only concentrate on one topic at a time without their 'attention being averted'?

CBR ME ASAP: By pointing out that no law was broke and the cop was wrong to arrest him?

I'm glad you know the law better than the police.

Many police don't know the law.

Doctor Funkenstein: spelunking_defenestrator: I never really bought the "liberal bias" angle, but it has just been glaring from the outset.

I'm not so sure that it's liberal bias so much as irresponsible journalism in general that seems to be happening more and more often. They know reporting on shiat like this will garner a whole lot of attention. Their sites will get tons of hits and paper copies will fly off the shelf. Something like this basically captures the whole spectrum of the audience that they're trying to get. The conservative crowd will scream that it's reverse racism and the liberal crowd will cry that it's a case-in-point example of how racism is alive and well. All the while, they're just eating different ends of the same shiat sandwich and the only winners are the jackasses that put this pig feed in the trough for the public to consume. In the end, though, I'm not sure if it's more of a testament to how shiatty the media has become or how sad it is that the rest of us scamper around wildly at whatever is put in front of us, like a cat chasing after a flashlight beam wherever it's dumbass keeper shines it.

THIS

Cat Food Sandwiches: PascalsGhost: soy_bomb
None of this matters. It really doesn't. I don't even think it had anything to do with race.

However, the cop was wrong. The charges were DROPPED.

I'll bet the charges are dropped in 99% of cases like this. The cop probably arrested him just to get him to STFU, and never expected the charges to stick.

You'd "bet" it because it helps your argument. But actual research would show otherwise.

And he would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for those meddling kids.

soy_bomb: Deucednuisance: The officer's own report states repeatedly that he invited Mr. Gates to join him outside.

So if a cop invites you outside, it give you the right to violate the law?

???Being in your own home and telling the police to fark off is not violating the law.

Obama was Gates's friend. How is this a master stroke?

CBR ME ASAP: PascalsGhost: Cat Food Sandwiches: elchip: Cat Food Sandwiches: When?

Okay, my bad, he said that he chose his words poorly, and didn't mean to malign the Cambridge Police Department or Officer Crowley, he says that the police probably overreacted, but so did Gates, and he called Officer Crowley and apparently had a friendly conversation.

So what do you want, blood?

No, I like it when Democrats perpetuate the belief that they are weak on Defense and Law Enforcement.

By pointing out that no law was broke and the cop was wrong to arrest him?

I'm glad you know the law better than the police.

They dropped the charges. No law was broken. Am I wrong?


soy_bomb: PascalsGhost: How did Gates violate the law and why were any charges dropped?

He was charged with disorderly conduct. Later the charges were dropped. Maybe with your G.E.D. in law, you can explain why. I guess you are just shocked in history of our legal system that this is the first instance where someone has been arrested and later the charges were dropped.

If the cop was correct in arresting him, why were they so quick to drop the charges? Why is he being charged with NOTHING.

Do people usually get arrested for a valid reason and then get the charges dropped immediately even before court?

Admit it. The cop was wrong. They immediately dropped the charges.


soy_bomb: Deucednuisance: He violated no law until he was outside. I object to the repeated accusation that Gates "followed" him outside, as if it was his idea, alone. Officer had established no break-in had taken place, and simply should have left, without the "Would you care to continue to yell at me outside"? I've said it be fore, Gates acted like a douche, but there was no need for the officer to make the situation arrest-worthy.

Unless the cop dragged Gates out of his home, the cop did nothing wrong. Gates made it an arrest-worthy situation.

Then why drop the charges? You still haven't given a reason.

Phil Herup: Like he has any credibility.

Clearly. I just couldn't believe he was stupid enough to come out and say that.

soy_bomb: If this is the higher brain function we expect from an Ivy League professor,

Nice try.

Which one is trained in defusing tense situations and confrontations, and failed to utilize that training?

Which one has the gun, and cuffs, and knowledge that one's front stoop is a very different place to continue an argument than inside the house?

CBR ME ASAP: So, you honestly believe that the cop showed up saw an uppity negro

No, I honestly believe a jerk was yelling at a cop, and the cop got tired of being yelled at, and arrested the jerk rather than handling the situation with aplomb.

CBR ME ASAP: The charges were dropped because the police knew the media would have even more of a field day if the ticket stuck.

No, the charges were dropped to avoid the inevitable dismissal with prejudice and civil suit for false arrest under 42 USC 1983.

Obama's failed Government run Health care

And his idea of race relations...



The wheels seem to have come off both.

...at the same time.

I don't think the cop did anything wrong, and I generally dislike police.

The cop should be suing Gates for defamation of character. We've all been in a similar situation; you've been traveling, you finally get home, realize you don't have a key and have to force the door. You're pissed off, tired, and the next thing you know, the police show up.

So, you vent on the officer and he doesn't like it; he is coming to assist you, and secure your property. He leaves your home, and you continue to insult him and comment on his family, get arrested, and then play the victim.

Gates is trash. To think this guy is spreading his hate to bright minds is really scary.

andrewskdr: A bu..bu..but Bush argument in a thread that has absolutely nothing to do about Bush. Nicely done.

And a "b-b-b-but you said b-b-b-but Bush" argument in response.

Boy did you show me.