1. stephen | 07.23.09

What is a more likely situation.

1) The cop shows up and Gates says “sorry about the misunderstanding. Here is my i.d. and you can see that I do live here.” Then the cop decides to arrest Gates anyways.

…OR

2) The cop shows up and asks for i.d., Gates refuses and calls the police man a racist, and then is arrested for disorderly conduct.

I think people can look at the two possibilities here and decide which is more likely, especially when there are witnesses that testify to the latter.

2. Gabrowne | 07.23.09

The President better get a hold of the arrest report. If the officer gave this man these chances to calm down and defuse the situation then i would have let the charges stand regardless of his position at Harvard.
There seems to be racial tones used by black men to elevate their position above the petty personal failures of themselves.
I am a white male - 49 years old. I watched how race was and still is being used to define our citizens. But, minorities should be careful to accuse any white person of racism unless that can be proven.
The Professor may or may not have been correct in his assumption. But The President as Mr Cosby states, entered the fray way to early to offer any constructive help. His Whitehouse has been diminished because of his using it to comment on what obviously is more personal then public.
Hopefully President Obama retracts his comments and leaves his personal views from incidents like this. He is better then all the white men that have occupied that office before him. He must stand above them as he can.
I expect the President to something Bush would never do. Apologize.

3. John | 07.23.09

Gates is race obsessed…he studies it, he teaches it, he meets with collegues and discusses it, and he does Television Shows about it. Is it really any surprise that he is a racist? No.

Why is Gates a racist you may ask…Well think of this…if the cop was black do you think he would have acted the same way? Absolutely not. However, if the cop showed up to the house and the guy breaking open the door was white do you think he would have acted the same way? Definitely.

It was Gates who decided to act based on the color of a man’s skin. It was Gates who blew up and started screaming. It was Gates who wanted to use this as a pulpit to increase his visibility and “get the message out”…Gates makes a living off racism or the perception of racism.

By the way, black people who have experienced real racism at the hands of rogue cops look at this as ridiculous. “Oh you poor thing, they asked you for prrof that you lived in the house” Some people have been beaten bloody and dropped in a sewer, but you had to go in your wallet…oh you poor guy.

4. Ryan | 07.23.09

Stephen–

Wrong. It is ridiculous to assume those are the only two possible ways this situation played out. Besides that, you obviously have forgotten that Gates didn’t have to present his ID, but did anyway, and you clearly don’t know what disorderly conduct actually is (hint: it’s not yelling, being angry, or calling someone racist).

What I don’t understand–it is (or at least certainly should be) by now accepted that cops are trained to lie. I am heavily disinclined to believe the white officer’s account of the situation. White people constantly want to brush incidents of racism under the rug, or just assume that there wasn’t any racism whatsoever, to continue the implicit, underlying racism that is a constant in American culture. As long as we don’t address it head-on, then it certainly can’t exist, right?

5. Ben | 07.23.09

Bottom line in this situation is that regardless of how rude Gates was to the police officer, once (and if) he showed his identification, the cop should have apologized and left. Gates has every right to be upset, and there is no law that says he can’t be. Cops don’t have the right to arrest people from their own home for no reason. Disorderly behavior as a result of the incident is not a reason to arrest because it shouldn’t have happened in the first place. I just know that I would be very unhappy (I’m white, not that it matters, though) if a cop did not leave once I showed him it was my residence, and I would definitely be unruly if the officer did not provide his own identification. If all he did was investigate a tip from a neighbor, he has no reason not to provide his badge number.

Part of being an officer of the law is adhering to the law and being a professional even in the face of criticism. They need to remember who they serve and if they made a mistake that has been proven they need to take the high road as the person in power.

Of course, all of this assumes that Gates’ side of the story is accurate, which will never be proven in this case. Personally I think both sides are embellishing the facts to fit their story, but no one will know for sure. But it sure does show the divide in America that still exists.

6. infidelphia | 07.23.09

maybe it’s time to go back to church, mr president. the rev wright has a place for you in the front pew. the post racial president indeed.

7. David H | 07.23.09

Sounds like a case of “arrested for disrespecting the police.” What would Thomas Jefferson have to say about that? Papieren, bitte?

8. Bob | 07.23.09

Considering Professor Gates is a friend of the presidents, (http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/07/23/obama-makes-his-case-for-health-reform/) maybe Mr. Cosby ought to check his facts before etc etc.

9. RHarrisonScott | 07.23.09

Given the fact that Jesse Jackson and Rev. Sharpton haven’t shown up, I’m guessing (and I am certainly guessing here) the latter is probably a more accurate account of what happened. I’m a white guy and if a cop (black, asian, hispanic, or white) showed up on my property wanting to know why I was breaking into my own home, I personally wouldn’t take offense. I’d be glad someone cared enough to protect my family and property. I frankly could care less if I were handcuffed and/or arrested because I know sooner or later the problem would be resolved in my favor.

Racism isn’t going to come to an end in this country until those who see racism at every turn learn to think before they react.

10. Sam | 07.23.09

Mr. Cosby’s first reaction was correct. It was shocking. And I’m saddened to see that the second comment was giving him the benefit of the doubt. Obama clearly said he didn’t know the details, but still made an inexcusable comment about the Cambridge Police Department and made it a race issue. Disgusting.

11. Mick | 07.23.09

What if the cop had not done his job and, instead of the professor answering the door, it was the burglar? Now what?

The cop is an inept racist?

I feel for the next grocery store clerk who makes the mistake of asking the professor for his ID when he hands her a credit card.

Good, grief.

12. malclave | 07.23.09

Fanning racial flames is nothing new to the Obama camoaign. His was one of the first voices to call for Don Imus to be fired over the “nappy headed hos” comment.

13. chris lee | 07.23.09

Richard Weinblatt, director of the Institute for Public Safety at Central Ohio Technical College, said the police sergeant was responsible for defusing the situation once he realized Gates was the lawful occupant. It is not against the law to yell at police, especially in a home, as long as that behavior does not affect an investigation, he said.

“That is part of being a police officer in a democratic society,” Weinblatt said. “The point is that the police sergeant needs to be the bigger person, take the higher road, be more professional.”

___

14. JD | 07.23.09

I realize Obama is a friend of Gates but his comment should have been made to Gates, not to the country.

And, here’s what I don’t get…no matter what happened, why does race have to be the first thing brought up? If it had been me, a middle aged, overweight woman, I wouldn’t be saying “the MALE cop treated me poorly just because I was a woman” or “If I had been thin he wouldn’t have treated me that way.” I would be saying “the cop was a jerk.” I would never just assume that someone else’s behavior had anything to do with my gender, class, religion, race, etc. (unless of course, racial slurs or an insult about my weight or gender was uttered…which doesn’t seem to have happened in this case).

If you are always making assumptions about how people treat you because of who you are, you are going to see things that just aren’t there…i.e., Maybe the waiter at the restaurant snapped at all of the white people too. Maybe the clerk at the store just got told his wife was leaving him and he was cranky to everyone.

15. Andy | 07.23.09

I like Obama and voted for him during election, however, what he should apologize for his remarks. He does not know the truth, we don’t know whole truth and as such you can not state who’s at fault.

Now for the guy that said you don’t have to show ID. Hmmm yes you do. Cops were called for breaking & entering what do you think they supposed to do. Ask if this is your house and take your word for it. When you talk to cops just do everything they ask for and if you think this was inappropriate take them to court. That’s for judge to decide.

16. Anthony Wilcox | 07.23.09

This seems to be a case of elitism, rather than of racism. Anybody who uses the expression “do you know who I am” deserves a spanking.

17. Phil | 07.23.09

Ryan,

You’re just another cop hating white hating racist. That’s what you are and your comments make it obvious.

18. Mary S Spahr | 07.23.09

Were there really people out there prior to the election who truly thought Obama wasn’t a racist? How terribly naive!

19. dianeremarx | 07.23.09

The cops show up and Gates gets his racist attitude on because it’s a white cop instead of thanking the officer for looking out for his house.

The stupid person is Gates.

20. cluelessinky | 07.23.09

What Barry did was to prejudge the case ( even he admitted that he didn’t have all the facts). It would be one thing if he were just another ” guy” But he isn’t, he is the President of the USA and everything he says has so much more weight than what anyone else says. His judgment was faulty and the last thing we need now is a leader with faulty judgment. I pray that he sees the light and understands the power he has and uses it appropriately.

21. melody | 07.23.09

I suggest that there be a complete investigation by the Attorney General. Eric Holder, do not be cowardly with this. Investigate.

22. Mark | 07.23.09

Ben, I think you should read the police report (which could easily be corroborated by everyone else who witnessed Gates’ behavior). The guy is obviously an arrogant *****. the police told him they were leaving right in the middle of his tirade and he continued to cause a disturbance harass the police outside.

23. brianball | 07.23.09

What do you mean “it shouldn’t have happened in the first place” (the officer asking for ID). THAT IS HIS JOB. He’s a cop. HE was told someone was breaking in. He goes there, sees someone in the house…and he should do what? Nothing? IT’S HIS JOB to ask for ID.

If Gates shows it to him, he should then apologize? For what? Doing his job?

Gates goes off on this guy saying he was racially profiling him when it is CLEAR that he wasn’t. He was called by a NEIGHBOR of Gates. If Gates should be mad at anyone, get mad at the neighbor for not recognizing him.

You scream at a cop at the top of your lungs when they are merely doing your job and you’re not going to get arrested? What?

24. Carmen | 07.23.09

BHO needs to be more informed on many issues. He is a rasist.. period!!

25. Chris | 07.23.09

Welcome to the world, Professor Gates! We WHITE people have to shut up and say two words “Yes, officer!” Also, helpful hint, if it applies: Try not to be drunk around police.

26. Chip | 07.23.09

Have any of you pin heads read the police report or incident report? The officer left the house and Gates followed him screaming that he was a racist the whole way, and then continued to yell and call him a racist. The officer identified himself to Gates twice. I wonder if Gates had provided his ID and thanked the officer for checking in and doing his job if anything would have happened?

27. AH | 07.23.09

Of course Obama is right the police acted stupidly…….

On Thursday July 16, 2009, Henry Gates, Jr. - -, of Ware Street, Cambridge, MA) was placed under arrest at Ware Street, after being observed exhibiting loud and tumultuous behavior, in a public place, directed at a uniformed police officer who was present investigating a report of a crime in progress. These actions on the behalf of Gates served no legitimate purpose and caused citizens passing by this location to stop and take notice while appearing surprised and alarmed.

…When I arrived at Ware Street I radioed ECC and asked that they have the caller meet me at the front door to this residence. I was told that the caller was already outside. As I was getting this information, I climbed the porch stairs toward the front door. As [reached the door, a female voice called out to me. I looked in the direction of the voice and observed a white female, later identified {} who was standing on the sidewalk in front of the residence, held a wireless telephone in her hand arid told me that it was she who called. She went on to tell me that she observed what appeared to be two black males with backpacks on the porch of• Ware Street. She told me that her suspicions were aroused when she observed one of the men wedging his shoulder into the door as if he was trying to force entry. Since I was the only police officer on location and had my back to the front door as I spoke with her, I asked that she wait for other responding officers while I investigated further.

As I turned and faced the door, I could see an older black male standing in the foyer of {} Ware Street. I made this observation through the glass paned front door. As I stood in plain view of this man, later identified as Gates, I asked if he would step out onto the porch and speak with me. He replied “no I will not”. He then demanded to know who I was. I told him that I was “Sgt. Crowley from the Cambridge Police” and that I was “investigating a report of a break in progress” at the residence. While I was making this statement, Gates opened the front door and exclaimed “why, because I’m a black man in America?”. I then asked Gates if there was anyone else in the residence. While yelling, he told me that it was none of my business and accused me of being a racist police officer. I assured Gates that I was responding to a citizen’s call to the Cambridge Police and that the caller was outside as we spoke. Gates seemed to ignore me and picked up a cordless telephone and dialed an unknown telephone number. As he did so, I radioed on channel I that I was off in the residence with someone who appeared to be a resident but very uncooperative. I then overheard Gates asking the person on the other end of his telephone call to “get the chief’ and “whats the chiefs name?’. Gates was telling the person on the other end of the call that he was dealing with a racist police officer in his home. Gates then turned to me and told me that I had no idea who I was “messing” with and that I had not heard the last of it. While I was led to believe that Gates was lawfully in the residence, I was quite surprised and confused with the behavior he exhibited toward me. I asked Gates to provide me with photo identification so that I could verify that he resided at Ware Street and so that I could radio my findings to ECC. Gates initially refused, demanding that I show him identification but then did supply me with a Harvard University identification card. Upon learning that Gates was affiliated with Harvard, I radioed and requested the presence of the Harvard University Police.

With the Harvard University identification in hand, I radioed my findings to ECC on channel two and prepared to leave. Gates again asked for my name which I began to provide. Gates began to yell over my spoken words by accusing me of being a racist police officer and leveling threats that he wasn’t someone to mess with. At some point during this exchange, I became aware that Off. Carlos Figueroa was standing behind me. When Gates asked a third time for my name, I explained to him that I had provided it at his request two separate times. Gates continued to yell at me. I told Gates that I was leaving his residence and that if he had any other questions regarding the matter, I would speak with him outside of the residence.

As I began walking through the foyer toward the front door, I could hear Gates agai,n demanding my name. I again told Gates that I would speak with him outside. My reason for wanting to leave the residence was that Gates was yelling very loud and the acoustics of the kitchen and foyer were making it difficult for me to transmit pertinent information to ECC or other responding units. His reply was “ya, I’ll speak with your mama outside”. When I left the residence, I noted that there were several Cambridge and Harvard University police officers assembled on the sidewalk in front of the residence. Additionally, the caller, md at least seven unidentified passers-by were looking in the direction of Gates, who had followed me outside of the residence.

As I descended the stairs to the sidewalk, Gates continued to yell at me, accusing me of racial bias and continued to tell me that I had not heard the last of him. Due to the tumultuous manner Gates had exhibited in his residence as well as his continued tumultuous behavior outside the residence, in view of the public, I warned Gates that he was becoming disorderly. Gates ignored my warning and continued to yell, which drew the attention of both the police officers and citizens, who appeared surprised and alarmed by Gates’s outburst. For a second time I warned Gates to calm down while I withdrew my department issued handcuffs from their carrying case. Gates again ignored my warning and continued to yell at me. It was at this time that I informed Gates that he was under arrest. I then stepped up the stairs, onto the porch and attempted to place handcuffs on Gates. Gates initially resisted my attempt to handcuff him, yelling that he was “disabled” and would fall without his cane. After the handcuffs were property applied, Gates complained that they were too tight. I ordered Off. Ivey, who was among the responding officers, to handcuff Gates with his arms in front of him for his comfort while I secured a cane for Gates from within the residence. I then asked Gates if he would like an officer to take possession of his house key and secure his front door, which he left wide open. Gates told me that the door was un securable due to a previous break attempt at the residence. Shortly thereafter, a Harvard University maintenance person arrived on scene and appeared familiar with Gates. I asked Gates if he was comfortable with this Harvard University maintenance person securing his residence. He told me that he was.

28. Some Guy | 07.23.09

I am a Police Officer. This sort of call for service is not uncommon. We respond to them multiple times a day in my department. Normally, someone forgot to disarm their house alarm system, and we need to respond to investigate the alarm. It goes something like this.

Knock knock knock…
Good evening Sir we received an alarm notice for this address.

Oh, I’m sorry officer I forgot to disarm it and you got here before I could call the alarm company.

That’s okay Sir if I can just see your driver’s license so that I can confirm that this is your address, I’ll get out of you hair.

Oh, sure (he goes to get her driver’s license).

Okay Sir, case closed. Have a good night.

10-8.

It doesn’t always go so smoothly, however. For whatever reason, some people do freak out when the police show up at their front door. Sometimes I’ve gotten the feeling that it was race related, but some people are just mental. I have had to deal with identical situations as the one being talked about today. Yes, some people do get arrested, some don’t. Most do not, I should point out. You do everything you can to calm the person so that the interaction goes smoothly. Every cop wants these calls to turn out like the one described above. But, it is the resident who controls their fate. I don’t know what the threshold for disorderly is in Cambridge, but I guess Gates crossed it. I noticed in the police report that they made a point of annotating that a crowd had gathered as a result of Gate’s behavior. I’m guessing that that is an element of disorderly conduct there. Don’t anybody expect Crowley to apologize, because he knows he followed the law and didn’t do anything wrong. I wouldn’t apologize either.

“Gates is a friend of mine, so I’m biased… I don’t know all the facts… But, the Cambridge Police acted stupidly.” I doubt any of that was on the teleprompter.

29. NN | 07.23.09

The one thing people don’t seem to realize.. and the main reason you should read the report. The reason the professor was jimmying with his door is because the door was damaged from a previous breakin!! You have a cop showing up ALONE for a call of burglary in progress. You show up and you encounter a non-cooperative guy? Shame on Gates for wasting police resources and using the media to pump up his own ignorant big head.

30. Angel | 07.23.09

Ryan-

You need to read the police report. There are also witness statements that will most likely surface shortly according to the report. The man was arrested for disorderly conduct because once he was outside of the house he started yelling at passerbys. He was screaming out “This is what happens to a black man in America!” Gates wasn’t yet under arrest but ended up so shortly after he started drawing himself a crowd by yelling about the racist uniformed police officers.

Crowley had asked Gates to please step outside and calm down after Gates had repeatedly made accusations of being racially selected. All Gates had to do was say “Sure, here is my ID officers. Sorry for the confusion, I lost my keys.”

I am white and when my sister was 3 she dialed 911 and hung up. We got a call back from the operator asking if a 911 call was made from the house and had a police officer at the door a moment later. Even though my father told him we didn’t make the call that officer insisted on walking through every room of the house, checking in every closet and making sure no one was in trouble. I think an officer who merely wants to make sure everyone and everything involved is alright is doing his job properly. Gates just had to take his race out of the equation. Instead he refused to show his ID for quite some time, yelled at a uniformed police officer and made derogitory comments, and shocked and alarmed passerbys into gathering around the scene. I don’t think he should have been let off the hook and had he been white, he wouldn’t have been.

31. adam russell | 07.23.09

After reading the police report I guess the question becomes “is it proper and legal for an officer to arrest someone for disorderly in public if they are yelling from their front porch”? Does the law that he was arrested for support the arrest? All this business of “well he should have just cooperated” is not to the point. Does the law allow arrest for yelling on your front porch or not?

32. Windfall | 07.23.09

If a police officer is responding to a report of a break-in and there is someone in the house, asking the occupant for identification is neither stupid nor racist. A President of the United States inserting himself into a domestic disturbance arrest (especially one in which facts are disputed) is certainly stupid and, in this case, probably racist as well.

I once had three car loads of cops roll up in front of my house about 90 seconds after I accidentally set off my burglar alarm. It never occurred to me that they were racially profiling me. Of course, I showed them my ID. I also thanked them for responding so quickly, complimented them on their response time and apologized for setting off a false alarm. Don’t you want your local police responding in a timely manner to a possible break-in of your home? I certainly do. And if there is a false alarm, I certainly don’t want to do anything to discouraged the cops from responding quickly and thoroughly checking out the situation. Next time might be for real.

What does Urkelama want the police to do? Discontinue all investigations of burglary complaints if the person they find onsite is black? Keep track of all homes owned by blacks and don’t bother responding if someone calls in a burglary? I’d rather have the police respond quickly to a report of any sort of possible problem at my house and if I locked myself out, I’d be happy to produce my ID and thank the cops for looking after my property.

But then, I’m not a distinguished professor of ethnic studies. Now, you don’t imagine this professor just wanted to create an incident so that he could get his picture in the paper and jump up on his soapbox to reinforce the alleged relevance of his particular area of academic “expertise”, do you?

33. kelli | 07.23.09

someone said the president better get a hold of the arrest report. that’s easy: it’s everywhere on the internet. he can start with DRUDGE, if that site is not blocked at the WH, that is…

34. al | 07.23.09

Sounds like the President is a racist himself. He needs to gather all the facts and not shoot from the hip on this. I guess the teleprompter wasn’t working fast enough.

35. fred17 | 07.23.09

To Ryan”
What do you mean “Gates didn’t have to produce his ID . . .” He forced his way into the house and the police were answering a report on that break-in! They certainly needed to see ID if he WAS the homeowner. Stop making up excuses for his behavior.

36. Vern | 07.23.09

It’s amazing how Obama knows all the facts of the Gates incident enough to state the police were stupid and how there is a racial component to the issue although he was miles away when the incident occurred….but on the other hand, he doesn’t even know enough about the healthcare redesign to answer a citizen’s question and he is working the issue on a daily basis in the WH.

37. Dan Freeman | 07.23.09

They say if your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail…
As a “scholar” of Black Studies and racism, every problem for Gates and his ilk is explained by racism.

38. DB | 07.23.09

Its the man trying to keep the brother down. The brother who happens to be an Ivy Leaque professor and makes over 6 figures and who is friends with another brother who is the POTUS. Clearly we are a nation of white racists!

39. Jim | 07.23.09

We have no idea of knowing who said what. It was innapropriate for the President to respond to the question with his accusation. Its not his place to do so, especially in that forum. How can we not question HIS prejudices given his long association with a known rascist, Rev Wright? I believe our President is a rascist.

40. Craig | 07.23.09

Ryan - You ARE required to show ID to a police officer. The professor’s home had been recently burglarized. A neighbor called the police when she saw two men with backpacks trying to force open the door. The officer was merely trying to establish that the man he found inside after this call was the homeowner.

Disorderly conduct includes refusing to follow a police officer’s instructions.

The good professor immediately judged the officer by the color of his skin and assumed he could only be there for racist reasons. He pre-judged the officer’s motives based on skin tone alone. The professor is the racist. The police officer was merely trying to do his job.

41. voice of reason | 07.23.09

this just in. . .

Harvard professor henry louis gates rushed to hospital

surgery will be required to remove an enormous chip on his shoulder

42. EdSki | 07.23.09

Mr. Cosby is absolutely correct. Regardless of what citizen Obama thinks, when he opens his mouth, he’s President of the United States.

I heard an ex-state trooper giving a talk once. He was offering tips for dealing with the Police, inside tips, if you will.

When an officer shows up at a situation, they have little to no information. In this case a report of a possible break in. Upon arriving, he doesn’t know if the person he’s seeing is an honest citizen or an armed nut case just waiting to off.

My guess - and it is only my guess - the initial meeting caused the officer to determine he was a nut case.

P.S. This tip is even more important when the situation involves two or more groups. In that case, the officer will assume one group or person is sane, and the others are nuts. Make sure the officer views you as the sane party.

43. Mark | 07.23.09

I am not sure if this was Racism or not… I am positive it was a cop abusing his power. The man showed his ID and has the right to say anything inside his house he wants to say. The cop then tried to get him to go outside… then arrested him for a trumped up charge… racist? maybe… bad cop for sure!! I did NOT vote for Obama.. but he was closer to being right than the cop.

44. Sniffit | 07.23.09

It appears that Ryan above is an anti-cop racist who has not yet read the police report and doesn’t even care what it says. His bigotted mind is made up. Much like the President.

45. Vinnie | 07.23.09

This sounds just like the Cynthia McKinney case. The officer just asked for simple identification and because the subject viewed themselves as “just so important” they thought that just their word should be enough. Then, instead of showing the ID, they fly off the handle in indignant rage. The “Professor” should have thanked the police officer and readily offered his ID as the officer was there to protect his house and belongings. And, by the way, what the heck is African studies. Should I be impressed by someone that teaches this non-subject?

46. mwhitmire | 07.23.09

GABrowne: “He is better then all the white men that have occupied that office before him. He must stand above them as he can” Certifiable.

The president made an error, anybody knows that you shouldn’t stick your nose into anyone else’s business. A lesson for the government in general.

47. terry steiden | 07.23.09

I will guarantee that if 2 men broke into his house, ransacked and burglarized it, and the police didn’t show up in time to stop it, Gates would have said they didn’t show up because he’s black.

He’s a silly man - not serious enough to be dangerous or even inflammatory - just silly. But I do appreciate him causing an incident that has opened some eyes to Obama’s true colors.

48. jindy60 | 07.23.09

Obama was absolutely wrong in commenting without knowing the facts.

It was the rabble rousing community organizer coming out.

After reading the facts, it seems apparent that professor Gates is also a radical simply intentionally causing trouble to further his career.

49. Teresa in TN | 07.23.09

Guess I’d better stop breaking into my own house. Ha!
I do it all the time. And, in thinking how I would feel in this same situation I think I would be a little embarassed but I would definitely find the whole thing laughable. I think someone had a chip on their shoulder.

50. JohnM | 07.23.09

A stereotypically “everyman” is being pitted against the most powerful man in the world (POTUS)… its a fight the police officer did not choose, brought on by a teacher obsessed with racism and supported by an opportunist who is only seeking to reassure other racists of his “blackness”. What a divisive weasel.

God bless the police officer, he should not apologize for being a professional law enforcement officer simply doing his job.

Shame on those who make/made their livings sitting in ivory towers safe from the ramifications of the of the foolishness they proport.

51. Jerry | 07.23.09

The Pesident is such a well spoken racist.. #1

52. Black Racists | 07.23.09

Let’s face it…no white male is allowed to criticize, arrest, or even talk about blacks without being labeled a racist. There is a race war in this country and it is perpetuated by guilt-ridden white liberals and black liberals.

53. Dave | 07.23.09

The ID Gates produced did not havwe an address on it. The officer did not know him or care to know him. Gates failed to step out of his house to discuss the issue. He was creating a distubance. He insulted the officer. He was trying to do his job and go home. The officer did nothing wrong.

Obama owes an apology to the police office, the police department, and to the country.

54. stwer | 07.23.09

Sorry, the cop was CALLED to the house to check.
Until the door was answered, the cop had no idea who it was, or what color he/she was. Argh!

Gates REFUSED to show ID. Period. Was yelling, and calling the cops racist when all they did was answer a call. What a fool Gates is.

Someone said this wouldn’t happen if a white old lady answered the door. True, it also wouldn’t have happened if a BLACK old lady answered the door. Argh!

55. erika | 07.23.09

if you have never been a victim of racism, you dont know how it makes you feel and you dont know how hard a struggle it has been for some many black americans. I cant understand WHY every white person i know responds the same “oh black man throwing the race card” yeah it happens but for damn good reason, the race card has been thrown in black people’s faces oh since about what, the 17oo’s?? We may have been de-segregated well over 60 years ago but when so many people to this day are still so prejudice b/c of color of skin, and still so many small towns in the south (where i live) where my black friends would NEVER drive thru, my grandmother of asian decent wouldnt either. To try and understand what mr gates or any other black man/woman has gone thru b/c of racist people/ country, you cant understand if you are white, you have never been judged by your color, you have never been told your not allowed b/c of color and no one ever crosses street b.c of you color

56. Al Santangelo | 07.23.09

All I know for sure is that if someone is seen breaking into my home, I want the cops to come. If it turns out to be me, then we’ll deal with that later. But the cop showing up and trying to make sure that there was no burglary being committed IS EXACTLY WHAT COPS ARE FOR.

57. Dr. Taam | 07.23.09

hey Stephen,
you’re clearly not black. if you were, you’d understand what if feels like to have the cops on your back ALL THE TIME. even when you are a Harvard professor living in a nice neighborhood. you simply have NO IDEA what that feels like. so your suggestion of narrowing the possibilities down to ONLY two (black and white) is overly simplistic.

also, you weren’t there. none of us were THERE. and you know what? those 7 bystanders also were NOT THERE. the only ones THERE were Gates and the officer. so let’s reel in the *opinions* here, people. Americans are getting a bad reputation as ignorant, television-addicted goons that are too quick to form opinions based on conjecture and internet hearsay. and that’s pretty lazy and un-American.

58. Brandon | 07.23.09

Why couldn’t the president have said something to the effect of “Let’s wait until there is an full investigation before we rush to judgement, having not been there.” Instead he gave about as long an address on that subject as he did on his ridiculous health care plan.

59. donkey | 07.23.09

Racist is such an ugly word that it should be banned. Maybe we should have some laws that make it a “special” crime to use the “r” word. I mean, hey, it inflames old wounds.

60. Ed | 07.23.09

I think the cop has an excellent case for liabel…..I would love to see him sue Obama into poverty over this rediculous statement by this very small minded excuse for a president.

61. Alan C. | 07.23.09

Read the police report posted on theSmokingGun.com. The officer showed up, and was immediately, upon approaching the property of Prof. Gates, assaulted with a barrage of insults and threats. Gates didn’t just call him a racist, he assaulted him with the term non-stop for the duration of the officer’s attempt to follow standard operating procedure, called some unnamed “chief”, and implicitly threatened the officer’s career in a typically elitist “do you know who I am?” manner. It wasn’t until the officer left the home due to being unable to hear his own radio while trying to communicate with his headquarters that he ultimately decided to arrest Gates for not leaving HIM alone. Gates repeatedly asked for the officer’s name while calling him a racist and telling him he didn’t know who he was messing with, and continued to shout over him each time the officer answered.

Ultimately, I guess next time the Cambridge police should simply ignore any calls about men attempting to forcibly enter a home in that neighborhood? How well would that have gone over, had it actually been a break-in?

“Excuse me, sir - we have a report of someone trying to force his way into this residence.”
“Because I’m black?!? Eat it, you racist pig!”
“Yes, sir, well, as long as you’re the one who lives here…”
“I sure as **** do you white racist *******, now get out of here! You don’t know who you’re messing with! I’ll have your badge!”
“Yes, sir, well have a good day, sir.”

Yeah, that’d be a responsible bit of police work.

62. Morag | 07.23.09

Ryan,

You are very much mistaken, when police officers are investigating a possible break-in as reported by a neighbor, they have the right to confirm the person(s)in the home are the rightful occupants. Did you know criminals caught in the middle of committing a crime do lie, it’s the officers job to investigate whether he is the rightful occupant or possible a criminal that is in the process of burglarizing the home, remember the door was a problem due to a prior break-in?
Your also wrong on the definition of disorderly conduct, please consult a dictionary, the fact he was yelling, screaming or behaving in a disruptive manner to themselves or others. Clearly this was indicated by the witnesses and the police report, I think you have a problem with law enforcement officers, they are not there to be your buddies they are there to serve and protect the citizens. If Mr. Gates had been civil and followed the request of the officers this would not have happened, despite the views of some, the police don’t run around looking for minorities just to confront and arrest them for no reason.

63. Kris Paxton | 07.23.09

Why was Gates trying to force open his own door anyways?
He’s a Harvard professor.
Don’t most folks in his neighborhood just call a locksmith?

64. In Memory of Mary Jo | 07.23.09

Thank you, Mr. Cosby, for speaking the TRUTH.

It is a rarity these days.

65. BillC | 07.23.09

Yelling at the officer, calling him racist for doing his job? Just because he’s white and you’re not? Bovine cookies. Today’s youth have no idea what it was like before the 1970’s. And I think people forget racism isn’t one-way. It’s not just white racism. I’ve seen racism from blacks, hispanics, Asians and other groups. My guess is Gates lost it and refused to clam up. Once he continued it in public, his conduct met what the statute says is “disorderly” and he was arrested. How many chances was he given to calm down? In Alabama in the 60’s, a black man would get zero, plus a baton to the stomach for being “mouthy”. We’ve come a long way, but we now need to pay attention to racism in both directions.

66. Mark | 07.23.09

Actually, you don’t have to say, “Yes, officer.” You can tell the officer to go to hell and tell him to get out of your house. If some guy just walked into my house and asked for ID, I’d tell him to get out. Read the officer’s own report- he was satisfied that Prof. Gates was in his own home and had seen his ID BEFORE arresting him. I don’t know what’s in his heart, but this cop should be fired. You don’t get to arrest people because they’re calling you a racist and it’s embarrassing.

67. Eye C | 07.23.09

That statement by the President is just another example of bad judgment on the his part. Instead of making an argument for his solution on healthcare (which I oppose), he made a mountain out of a mole hill when he shouldn’t have said anything at all. Bad judgment. Bad leadership.

68. Shauntel | 07.23.09

So Prez Hussain feels that race was an issue here. SHOCKING! If this happened last week, why is this news now?

69. mark | 07.23.09

As the story goes, the police officer was responding to a report of two black males at the scene. So he shows up in the area looking for the color black. That’s not racist, that’s a fact.

70. Philip Saenz | 07.23.09

Gabrowne, I see that you’re trying to get your boy Obama off the hook by drgging in Bush. There is no way that Bush is or was that stupid. First of all, Bush was a Republican and no Democrap. Secondly, Bush wasn’t a stupid liberal.

71. Pablo | 07.23.09

Just great….

Scary as hell…

Makes a decision without knowing all the facts…

And this “man” has his finger on the nuclear trigger…

We toast!!!!!

72. Matt | 07.23.09

I wouldn’t recommend that you do _anything_ a cop asks of you. You can object, so long as you keep your cool. Some of you may remember when a Ron Paul supporter was detained in an airport because he refused to ask questions that he didn’t know if he had to answer legally. The difference, the Ron Paul was courteous. All people have the same rights, and clearly the arresting officer did what he needed to do…

Clearly, the wide publication of this little incident has been a great distraction for Mr. Obama. The news cycle will recycle this story until the folks forget all about that little healthcare legislation he is trying to ram through congress.

73. Bob Cicero | 07.23.09

President Obama is obviously biased against whites. His remarks prove the point. The comment not only shows racism, but a lack of ability to understand all the facts before making a statement. His comment explains some of the domestic directions he is trying to go in. We are screwed.

74. Jake | 07.23.09

I agree that Prof. Gates is in fact a racist. Again, if the responding officer is black, I’m sure he would not have claimed racism. Maybe the cop should have backed down and agreed he was a racist and apologized for being white. He should have not locked up the professor because he is black and just said please forgive me for being a honky/turkey white pig. So what if the professor instigates a race riot on a Cambridge side street. No big deal. Right Mr. President?

75. racistgates | 07.23.09

My sister middle class white woman got locked out of her house with her 2 babies and when the cops showed up they asked for her id -they demanded to see and they wouldnt let her in without it — one was black -she didnt scream and call him a racist -she asked the police to check with the next door neighbors and when they werent home the police climbed into her house and checked the photos inside –all thsi tiem my sister was polite -if she had scremaed and yelled she woudl have been arrested.

76. Levi H. | 07.23.09

Mick said, “What if the cop had not done his job and, instead of the professor answering the door, it was the burglar? Now what?

The cop is an inept racist?”

are you for real? 1) what burglar would answer the freaking door to the house he just broke into? (with, most likely, red/blue lights reflecting on the foyer wall!) jeez, really dude, wake up.

77. Jeff | 07.23.09

Ryan wrote: “Wrong. It is ridiculous to assume those are the only two possible ways this situation played out. Besides that, you obviously have forgotten that Gates didn’t have to present his ID, but did anyway, and you clearly don’t know what disorderly conduct actually is (hint: it’s not yelling, being angry, or calling someone racist).”

If a cop came to my house in the same situation, I would hope he would ask for ID. Disorderly Conduct includes making unreasonable noise and continuing to do so after being asked to stop by a police officer.

This has absolutely nothing to do with race… I’m white and if I was uncooperative and was carrying on screaming and yelling at the police after they asked me to stop I’d be arrested too. The difference is they wouldn’t have dropped the charges against me like they did with him. He’s getting special treatment for who he is.

78. Stormy | 07.23.09

I have never heard of a President being involved in such an inane state matter.
The terrorists are going nuclear , the country is in dire financial straights and this man fiddles !!!
G-d help us all !!

79. HULAgate | 07.23.09

We have a racist President, and every academic tenured loon paranoid NUT BALL in the nation now relishes the thought of getting in the face and front page — no matter the merits of the case.

The DNC is going to get CREAMED in the 2010 mid-terms.

Obama’s rank racism, and his loon ACORN and NAACP lemmings, can cry about it all the way to the end of his lone Carteresque disaster of a limp term in 2012.

What IS is.

80. Jarvis | 07.23.09

It is unbelievable that the President would even take time to comment on this situation. Doesn’t he have more important things to do? Please do our country a favor and make sure to vote for someone different during the next election. The current POTUS is nuts!

81. Richard | 07.23.09

What else is new!!!! Obama wants to set off race realations, thats how he, jesse, and al get there way. Call it what it is. Reverse Racism !!!!

82. DDDonna | 07.23.09

Just strikes me kind of odd his neighbors didnt know he lived there.

83. cg | 07.23.09

Let’s change the title from “Racial profiling” to “Idiot profiling”. It will make more sense.

84. Darryl | 07.23.09

Would the president feel the same if the arresting officer were black? What a racist the president is.

85. Larry Summerz | 07.23.09

Probably the real reason Gates got huffy was that the police officer did not immediately recognize Henry Louis Gates, celebrity professor.

86. Kerry Soileau | 07.23.09

“He is better then all the white men that have occupied that office before him.”

***? I can’t wait for you to elaborate on this statement with some evidence, other than tingles running up and down your leg…

87. Raul | 07.23.09

The educated Professor should have taken the high road. He took the low road, however, and Obama walked right along with him. Now they are both tainted in the public eye. Once the Professor caused a public nuisance (with his obnoxious behavior) he absolutely deserved to get arrested. Had the charges not been dropped the other officers would have no doubt testified that Mr. Gates was the antagonist (read: troublemaker). If I were President Obama I would be hoping this situation quietly goes away over the course of the next few weeks because he has already embarrassed himself enough by way of his ill-conceived and ill-timed commentary.

88. CHRI$ DODD | 07.23.09

Obama: “I don’t know all the facts”

Obama: “The Cambridge Police acted Stupidly”

This is our DEAR LEADER!

89. Eric | 07.23.09

Where are the NRA card carrying Republicans who will stand up for this innocent US citizen who was violated on his own private property? Isn’t the logic that we all need guns to prevent the government from coming onto our PRIVATE property and harassing us? And so, we have a _clear_ situation here where a US citizen was taken advantage of on his own PRIVATE property, and because Obama (the symbol of Republican hatred) supports this US citizen, now all of a sudden the government (i.e. police) is in the right? Had this happened in rural South Carolina, the Republicans would be condemning this police officer.

90. Don | 07.23.09

The President should have said “no Comment”. Just like our elected officials should READ THE BILLS before they vote!!!

91. john | 07.23.09

I think it would be safe to say that Bill Cosby has the emotional maturity to be President of the United States. Barack Obama does not.

92. Mick | 07.23.09

It is against Visa and Mastercard rules to require ID to complete a transaction.

93. Brian | 07.23.09

Gates is a racist….period.

94. Paul | 07.23.09

Louie Ulrich III is a lunatic!!!!!!!!!!!!

95. retro meta | 07.23.09

The lunatic left has always used race to further their agenda. Under no circumstances will they ever stop making hysterical baseless charges of racism. Here’s why:

What other charge — or, get-out-of-jail-free-card, if you will — can the loonies come up with, where, no matter how irresponsible their behavior, they can get a free pass and not be held accountable?

Wild, hysterical charges of racism carry too much currency for the lunatic left to ever disavow them.

96. Eddy Dish | 07.23.09

Everybody please calm down. Most whites are looking at the police report and saying: what a stupid arrogant person MR Gates is? Most blacks are looking at the situation and saying: Why should the police arrest somebody from their own house after they showed id? But is it not a fact that the situation blew up because indeed Mr gates was arrested? That is exactly what the president meant. The police should not have arrested him after he showed his id. Just compare the situation with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHZMoPV1rog
You will see what happens when no racial component is involved

97. Don’t Tread On Me | 07.23.09

A Harvard University ID is NOT the same as a driver’s license.
And a NORMAL, SANE person would say “thank you” to their neighbor and the police for helping to protect their property. BUT NOT GATES!! No, Gates is a race-baiting, egomaniacal fraud. And Obama defended him!!!

Please write to Harvard’s president and let him know that Gates should 1) apologize to Officer Crowley at least as loudly as he has been yelling “racism”, and do it immediately, 2) apologize to the American people for being racist against whites, and 3) be fired friom his position aqs a professor of black studies.

American Universities do NOT NEED any more racist professors!!!

Please write to: president@harvard.edu

98. Pjohn | 07.23.09

David “disrespecting” isn’t a real word, so Jefferson probably would have just thought you were dumb. You can “act disrespectfully” or “treat someone disrespectfully”….but you can’t disrespect someone. Sorry dude…learn the language, the rules do matter.

DavidH wrote
Sounds like a case of “arrested for disrespecting the police.” What would Thomas Jefferson have to say about that? Papieren, bitte?

P.S. Gates is a tool

99. Israel Satin | 07.23.09

He may not be a racist but he is most certainly a fool for allowing his alleged pride to make bad judgments for him…a smart man would have been able to see his mistake by simply looking at the Professors ID..something any rookie cop knows and own up to making a Bad decision…if this is the reasoning that a Police officer of enough years to make Sargent uses we should all be afraid…this is more about male ego and neither wanting to admit they were in the wrong..but to not have the wisdom to say show me some ID and read that this is the home owner is unflattering in any light….Police that think themselves above basic procedure like checking an ID will always be a danger to the public.

100. trying to undersatand | 07.23.09

I’m not sure about Cambridge, but in my community the police wear nametags and their badges have numbers in plain sight. If my neighbor saw a person he didn’t recognize breaking into my house, I would hope he would call police. I would then hope the police would respond quickly and be naturally suspicious of anyone inside having noticed the door was clearly damaged. (Just curious, but if this home is owned by the university and Gates planned to call them to fix the door, why didn’t he first call them to help him get in when he noticed he had forgotten his keys?) I would hope they wouldn’t just take the word of the person they found inside (yes, maybe me)but insist on identification.I know it’s hard to believe, but criminals lie.
Then, if when they were leaving I pursued them outside and started berating them and inciting a gathering crowd, I might expect to get arrested.

101. Savvy Cowboy | 07.23.09

Whatever happened to respecting authority. Okay I will make this very simple for you simple-minded liberals and maybe after 22 years of military service I am a bit biased but COME ON. If an officer of the law is asking you for some ID, he/she is acting on situational awareness at that moment and obviously does not know who you are. For all the officer knows, you are a violent criminal acting as nice as possible and you could be armed.

What is wrong with saying, “Officer, let me get my ID out of my back pocket and you will see this is my residence.” and being polite. Or have we fallen into the liberal vacuum so far we can’t do that anymore?

Give the guy a break! What - he’s making MAYBE $60,000 per year (if he’s lucky) to lay his life on the line for liberals and conservatives, blacks, whites, latinos, every citizen on his beat. Police officers are not working to become millionaires, they have a bigger purpose than that. Where I live, a law enforcement officer starts out at $10 per hour; under $2K per month to protect the public.

Of course where I live, you come onto my ranch and I don’t know you and it’s late at night, you had better be at peace with your maker because I am not going to screw around!

102. Glen Springer | 07.23.09

Here’s my take on this, Obama, and who ever is the President after and all those before need not be injecting them selves into local police squabbles. He is supposed to be above all this garbage, this local police stuff isn’t his pay grade. It’s bad enough Obama’s on Tv lying to us about his Obama care, and the pork bill, and lying to us about the economy, but to inject him self into a local police investigation as well? This is childish of Obama.
he needs to be worring about how he’s going to keep control of both sides of the house in little over a year when the mid term elections drive the Democrats from power, then civil unrest.. What a baby he is.

103. Hal Smith | 07.23.09

Breaking update…Professor of black militancy at Harvard..admitted to
area hospital for emergency surgery to remove head from rectus abdominus.

104. I Served in Vietnam | 07.23.09

I heard about this incident, while Windsurfing off Nantucket.

As I’ve said before: “I’m fascinated by Rap”

Do you know who I am? You should.

105. Andy Beumel | 07.23.09

President Obama has setback race relations 10 years with his comments about the treatment of Professor Gates. The facts are the facts, and any intelligent individual, especially the President, would at least investigate the facts before commenting. Kind of scary to think of where we are going with this Administration. I am sure the Obama henchman are on overtime actively searching all details of the life of Sgt. Crowley and his family. Sound familiar? Being from Chicago I can tell you it is “The Chicago Way”.

106. Dave | 07.23.09

If I’m a burglar, I’m heading right over to Gates’ house. There’s no way in **** the cops are going to show up there now to check out a break-in.

107. AC | 07.23.09

Ryan, you’re an ignorant man just like Gates and his ilks.

108. Tipper | 07.23.09

Back in the 1980’s, I was parked in my alley and unloading some firewood. A police car drove down the alley checking what was going on. The officer was hispanic. I informed him what I was up to and thanked him for checking and he smiled at me and left.

I did not throw a “hissy fit” that the cop drove down the alley thinking that I was breaking into a home like Gates. Also, note that I call law enforcement officers policemen and policewomen not “cops.”

I note that the only ones that Obama goes after are servicemen and servicewomen (remember he called them “selfish?”), rich people and law enforcement officials.

109. Bryan H | 07.23.09

Obama said with conviction “I don’t have all the facts…but the Cambridge Police acted stupidly.”

Funny that out of the 11 soft ball questions he fielded this was the only one that he didn’t stutter and stammer through.

Obama is prejudice to the core.

110. Bryan H | 07.23.09

Obama said with conviction “I don’t have all the facts…but the Cambridge Police acted stupidly.”

Funny that out of the 11 soft ball questions he fielded this was the only one that he didn’t stutter and stammer through.

Obama is prejudice to the core.

111. Lancev32 | 07.23.09

Erika… Give it a rest…. It was wrong for the Professor to do what he did.. He acted like a child. The police officer did his job… Period, end of statement.

Keep you racism out of it…. “Areas where you wont drive through?” Please… Whats the worse that can happen. But be white and drive through Compton, Camden, Baltimore.. the list goes on and on… I bet dollars to donuts, that what happens “worse case scenerio” is a whole lot worse than driving thorugh a so called “White Area”…

1700’s… Huh? Well its 2009 last time I checked.. Let move on and put it behind us… Its not hard… I hold no ill feelings towards the German people for what happened in WWII…..

Again.. get over it, move on!

BHO.. is a racist… and so is his wife…

112. Cheryl | 07.23.09

Let’s see, if the cop didn’t do his job, itwould have been “where were the police, if it was a white person’s house being invaded the cops would have been there immediately”. Can’t win with the blacks!

113. Matt | 07.23.09

@Louie Ulrich III:

That was the most disturbing post I’ve read in a while. You are either joking or ill.

Get help.

114. David | 07.23.09

Here in the South it wouldn’t matter what color you were. If you start yelling and screaming at a cop whether the cop is black, white, latino or anything else, you’re going to jail.

I’ve been pulled over for going through a red light but kept my calm, respected the officer and apologized. Because I didn’t have any tickets or accidents I was given a warning.

There was a story about a famous black actor who sat down in first class on an airplane. The white women next to him immediately move her purse to the other side. He said, “Where the **** do you think I’m going to go on the airplane after I steal your purse?” He could have spit in her face or called all sorts of nasty things, but who would have been restrained?

Life sucks, get over it.

115. BHarris | 07.23.09

Someone actually left a comment asking what would T Jefferson think of the policeman??? What do you think any of the founding fathers would think of Obama roughshod theft of our liberty!

116. Poneman | 07.23.09

Try this and tell me what happens:

Park your car in the street or in your driveway. Lock your keys in the car and attempt to break in to the car by “jimmying” the lock. In the meantime, ask your neighbor to call the police because it looks like somebody is breaking into a car across the street.

Regardless of who you are and how obvious it is that you own the car, the police will ask for your identification and run the plate to ensure you are really the owner.

Once the police are called, they will follow standard procedures. It doesn’t matter if you are black, white or green.

Henry Gates is a racist. And perhaps an arrogant, bitter “crab”. That’s why his neighbors don’t even know that he’s their neighbor!

117. BAnker | 07.23.09

Anyone notice this line in the police report?

“Gates told me that the door was un securable due to a previous break attempt at the residence.”

The place has a history of attempted break ins. Would seem that the police would then be expected to do a thorough investigation to prevent further incidents? IDing purported owners would seem part of the expectation.

Duh!

118. Frank Marschino | 07.23.09

BO is a reverse racist, and shows himself to be the “stupid” one by commenting on a case of which he has only minimal knowledge. Did this guy really get a law degree? This is what you get when you elect, for President, someone who served in higher office for 4 years, 2 of which he was never there.

119. Jon Fraud Carry | 07.23.09

Obama is filled with racial anger and a deep hatred towards America. He couldn’t help himself jumping into this situation and coming down on the wrong side. The entire Liberal world is consumed with hate and anger.

120. Tim Smith | 07.23.09

Clearly Gates didn’t handle himself that great; however, from what I understand, he just flew back from China and that is indeed a long flight to Boston. I doubt most people are at there best after hours and hours of travel and while suffering from Jet Lag. Gates probably was angry and yelled. However, the police officer, after seeing he did indeed live there, could have said something like “sorry you feel I’m a racist, I’m not. Have a good day” and left. Case closed. Gates would have still been an ***, but this would have been a non-media event. Instead, the police officer turned it into something ten times worse. He was doing his job, but he really did not need to arrest him from what I’ve seen and read.

121. chuck | 07.23.09

I hope we’re really going to start seeing the end of some of this race card BS that has been constantly played during much of the 90s and 2000s. People aren’t buying it anymore. So hopefully sooner or later there won’t be any need for any kind of programs or policies which just further divide race (affirmative action, hate crime legislation, etc. etc. etc.). Obama is not helping the cause. Websites like “blackcareers.com” aren’t helping. If there was a website called “whitecareers.com” you can pretty much bet your life it would be down before anyone even saw it for being “racist”.

122. Cogs | 07.23.09

C’mon folks this was complete set up by Gates. He is making a film about racism and what better way to sell this than be the subject of alleged racism yourself and personalize it. He was going on PBS to promote this already and now he has some really juicy stuff to add and promote.

When you know people can’t fight back (white people) the outcome to this sort of event is already known and the President helped his buddies cause by mentioning it at the press conference.

The fix is in whitey!

123. RAEF | 07.23.09

Obama just showing some experience here. Just because you are the President, you don’t have to comment on everything that happens in the country. He probably felt some pressure to do so because of his race, but he still would have been better saying “i’m not familiar with the facts to offer comment” and left it at that.
nothing positive could have come from the comment he made.

124. Brian | 07.23.09

First, Gates should apologize for getting out of hand. Even if the cop was racist, as a society we need to respect cops since OUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT.

Second, the cop should apologize to Gates for arresting him unnecessarily. Even if Gates was acting like a jerk, the cop should have just walked away as soon as it was clear that Gates was in his own house.

Third, Obama should apologize to the cop and the entire Cambridge Police force for admitting that he didn’t have all the facts and then, like an idiot, use the word “stupidly” to describe their actions.

There’s plenty of blame to go around and nobody’s innocent.

125. Frances | 07.23.09

Gates asked to be arrested. He was the aggressor. Read the report.

http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/Gates_Arrest.pdf

126. JeffT | 07.23.09

For Cosby to be making any comments is a joke. This is the guy who went hook, line and sinker for the Tawana Brawley hoax years ago. That was when I stopped watching his TV show. What a phony.

127. Karey | 07.23.09

I wish Bill Cosby was our president.

128. Chuck | 07.23.09

I think we’re really going to start seeing the end of some of this race card BS that has been constantly played during much of the 90s and 2000s. People aren’t buying it anymore. So hopefully sooner or later there won’t be any need for any kind of programs or policies which just further divide race (affirmative action, hate crime legislation, etc. etc. etc.). Obama is not helping the cause. Websites like “blackcareers” aren’t helping. If there was a website called “whitecareers” you can pretty much bet your life it would be down before anyone even saw it for being “racist”.

129. J. Gibbs | 07.23.09

Take a look at this website. It has a copy of the police report http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0723092gates1.html
Then decide for yourself. It appears to me that the officer had his own safety as well as the safety of the Professor in mind. It is very clear after reading this police report that the Professor had an agenda. I for one am sick and tired of all of this reverse discrimination. I refuse to feel guilty for my skin color and maybe it’s time for the black Americans and the media to stop perpetuating this type of thing. None of the black Americans alive today were slaves and none of the white Americans were slave traders. Stop living in the past folks!!! We have a future that we really need to be concerned about!

130. DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH | 07.23.09

Get use to more and more this AMERICA!

Oh, and keep voting democRAT.

131. Larry A | 07.23.09

OBAMA stood up for his friend. Gates is the racist here and Obama supports it. I hope every single police officer in the U.S. tells Obama to shove it

132. Leona from California | 07.23.09

IF the news being reported is truthful, Gates acted embarrassingly stupid by over-reacting. In fact, it sounds like he baited the officer to do what he wanted him to do so Gates could get more publicity for his cause.

I am a minority and I am so sick of this race card being played. We sound like a bunch of whiners.

If anything, we could be accused of being racist by the remarks made by Obama (before he got his facts straight) AND the reaction by Gates.

Obama has no place playing the race card: he’s as much WHITE as he is BLACK. (Mother, white; father, black).

This kind of false accusation has to stop or we’re never going to get to the fairness we want.

133. jones | 07.23.09

I am way more afraid of cops than enyone else in my community. We have way too many of them.

134. Kevin D | 07.23.09

Regardless of how anyone feels about this, that the President of the United States would make premature (and dividing) comments about a local story, CERTAINLY calls into question Mr. Obama’s wisdom and ability to unite a nation.

Personally, I think Mr. Obama sold a ticket of change on the election ballot, but has shown very little real will to do so. For starters, the unfolding economic catastrophe of bailing out the very players responsible for global metldown (as foreclosures and debt situations worsen), appears to have ballooned under the Obama administration. It is certainly fair to say that Mr. Obama did not create this mess, but it would appear that Bernanke / Geithner / Obama team is little more than the Bush / Paulson / Bernanke/Greenspan team on steroids. Memo to both Obama / Biden: Spending when you’re insolvent is a recipe for disaster.

Secondly, Mr. Obama is promoting a Health Care agenda he seems to be somewhat short on fact with. Much like the Joe the Plumber tax debate early on in election 2008, Mr. Obama appears vague at best with respect to a real plan, if not blindly optimistic.

It will take more than charm and appeasement for the US to get out of the current mess they are in, but unfortunately, Mr. Obama is starting to believe what many defunct newspapers are writing about him. This recent spat - for which Mr. Obama foolishly wandered into, calls into question his ability to lead and unite a nation still deeply reeling from economic dislocation. Pick your battles Mr. President.

Mr. Obama should stick to the script and refrain from making stereotyping comments on issues of a local nature, which will likely only serve to reduce his standings in the polls - and most importantly to prioritize his adminisrative stewardship.

Mr. Obama is starting to self destruct.

K

135. John738 | 07.23.09

Why is it that the cop has to be a racist to put a in jail, lots of white guys who should have just kept their mouth shut wind up going downtown and spending a little time behind bars. And wow imagine this, sometimes those white guys are arrested by black cops, that doesn’t make it racist. It just means some just like Gates got what he deserved. Gates is a class act jerk who met someone he couldn’t push around like he’s gotten used to and he’s playing his normal race baiting game. And we’ve got a really ignorant President who has decided to do the same thing.

136. Brad | 07.23.09

Ryan | 07.23.09

” Stephen–

Wrong. It is ridiculous to assume those are the only two possible ways this situation played out. Besides that, you obviously have forgotten that Gates didn’t have to present his ID, but did anyway, and you clearly don’t know what disorderly conduct actually is (hint: it’s not yelling, being angry, or calling someone racist). ”

Ryan-
YOU are the one who is wrong. In fact, you are required to show an officer your ID in a situation such as this, and yes yelling (ie disturbing the public) can be constituted as disorderly conduct. Further, you are “heavily disinclined to believe the white officer’s account of the situation.” Why??? He is a respected member of the law enforcement community. I believe that Gates and you are the racists.

137. mogulus | 07.23.09

It’s getting fundamental in this society that young black individuals tend to think that they are in fact BETTER than white people. White people seem to feel that they owe something to blacks, so blacks get away with it. I work with about 40 black guys, 30 white guys and half of the black folks think nothing of stomping all over whites and high five each other for it. The sensible black folks are the best people you could possibly know. The whites are divided into a camp of keeping their heads down and undertoned racism.

Black people need to get over it all. We’re all equal. AND mainstream media and america need to wake up and quit kissing their butts. They’re no different than we are and have actually had more opprotunities than whites for about 10 years.

Bill Cosby catches alot of flack for being level headed, as do any black role models who know what’s up in the real world. I hope he realizes how much normal people of all races look up to him for his courage to speak his own mind instead of being in the pocket of the NAACP and rainbow push.

Good on him.

138. DS | 07.23.09

The President has the right to say whatever he wants to say, like me, and like you.

The guy was at his house. If you can’t say at loud whatever you want to say at home, then we should close this country get out and turn off the light. The police made a mistake he should apologize and get back to the police station, period.

139. DannyB | 07.23.09

The people elected Barack Obama, it’s now time that the black man gets there due respect and their fair share of the American wealth.

140. vicman | 07.23.09

I wonder if Bill Cosby would have been so understanding if it was him who the police arrested?

141. Randy | 07.23.09

Once again Bill Cosby demonstrates he is a man of intelligences and reason. Sadly the POTUS seems to be lacking these two qualities.

142. KC | 07.23.09

The problem here for non people of color is the fact that you ASSUME that the police report is truthful and accurate. That is the way White America thinks. The fact that this is a white officer and a person of authority, you have a tendency to believe that he would not lie, yet the person of color is automatically lying. There have been studies that have proved absolutely that blacks and latinos are profiled as criminals, be it traffic stops, “loitering”,”disorderly conduct” etc a much higher rate than whites. Also, the prsident said that once ID and home ownership was established, and I agree, that should have been the end of the matter. All white people are not truthful as all people of color are not liars either.

143. JohnM | 07.23.09

Bill Cosby is a national treasure. As he’s aged, matured, he has become better and better. Compare all he has done, from social work to stand up comedy, to speaking the truth at graduations, to simply bringing laughter into the hearts of all Americans. Contrast his achievements to those of his political and social opponents and the scales tip massively, in his favor. respect to Bill, prayers for the officer(s) and his family, “Shame on you” to all the racists.

144. Joe | 07.23.09

Gates just didn’t handle the situation right. I’ve been pulled over and searched by cops countless times and have seen others get pulled over and searched (I live in NYC). I’m white. Cops will give you a hard time REGARDLESS of your skin color if you catch an attitude. Gates flipped out and tried to make a public scene about it. That’s where he went wrong. My friends have gotten dragged out of the car for so much as scoffing at an officer. The proper way to handle a cop is by saying “yes, sir” “no, sir” and nothing else. This isn’t your moment to prove a point, it’s not a public debate or an online forum where you can vent your opinions on society. Just be civil and contain your frustration and the whole thing will blow over in 90 seconds. Gates was yapping his mouth thinking he’s the next Frederick Douglas and it came back to bite him in the ***. You just don’t talk like that to cops.

145. Bill | 07.23.09

Just in…..during the break-in question someone accidentally turned off Obama’s teleprompter so he had to answer it on his own leading to the ’stupid’ comment. Obama has asked Nancy Pelosi to do an investigation in to who turned it off and the reasons why. He is convinced it was a racial act to confuse him.

De Facto’ POTUS - The Racist.

146. Langston | 07.23.09

It is amazing to me to read the comments of self identified white men who seem to think they understand and are qualified to speak on the issue of racism and what constitutes a racist. Let me clue you gentlemen in on a little fact… you aren’t qualified and sound ingnorant when you try. Especially when you try to turn the situation around and label a black persona racist because they accused someone else of being a racist. Your analysis is so stupid and simple minded that it is actually amusing…

Having said that I think the President was absolutely out of line in commenting on such a touchy subject as racial profiling having nothing but his friend’s words as the proof. As a professional black male that has been racially profiled in the past (car stops, shopping malls and walkign down the street) I have no doubt that Professor Gates responded with anger and resentment and in an indignant manner that escalated the situation. For that he was wrong! As black male that happens to be an attorney I can say that for the officer to arrest Professor gates for “loud and tumalcious behavior in a public place” when they were in Professor Gates home and/or on his porch is BS! There is enough blame that it can equally be shared by the both of them but I do not necessarily believe the officer’s actions were motivated by racism more than a feeling that I dealing with an uncooperative individual that is verbally abusing me so I am going to show him who has the ultimate last laugh.

Moral of the story,,,, TOO MUCH DAMN EGO AND TESTUSTERONE IN THE ROOM CAUSED THIS!

147. David J | 07.23.09

This is the sort of thing we can expect, with a Community Agitator as POTUS. Guys like this professor give blacks a real bad name. Check out the subject he teaches. Racial Hatred & How to Exploit Whitey. Yes folks, this is the kind of dribble they “teach” at HARVARD these days. That once great school has been reduced to a laughing stock!

148. H2 | 07.23.09

There really only one victim of racism here, he just happens to be the Police officer.

149. Dave | 07.23.09

When a police officer asks you to do something the first and last things out of your mouth should be “Yes Sir”, not “Your Momma!” Gates proved that he is an arrogant racist by not cooperating at all. He knew what was going on, he just openly broke into his own house in daylight! Then he has the audacity to show his Harvard ID card! Since when does a College ID card have an off campus address on it? NEVER! Just trying to make a point for himself when he shouldn;t have

150. CODWELL | 07.23.09

The police officer used good judgment and procedure, and did so in a perfectly legal manner. I hope the next person who forces his way into Gates’ house is a criminal and I hope the police just let him go about his business for fear of the race card being played again. Just think what Gates would say if the officer had just let a thief go into Gates’ home — he would then claim the officer let him in because it was a black owned home and he wouldn’t have that to a white person’s house.

I believe Gates pulled this stunt on purpose. It validates his livelihood.

151. Henry Percy | 07.23.09

Why would Pres. Obama throw around charges of “stupidity” while admitting he did not know the facts of the case? The other day, when questioned on provisions in the House healthcare bill, he said he had not read it but proceeded to offer assurances of what was in it anyway. And this is just what we can see in public. Does he approach all policu issues this way? Ignorant and proud of it.

152. M.Adkins | 07.23.09

Those of you commenting on the scenario in which this occured, please read a little more before providing commentary. The officer had already established who Mr. Gates was, and that the home was in fact his own. He was upset with Mr. Gates tone, and asked Mr. Gates to step outside which he refused to do - and wasn’t required to do as the officer had already established that no crime had been committed. He was arrested at that point for not following the officers instructions. The man hadn’t broken the law, but was arrested because the officer wasn’t able to control his emotions in trying to diffuse the situation….

153. AlinNC | 07.23.09

This is a town/city issue, not a national issue. Was Gates arrested and mistreated by this officer before? No! Was there a misunderstanding between the two men? Yes! However this is an issue between the Police Department of Cambridge and the good professor. To have the President of the United States of America to even comment on this during a major news conference is just absurd and beneath the dignity of the office.

154. ReportReader | 07.23.09

Did you read the Police report? Gates did not produce proper ID for the circumstance. He showed the Officer only his Harvard ID, which would not have an address. And while waiting for Harvard security, Gates was being deliberately provocative. Try an experiment. Read the police report, but, read “white” where ever you see “black” and assume a mental image of a Police officer with very dark skin. If this new switched reading does not conjure up a picture of racism on the part of the Police Officer, then wasn’t.

155. okiee | 07.23.09

The President nor his friends should assume they receive special treatment because of the office of the President Of The United States. Obama loses credibility with voting citizens when he acts like a prince or a king rather than an elected official.

When Obama speaks as President, he needs to act as a President. If he wanted to make a personal statement as a friend of Mr. Gates, he should have done it as an individual expressing his support of a friend, while likewise expressing his support of the responding Police Officer. Without his teleprompter and scripted speeches, he simply lost it.

Grow up, Mr. President. We expect more from you. And quit trying to ram things down our throat that we don’t want, like “Cap and Trade” and Health Care.

156. Ric | 07.23.09

This whole affair smells like a setup to me. If it is or even if it isn’t, it is awfully presumptious for the professor to accuse someone of being a racist just because they are white, or a cop, or heaven forbid, both. Sounds like the professor is the bigotted racist. And he is of the same ilk as Obama.

157. starsnstripes | 07.23.09

I did not see Obama making any comments about the mob of black teenagers that attacked, and hospitalized the white family on July 4th in Ohio, whic made the national syndicated news network. What up wi dat?

158. Brian | 07.23.09

Hey Pjohn, you’re wrong. Disrespect is an informal verb: to regard or treat with contempt or rudeness; insult. It’s been in use for over 400 years (according to the Oxford English Dictionary).

Sorry dude…learn the language, the rules do matter.

159. Bill Smith | 07.23.09

There is a group programmed with a persecution complex. Enough said.

160. whatever | 07.23.09

The officer gave Gates a break by not charging him with resisting arrest when he initially fought against the handcuffs.

Gates owes the officer an apology.

Harvard should fire this professor for such public unprofessional behavior.

161. David J | 07.23.09

Neither were able to control their emotions Langston said it best in comment 146.

162. Dave | 07.23.09

Now would be a safe time to break into his house. The cops aren’t going to be in any hurry to respond.

163. Joe Jackson | 07.23.09

Some brave people in here letting every one know that they voted for Obama. I would be ashamed to say it.
Don’t blame me - I voted for the other guy!!!!!

164. Tom | 07.23.09

Obama should retract his statement and apologize to the officer. Gates should apologize, too. Never happen.

165. karen | 07.23.09

The incidence between Gates and the cop seems to me to be irrelevant—it was a simple misunderstanding of Gates who obviously did not understand that while he knew he was breaking into his own home, others did not. His background lends him to this misunderstanding because racial profiling does exist–he knows, he has made a study of it. The cop acted appropriately in both asking for I.D. and also arresting Gates when he refused to calm down. I can’t imagine that cops are trained to wait too long to subdue a person who is obviously agitated at them.

On the other hand, Barak Obama’s comments were completely unprofessional. If the President has one short-coming it is not weighing the outcomes of his comments before he makes them. He may understand this short-coming which explains his reliance on TOTUS. The Gates comment is of the same ilk to me of the Las Vegas comment in which the President’s personal feelings affected the financial well-being of Las Vegas.

To me the President’s off-handed comments speak of a greater problem and that is an underlying faulty belief system–wealth is bad, white males are bad by default, and that the government can and shouuld take care of every problem that it deems “unjust.” The greater problem being once again that the President’s view of what is unjust is tainted by faulty beliefs. The President’s health care reform ideas are just another trademark of faulty thinking–that somehow he can decide who rightly deserves medical care and who doesn’t rather than letting that responsibility fall on the individual.

166. Kirtap | 07.23.09

The President is correct. The officer was wrong. When it was established that Gates lives in the house the officer should have left immediately. It is irrelevant whether Gates cursed, talked to his mama or any other verbage. The officer should have had the training that would have directed him to leave, especially when it was established that Gates had a right to be there.
I am amazed at the racial sensitivity on both sides. It is understandable that Black men are suspicious of the police based on the history of police efforts to control minorities. If I see an uninvited police in my house I would be peeved, irrespective whether the police is Black or White. I don’t want him there, when it has been proven over and over again that the police, to cover their transgressions, comes up with all or any excuses to justify their illegal actions. So Blackmen don’t want uninvited police in their space because of the past. What would have happened if Gates came back from hunting and was putting away his legal guns as the officer came in to the house?
Both Gates and the police should have had more control. The two egos met, clashed, and the police trying to show his ego was more powerful, arrested Gates with the obvious and expected outcome of dropping the charges.
Gates did not like the officer there and the officer tried to show Gates he was the law. It was not really a matter of race but plain egos.

167. Clay | 07.23.09

Anyone think that Henry Louis Gates, the so-called professor of a so-called discipline, was baiting the police into this situation in order to become relevant? I suggest that when he saw his less talented, less intellectual friend become the President of the United States, he felt belittled and needed to do something to bring more attention to himself.

168. LOD_NYPD | 07.23.09

This is Monday morning quarterbacking at its best. I am a retired NYPD officer, I am white, and I grew up in a Brooklyn Housing project.

Obama stated that he was there and does not have the full story - but goes on and on condemning the officers’ actions. Once again double-talk from not only the president, but also as a “seasoned” attorney.

If the officer didn’t respond the complaint would say that the officer didn’t respond because the professor was black. This had racism all over it by the simple means of the complainant. He was obviously looking for a confrontation and baited the sergeant.

People who stand there and repeat what happened, and write what e they would do - is ridiculous simply because they have NO police experience or are trained in confrontational management as well as penal law.

In a nut shell no matter what happened out there - Obama is covering for a friend - go figure - and is bringing a local civilian complaint across as national news - when Obama states that a “disproportionate amount of black and Latinos” are being stopped - well how is it disproportionate if 90% of the crimes are being committed with that demographic? Units should shut down - stop doing stop and questioning - and then hear the roar on how the police are NOT doing their job - in the end we’re damned if we do, and damned if we don’t - and each one of you will curse us out until you need us - all too funny!

For those of you on here with enough sense to see through this all – as officers – we thank you – no matter if we’re black, white, Latino, green, blue, etc.

169. Kelley | 07.23.09

Well, I’m white and live in an all white neighborhood (and an upper middle class neighborhood). One day there was a call made to the police and they dispatched to my home, rather than the correct home that was accross the street. They drew their weapons on my white husband (all white cops as well) - and he put his hands up. He proceeded to tell them that they needed to stop and that they were on the wrong property and they told him to shut his mouth or they would arrest him right there. He didn’t give the officers any further problems and we sat quietly as they worked things out amongst themselves. — I also live in the south. Racism??? REALLY??? The white cops were ready to take my white husband to jail for THEIR mistake - and it was hardly racism. Too many people are too quick to play that card. It’s a disgrace.

170. danfromatlanta | 07.23.09

as much as gabrown claims he is not a racist, he tips his hand by claiming that obama is better than all the white men that held the office before him. I suppose he is including Washington, Lincoln and Reagan. obama would not measure up to Reagan’s knee level! obama isn’t even a natural born citi8zen as far as anyone knows, so the only conclusion to be drawn by this idiot’s comment is that obama must be better because he’s black. Kind of like sotomayor is better than Roberts because she’s a Latina! The left is truly the last vestige of racism in America!

171. Just_An_American | 07.23.09

I’ve read the full police report, while keeping in mind that it was written by one of the parties involved so it’s only one side of the story. According to the police-side of the story, it does sound as though Professor Gates flew off the handle. However; even with this in mind, I fail to see how freaking out on your own property at 1:21 in the afternoon is an arrestable offense if you have not made any threats or caused anyone harm.

“Disorderly Conduct” is a misdeamenor offense, it’s often called a “catch-all”. Police officers could grab you off of the street while you’re walking, minding your own business and call it disorderly conduct.

In my opinion the officer shouldn’t have let his pride get in the way and should have simply hopped himself back in the cruiser, went to Dunkin Donuts and ordered himself a nice jelly-filled to sweeten up his day. I think they will have a tough time calling it disorderly conduct when he was at his own residence. You do not have to step outside of your home at the request of an officer UNLESS the officer has an appropriate warrant in hand or probable cause. If the officer has probable cause, he does not need to ask you to do anything.

For the record I’m a 30 year old white man. I served in the Marine Corps. I don’t agree with Obama saying anything on this matter because you’d think he has better things to worry about than his “friends” being charged with misdemeanors.

I applaud Professor Gates for challenging the officer and using his constitutional rights to the fullest. Now that Professor Gates has entered into the system, we will have to wait to see who was right and who was wrong…unless you don’t believe in the US Justice System, in which case I would recommend that you take up residence elsewhere before you too become a victim of a system that you do not believe in.

172. Mark | 07.23.09

Once again President Obama missed a good opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

173. valerie | 07.23.09

Gates is the racist in this situation and Obama showed his true colors and years of Rev. Wrights so called “church”… Gates should apologize and thank the police for trying to keep his home safe…

174. Fred_Johnson | 07.23.09

@M. Adkins,
I agree. It does sound as if the officer was “baiting” Professor Gates in order to get him out of his home to execute an arrest on this “catch-all” charge of “disorderly conduct”.

175. Thetruthofitall | 07.23.09

Now you understand why our kids are coming out of college so screwed up; With failures and radicals like Mr. Gates populating our best universities, it is no wonder we are ending up with the nonsense that our country is rapidly becoming…..

America, you get what you deserve!

176. dBear | 07.23.09

“Fair Share” - “Non-People of Color” - “Due Respect” - “the race card has been thrown in black people’s faces oh since about what, the 17oo’s”… Get a clue, NOW, please… There is a Black President of the United States. He’s sitting there in Washington D.C., he is the Man! There are “No More Excuses” for ANYONE to blame anything on anyone. Blame only yourself for your failures. Take responsibility for yourself, become the next President, own your own business, get a good job, be a good father, go to church, be a coach! No more…”The White Man is keeping us down…” Get Over it, my brothers… We are now truly equal. If he can do it, “We All Can Do It!!!” Praise the Lord we are free at last! Good Luck and God Bless. Enough said.

177. Josh | 07.23.09

The law concerning DC is simple: being disorderly in a public place. If he is on his front porch or in his yard, he can be seen and heard by the public and, therefore, can and should be charged with DC. It’s a misdemeanor and he’ll probably get it tossed just because of who he is and the stink he’s stirred around the whole ordeal.

178. DeAndre Cunningham | 07.23.09

I had a very similar incident late one night while skulking around the neighbors’ yards looking for my cat. Some neighbor rightfully called the cops and when the officer arrived he was understandably suspicious. I was more than happy to take him back to my house to show my ID. He was satisfied with my explanation, I thanked him for protecting my property, we shook hands and he helped me look for the cat. This is how civilized people of any race behave.

I avoid folks who obsess about race or ethnicity on any level and I certainly wouldn’t be too proud to call a race-obsessed (i.e., racist) guy like Gates my friend. Of course I wouldn’t go to a white-bashing America-hating church like Jeremiah Wright’s either.

179. rover | 07.23.09

Quite frankly Gates exposed himself as to who and what he really is. Just a tiny bit of cooperation from Gates and the Pohlice is gone man.But then as a an important black man, he just could not stand to be treated as any other citizen is treated. He be special? I suppose.

Frankly Crowley in mho had every right to enter the home gun drawn, forcing Mr Gates to the ground face down, cuffing him to secure the scene and his own life. Then at that point begin sorting out just who was who. They make tasers for people like Mr Gates he should have been introduced to one.

In a scenario of that sort I would personally welcome the officer for doing his damn thankless job and while alone doing his best to protect my property. Mr Gates likely went to the same church as Barry and the useless reverend. I’m not the president but I would be ashamed to call the racist Mr Harvard a friend. In fact Harvard should discharge the guy for simply being an idiot.

180. Oscar | 07.23.09

Post racial president? How about the first racial president!

181. JW | 07.23.09

Ryan, WRONG AGAIN
Gates did have to present his ID. There was a police call for a possible break in and the PD had every right to investigate the perps involved at the scene. Learn the law before spewing your hate!

182. Bill | 07.23.09

I’m not “shocked” the president made such a stupid statement.

183. JD | 07.23.09

Erika: Um, aren’t you doing a little “racial profiling” yourself by saying that you can’t go through certain neighborhoods? You’ve made a decision that you would NEVER drive through those neighborhoods because certain ethnic or racial groups living there? Wow.

Maybe there are bigots in that neighborhood…are you saying that ALL the white people living there are bigots? There’s not even ONE non-bigot? Are you lumping all of the white people together because of the color of their skin? Wow.

184. Doc | 07.23.09

The President of the United States acted stupidly

185. Scott in VA | 07.23.09

Affirmative action in action. Gates is a malcontent professor of African-American Studies and obviously a racist himself. This is your higher education today thanks to Political Correctness.

If I were Harvard, I would fire Mr. Gates for being an embarassment to the school. But they won’t since he’s a lib, leftist, malcontent - therefore a perfect fit for Harvard.

186. John Prescott | 07.23.09

I am a white man who has found himself confrontrd by the police, for real or perceived wrongs, on a number of occasions. I’ve even been at the point of a police gun on two occassions (I hadn’t done anything wrong).

If I had behaved like Gates in any of those situations I would have EXPECTED to be arrested, or even SHOT — so I behaved like a rational citizen.

The “black rage” promoted by race-hustlers such as Al Charlatn and Jesse Jerkson is the cause of a great deal of the black man’s anguish.

187. Allen | 07.23.09

I think what we are all missing here is the fact that there is still such a racial divide in this country believe it or not. Yes we have a half black president, and yes Interracial Relationships are on the rise, but the simple fact that it seems once again Whites at a high percentage are taking one side and blacks and minorities the other. It will ALWAYS continue to be this way because each group will never know what its like in the others skin. I myself have been pulled over for being in a neighborhood that most would take a second look, I was pulled over, the officer WAS respectful after reading my license and insurance, apologized and left. But then I thought well why was I pulled over to begin with. If anyone is at there home, and someone says we got a call for robbers, I’d be pretty ticked off myself no matter the situation, its my home, my comfort zone, and for someone to arrest me for yelling and refusing to give his badge number I would be furious too.

188. William | 07.23.09

The comments in here that side with Prof. Gates are laughable. There were several witnesses to the entire episode and it does not leave Gates’ behavior in a good light in any way. Gates and his good buddy Obama showed their real faces as a result. Obama has committed yet another public blunder — his way of thinking, on many issues, is contemptable.

189. Lance | 07.23.09

What happened to the the two people that the nieghbor saw pushing on the door? Were they heading out the back door while Gates was making a fool of himself? Or could it be a setup? To people who act like Gates, stop walking around with a chip on your sholder. Mabye Obama isn’t “black enough”, it hasn’t changed how Gates responded.

190. Rob | 07.23.09

If Obama has such an issue with this situation then why does he support people being cited for violating the law and fined when they simply refuse to fill out a census form?

191. CavalierX | 07.23.09

So let me get this straight. The cops are called by a person who saw a man breaking into the house of a neighbor who is out of the country, and whose house had been broken into before. The cops arrive and find a man in the house who tells them “this is my house” but angrily refuses to show them any ID. Finally, he shows them a Harvard ID, and they leave. The man follows the cops out into his yard, yelling at them and calling them racists. The cops then arrest the man for disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. And the COPS acted “stupidly?” The COPS are supposed to be in the wrong here?

192. Annoyed | 07.23.09

Is anyone bothered by this question to Obama in the first place? I wanted to hear about the Health Care Plan Obama is pushing. The job of the reporter is to ask questions that citizens like you and I would want answered. That is why the meeting was held. Why did this idiot reporter feel the need to ask such a question when we are trying to get answers on Health Care. I think she was trying to stir something up by automatically presenting the idea that it was racism to Obama in the first place. American journalism is a joke!

As for the people who believe that this was an act of racism…get over yourself. Gates was the racist, not the cop! Next time he should be polite and helpful to the cop and see where that gets him.

193. Kirk Hawley | 07.23.09

There’s decent cops and bad cops. Having read the police report and seen an interview with the officer, he seems like a decent, honest cop. Read about Mark Furman’s behavior during the OJ incident. He was a dishonest, racist cop. There’s a difference. You can usually discern the difference if you are willing to judge people without bias.

194. Ashton | 07.23.09

It’s pretty interesting to see even Bill Cosby take this side. I agree with him though. Obama admittedly says he knows very little about the details of the case and then went on ahead with saying the police office acted “stupidly”..

195. H P | 07.23.09

“and you clearly don’t know what disorderly conduct actually is (hint: it’s not yelling, being angry, or calling someone racist).”

You apparently don’t know what disorderly conduct is, because it is exactly that and even less. All he had to do was say a four letter word. It also includes being drunk in public, any profanity, yelling, stomping your feet, or even extreme disrespect. You must have confused it with battery.

196. Petie | 07.23.09

I agree, Obama acted acted stupidly. As President of the US, he’s clearly out of his league.

197. Jim Goff | 07.23.09

A few years ago we had a very bad incident happen here in Montgomery County Maryland. A contractor was working on a home and he had a temp worker helping. This worker started hitting on the lady of the house and the contractors tried to get him to stop he ended up killing the contractor and the lady of the house and killed 3 other people as they came home. During that time a 911 call had been made. the local police responded saw nothing and departed. I think this guy should have been glad someone cared enough to report that it looked like someone was breaking into his house and when the police arrived this person should have been proud that the police responded and had the courage to confront the home owner. This is where many officer get hurt. I would say that the home owner is rater racist and appears to be one that is looking for an excuse to cause a problem. If it had been me doing this and I had I been working for a local university or any where actually I would think my employer would have said “Good bye” but not this guy…..not a chance.

Jim

198. Cosby in ‘12 | 07.23.09

Bill Cosby for President in 2012! He’s got my vote.

199. Aiden | 07.23.09

-Ryan-

Actually you’re the one who is wrong; when a police officer asks you for id you must present it.

Sadly, your comments are racist and it’s patently obvious how you feel about white people.

200. bensap | 07.23.09

Gowbrown said: “There seems to be racial tones used by black men to elevate their position above the petty personal failures of themselves.”

Oh really?

What’s more likely, the cop would have arrested Gates if he were white, or if he were black? Even give this particular cop a break (i have no basis for calling him a racist personally) and ask the question On balance, is it more likely that a black man or a white man will be arrested under the same circumstances?

What the obvious answer to this question tells us is that it is NOT unreasonable for a black person to be more defensive when a cop appears to be giving them the “special treatment” that cops have historically reserved for blacks ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE DOING NOTHING WRONG IN THEIR OWN HOUSE!

Come on people. Don’t let the drudge report tell you how you should feel about this. Use your brains.

201. New Yorker | 07.23.09

For everyone who has taken the side of the officer, I would like to say that your opinion of the police date back to the Andy Griffith days when the police were there to help people. Maybe in some towns this is still true, I don’t know. What I do know is that the majority of the police that I have come across in NYC do not fit into this category. Most are rude, cocksure and often don’t seem to give a damn. I also know that if I was being questioned in my own home about a break in—and I was the suspect—I would be upset as well. A man’s (or woman’s) home is their castle. It doesn’t matter what color you are, this must be respected by the police.

202. conservative | 07.23.09

Bill, Bill, Bill they are going to come after you for stating the truth. Black men are not allowed to disagree with the liberal point of view.
How to avoid this:
a: respect a cop who is just doing his job
b: be thankful one of your neighbors saw someone breaking into your house and called the cops (even if it was you)
c: count your blessing that you live in the USA and have such a nice house

Why it happened:
a: Gates and the pres are the racist - jumping to conclusion based on skin color. Very nice -

203. Trudy Hibler | 07.23.09

Strange that Gates just happened to know Pres. Obama. Very convenient. And why was this matter brought up during what was supposed to have been a press conference regarding health care? And why even bring up the fact that Obama knew Gates? Coincidence? Gates’ partner is Hispanic. Other officers responded to a back-up call. The incident from that point is on tape. Let internal investigation determine the matter.

204. Laura | 07.23.09

Here is the arrest report link.
All three pages.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0723092gates1.html

205. Eric M | 07.23.09

I think tonight I will engage in a little social experiment. I am a white middle class male in my early 30s, mild mannered and conservative in appearance.

Tonight, I will accuse everyone I interact with of being racist, and treating me improperly due to my race. I will not do this in a joking manner. In the process I will accuse people in their position and of their race as being commonly known as being racist.

I am curious to see how many times doing this will make a situation better. As often as stories like these arise, there must be some cases where it improves a situation, instead of always making it worse. After all, if it never worked, people would never do it….right?

206. bslash | 07.23.09

Here is the arrest report. If I can get this than so can Obama. And he has no business getting involved in this as president. He should be above stuff like this. Not very presidential to rush to judgement that somehow racism is what caused a concerned neighbor to call the police about a possible break-in and a cop trying to do his job. The race card is getting very old especially in light of the Obama’s recent ascent to the highest office in the land. He should know better, but this is a perfect example of why sitting in Jeremiah Wright’s church for 20 years and working as a community organizer would lead him to this conclusion before seeking the officers side of the story.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0723092gates1.html

207. Observation | 07.23.09

“No. 3—what I think we know separate and apart from this incident—is that there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately, and that’s just a fact.” - Barack Obama

What about these facts Mr Obama?

Race, Crime and Justice in America
The Color
of
Crime
New Century Foundation
Oakton, VA 22124

Second, Expanded Edition
Major Findings
• Police and the justice system are not biased against minorities.
Crime Rates
• Blacks are seven times more likely than people of other races to commit murder,
and eight times more likely to commit robbery.
• When blacks commit crimes of violence, they are nearly three times more likely
than non-blacks to use a gun, and more than twice as likely to use a knife.
• Hispanics commit violent crimes at roughly three times the white rate, and
Asians commit violent crimes at about one quarter the white rate.
• The single best indicator of violent crime levels in an area is the percentage of
the population that is black and Hispanic.
Interracial Crime
• Of the nearly 770,000 violent interracial crimes committed every year involving
blacks and whites, blacks commit 85 percent and whites commit 15 percent.
• Blacks commit more violent crime against whites than against blacks. Fortyfive
percent of their victims are white, 43 percent are black, and 10 percent are
Hispanic. When whites commit violent crime, only three percent of their victims are
black.
• Blacks are an estimated 39 times more likely to commit a violent crime against
a white than vice versa, and 136 times more likely to commit robbery.
• Blacks are 2.25 times more likely to commit officially-designated hate crimes
against whites than vice versa.
Gangs
• Only 10 percent of youth gang members are white.
• Hispanics are 19 times more likely than whites to be members of youth gangs.
Blacks are 15 times more likely, and Asians are nine times more likely.
Incarceration
• Between 1980 and 2003 the US incarceration rate more than tripled, from 139
to 482 per 100,000, and the number of prisoners increased from 320,000 to 1.39
million.
• Blacks are seven times more likely to be in prison than whites. Hispanics are
three times more likely.

But you’ll never hear Mr Obama condemn any of these statistics. Nope, it’s just an outrage that minorities are disproportionally “singled out” by law enforcement. Oh…wait… it’s because minorities commit a DISPROPORTIONATE number of the crimes!

208. Ray Maxwell | 07.23.09

Dr Cosby is a native of Philadelphia. I’m a bit disappointed that he doesn’t sport a (World Champion)Phillies hat to trump that Bosox logo on the other guy’s head.

209. mstheisi | 07.23.09

I’ve had numerous run-ins with the law in my youth, and if you are honest, up front and calm, there is NEVER a problem. He showed his University ID, there is no address on Student/Professor ID’s. As the officer was leaving an Mr. Gates was still ranting, he began the charge of disorderly conduct as it was in a public place, he was then placed under arrest. He was not exclusively in his home.
…Think if I were stopped by a black police officer and I started ranting and raving about how I’m white and he doesn’t know who I am. I’m pretty sure I’d be the one in the media being called a racist, and spending more than a few hours in the clinker.

210. Dave | 07.23.09

I once unknowingly set off the silent alarm as I was leaving the house. Before I got into my car, the cops were in the driveway asking me questions and requested ID. I showed it to them, they thanked me and left. I don’t recall whether the cops were black or white, it really didn’t matter, the situation was over.

In the Harvard case, I don’t blame the cops for taking the precaution of arresting a belligerant man. There have been too many police officers in this country who were killed by angry people when responding to what seemed to be a simple call.

211. Scott in VA | 07.23.09

First Obama fires the Inspector General for investigating one of his “friends” for fraud.

Now Obama calls the Police “stupid” for investigating a possible break-in and arresting his loudmouth, racist “friend” Gates for disorderly conduct (hint: in this situation, the Police want you to come outside because there may be someone keeping you in the house against your will, or someone in your house you don’t know about).

But then, Obama has “friends” like Jeremiah Wright and Bill Ayers, too.

And he wants to force the leftist-dictator-wannabe back on the Honduran people, after they forced him out for violating their Constitution.

If you notice, you generally hang out with people like yourself. Obama does too. I wouldn’t hang out with these malcontents, racists, criminals, and dictators, but hey - I’m just a Proud American.

Obama is becoming a menace to the country. He seems to pull us apart more every day.

212. CraZy4Love | 07.23.09

If the police show up at home with a possible break in underway, and the purp has taken the time and properly prepared a false set of identification showing he is the legal resident, should the police investigate the validity of the credentials, or just leave? Once he acted in a disorderly fashion, he should have been stopped. Legally, that is called an arrest. “Do You Know Who I AM?” said G_d.

213. Brian E. | 07.23.09

It’ll all be over with in less than four years. The majority will be back in charge and we’ll stop the nitpicking.

214. H P | 07.23.09

“It is not against the law to yell at police, especially in a home, as long as that behavior does not affect an investigation, he said.”

Bull, I have had a cop threaten me when I was yelling describing the situation. I had to calm down and explain that I wasn’t mad at the cop, just angry at the other driver and appologised for the fact this was not clear. It is very common, especially when the cop cannot get the person to cooperate. Which as I understand Gates refused to give his ID as witnessed by another cop and a civilian.

215. Mark | 07.23.09

Way to go president Obama, you have my complete support. Whites hate to be questioned even when they are completely wrong. They consider themselves above reproach even when the Gate clearly has more credibility that a flunky police officer who can even keep his story straight. A++++ President Obama, you have gained more supports over this than the racist who criticize you and never supported you anyway.

216. Needler | 07.23.09

Erika,
I am a short overweight white middle aged woman and HAVE been discriminated. My husband and I were refused service in an Atlanta restaurant that was completely staffed by people of color. Why is it that people assume that all racism is white on black while in todays modern America it is more likely the other way around. There are numerous examples of this but if you are white, or have a light complexion you must be guilty of racism.

217. I-RIGHT-I | 07.23.09

“He is better then all the white men that have occupied that office before him. He must stand above them as he can.”

~ some liberal White? guy.

That’s some funny stuff right there. This is what your public education dollars gets you folks!

218. Mark Paquette, Jersey City, NJ | 07.23.09

Hey, Dr. Taam - I’m 15/16ths white and as a black man you must not know how hard it is to be a white man with blacks receiving special considerations and making threatening gestures to us (perhaps in an attempt to bait us), etc. If we fight back, which I do, then we run the risk of receiving the additional slap for ‘hate crime’ when defending ourselves. Racism is a double-edged sword, but apparently many blacks and liberals are too stupid, or willfully ignorant, or trying to mask their secret shame, to notice.
Take a look - you tell ME how many people are scrambling to move into black neighborhoods. Why do you think that is?
Now clean up your own house, then come tell me what’s wrong with mine.

219. Joe | 07.23.09

Ryan (post four), you are WRONG. Yes, the police WILL arrest you for just yelling. I was once threatened with arrest for disorderly conduct because I had reported a theft and the cop refused to do anything to the people who took my stolen property. (I found my stolen aluminum gutters at the local metal recycling center and the owners wouldn’t even give me the name of the perp who sold it to them.) Of course I was mad and said, “What? What the hell is this all about?” Then the cop pulled out the cuffs and said if I didn’t settle down, he’d arrest me for disorderly conduct. Was it fair? No. In fact NO! But I knew he was serious, even if wrong. But if you’re in the presence of a cop and don’t want to be arrested, you better do as he says, right or wrong. You can always back off and file a complaint later, but don’t mess with someone in power who obviously wants to flex it. I’m a middle-age white guy that this happened to, and it was the second such time I got mad at a cop and was almost arrested–yes, for talking loudly and being angry. (Not even yelling.)
I saw the writing the wall and settled down, even though I didn’t want to.
I suspect that Gates didn’t feel he HAD to be subordinate in such a position, because, well he’s BLACK–and that got him thrown in jail. Now he screams racism, which is what they ALL do these days. When this kind of stuff happens to white people, which it does, it does, no one pays any attention.
And on the other hand.
I had the police contact me in the middle of the night when a cop saw something suspicious at my place of business. I had to go out at three in the morning and check things out. I was grateful for that. Similarly:
If the police ever came over to MY house after I was behaving in a odd manner–like trying to break into my own house–I would have presented my identification immediately and then THANKED the cop for checking on my residence. (I hope Gates house really gets broken into and the police refuse to show because they don’t want to be, once again, accused of racism.)

220. Terry | 07.23.09

I have been a police officer for thirty five years and have ran into similar situations on many occasions. Not the racist thing, but checking out a residence where an alarm or report of unusual activity is taking place.
Given the circumstances, including a reporting party that was still present on the officers arrival, the officer acted properly in requesting an ID.

The arrest report indicates that Gates’ initial response was inflammatory and set the tone for the confrontation. Gates should have quieted down as requested, but chose to use his porch as a stage to incite further unrest to all those within hearing. This type of behavior was used in the 60,s to stir up crowds of onlookers.

As written before, Gates has racism on his mind.
He apparently cannot see the truth because he is blinded by his own prejudices. It is unfortunate that our President lost a chance to help race relations by 1. getting the facts first 2. learning what an officers obligation is on receiving the type of call that occurred.

Speaking from experience, no officer likes having to do reports, be involved in internal investigations or have this type of attention focused on them.
As stated before, just show the ID and let the officer be on his way, he has better things to do than answering a call that is unfounded but then turns into something that no one wants.

Racism will never go away as long as it keeps being thrown up in situations like this and the flames get fanned by people including the President. This is not to say that there are not actual racists still in our country, but now, they are not all white.

221. latig | 07.23.09

This tells me Obama is a racist for putting in 2cents where it doesnt belong!

222. SYLVIA | 07.23.09

I wish Obama is only forthcoming when it comes to defending his radical views including but not limited to racism in America or defending Hugo Chavez and leftist friends’positions on Honduras, radical Muslims, etc. Why was he not as vocal, prompt and definite about denouncing the fraudulent elections in Iran and/or subsequent attack on Iranian protesters? Unfortunately, Obama and company may be taking the American civil rights movement and its advancements, to back to the sixties. Simply because neither him , nor his wife recognize that there have been any in spite of themselves as living proof of said advances.

223. Farmer Bob | 07.23.09

What a nice irony. The neighbor and the police are trying to *protect* Henry Louis Gates and his property, and this Harvard PhD and “noted historian” is too blinded by . . . something, to be able to figure that out. Kinda puts me in mind of what Wm. Buckley once said, that he’d rather be governed by the first hundred names in the phone book than the faculty at Harvard.

224. jay | 07.23.09

The tone of the cop kindled the flame. No doubt about it. He saw a black man and immediately he thought he was breaking in - becaus e- in his mind - a black man cannot live in such a nice home - so he must be breaking in. Beginning and end of problem. Why did the cop have to be so aggressive and rude? After all there were no weapons involved. And what about the so-called neighbor? She cannot rcognize the professor - because she never cared to find out who her actual neighbor was. All she could think of was a black man had no place in that nice house. Racism - from the neighbor and the cop. No doubt about it. How would a white man respond if the cop had been so rude to him?

225. Mike | 07.23.09

This pretty much makes it unanimous. BO hasn’t been right once. On anything!

226. kp | 07.23.09

Rev. Wright was proud of Obama last night. He learned well.

227. Jen | 07.23.09

Dr Taam: “Americans are getting a bad reputation as ignorant, television-addicted goons that are too quick to form opinions based on conjecture and internet hearsay. and that’s pretty lazy and un-American.”

President was one of the first to share his opinion. Interesting.

228. Brad | 07.23.09

So sad….another demonstration of the “pres” type of character he is. He should’ve just kept his mouth shut and said that he doesn’t have enough information to draw a conclusion on the issue.

Eventually the race card is going to be a tired play.

Other interesting reads:

(1)
White Fire Fighters
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090629/ap_on_go_su_co/us_supreme_court_firefighters_lawsuit

(2)
White African American
http://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=7567291&page=1

229. Yvonne | 07.23.09

I wish someone would ask Mr. Gates this question:

Right at the time of the confrontation did Mr. Gates know that his neighbor had called the police telling the police that two black men were breaking into his home?

Every child of every race should be taught to remain calm and listen to the police when confronted. Don’t just make this a black issue. Confrontation with the police happens to every race.

As President of the US Obama was wrong and stupid for voicing his opinion without knowing the facts. He should stick to discussing healthcare reform. Wait a minute. He doesn’t know the facts about that either. Never mind.

230. DaisyDeadhead | 07.23.09

According to Politico, the GOP race-baiters are already circulating this among their extremist birther faithful:

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0709/GOP_seizes_on_Obama_cops_remark.html

OMG, Obama mentioned race and dared to criticize a couple of cops! Time to rally the klansmen.

231. christie | 07.23.09

for a man called President of this great country , his business was to sell Health care Plan not to bring up issue of racism and calling police stupid because Gates is his friend. I cannot imagine another president do this but because he is multiracial is this correct when the country is going into shambles.

232. Tom | 07.23.09

Since Obama admitted he didn’t read the health bill, maybe he just should have admitted he didn’t read the police report. Again, pushing an agenda without the knowing the facts!

233. Juglio | 07.23.09

I’m shocked Bill Cosby would weigh-in on the President’s comments.
Pres Obama admitted he was biased because he’s friends with the Professor.
It’s natural, in a kneejerk manner to speak up for a friend, although it would have been wiser to withhold public judgement.

234. GWS | 07.23.09

Bill Cosby is the personification of reason in this case. The facts will come out. Until then, everyone, including and especially the President, needs to temper his or her comments.

235. Jeff | 07.23.09

To those attempting to discredit the officers report, I owuld agree if not for the witnesses that back up the report.

It’s not uncommon for an official report to error on the officers side, even “good” officers. When a report is backed by witnesses, however, that makes a more compelling argument than calls of racial profiling.

The facts are this, when the police are called to investigate a breaking and entering it is their job to verify anyone found on site is lawfully on site. This notion of freedom in his own house to do what he wants is incorrect. The officer has the authority to investigate the complaint period no matter what uneducated libers trying to turn NRA’s argument for protecting the home against them. Look you don’t understand it fine, you should keep quiet about it until you do understand. Just like the leader of our country should have.
He’s not a community organizer anymore. It’s no longer his job to gin up hatred for the rich or the powerful or any other authority figures. Its his job to lead.

236. bg | 07.23.09

I’m sure the NOBAMA press will try to turn this into another Joe the Plumber. Soon you will find out that the officer has a library book overdue.

237. Tom | 07.23.09

If you beleive the police report, it appears as if the officer kept trying to leave and the man kept yelling at him and if anyone did that be it black or white, you would get arrested!!! I read that the entire conversation was caught on the guys open transmitter so I am very much looking forward to hearing this tape when it comes out so we can see who acted stupidly!!!

238. Victoria | 07.23.09

As far as Obama’s comment..all he did was play the race card..he made reference to Latinos and Afro Americans…yet at the same time stated he did not know all the facts?! But still chose to put the word out of his feelings of racisim in America. (sturring the pot is all Obama was trying to do)

239. Eric | 07.23.09

Mark you’re a fool, and thats the exact attitude that keeps racism alive in this country.

240. Pyronaught | 07.23.09

What sounds more believable:

1) That a cop with no history of racist behvior who even teaches a course on how NOT to engage in racial profiling is a racist…

OR

2) That a bitter black professor at a liberal law school, who is so obsessed with racism that he actually studies it and teaches it, wouldn’t look for the slightest excuse to play the race card anytime he can. That a guy who literally makes his living peddeling racial grievance is not going to unload that chip on his shoulder when a white cop can be convienently crammed into his fictitious world view of whites against blacks?

I can only imagine the tirade Gates went off on. I wonder if Gates and Obama attemded Rev. Wright’s Church of Hate Whitey together? It’s clear Obama is more interested in defending his friend and bashing the police rather than get the story from both sides. I have to wonder if the fact that Gates and Obama are buddies emboldens his belligerent behavior all the more. Don’t mess with me, I know the president!

241. Rashim | 07.23.09

Stephen…Stop projecting or generalizing. I would venture to say that only a small portion of white Americans are racist. I don’t view America as racists so when I go out and something happens to me, I don’t automatically assign the word racist to the action or event. Some people are thoughtless. Some people are distracted. Some people are ill mannered. Just because they treat me a certain way DOES NOT make them racist. Get rid of your hate and anger and start to see the world for the beauty that it has. Radiate that beauty. You would be surprised at how differently people treat you when you wear a sincere smile.

242. Brett Wilson | 07.23.09

Reading these comments has been amazing and rather enlightening to say the least. The first thing I want everyone to notice is that no one has particularly gone out of their way to call Crowley a racist other than Gates. The fact that many people that have responded to this incident and this article speaks volumes about that. Racism, as it exists in America, is embedded deep in our collective consciousness. No matter whether asian, latino, white, black or otherwise we all have feelings about race relations that seemingly have taken over this incident.

I will come right out and say that I am a black male, and I was detained on more occasions than I care to count in Los Angeles without provocation or probable cause. I have never been arrested, thankfully, but that does not mean that this situation was something that should be passed off or ignored. Truth be told, this entire situation was ridiculous from beginning to end. To be fair I read the police report beforehand and there is nothing in it that denotes to me that Sgt. Crowley is a racist. On top of all of that, it is also public knowledge that the Prosecutor’s office officially dropped the charges against Gates in relation to the arrest. If Crowley was so lawful and dutiful in his arrest, then the Cambridge Police Department and the Prosecutor’s office would have no reason to repeal its original decision.

That aside the situation itself was just something that should not have occurred. I have a number of police officers in my family and in all honesty I think a lot of how this ended up fell on Crowley. I don’t care how much an intolerant and indignant private citizen is yelling at you and being unruly, you as the officer are there employed for public safety, welfare and most importantly to “Protect and Serve”. After identifying that Gates was the lawful resident he should have left the scene and continued on about his business. If Gates had subsequently tried to stop or physically accost the officer, then by all means arrest him.

Many people bring up this whole idea of “What if the officer had approached the robber instead of Gates?”, and while I respect the idea the reality was that it was Gates, and at the end of the day he identified himself as the officer instructed him to. Him being loud and belligerent has even stifled some of the eyewitnesses to the scene. While many of them have agreed that they witnessed Gates being, as Crowley put it, “loud and tumultuous” but they have also conceded that many of them had no idea what was actually happening until after the arrest was made.

My point is, I am seeing a lot of animosity coming from the white community in reference to African Americans and how they handle these situations. Many comments about “playing the race card” and feelings of “white guilt” being thrust upon the populous seems to run rampant. The reality is everyone needs to wake up: I encourage other African Americans find calmer ways to handle issues. Wait until whatever incident you are encountering ends and then go through the proper channels to file complaints for unfair treatment if you believe strongly that that is what occurred and have the evidence to back it up. At the end of the day your taxes pay their salaries so they are obligated to listen and respond.

I also encourage my fellow white brethren to slow the “taking of arms” on this situation. This was not a calculated attack on white america, nor a convenient excuse to call attention to someone many of you have never even heard of. I don’t think Sgt. James Crowley is a bad guy, and something in my mind doubts that he woke up that day looking to “arrest someone black any way that he could” just because he was a racist. I think it was an unfortunate incident that spun out of control rapidly, and because of latent issues with racism in this country this incident has blown way out of proportion. I hope we can all come together on this somehow and move along peaceably, because that is one of the few ways I see this getting better into the future.

243. Mark | 07.23.09

Everyone should just go and read the offical 3 page Police Report, it’s on The Smoking Gun website. If you can then say that the police officer is in the wrong, I suggest you go somewhere nice and quiet and really evaluate yourself and your views on life and our society.

244. jtinca | 07.23.09

I wonder if Obama thinks OJ was innocent, and that the police acted “stupidly.”

245. Frank | 07.23.09

Mr Cosby knows what he is talking about and he is very, very
correct. Mr Cosby was stung and stung hard in the Tawana Brawley
incident many years ago. He made a mistake and spoke too soon,
Mr Cosby learned from that mistake. Obama spoke way too soon,
factor in the presidency and it becomes a mathematical equation
of celestial proportions.
I doubt if Obama will learn from his mistake, but I did.

246. ElitistPig | 07.23.09

Remove race from the issue and the cop wins - hands down. No question. But I’m glad the President is willing to stand up for his friends. The bailouts were awesome.

247. vijay | 07.23.09

I am totally shocked by this statement… how can Bill Cosby, a BLACK MAN, make statements that sound so reasonable about this incident? Does he have any idea that he is black? Does he not realize that both Gates and Obama are black - thereby making this a ‘black thing’? A white cop was involved too, what further proof does he need to recognize this is a time for irrational outrage?

248. Derek | 07.23.09

It is funny to me that the arresting officer teaches a class on racial profiling and has for years - and was appointed by an African-American. Always good to get facts before calling an entire department stupid Mr. President. Gates made the situation it became by screaming “this is what happens to a black man in America” over and over. He made it about race.

249. Michelle | 07.23.09

adam russell, to answer your question “is it proper and legal for an officer to arrest someone for disorderly [conduct] in public if they are yelling from their front porch? Does the law that he was arrested for support the arrest?”

Yes.
See Cambridge Municipal Code 9.08.010 Disorderly conduct.

“No person shall behave himself in a rude or disorderly manner, or use any indecent, profane or insulting language in any street or public place. No person shall make or cause to be made, any unnecessary noise or noises in any public street, private way or park, so as to cause any inconvenience or discomfort for the inhabitants of the City.”

Officer Crowley did not act “stupidly”; he acted according to the law. Both President Obama and Mr. Gate owe this man a public apology.

250. Eric | 07.23.09

Bostonian thieves should have a field day at Prof. Gates’ home. Cops will be slow or ignore any calls from this address.

251. chris g | 07.23.09

Ryan proving the point by using the “White people constantly want to brush incidents of racism under the rug”. Nice general conclusion. Keep that racism alive, it’s job security for so many Americans.

252. law_walker | 07.23.09

Has any one thought about this… It was Gate’s neighbor that called the police… A white woman. He is obviously not an active “member” of the neighborhood. If he wants to call someone racist, how about start with your neighbor. This is so stupid. It should never have happened. My husband is a cop and I’ve seen some of the things he’s had to deal with a work. I dont blame this cop for what he did. Maybe next time Gates and other’s like him will think twice and remember the great words of Robert De Niro “Some people respect the badge, but everyone respects the gun.” If you look for racisim, you will always find it. As far as PrezBo, he should have kept his mouth closed. What’s he gonna do from now on when any one he is “friends” with has a run-in with the cops? Is he going to step in on every domestic disturbance issue? How about focusing on the all the problems we have and not add your two cents to things that have nothing to do with you. Don’t you have another speech to give or a magazine cover to pose for?

253. Mousavi | 07.23.09

Hi, Mousavi here. I want to thank the President for so quickly jumping to the support of his friend. So why the delay on the elections in Iran? Oh, right - as he chastised the press corps, he is NOT beholden to a 24 hour news cycle. He only enters the fray when it appeals to his sensitivities. How nice for him. This Mr. Gates must truly be a very important man. Perhaps the “Chief” he was speaking with on the phone was indeed President Obama?

254. I_Understand | 07.23.09

Remember Cynthia McKinney? She was stopped and asked for ID by an officer and she hit him. “Do you know who I am?” Obviously he didn’t. That’s precisely what the officer was trying to find out by asking to see ID. Regardless of race, some people seem to have such inflated egos that they believe themselves above the rules. It was not the police who were acting “stupidly”.

255. lanam | 07.23.09

I think the Pres. has bigger fish to fry right now and needs to stay out of the whole issue. I am sure there is enough on Pres Obama’s plate right now, and let Gates handle his own problems. I could careless if Obama knows him or not, the nation (well most of us anyway) doesn’t want or care to hear what he thinks about it.

256. Tool Time | 07.23.09

When the only tool you have is a hammer everything looks like a nail.

257. Gary | 07.23.09

Too bad Cosby didn’t verbalize the real moral violation here. We’ve got the President of the United States — completely idolized by the black population, can’t be wrong about anything — reinforcing in their minds that the cops are all out to get them and that they’re always “acting stupidly”. From a completely uninformed perspective on the details of this incident.

Surely this attitude is justified in many cases — but for the President to pop off about this w/o knowing all the facts, irresponsibly passing judgement at a high profile press conference — conveys the exact opposite of the uniting and healing that he’s always proclaimed to want to affect. It’s a reprehensible lack of judgement that unfortunately seems to be part of a pattern on a variety of issues.

258. Richard Shinault | 07.23.09

I think this brings up several good subjects that need to be TRULY addressed in our society.
1. Obvioulsy Obama opened his mouth too quick.
I am not a black person or a mexican. So I don’t know how it feels to be singled out because of race. I know that happens.
But I also know that when I see an elitist holier-than-thou-you better bow down before me because I’m special person like this professor.
There is more of a problem in our country of blacks and mexicans being racist than we do of whites being racist towards minorities.
The problems Mr. Cosby has somewhat addressed in several speeches have covered them well.
Then you have the problem of race baters like jesse jackson and al sharpton who make money off of keeping the flames going have to be dealt with and done away with.
They prey on the ignorant minorities that want to blame some white person for their home situation or their addiction behaviour. When in truth even the president being half black should close the door forever on that subject.
So how do we adddress this issue.
If I were the President I would apologize for opening my big mouth too soon.
If I were the president of harvard i would fire the so called race bater and be done with any attitude like that.
Then if the president truly wanted to have justice for all he would have serious discussions and polocies to protect the sanctity of marriage and families and go full force against the elements that are tearing at the fabric of the homes of not just blacks but a lot of other races.

259. Randyrocker | 07.23.09

It was Barack Obama who injected race into the primaries when he ran against Hillary Clinton, not the other way round as his campaign managers proclaimed. They were the first ones to use the race card. Here he’s doing it again, he can’t help it. He’s not a President for all of the people, he’s a President for the 97% of Blacks that voted for him. He sure has a lot to prove before he can be taken seriously by those who haven’t closed their eyes to his slithery nature.

260. 12-String Infidel | 07.23.09

I was living in Menlo Park, Ca in 1981. If anyone is
unfamiliar with Menlo Park, it is a…ahem…heavily
policed enclave near Stanford University where you
will be ticketed for parking your own car overnight
on the street in front of your own home. I came home
early one day to run some errands and inadvertently
locked my keys in the car. While I was trying to get
into my locked car using a coat hanger, neighbors
called the police and I was questioned by the responding
officers. I willingly produced my California I.D. card
and politely explained my situation to the police. They
helped me open my car and retrieve my keys. There were
no raised voices and no drama…in fact, I thanked the
cops for responding so quickly to a call about somebody
breaking into my car! No ticket, no arrest, no drama…
In fact we all had a good laugh. That’s the way most
adults that I know respond in these situations. Professor
Gates seems to have some issues with authority that I
suspect transcend race. It may be time for him to grow up.

“I don’t have an affinity for the great Urdu Poets,
but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.”

261. PWA | 07.23.09

“This is what happens to blacks in America”

The reason this happened is because HE made it happen. All he had to do was explain the situation to the officer; show him his identification and the officer would have apologized and said, “have a nice day”.

But NO; he has to start playing the race card for NO reason…however you want to look at this; Gates brought it on himself. The officer was just responding to a call and doing his JOB.

Lesson to all to all the people that have to contempt for Police Officers…”shut up and do as your told” I’m a white male and would never disrespect an officer regardless of the situation. If I know I’m right; I will still be courteous instead of getting irate and forcing the officer’s hand. Which WILL result in YOUR arrest every time…regardless of your skin color.

262. rover | 07.23.09

2 1/2 years or so ago when Barry first began to get mainstream traction. It was apparent to those who are Americans and not appologists that Barry was nothing more than a cleaned up smooth talking street thug. And now before the entire world he has made that terribly and completely evident.
Mr. O is and has become an American embarassment. His anti law and order statements seem to indicate a belief that only white America has laws that must be obeyed. While black American can through some divine right run amuck doing anything saying anything they wish at any time due to their black skin.
I forgive those who actually voted for the heathen. You should be forgiven,afterall there was no indication what so ever that the Big O was anything other than a stand up guy. None, zero, nada.

263. Curt | 07.23.09

There are two people in this story who are obviously biased and prejudiced. They are apparently also friends. No surprise. It should also not be a surprise that these two would also exhibit a lack of humility and wisdom.

264. Omaha Nittany Lion | 07.23.09

I think Bill Cosby would be a better president than what’s his name.

265. Luke | 07.23.09

This is STUPID! The guy is not racist! He’s just doing his job… everyone’s got this stupid chip on their shoulder about race which needs to be dropped now!

266. Nicholas | 07.23.09

Next thing we know, BHO will be saying Cosby made his remarks only because the white guy in the picture above was making a threatening hand gesture.

267. ApolloVet | 07.23.09

Any cop here knows why the cop was trying to draw him ouside — it is difficult to arrest someone for disorderly inside of their own house. This is done all the time with intoxicated people. While inside their home, they cannot be charged. As soon as they step outside they can be charged for public intoxication.

Yet, the professor was the racist here — not the cop. He is, of all things, a professional racist. The Democratic party will not let racism die. They seem to think they thrive on it. They don’t. It is ruining them.

That is why I changed from being a Democrat to being an Indpendent.

Neither mnn was playing this straight, but far and away the professional racist jumping into his favorite game — playing the race card, ignited this from nothing to something.

268. AL GORE | 07.23.09

I invented racism.

269. rickpp | 07.23.09

It’s not surprising to me that BH Obama made this comment. He’s always the one to criticize never the one to give our allies any positive comments. If you look back at the record, it’s Obama that is the racist - not the other side.

He only gives our enemies positive comments. It’s just as in his speech last night - where was the gratitude for our great health system including doctors and pharmaceutical companies? No where…..! Just tear everything down - so you can have your own way. President Obama, no one voted for you to be King, where’s your promise of listening to the other political side? Never will we see it.

270. kathy | 07.23.09

I’m not surprised what obama said . he is arrogant. police officer is right. he is doing his duty.law is for everyone. some black people got a issue of their race all the time. go and read the history. iam black that s why, same old digou….

271. PAG | 07.23.09

I think President Obama needs to retract his statements and maybe replace it with lets wait to see what the police report says and any statements from investigators looking into the case. I wonder what his advisors were telling him when this occurred? Lets have an educated response that is well thought out or one that is full of emotion without any fore thought?

272. Mike | 07.23.09

We need to purge out the Baby Boomer generation. There are so many damn left over tree-hugging hippies, feminazis and racists in positions of authority it makes me sick. They hate this country so much we should just buy Mexico and send them all there.

It would be the best damn stimulus plan ever!

273. holymoly | 07.23.09

Let me see, Iran - working on atomic bomb; North Korea - has atomic bomb and lots of missiles; Pakistan - may lose control of atomic weapons to radicals. War in Afganistan; Iraq; US econmic meltdown. Mr. President, how about concentrating on some of these first and let the invesigation of a local city matter occur before weighing in. Good Lord Almighty.

274. Give me a break | 07.23.09

Observation–

Are you kidding me? You’re quoting a book published by New Century Foundation? This group is a well-known white supremacist group that publishes “American Renaissance”. Eccchhhh.

275. RTN | 07.23.09

I read the the police report. I burst out laughing when Gates admits to the officers that he couldn’t get into the house because the door he was trying to access wasn’t functioning properly due to damage from a prior “break-in” attempt. What irony? Hey world-famous academic, fix your door and chances are the whole incident could have been avoided. Maybe Gates, Cornel West and President Barry can get together and do a TV program on NPR discussing the best door repairmen or techniques available in the Greater Boston Area or be future guests on “This Old House.” “Educated Idiots” is the term my Depression-Era dad used to describe people in academia.

276. Derrick | 07.23.09

A couple of things seem clear, when you read the police report:

The professor is an arrogant who sees everything through a racial lens.

The professor sought to intimidate and harass the police officer for doing his job. He planned to use his relationship with Barack Obama to put an end to this police officer’s career: “Do YOU know who I AM!” Then, demanding the officers name and badge number and called him racist and then talking about the officer’s mother.

The professor had an opportunity to defuse the situation,(by showing ID and then dismissing the officer) but chose to escalate it.

The police officer got upset with all of the yelling and harassment, and reacted by putting the professor in jail. It is not illegal to be an ass, especially in your own home.

The police officer was correct to ask for id when responding to a call of 2 black men breaking into a house, to establish the identity of the homeowner or thief. Acting any other way, WOULD have been racial: (the accusation->) A white officer doesn’t care about black men breaking into another black man’s house - he’s racist! Imagine if this had been a couple of black men breaking in to the good professor’s house, the police were called, and they really were thieves. If the officer let them go on word of mouth (I live here, go away you racist cops!), then the professor would have sued them when he found out that the cops had the thieves and let them go without id.

The door was jammed, which is why the professor was breaking in, because of a previous burglary. Perhaps, THIS is why the neighbor was quick to call the cops when 2 black men were forcing the front door open?

Barack Obama, who had no real knowledge of what happened, should have said so and moved on. Calling the police officer (or police dept.) stupid, is stupid and beneath the Office of the President of the United States. Maybe, HE should be a little slower to judge, when, he admitted that he didn’t have the facts of the situation?

Most of the officer’s claims can be corroborated by the many witnesses on the street, the neighbor, and the police radio calls; so, I would tend to believe him over the professor, until proven otherwise.

277. BB | 07.23.09

Obviously skin hangs together. This ethnic group is looking more and more like a bunch of childish playground bullies. I wish Cosby had stood by his original statements. This issue is really hurting the perception of blacks in this country and around the world. Tribalism goes around, it will come around in 2010.

278. NC | 07.23.09

It is amazing to me that people of the majority find it appropriate to make comment on minority issues to which they have no personal frame of reference. Is it possible that Mr. Gates over reacted? I am inclined to say that it is indeed possible that he did over react. However, I would like to make the point that the reaction came from a history of the underlining racist tone in America. I am a black female and I have been pulled over while driving in a predominately white neighborhood for absolutely nothing. I was driving the speed limit, I had my seat belt on, there was no obvious police check point and I broke no laws. The police officer simply asked me for ID and my registration as a matter of “routine”. The fact is that my story is mild. I have a number of African American male friends who all have a story of being approached by police due to “mistaken identity”, some of which have had guns pulled on them. If you are not a minority and you have not experienced this nor have you had any close acquaintances who have. I get why you may not understand why Mr. Gates was so angry.

Also to the commentator “observer” who kindly posted the statistics. Have you researched how those statistics were developed? How would that information be gathered if not from arrest records? If there are a disproportionate numbers of Latinos and African Americans being arrested then isn’t it likely that those “facts” are skewed as well?

Many of you will never understand what it is like to be a minority in this country. There is a duality that can only be experienced and very rarely accurately observed. Mr. Obama is the POTUS but he is also a black man who has had to live with this duality. What he said may have caused some to feel uncomfortable, but it is certainly not racist. He made a comment about an arrest that could be seen in more than one light he did not condemn any one race or lift another up. To call him racist for this comment is doing exactly what you have accused him of: speaking out of ignorance.

279. Rich | 07.23.09

Remember, he wasn’t arrested in his own home. He went outside, like a fool, and was arrested. Gates should have been arrested for the way he acted. Like a child who needs to be whooped.

However, had he stayed inside he could have avoided this all.

280. GG | 07.23.09

Clearly, Cambridge doesn’t need a Chief of Police. The President is glad to take over…just as he has taken over everything else.

281. Jr | 07.23.09

Everyone on here who is whining about what happened would be the first to cry if the police were slow to respond to thier needs. An officer has to ask for the id to verify that the person is in fact the resident of the home. Get your heads out of your butts. What if it wasn’t the owner and the officer said okay have a nice night without verifing and he robbed the place blind.The professor had to go run his mouth about racism(it’s funny black people are always the ones who seem to be racist against whites) and then make comments about his mom. I would have tasered him. He was trying to make a scene for who knows why and it sickens me that the country has gone down this path.

282. Frank Lee | 07.23.09

Instead of dealing a race card, Obama should have kept a poker face. Now he’s the Joker.

283. DDH | 07.23.09

No matter how it actually happened, bottom line is we wouldn’t even being hearing about this if it had happened to a white professor who was not Obama’s friend. No story there. Nor would the President of the United States think about it much less make a public comment. There are just way to many things right now more important, more dire. Bill Cosby is a man who truly doesn’t see the world as black or white. He sees right and wrong……..just like MANY of us.

284. blackbettyboop | 07.23.09

White people would never know or understand racism since they are the one racist. They act like Blacks should “look the other way” when we encountered racist. They are the biggest racist out here and are being called out. OUCH You all need to get a grip and accept the fact that we’re not going to allowed your hateful ways to continue.

285. Lori | 07.23.09

You know - If the police officer who responded to the house had been BLACK instead of white… the racist minorities out there wouldn’t have a story.

286. Phil | 07.23.09

It seems that there is a lot of reverse racism going on with music, movies and culture. I have a number of friends I’m in college with that got government scholarships based on them being a black minority. How is that right? The colleges are racist because they don’t think people of color can get in on their own merit. It also seems okay to make jokes about whites, but turn it around and there’s a problem.

White men can’t jump = funny
Black men can’t swim = racism

Anyway I’m sure people will think I’m a racist for speaking truth.

287. Sensitive | 07.23.09

Let’s face it, folks, The Sergeant was destined to be a racist! Check this scenario, The Sgt. shows up, asks Gates for his I.D., Gates assures him, without showing I.D. that he is the legal resident. The Sgt. says o.k. and leaves. Immediately, Gates goes on a rampage that, “If that had been a white home, the cop would have been more interested. Because the cop is a RACIST, He didn’t care that the black home may have been burgled, and didn’t do his job by not requiring I.D. Yep! I’m a 29 yr. retired cop. Some things never change. Reverse Discrimination

288. steve | 07.23.09

A cop responds to a burglary in progress and confronts suspect and demands ID. Suspect demands name, badge number, and claims racism while refusing to present ID. I don’t see how an officer can be nice at that point as he is walking into a potentially life and death situation that he needs to bring under control. Gates did not help matters by jumping to the race card. But I do believe once the officer was able to determine the suspect was the resident of the house, he could have let the matter drop no matter what was said by Gates.

289. LC | 07.23.09

I don’t know what some people think happens if a white person was in the same situation. They are also required to show ID, and if they are smart they will keep their mouths shut and cooperate. Actually Gates should have been thankful that the police were on the ball and trying to keep his house and possessions, and possibly his life, safe from potential harm.
It’s like that SNL skit when the black person goes to apply for a mortgage, he is required to fill out forms, provide income verification, come up with a down payment, etc. Then he leaves and a white person comes in. He is welcomed with open arms, is immediately given the mortgage and doesn’t even have to do any paperwork or provide a down payment.

290. Holly | 07.23.09

I am glad I live in a small city in North Carolina and know who my heighbors are. Isn’t there a lesson here? I think it’s telling that the neighbor didn’t recognize Gates. How long had he lived there? How long has she lived there? The police man was obviously doing his job, and Gates has read too many of his own books. And believes them.

291. Frank Lee | 07.23.09

Pres. Obama is just providing a stimulus package for racism.

292. THIS IS CNN | 07.23.09

WAKE-UP AMERICA!!

And you people in Connecticut… http://www.DumpChrisDodd.com

293. Laur | 07.23.09

Little by little, day by day, the race-obsessed Obama reveals himself. Does anyone seriously believe that all those years under the tutelage of Mr Wright were related to spirituality and not just radical politics? Some “church.” Let there be more of this for people to see.

294. stephen | 07.23.09

does anyone remember that blacks and latinos commit far more crime than whites? Maybe we can assume that they are more likely to commit a crime because it is reality… I don’t think it is Racism I think it is REALITY

295. Leroy | 07.23.09

#16 post Anthony Wilcox was right on target with what he said. Gates looks for opportunities like this in his everyday life,to play the race card. Thats sad news for all of us African Americans. Im glad the whole event has backfired in his face and its clear from ALL news reports that he was the one who screwed up!

296. Randy | 07.23.09

Just goes to show that even Harvard professors can be an embarrassment to the school. Shame on you Gates, and shame on you Harvard if you don’t discipline him. The man doesn’t belong in a classroom, but he is qualified to be Obama’s preacher.

297. JD-WorcesterCounty | 07.23.09

I am reading some of the most bizarre statements I have seen tossed around in quite a while. The police officer reported to the scene of a suspected crime. Is he supposed to go to the door and say, since you have gotten upset with me and refused to show me any ID that I will just leave and call it a day. Now, what would happen in that situation if in fact he didn’t live there and stole something. Now the police office didn’t’ do his job. I am a white male and have been stopped by police for a myriad of reasons that were not my fault. Never, never would I give them lip. That policeman reports to crime scenes and sees the things that would keep most of us awake at night. Every day his life is in jeopardy. All he asked for was proof that the man who pushed in the front door of a house was indeed the owner. Do you think the policeman just said, hey there is a black man I think I will push his buttons. Please get a life. The neighbors said he was yelling, the two police officers are saying he was yelling, and the picture shows him with his mouth wide open as if he was yelling. If it sounds like a duck, it walks like a duck and it looks like a duck - guess what - its probably a duck. Does that mean blacks are always treated with the respect they deserve? Of course not, but it a racial bias to suggest that because a white policeman showed up and asked a black man for an ID that it is racial profiling. This type of incident is like crying wolf and diminishes the situations where people really should be appalled.

298. John | 07.23.09

Why are we commenting on assumptions. I know there are crooked cops, just like there are crooked professors, lawyers, doctors, etc… We entrust law enforcement officers to do their job for little compensation, and they deal with all kinds of idiots (us). We can either assume the rich professor did nothing wrong, or the middle-class officer did nothing wrong. I don’t care what color either one is; I side with the police officer in this case. What did he have to gain from this? Any motive there? I don’t think so…

299. Maggie | 07.23.09

Gates should have calmly showed his ID, just as Obama should calmly & confidently show the American people his birth certificate.

300. John Smith | 07.23.09

Disorderly conduct is a “catch all” offense when police officers have no specific crime to arrest someone with. They can claim it for virtually anything they want to anyone they want. Most of these charges are dropped if you challenge them. It’s not the end of the world and you “race baiters” need to get over yourselves and act like civil human beings.

301. Tim | 07.23.09

Ryan… comment #4… “White people constantly want to brush incidents of racism under the rug, or just assume that there wasn’t any racism whatsoever” Yep… all us white people are the same and you can say that because it is not racist… right? The irony is palpable

302. William | 07.23.09

After reading the police report, I see it is Gates that is the arrogant racist. Sgt. James Crowley, the police academy expert on racial profiling, is just another “typical white person” to Obama, who knows all too well the socio-economic problems of America through his experience growing up in Hawaii and Thailand. Kudos to “Laur” for pointing out that Obama spent 20 years in a black liberation, white-hating church

303. donh82 | 07.23.09

Obama needs to apologize for his remarks, which appear to be racist. He didn’t know the facts but felt compelled to reach a conclusion without the facts. Makes you wonder about his other decisions like healthcare, financial bailouts, etc. Seems that he reaches a decision and then molds the facts to fit his decision. And this guy is educated ? Hmmm.
I hope that the back-up officer and the witness come out in public so the facts can be revealed to the public. . I’ve seen the police report and the back-up officer’s report as well and it supports the officer’s version of the incident. Maybe next time Obama will be smart enough to just shut-up !

304. thomas | 07.23.09

Why bother arguing with ignorant people, people are so very tired of the race card, and thats all they have anymore. Some people need to get over it, and discover they are accountable for their actions.

305. Rick | 07.23.09

Erika,
It’s the kind of stuff you are saying that perpetuates racism. Are there racist white people? Sure! But guess what. If you face even a hint of racism in your life, you are one phone call away from some pretty severe vengeance. Can’t eat at a restaurant? Call your newspaper. They would love a story like that. An article like that would destroy that restaurant. That’s the world you are living in.
On the other hand, at least according to his quotes in this police report, Gates is the type of person that manipulates others into thinking their world is very different than it is. Paranoia is easy to instill. He tells people that there is an army out there that hates you because of your skin. In reality, there are INDIVIDUALS out there that hate you because of your skin, and there is any army of sensible people willing to stand by your side to fight against them.

306. Cyn | 07.23.09

“[Obama] is better then all the white men that have occupied that office before him.”

LOL!!!! That’s funny. Not to mention nonsensical.

307. Courteous Wolf | 07.23.09

A man, who lives, and teaches racism, at an Ivy League college, hasn’t been mistreated in life. He probably rode the affirmative action train into his professorship, much the way Mr. & Mrs. Obama did. He doesn’t live in the south, so those situations aren’t happening here. Yes, he should be damned glad that these officers were there to protect his property. Like Dan quoted, “If you’re a hammer, then everything looks like a nail to you”! Well, maybe some of these black racists, and the white liberal racists, should step back and take a deep breath. There is a race problem in the United States and the liberals continue to pour gasoline on the fire, every chance they can. People like Sharpton and Jackson are major contributors to the racial strife in America, and they don’t even represent most of the good black people here, but the good ole liberal lame stream media throws their racist venom out there every thance they can. It’s no wonder we have problems here. I think Americans are really tired of the race issues and even the gay issues being forced upon us every damned day. They don’t want to be treated equally, they want to be treated “special”!

308. GregM | 07.23.09

Gabrowne:

Your imposter in the white house is nothing better than a narcisstic community organizer that moved into a nicer house and wears fancier clothes but still thinks he is on the job. I love watching this slow moving, unstoppable train wreck that marks this administration’s progress towards disaster. More and more people are becomming aware of the implications to this country by voting in this unqualified tele-prompter reader. Even the voters that didn’t think past their outstretched hands looking for freebees are missing. Where is their religious fervor that coronated disaster incorporated? Has the Hopey- Changey thing come back to bite them?

309. Paul Tard | 07.23.09

Appears that if the kooky professor had acted anything close to civilized, there would have been no problem. But he couldn’t set aside his “poor me I’m a victim” routine long enough for the situation to be resolved peacefully. OTOH, Omaber played well to his base (or part of it)by backing the kooky professor without even (admittedly) knowing all the facts.

310. Todd Gray | 07.23.09

Dr. Gates should respect the law, they’re doing their job. Would he have preferred if someone had broke into his house, the authorities arrived and taken the intruders word at face value that it was their residence without identification?

311. Timstigator | 07.23.09

I denounce myself already. But what the heck does a degree in ethnic studies get ya? It gets ya Harvard tenure, that’s what. And that’s the only thing. But I denounce myself.

312. Dennis | 07.23.09

The problem here is that the President of the United States chose to inject
Racism into a debate about Health Care.
It was a choice. He did not have all the facts (admitted) yet he “chose” to inject Racism.
Why ?
It was his choice. In doing this he is igniting those flames again that I personally have seen growing dimmer over time and generations.

As President one has to rise above the fray and act for “ALL” the people of the country.
Addressing this issue, on prime time TV, w/o all the facts was not what a true
leader would do.
This, unfortunately “reeks” of a planted question…..most likely as a diversion to the inability of his party and administration to force through Health Care legislation. When will the people of this country wake up and see the truth ?

Unfortunate event for this fading President.

May God have mercy on our “besieged” Country!

313. Timstigator | 07.23.09

Don’t expect an apology from either Obama or Gates.

314. Rosie | 07.23.09

The man was in his own home. So, now you can’t call someone a racist in your own home without being arrested. What the cop should have done was apologize and left. When a cop comes into my home and I prove that it is my home and they still questin me and I get mad and call them a bully or racist in Mr. Gates case they should apologie and leave. Arresting someone in their own home for disorderly conduct is insane.

315. Gene Autrey | 07.23.09

As much as I disagree with further surveillance, this makes a good case for all police to wear VIDMIC recording equipment so that conversations are recorded rather than memorized. Having read the police reports, I would be interested in what the small gathering of neighbors and other witnesses have to say, but it is possible that all of Boston is racist so who would believe them? Certainly not the man who calls himself president.

316. Edword | 07.23.09

Blacks: VERY FEW white people feel true “racial hatred” against you. Things are NOTHING like they were before 1970. WAKE UP and realize for once that those who put so much effort into convincing you are attempting to CONTROL you.

And so convinced are you that EVERYTHING that happens is conveniently explained away leaving you no reason to question yourself or your own actions.

I do not “hate” any one or any race….but I feel deeply ashamed for you letting this nonsense continue like this when you should have the sense to know better. This stuff is TEARING you down…and worse is perpetuating whatever ill feelings that do indeed exist and a result of your useless attitudes.

317. GT | 07.23.09

Ok it amazes me how people see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear…Yes Gates overreacted i agree…but if you read the police report….the officer knew he couldnt arrest Gates for yelling inside the home…so he insisted several times to Gates come outside and talk to me…this my simple minded people was the only way he could justify arresting him for disorderly conduct….Gates was mad yes…i wouldve been mad too….not at the officer but at my stupid neighbors who see me everyday and cant recognize me trying to get into my own house…it was the front door people..he wasnt climbing thru a window. As for the President…it was the last question he was asked at the press conference…he never used racism in his statement…and the media continues to only show..”the police acted stupidly..i see the racist in the situation and it aint the president, Gates or the officer…its the media and his neighbors.

318. Greg | 07.23.09

All, don’t even respond to Ryan he is obviously a Odumbo drone. Sent out on the internet to try and quell the story. And stop people from recognizing that Odumbo is a racist.

319. Greg | 07.23.09

GT, you obviously can’t read or only read what you want. He was asked to come outside, since the officer did not know if anyone else was in the house (For both of their protection).

But, you want to try and read only the part that fit your ignorant rant. and the President is racist, this occurs daily these situation with black officers also and he made no comment about them. Therefore he is a racist only picked out this one incident with a white officer.

320. Bill | 07.23.09

It’s a Cynthia McKinney “Don’t you know who I am moment.

321. Brian | 07.23.09

Mr. Gates makes his living off of race relations, or better yet racial tension, just like Jackson and Sharpton do. Is it any wonder that he saw a finacial opportunity here?

322. Larry Salley | 07.23.09

Having now read both sides of the story, somebody is telling a whopper of a lie. My personal sympathies lie with the cop, but I’m a white guy who was brought up to give the police the benefit of the doubt. However, President Obama was correct that the cop “acted stupidly.” Even if he was entirely in the right, prudence should have dictated that he not fight and die on this hill–this is a political/racial/media mess waiting to happen. As the instructor on racial profiling for his police academy, he ought to have let it go. That said, Obama also acted just as stupidly by interjecting himself into this no-win situation. Again, prudence dictates that he stop talking after “I don’t know all the facts.” Both the cop and the president may or may not be telling the gospel truth, but both were unwise to step into this briar patch.

323. white | 07.23.09

A lot of you are wrong here… I am white and things like this has happened to me many times. Disorderly conduct is talking back to a cop, you don’t even have to yell, they will and have taken me to jail for it. When you call them names and get hysterical, it’s resisting arrest, and sometimes assault of a police officer. This man was not treated unfairly according to police report, actually he had charges dropped which doesn’t happen for ordinary citizens. If he wasn’t black this would never have became an issue. I guess the police should have ignored neighbors call of someone breaking in his house, but if they did it would have been because he’s black, right?

324. Dillon Compton | 07.23.09

Bill Cosby is a wise man this doesnt suprise me

325. Maiysha101 | 07.23.09

Cosby is shocked? Oh my. I suppose he’s comfortable and would himself not be enraged had he been the victim here. Crosby is so very comfortable in his insulated shell where he doesn’t have to face any kind of racism/bigotry/poverty or deprivation. He’ famous and rich and even bigoted lifeforms give him a pass. I guaranty you that had that been Cosby, we would be hearing the same request as Dr. Gates. My only regret is that Obama commented on the stupidity of the police offer. However, he could have called it by it’s proper name. I guaranty any of you to bring me evidence that some non person of color has experienced the same thing, and if so, I will apologize to Sgt. Crowley, who for all intents, was simply offended that Dr. Gates called him out on his bigotry. Sad day in Cambridge. Sad day in America. Again. Now can we get back to work on booting out these greedy insurance and drug companies and bring fair and decent health care to all americans.. not just the rich and elected??!!

326. Tired of It | 07.23.09

As a former officer in Texas this is my feelings.

All this moron had to do was produce id showing that it was his residence and to remain calm. As I know nothing of the Harvard ID, I assume that it has the address on it, I would have asked for a drivers license.Once I found out it was his residence, I would have left.

Knowing that some laws are different between states, I can’t say that the Sgt. was right in arresting the moron or not. As far as disorderly conduct in Texas, it includes creating a loud noise (yelling included)or cussing in public. But someone other than the officer has to make a complaintant in those situations.

Some Black people use the race card to their benefit. Such as when I got told most times “you’re just stopping me because I’m black”. No, I’m stopping you because I just saw you deal crack, or you fit the description of someone who just committed a murder or you ran that red light. Funny how I never, in 13 years, got told you’re just stopping me because I am white, or hispanic or asian.

At the same time, many black people were very cordial and thankful. In short, they are the ones with common sense.

327. Alexandra | 07.23.09

Hey, Gates is a Harvard professor. What else does the police need? Good god, man, get a life. Harvard profs are always right and the rest of us are always wrong. They live in the ivory tower, HAVE to teach maybe 9 hours per weeks, get summers off and write books. Boy, I sure wish I could become a Harvard professor. However, I have more pride in myself. I would never stoop so low! By the way, where are OBama’s law review articles??? Just teasing!

328. I4U-native | 07.23.09

Hey, white people never know anything about “racial hatred” no, never, nada!That’s that. Just sayin.

329. Jones | 07.23.09

a President should not inject himself into a local law enforcement issue

Obama has enough to do, ruining the US economy. he needs to focus on that.

330. JamesB | 07.23.09

Well, maybe there won’t ever be proof that this was police racism. Then again, maybe–definitely–this has never happened to any white Harvard professor and never will.

Is it because white professors never have to fix their front doors? No; it’s just because no one thinks they look suspicious doing it, and police would ALWAYS give them the benifit of the doubt if by some strange, impossible reason they showed up to question the individual.

The fact that so many people question Dr. Gates’s credibility is just a sign that many people hate and distrust him for no decent reason: after all, he has proven that it was his house. There is absolutely no reason to doubt his intentions. Unless he physically attacked the officer, which he didn’t, according to the officer’s own statements, the charge was hogwash. Very stupid indeed.

“Stop breaking into your house! Shut up and go inside!” Yeah right.

331. Sara P | 07.23.09

People are commenting as if we lived in a post-racial society. We don’t. And many of you are commenting as if you yourselves were not racists, but the president is, or the cop is, or Gates is, depending on which side of the debate you’re on. Sorry, but all three are, as are you, as am I. Not that it’s right, or good, or even necessarily deliberate, but there it is, and racism manifests itself in ways that are so much more complex and multidirectional than “that undeserving black guy got my job” (which makes me angry every time I hear it–talk about entitlement. *Your* job? Really?) Still, before I get too far up on my high horse, I’ve been that white female who instinctively tightened her grip on her purse upon seeing a dark-skinned male approach. I instantly regretted it, but the deed was done. Anyone who thinks s/he “just doesn’t see skin color”–I’m sorry, but you’re kidding yourself.

Did President Obama shoot off his mouth? Oh, goodness yes. I cringed at hearing his statement this morning; he’s backed off from that comment already, but the soundclip is out and the damage done–and based on this board, the nation is not in a forgiving mood.

In terms of the conflict between the police officer and the professor…we don’t know all the details, and the fact that the two accounts are so diverse makes me inclined to question both. I’ll stop there for now until we do know more, without raging at any of the parties involved, making sweeping judgments, or otherwise predicting the doom of the nation.

332. Gerald Todd | 07.23.09

I learned long ago about the arrogant academic. The real genius professor is often called absent minded. Rather, he/she is wrapped up in the beauty of the subject at hand. This type is childlike (both left and right brain hemispheres working in unison) and enjoys sharinghis knowledge.

The arrogant academic holds his position by draining the knowledge and ideas of others and gets piffy when challenged. Unfortunately for Gates, he drew his ideas fromsome pretty nasty self-pitying folks.

333. !4U-native | 07.23.09

There is two races of people who are racists in this country and dat white people & black people. Both groups are racists and want power! Both needa chill! dat’s dat! Just sayin.

334. wodiej | 07.23.09

good grief, enough with the RACE CARD. Be accountable for your actions and act responsible and you won’t need to use it.

So friggin’ what, the cops asked for ID?? There was a report of a break in. Cop was doing his job. If someone starts acting like a total *** like this guy apparently was, the police are going to arrest you. They have no idea what a person will do next who is acting erractically.

335. bluegirl | 07.23.09

I believe Obama is a racist and evidentally, so is this Gates. I’ve observed that usually the ones crying “racist” are the real racists.

I’m so sick of hearing that word since Obama’s campaign and am still hearing it, I could just scream. Obama has been pulling the race card from the beginning and has got to stop it and act more responsible. Being racist certainly isn’t befitting our president. He should not be making public comments like this at all.

I hope this police officer never feels pressured into apologizing for doing his job. He was the one who was being harrased by Gates. Gates sounds like a nut case to me. He needs to chill out.

336. I4U-native | 07.23.09

It’s George Bush’s fault. Remember, Obama inherited all of this.Peace. Just sayin.

337. George | 07.23.09

Police officers answering a burglary call have no way of knowing who lives in the home. They don’t know if the person is someone who forgot their key or there to burglarize the place.

My teenage granddaughter forgot her key and was breaking in through a window. She was spotted by a police officer who stopped to question her. She had no identification on her, but asked the officer to call the telephone number. He did this a couple of times to verify it was our number. She then was allowed to come into the house, get some ID to verify who she was. Then told to always remember her key and ID. If a 13 year old is smart enough to handle this situation so can adults.

338. Debbi Atkinson | 07.23.09

Thanks, Bill!!! You always manage to get it right. My husband and I voted for, campaigned for and contributed to Obama’s presidential campaign and now well…the Obama/Biden bumper sticker has been removed from our car out of respect for our police officer neighbor who is very upset. And I can’t blame him; we are upset as well. The fact that Dr. Gates is a close personal friend gave Obama the perfect excuse not to weigh in on the situation -if he actually needed one. He just made the situation a thousand times worse, so much for that health care reform or anything else…from now on it will be nothing but racial issues…which if that was all that our country faced right now -so be it.

339. theresa | 07.23.09

This whole thread makes me sad. Of course, Gates got scared and acted out. Of course, the officer wanted to save face. I don’t know what the President was thinking. Do we all have to allow this to bring up such anger? Mistakes all around. Forgive, learn and let go.

340. Leigh | 07.23.09

I was walking my sister-in-law’s dog. I mistyped the security code and the alarm was activated. When I entered the house the police were just arriving. They stopped me in the house, asked me for ID. I produced my driver’s license, then they asked why I was there, my name, and my sister-in-law’s full name and phone number. Then he left. I am white and when they left, I thought this is excellent security. When my sister-in-law returned from her trip, the police let her know what had happened. I call this excellent police work and follow up. Did I feel the officer didn’t trust what I said? No. He was being thorough. Did I think twice why the police officer asked me all the questions even after I showed him my ID? No. I thought this fellow is doing a great job and my sister-in-law is safe. I am white, yes, but I did not feel his queries were intrusive just good police work.
I am a bit concerned that a well respected scholar is rude to police an entity we are taught to respect and yet the policeman has to apologize to the antagonist. I am puzzled.

341. Paul | 07.23.09

Pathetic! all I see here is the usual sanctimonious rant of self righteous lemmings who know for sure the Police officer is right (it says so in his report), The good professor just happened to walk backwards into his handcuffs while he the officer was dutifully patrolling the beat watching out for the good of all. Tomorrow the same hypocrites will peddle “individual liberties”,… “privacy rights”,…. “freedom of speech”… yada yada yada.

Why get so worked up about being called the racists that some of you clearly are?

342. Peace | 07.23.09

I dont know if race played a role in Prof. Gates’ arrest, but it was stupid! The only thing the officer was protectng by arresting the man was his ego… who cares if dude is beligerant… chalk it up to old age, tiredness, or even being a black man bothered by the “po-po”; but walk away and don’t waste tax payer money on arresting someone that is clearly not a criminal! And now, just apologize to the man.. geez!!!

This is America and Obama has the same rights as any other other American including that of freedom of speech even if his thots or words arent agreeable to some. Dont forget that the fact that he is president doesnt mean he has to be perfect either so be reasonable people. We are waaay too critical and touchy feely in this country geez!

343. Jen | 07.23.09

So, what would Mr Gates be saying if the officer didn’t ask for an ID, left believing this person and the person was really robbing the house? The President of the United States was suppose to be addressing the Nation about his health care not to get his “friend” out of a ticket!

344. Sharon Ritter | 07.23.09

“I don’t know all the facts” But I do know that my friend was arrested in his home after showing his ID. Arresting some one in thier home is just plain ole out and out STUPID.

345. dom youngross | 07.23.09

I like Bill Cosby. He’s got something President Obama will never have: Class.

346. Paul Tard | 07.24.09

Haven’t read them all, but some interesting comments from vox populi, on both sides of the issue. I’m not one who thinks the cops are always right, far from it, but had the nutty professor been civil to start with, there would have been no incident. Interesting point by one poster about the cop wanting the prof. to follow him outside because that’s where his loud behaviour could get him in trouble. Did president Obama speak out of turn? Yes. Is Bill Cosby a funny man? Yes.

347. Tired | 07.24.09

Why is it that everytime someone who isn’t classified as “white” is arrested by someone who is, people start saying it’s race-oriented? If I broke into my house and my neighbors didn’t recognize me, you can bet I’d have at least one police officer out to check my ID. I’ve been ID’d because I unknowingly parked in front of a former drug house to talk on my cell phone and stayed for five minutes (don’t you love community watches!). When a call is made to the police, they have to answer it.

And to all the people who say anyone who isn’t black doesn’t know how it is to be discriminated against because of their looks, you need to take a few cultural Anthropology courses. Or just go down to the majority of colleges in the world. If you’re not obviously of a popular minority group, you’re open game to every person that feels like taking potshots. And speaking out against it is considered racism.

And no, I’m not “white”.

348. Mike | 07.24.09

The bottom line is after Gates identified himself as the resident of that home, the cop had no other issue to arrest him for. It’s not disorderly conduct unless he was inciting a riot which he wasnt and MA police are required to provide their names and badge numbers to citizens when asked for this very reason. There is a history of police misconduct and intimidation in MA so they put in a procedure to allow citizens to identify the cops involved in these type of incidents. The cop should have provided his information, just like Gates provided his and left.

349. jason | 07.24.09

when in doubt , pull out the race card. Obama has crossed the line, he should have never gone there. This is our President ? What a joke this guy is

350. michko | 07.24.09

Gates is clearly a race baiter trying to get himself in the spotlight. But what really amazes me is how President Obama got into this in the first place. It is starting to get really scary when the President of the US has to get involved with a local issue just because of race and then chastising the police force after admiting he didn’t have all the facts?? WHOA!! Folks, there are issues ahead…..

351. Bob Labla | 07.24.09

Thank You Very Much Bill Cosby!!.

My respect for you grows each and every time we hear from you on current events.

It actually gives me hope for the future and that we might someday achieve Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream of a Colorblind society that he envisioned.

Unfortunately, many leaders keep the “race card” alive for their own personal gain.

352. jpk | 07.24.09

For all those saying that the police officer was wrong in arresting Gates after Gates showed his id are assuming to much. 1. The id Gates showed according to the police report was a university id not a DL. 2. The police officer nor Gates knew for certain that Gates and his friend were the first ones in the house. 3. A neighbor called in the break in attempt, the police did not drive by and witness the alleged break in 4. Gates could have proved that he did indeed live in the house but that didn’t mean he had lawful access. There could have been a restraining order issued against him that required him to stay away from the home. 5. Gates admitted that he was angry but has yet to claim police brutality. 6. Obama could simply have said no comment to the question.

Claiming racial profiling assumes the police knew that the house was being burglarized by a black person. That is not the case. Calling the officer a racist, as the office is walking away, BEFORE being arrested indicates that the officer wasn’t looking to arrest anyone. If he was he would have stormed into the house and arrested Gates before any questions were asked simply because Gates is black. Gates played the race card as did Obama. Gates will continue to teach at Harvard with many students attending his classes. Obama has lost forever the opportunity to close the race divide. A great pity.

353. Megan Fox | 07.24.09

I felt the first part of Obama’s statement was just worded wrongly… calling someone stupid when he didn’t know all the facts was not wise… and he ended up by mentioning latinos and african americans…. maybe he was trying to use this scenario as a way to promote attention to social injustice…even though this issue isn’t really race-related in the first place, hard to tell.

354. Bob Labla | 07.24.09

Thank You Very Much Bill Cosby!!.

My respect for you grows each and every time we hear from you on current events.

It actually gives me hope for the future and that we might someday achieve Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream of a Colorblind society that he envisioned.

Unfortunately, many leaders keep the “race card” alive for their own personal gain.

355. Terry Ott | 07.24.09

I’ll not add another comment about the particulars of the incident. Instead:

Isn’t the Obama comment evidence of his perception that the POTUS has free rein in terms of what and where he inserts himself … in a kind of Orwellian way. The question is not even whether or not he was “fully informed” about the circumstances, nor whether or not that information had led him to a conclusion about the matter. The question is: where in the job description of a President does it say that HIS opinion should enter via a national press conference into a newly-minted matter involving local police and a private citizen?

It’s a potential judicial matter. It’s an immediate actual local law enforcement (and maybe civil rights) matter. If he wants to talk with Gates as a friend, fine. If he wants to hold a meeting with his staff to consider what role the Federal Govt should have in helping change the climate re: policing and racial tension, fine. I think the answer is “none”, but others may feel differently. But what we have here is a President who goes “high media” to insert HIS opinion as if it were “his call to make”.

There’s this guy Gerald Walpin, the IG, one of whose sins leading to his firing by the White House was to “go public” with comments about how he felt re: the judicial and administrative handling of a case he had investigated. He “went outside the job description” according to some, when he should have let the matter go — because he was only the investigator, not the “decider”. Well, Mr. President, is this Cambridge/Gates matter one that should have been handled systematically, and in a court if that becomes necessary — and not prejudged by a person who admittedly was not fully informed about it. Is this kind of thing in YOUR job description, Mr. President? Or is your job description, the way you see it, simply whatever you decide it should be in the moment, whenever you have a personal opinion about something that you want to lay on the world?

356. Michael Rubinstein | 07.24.09

Nearly everyone here appears to agree that, based on the police report, Mr. Gates is entirely to blame for what happened to him, and Officer Crowley did nothing wrong. And indeed, that might well be the case. But I find it curious that everyone is reading the police report and accepting it as gospel, whereas no one seems interested in Mr. Gates’ version of events, which put things in quite a diffferent light. You can read his lawyer’s statement at http://tinyurl.com/l2moos, and you can read Gates himself describing the incident at http://tinyurl.com/lg24kq.

Am I saying that I think Gates’ version of events is more accurate? Of course not. I’m saying that I don’t know, and you don’t either. But at the very least, shouldn’t we all consider the possibility that there just MIGHT be more than one side to this story?

357. Disgusted | 07.24.09

The President made this into a race issue with his ignorant comments.

Will someone read comment #4 and confirm for me that Ryan started a sentence with “White people….” Wow. Ryan, just imagine your outrage if I started a sentence with “Black people…”

And for those who commented that the President can have his own personal views… it is true… but he should be smart enough to hold his tongue for at least the next 3 1/2 years while he is the President. You cannot divide the two while he is supposedly SERVING the American people.

So much for uniting the country.

358. Bob | 07.24.09

Thank You Very Much Bill Cosby!!.

My respect for you grows each and every time we hear from you on current events.

It actually gives me hope for the future and that we might someday achieve Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream of a Colorblind society that he envisioned.

Unfortunately, many leaders keep the “race card” alive for their own personal gain.

359. Do You Think | 07.24.09

Do you think the Gates arrest and President Obama’s comment were intended to create a great deal of controversy and media attention to take the spotlight from the Health Care package?
Who was the reporter who asked the President about Gates? This question came out of nowhere and was the final question asked — so we would be sure to remember it — Funny

360. DisneyWorld | 07.24.09

President Obama:

Your response was totally appropriate. It’s not your fault that people (including Emperor Bill) only heard the part that suited them. Please do not take one step back. For the sake of Skip Gates and all of the others who’ve endured racial profiling, please stick to your original commentary.

361. Stefan | 07.24.09

THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY comments on this issue? Can we please all just calm down and let this one go?

Yesterday at my bus stop (in Cambridge, Massachusetts) I heard a white man and a black man yelling at each other over this. Everybody needs to get a grip and give a little, and this includes Mr Gates and the Cambridge police. Else the issues that really matter — e.g., ten percent unemployment, record budget deficit, Iran and North Korea waving bombs, our health care policy becoming “just don’t get sick”– will again go unaddressed.

362. Patricia | 07.24.09

No # 43 Frank, was & is correct on this issue, he wanted to arrest the man because he didn’t like what he said , but knew he needed to get him outside to make it a public issue of disorderly conduct, because were allowed freedom of speach even to Police, if we don’t threaten or put our hands on them,but I have found when dealing with the Police you don’t have freedom of speach and manny manny other Freedoms the Constitution gives us, I am Caucasion and I did vote for Obama, and it’s good to hear a man of power in the system defend we the people against the System , it’s never done they protect each other, And that’s one reason I voted for him , he’s honest and real and is not kissing but to look good , instead he’s telling the truth, after being ask the Question he didn’t hide and refuse to get involved, this issue needs addressing by some body higher up such as him, the Police in some places have been abusing their power and have been out of control for a long time, in some places!as I said! Raceism is very real and shown every day by Some Police Departments, many of them write false reports also, SO what makes you think reading the Report will solve every thing, Is It For Sure Correct ?? Sure Mr. Obama could have used high dollar words and beat around the BUSH, but he didn’t he broke it down, as he saw it and I support him and stand behind him all the way, Arrest and Hand Cuffs were not needed, it was a display of, and abuse of POWER!! as always! We NEED REAL AND HONEST PEOPLE ESPECIALLY IN THAT ‘WHITE HOUSE’ That tells it like it is! and that’s one reason Some don’t like Him, I Think he’s the best thing since J.F.K., Maybe Better? which means he needs protection from the Dishonest !People !

363. whatever | 07.24.09

If Harvard doesn’t fire the professor, which they should, he should at least be required to take a “sensitivity” class and make a public apology to the officer.

364. Gary | 07.24.09

Mr. Gates clearly has a serious chip on his shoulder and was acting in an arrogant and racist fashion towards the police officer from the get go. Shame on Mr. Gates for his rude and uncalled for behavior when a police officer was simply trying to protect Mr. Gates home and property, a home that had previously been broken into no less! As a white man I would never consider yelling “your momma” at an officer or getting “into an officer’s face.” What gives Mr. Gates that right? Cause he’s black? Give me a break!

The President absolutely was wrong in calling the officer’s actions stupid. If the President had any integrity he would retract his statement and defend the police action. He will unlikely do that because he would offend his “base” which thrives on imaginary cases like this. While racism in America still exists, this is clearly not an example of it, except on the part of Mr. Gates.

365. Nate | 07.24.09

I’m white. We installed a new security system in our house and my wife set it off and couldn’t figure out how to disarm it while I wasn’t home. The police made her provide proof that she lived here and her only goal in the incident was to cooperate and resolve the situation. That does not appear, so far as I can tell, to have been Gates’s goal.

366. Holy moly | 07.24.09

Sage advice from the guy that didn’t support the civil rights movement when it was around in the 60s.

367. Lou. | 07.24.09

“But at the very least, shouldn’t we all consider the possibility that there just MIGHT be more than one side to this story?”

Its only fair to consider both stories before you decide which one to believe, that’s true. But in doing so, you have to examine the backgrounds of both men and decide who’s more credible. Crowley has a clean record, was the first to administer CPR to that black basketball player who died of a heart attack in Boston some years back, and was independently chosen by a black fellow officer to teach a class about racial profiling to cadets. Meanwhile Gates is a man who’s made racial issues his life’s work, much like guys like Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, and Cornel West. There’s a saying that goes, “When you’ve spent your whole life as a hammer, everything begins to look like a nail.”

368. Anne | 07.24.09

This is just stupid! Gates in my mind is the one acting Racist! As a black woman, I would feel great about my neighborhood if we were all looking out for each other to notify the police if they thought a possiable break in was going on.. Gates stop acting like such a fool, grow up man! Lets ask ourselves, Who is really the Racist in this story? I do not think it is the police officer in this case, AT ALL! I am ashamed by Gates Behavior and By our presidents comments, Just ashamed! Shame on both of you!!!!

369. wifey06 | 07.24.09

if it was just about justice- After gates showed his id… he asked the officer for his id number and name ( which is his right to do)

the cop refused to give his information— why deep down he don’t have to asnwer to no black or mad a black knows his rights. The officer had given his info right there it would not have escalated.

The cop knew if he bated Gates period to come outside then he could arrest him period. Flip it, switch it whatever way you want…

but no reason for any man to be arrested in his own home. he did not attack the officer or anything. Anyone is gonna be upset that the police are harrassing him in his own home. i pay the bills here copper get out my house now!!!

what community do they live in not to know your neighbor?

If it had been G. Bush they would not have even asked him the question.. It was a bait question anyway. They’ll take any shot at Obama. Why ask him b/c it was a black issue? so was it racist to even ask him what he thought!!!

What is Obama apologizing for.. this is what makes me sick.. black folks always got to play down to white folks and white media. The officer won’t even apologize.. why should Obama….

370. Tracy Harmon | 07.24.09

Everyone is failing to understand what racism is. It is a felt angst that is fueled by someone’s direct or indirect mistreatment of you based on the color of your skin. Being an African American woman, I know firsthand what racism feels like. Can I articulate it, prove it, show it….that would be difficult. But it doesn’t make it any less true. Typically individuals who encounter racism…feel it. Point blank. Do I make every instance a matter of race? No. But I can certainly FEEL racism. Don’t discount Mr. Gates experience. He endured, he knows what he felt.

Mr. President was not wrong to comment. That was friend and also an environment where he had experience. However, it did distract from his healthcare reform agenda, briefly.

371. wondering…. | 07.24.09

i wonder why people take police reports as irrefutable truth? sorry, that is JUST the cop’s version of what took place. the bottom line is that whether or not gates was mouthing off, once ID was presented they should have left his property - IMMEDIATELY. there was no cause for arrest…NONE!!!!!!

372. steven share | 07.24.09

Dr. Cosby has hit this one squarely in the cross-hairs. An officer, ALONE, responding to a prowler call has every right to be overly precautious when confronted by a suspect. I would venture a guess that nearly every prowler ever asked by a police officer to “freeze” and identify him or herself responds by saying something to the affect “It’s my home…”

Everyone should know, White, Brown, Red or Yellow, that in such a circumstance, slow diliberate and contrite actions are the call of the day.

Congratulations Bill. It was a tough stand to take. “There will be racism until there is only one race.”

373. Gail | 07.24.09

Last time I checked, we’re not supposed to have a caste system in this country that makes some immune to the treatment those lower down receive. Harvard Professor or not, if the policeperson is doing his/her job, he/she deserves respect. The situation likely could have been defused right then and there.

374. bakbaku | 07.24.09

what if they change `racial profiling` into `color profiling`.

375. terry turner | 07.24.09

to all of you so concerned about the ‘racist professor gates’ has one of you ever, in your entire life, gotten as outraged about racism directed at someone that was not white? have you ever posted a comment on a website to complain about it?

ah, the smell of hypocrisy.

376. Patrick | 07.24.09

This a great thread. It starts with some reasoned comments on how BHO should have read the facts and how he jumped the gun making this a race issue.

Then folks push too far, stereotype minorities, flail at their white guilt, quote from white supremacist sources, pipe up with ultra-nationalism, and try make themselves victims.

What a fantastic way to respond to racism. Fight fire with fire, eh America?

377. Ms. 1933 | 07.24.09

who believes a report written by the police? Its these reports that have the prisons full.

378. harryo | 07.24.09

Typical Cosby…Attorney General Holder said Americans don’t like to talk about the real problems of race in this country. This incident, along with the Black kids in Philadelphia being turned away from the swimming pool is dispels the notion that with the election of President Obama racism no longer exist in America… And since when did we suspend the First Amendment. As soon as the officer determined that the home belonged to Gates it should have been end of story from the officer’s perspective. Gates committed no rime, you do have the right to yell and scream either at the police or about the police in your own home as long as you are not a danger to yourself or anyone else. Just like we in the general public are told to walk away from potentially confrontational situations, police also should be taught to ignore disparaging remarks made by people unhappy with their interaction with the police who otherwise have broken no law

379. Jay | 07.24.09

I read the police report, and I will say if Gates acted out of line then he was wrong. On the other hand I will say that because a cop wrote a police report does not mean everything he wrote in the report is factual. I have worked for the state of Virginia and stayed in the city of Baltimore, and I have seen a lot of things. Police officers tend to make up a lot of stuff in police reports when they know they have foul play, done something wrong, beat an individual, wrongly arrested an individual, or want a reason to search a individual. I’m not saying race is a factor and I’m not saying race is not a factor, but Gates said that the police report is not factual. I was not there and know one on the blog was there so you can’t make assumptions.

380. Larry Breazeale | 07.24.09

I am glad to hear the fair response remarks from Bill Cosby. I have always had a lot of respect for Bill Cosby. He often makes a lot of good common sense, on a lot of issues. As far as myself, as a retired Deputy Sheriff and retired Reserve Air Force Security Policeman, IN MY OPINION, President Obama’s remarks about “The Police acting STUPIDLY”…..
is, I feel, a real insult to every police officer past & present, nationwide.
I personally feel insulted.THESE ARE “PREMATURE REMARKS” WITH NO MERIT.
President Obama has really put his foot in his mouth , again, this time, even worse. It will not be the last time, I am sure.
This President , and his close friend (suspect involved)Professor Gates …
are playing the” RACE CARD”, for whatever reason.
THAT is very unfortunate. President Obama and his good buddy Professor Gates should act like responsible gentlemen and BOTH apologize to the Cambridge Police Department and Sgt. Crowley, as soon as possible, for their outrageous remarks and unfair, false accusations. Personally, I did NOT vote for Obama or McCain in the last election. I proudly voted Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution party.
-Larry Breazeale,Msgt.USAF,”retired”,
Deputy Sheriff “retired”,
Nat. Chrm. NATIONAL VETERANS COALITION,
http://www.nvets.org,
Anaheim Hills, Calif.

381. Rick Henson | 07.24.09

If you refuse to cooperate with police and follow that up with offensive remarks and irrational behavior you are going to be arrested. No matter who you are or who you know. I find it hard to believe that A Harvard professor was not smart enough to know when to shut up.

382. Nicole | 07.24.09

1. Please stop posting your dumb stories about how you got locked out of the house and the police came and you were so polite to them. Not even close to the same situation and just further shows how you people aren’t able to see past your own experiences. Gates got in through his side door and was attempting to unjam his front door. He hadn’t lost his keys.

2. Once he showed the officer his ID, that should have been the end. I completely understand te officer not liking the way that Gates was speaking to him but it doesn’t justify this situation going beyond that point. There was no reason for him to ask him outside other than the fact that he couldn’t charge him with disorderly conduct for overreacting in his house so he baited him outside and arrested him there. There are no laws that say that police officers can’t be yelled at and once he was satisfied that Gates was indeed the homeowner he should have left.

3. How can the people on this site criticize Gates for calling the police officer a racist without reason and then turn right around and call the president a racist for calling the officer stupid. So if I call my black friends stupid, does that make me racist, too?

383. Renee | 07.24.09

I really do not like cops nor do I trust them. I have seen too many bad ones however in this case the policeman was right and Gates wrong.
Whites get stopped for no reason also. My son gets stopped all the time because he has tatoos on his arms. But he is ALWAYS COOPERATIVE AND POLITE. They run his ID and then let him go on his merry way.
Blacks keep racism alive because they make EVERYTHING a racial issue.
Blacks have overplayed the race card and no one is buying it anymore.

384. What Can I say!? | 07.24.09

Seems the President suffers from foot in mouth disease. He also seems to be slightly infected with not checking the facts before making such a STUPID ….yes, stupid statement.
Doesn’t the President have more pressing issues than local activities.
Obama needs to learn and act like a President and not a school room proctor!!

385. Kinge | 07.24.09

First of all this man waa in his house, If you are the officer can’t understand that than you really have a problem. Certain people don’t expect to be arrested or have a gun put in theri face. This man was a well reknown scholar-a Havard Professor and a winner of many awards. If a man who is a law bindning citizen can go to jail at his own house than what about the black males the works everyday and a factory or a man that is not working, not talkiing about the drug dealers just a average joe that obeys the law but still get profile for no other reason than race.

386. chef | 07.24.09

You should have made Bill Cosby the President (yea right)

387. Ginny | 07.24.09

Ryan said, “White people constantly want to brush incidents of racism under the rug, or just assume that there wasn’t any racism whatsoever, to continue the implicit, underlying racism that is a constant in American culture.”

That is a racist statement. Whenever you lump all people of one color, religion, class, or whatever together and make generalized statements about them, you are being racist, prejudiced, and bigoted. Some light-skinned people are bigoted towards dark-skinned people, and some dark-skinned people are bigoted towards light-skinned people. But unless you personally know every single person in a group of people, you cannot make accurate generalized statements about the whole group. Not all whites are racists, and not all blacks are victims.

388. SIbbs | 07.24.09

“146. Langston | 07.23.09

It is amazing to me to read the comments of self identified white men who seem to think they understand and are qualified to speak on the issue of racism and what constitutes a racist. Let me clue you gentlemen in on a little fact… you aren’t qualified and sound ingnorant when you try. Especially when you try to turn the situation around and label a black persona racist because they accused someone else of being a racist. Your analysis is so stupid and simple minded that it is actually amusing…”

And it’s really amasing how blacks, whites, and all other ethnic groups can sound when they discuss this issue.

Blacks, hispanics and asians can be just as racist as any whites. And I certainly do see the race card being played way too often. Here in the UK, in any incident where a black person is a victim of a white person, the prosecution always plays “racial motivation”. But it’s very rarely played if the positions are reversed.

I look at this case, I’m pretty sure while the officer could have been more diplomatic, he was under no obligation to do so. However, if the officer’s account is accurate, Gates is very much a racist if he immediatly jumped on playing the race card.

Reading Gate’s account, I am astonished by the lack of details.

Of course, the key way to determine which side is telling the truth would be to get the appropiate report from the University Police - were they summoned by the officer, and was a member of the University staff asked to mind the residence?

389. PHI | 07.24.09

There is always going to be racial profiling its just inevitable but this wasn’t the case here. Unless it can be proven their was no police report for burgalary I got to believe the officer approached Mr. Gates asked him did he live there and Gates went on first instincts and went off the deep end. Is this reaction right ? No, but what you must understand is that cambridge has a history of racial profiling while this doesnt excuse this reaction it puts things into perspective. In the end I think both sides shoult apologize its just one little that the media will continue to fan.

P.S. The presidents comments were totally unnecessary friend or no friend being the president you can’t make personally biased comments it never ends well.

390. sdw | 07.24.09

I am so glad President Obama said what he said and I’m equally happy that he is not retracting from his stance. The Cambridge Police officer did act “stupidly”. No matter what happened, it has been established that Mr. Gates handed over his ID’s (his ID from Harvard & his driver’s license. Once the officer recieved those ID’s showing that the house was indeed his residence, he should have apologized and left. He could have said something like, I’m sorry, there’s been a misunderstanding, thank you for showing your ID’s and we will be on our way. But, nooooo! And it just amazes me that just because the arresting officer put it in a POLICE REPORT, somehow that just makes it unfallable. I beg to differ. Police lie everyday. I work in the law industry and I see and hear about faulty police reports, especially when it comes to minorities. And they always have the back up of the whole police department who justifies their actions, which is ridiculous!

Until you have walked in a black man’s shoes and live as a black man in America, you really don’t have a clue, cause its differents rules for different people. It’s always been like that and will always be like that, as far as I’m concerned. And President Obama didn’t make it a racial issue. The reporter asked the f*ucking question, not him and then everybody gets mad at him for answering the question on how he felt. Yes, he explained that he may be a little biased because Mr. Gates was his friend and that he didn’t have all the facts, but all of that is irrelevant. What’s relevant is that Mr. Gates showed his ID proving that he lived there and that should have been the end of the story. Case close! And last time I checked, when is it against the law to ask a police officer for his name & badge number. That is a citizen’s right. And it’s especially right in your own home, on your own property. People give the police too much power when you don’t know your rights!

391. MaxEpr | 07.24.09

You have a stupid friend Mr. Oboma.

392. b | 07.24.09

White people are sick of the race card being played when racism is clearly not involved. This officer should SUE Gates. The officer has been slandered unjustly. If you are going to slander someone and publicly call them a racist then you had better damn well be able to prove it.

If the cop was black do you think Gates would have reacted the same way?

393. Milan Schwarz | 07.24.09

Pablo,
You are right with your comment. That person is scary.
We are starting to “toast” already.

394. Josey | 07.24.09

I don’t understand why he was still arrested after it was established that he lived there. It wasn’t like he was in public. As long as he doesn’t threaten or put his hands on the officer, he has a right to be disgruntled in his own home. This is America, right? The point is, the officer had discretion to arrest him or not and he made the wrong decision out of vindictiveness.

395. Josey | 07.24.09

Get off Obama’s back. He already admitted that he was biased and that Gates was a personal friend. The police had every right to demand identification from Gates but it was STUPID to arrest him after establishing that he did in fact live there. Gates had a right to be upset and disgruntled in his own home. The cop should have exercised a little discretion and understand that being accused of breaking into your own home is frustrating.

396. William Georgi | 07.24.09

Bill Cosby for President!

397. Traveler | 07.24.09

Well “Cos” is presidential material. That is the difference.

398. Kelly | 07.24.09

OMG! Bill Cosby needs to sit his old butt down!! Regardless of the fact that it was Obama friend whats right is right and whats wrong is wrong and what the officer did was totally wrong and stupidly is the correct word to use. If you haven’t been discriminated against then you wouldn’t understand. This world will never see Martin Luther King dream because people are to selfish to each other!!!!!!!!

399. wood | 07.24.09

Wok:

Gates showed 2 picture ID’s a Mass D/L with his Name address and picture on it & his current Harvard University Picture ID. The residence that Mr. Gates is in is OWNED by Harvard University and Officer Crowley has NO jurisdiction inside that home as Harvard University has its OWN police Force & they had been called.

Once Ofcr Crowley found this out he should have EXITED & waited for Harvard Police as he was a single Officer who DID NOT WAIT for BACKUP!!!.

Not correct Police Procedure.. Yet no one seems to notice it except other Law enforcement personnel. HE was ALONE with Gates in the house that is a no- no in the LEM manual for a break in.

400. kevinyc1a@yahoo.com | 07.24.09

Where is the police officer’s birth certificate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

401. Jack | 07.24.09

It’s just been released that Obama has a long history of disdain for the Cambridge Police Department since he received 17 tickets from 1989-1991. He refused to pay them until a couple of weeks before he filed to run for the presidency. He refused to pay them as an IL state senator, a US senator and only paid because he was running for president. This man is the most despicable outrageous liar and deceiver in American history and it amazes me how stupid people are to keep defending this criminal. It is time to show your birth certificate or step down and go to jail. Time to overturn all his laws since he signed them illegally. Also time to disband the Democratic Party for being part of this illegal charade and charge Reid, Pelosi and the others leaders in the party under RICO statutes.

402. Felix | 07.24.09

Thank you Mr. Cosby, for being stand up guy. You are the man. Much love and respect for you sir.

403. cw | 07.24.09

We’ll remember that Mr.Cosby when you’re in trouble. We’ll just keep our mouth shut;)

404. truzak | 07.24.09

I love Bill Cosby! He was “post-racial” back in the 60’s when he starred with Robert Culp in the best TV show ever - I SPY.

Ironically, if you watch the show, I think Obama tries to imitate Cosby’s cool, laid-back character. The difference is, Cosby is genuine, has common sense, and is not afraid to call it as he sees it.

Poor Obama is as phoney as a 3-dollar bill. He cannot afford to let people see the real him, so he winds up getting twisted into a pretzel trying to explain away what he really said, as in this particular case.

Anybody else who was president would have done exactly what Cosby said - just shut about about it, and defer comment without knowing the facts. Obama should understand he’s got bigger fish to fry than commenting on a disorderly conduct arrest. Unfortunately, he is immature (”I inherited this problem”) and has spent years getting racially indoctrinated.

Obviously, race is what Obama’s passion is. Given that, it is easy to understand everything he is doing as an attempt at payback. And he will do anything - including lie - to carry out his sense of justice. Definitely scary stuff.

405. Bob | 07.24.09

Too bad The Cos didn’t run for president; that is one clear-thinking man, and far better use of your vote than the current commie in the whiite house

406. Demetrius | 07.24.09

Stephen - It is likely that Gates did show his ID when asked for it, then demanded the officer’s name and badge number - suspecting him of profiling. When the officer refused, Gates became unruly and followed him back outside where he was arrested.

407. disgusted | 07.24.09

erika@55:
Waaaaaaahh waaaahhh waaaahh!

408. Shawn | 07.24.09

“Thank you officer for protecting my home and possessions, and possibly my life, sorry I inconvenienced you.”

409. Reb | 07.24.09

I think the whole situation was staged. It occurred “coincidentally” just prior to the hussein’s presser on obamacare, which he knows the majority of the public does not want…so he orchestrates this fake racist situation with one of his old buddies so that it will distract in a way that the obama-media will be happy to cover because it exaggerates fake racism in a way that liberals love to exploit. Seriously, am I the only person that thinks it was staged? Everything hussein does is so calculated, his comments off-teleprompter were not a mistake…this falls right in line with all of his other orchestrated stuff. This will be the headline story for the next two weeks and, thus, obamacare will get 2nd or 3rd page coverage and he will continue to get softball questions.

410. Richard | 07.24.09

There used to be a time in my recollection when we knew our neighbors. If we went on a trip, we would let our neighbors know and they would keep an eye on the place or even feed our cats. If there is a problem here, it is the lack of communication between the woman making the call in the first place and her neighbor whom she called about.

411. twocents | 07.24.09

Not quite sure why so many people think the matter should have ended when Gates produced his ID. The officer was still obligated to find out if the two men reported as breaking into Gates’ home were still in it, even after being satisfied that Gates was not one of them.

412. RHarrisonScott | 07.24.09

erika states “If you have never been a victim of racism, you don’t know how it makes you feel and you don’t know how hard a struggle it has been for some many black Americans.”

Question: When it comes to law enforcement, what does one’s “feelings” have to do with anything?

413. bringsit | 07.24.09

When will you people WAKE up. Police officers are the real gang in the U.S that should be feared by all. I know this through first hand experience, something that most of these white people that’s site will never understand. A police report means absolutely nothing when the officer that is writing it is a liar. In my case I was charged with assault and obstruction etc. This never took place. To top it off, another officer that wasn’t even there wrote the police report as if he was. They lie and cover up for each other. You want to base your judgement on a police report? Be real. Check the character of the author.

414. wtobias | 07.24.09

gates told the police officer you don’t want to mess with me i know people . in other words., i know the president and i can have you fired and it looks to me like the ball was already rolling on that front why would a president even make a comment on something like that even if asked by a reporter other then to discredit the officer and hope the the media and public take care of him i am sure rev AL was on his way he has used this before with the executives at aig, gen motors, and the doctors . its a pattern that keeps repeating its self

415. Ken | 07.24.09

Aight. Here it is. Like White House reporter Helen Thomas pointed out about a month ago, Obama’s people call reporters the night before and let them know that they will be called on to ask a question at a press conference. She found this despicable and was challenging the White House Spokesman about it.

Well… my theory: The reporter was told they could ask “the” question. Did Obama know THAT question was coming? Are you kidding? Did he have a white grandma? Of course. He used it as an opportunity to shift attention off the Health Care debate.

416. Ken | 07.24.09

Aight. Here it is. Like White House reporter Helen Thomas pointed out about a month ago, Obama’s people call reporters the night before and let them know that they will be called on to ask a question at a press conference. She found this despicable and was challenging the White House Spokesman about it.

Well… my theory: The reporter was told they could ask “the” question. Did Obama know THAT question was coming? Are you kidding? Did he have a white grandma? Of course. He used it as an opportunity to shift attention off the Health Care debate.

417. Steve | 07.24.09

Hi
This men whom we’ve elected for President has NO experienced at all we’ve told you so . The steps he is making is leading
this Country down a path of NO RETURN.
ITS A SHAME -SHAME.

418. Renee | 07.24.09

Forgot to ask: why did the Officer find it necessary to describe the neighbor who made the call as a “white woman”

Just asking, that’s all

419. Ralph | 07.24.09

Have these inflammatory racists learned NOTHING about keeping a lid on it from the Duke affair?

Good on ya, Bill Cosby! I’ll write you in for President.

420. ahabdearab | 07.24.09

A leader who does not respect authority, calling law officials stupid, this is our president, expressing his innermost convictions. He had a good teacher Rev. Wright. When confronted with a police officer what do you do? His reaction is to fight the law. The appropriate action is to respect the law and respond calmly with the officers request. If you comprehend the job that law enforcement has to do, you can appreciate the situation they are in.

Do you expect drive recklessly through a neighbor endangering life and property at 120 miles an hour and expect to receive a loving reception when you are caught?

421. Toar | 07.25.09

Bill, here’s an Idea “just keep your mouth shut period”.

422. Greg | 07.25.09

The scariest and most ironic part of Obama’s premeditated gaff (he directed the media too ask the question) is that he made assumptions and jumped to his own conclusions after admitting he didn’t know all the facts. This after trying to pitch a disastrous socialized health care plan. Way to think it all through. I must say he “acted stupidly.”

423. A87th | 07.25.09

We don’t exactly know what happened ,but we do know the outcome. Gates gets arrested. The President called this “stupid”. I for one, agree because even if we assume the worst case scenario, they didn’t need to arrest the guy.

Let’s assume the cops story is 100% legit. That Gates berated the cops to no end. That he called them jerks, racist, or worst. When the cops found out it was Gates’ home, why didn’t they just leave, with Gates insulting them All the way out the door. But no, they decided it would be better to coax this highly agitated man out of his home and “run him in”. Why? Because he hurt their feeling… Cambridge police are that thin-skinned?

Cops arresting citizens out of anger, knowing the charges wont stand up is “stupid”.

424. Carrie | 07.25.09

Wow! Obama really, does this require presidential attention? Using your media power to hype up civil events, to mask the national and world events you obviously can’t handle!

425. D.Washington | 07.25.09

Two months ago, while promoting crime prevention, I met a neighbor whose attitude was in lockstep with Henry Gates’ belligerent accusations of racial profiling. It astounded me how militant this woman was that no black can trust a police officer and that all police officers are guilty of abuses on black males. As much as I tried to persuade her otherwise, this woman would not consider any other possibility.

My black friends do not subscribe to this viewpoint, and even expressed embarrassment at the reverse racism displayed by blacks like Gates and my other neighbor. They said they understood Gates’ attitude, but they did not agree with it. One neighbor described it as counter-productive, even dangerous.

Can we move forward by dwelling on the past?

426. Anne Combs | 07.25.09

I have always admired Bill Cosby. I admire him even more now. What a sensible credit to our country he is!

427. ahksehl | 07.25.09

The police report can be read online. Officer Crowley was investigating the report of a brake in. Gates initially refused to cooperate and immediately called the officer a racist After confirming that gates was in fact the resident ,Officer Crowley then left the apartment. Gates followed him outside and continued a loud angry tirade against the officer. The officer informed gates that he was creating a public disturbance and asked him to stop. Gates continued his lunatic behavior. The officer then arrested, and rightly so, gates on the charge of creating a public disturbance. Gates had MANY opportunities to cooperate with the police and not be arrested. Gates actually seemed determined to get arrested, in the end he really gave the officer no other choice. Any police officer that fails to investigate a break in or stop a public disturbance is an officer that is not doing his job and should be fired. If this thing, gates, is the brightest and best scholar that the “african american” community has to offer then they are pathetic.

428. nefarious_jackson | 07.25.09

why does anyone care what bill cosby thinks?

429. therealdeal | 07.26.09

Police are liars.

I donated money to police charities until I moved to NYC and cops there lie and write tickets to me. Cops are liars.

For those of you who seems to like the cops so much. Ask for the badge number or name of the next cop you see. See how that works out for you.

430. Drew | 07.26.09

Why wouldn’t Gates just produce I.D. when asked? If there was nothing wrong you would think that would be the easiest way to get rid of the cop. Gates is the one who turned this into a bigger problem than needed. Also for Ryan, you are correct in that there are more than just two exact ways for these things to occur but which one is more likely? If you saw a cut on someone’s finger would you figure they cut themself accidentally, got attacked by a wild wombat, or got experimented on by aliens? Sure all three are POSSIBLE but which one is most likely. Always remember, people who charge racism are often very racist themselves. Coming up with that claim alone signals that they recognize and distinguish themselves as different from others. Isn’t that exactly what people are NOT supposed to do to get rid of racism?

431. peter | 07.26.09

The man himself is a racist because the first thing he thought of was race. He made it a race issue. How bout thanking the guy for checking, showing ID and then getting on with the day. I have broken into my house and the police came and I showed them ID, and one of the cops was black the other mexican. Did I cry race. NO. Anyone else would have had to shown ID and so why is he so differnt. I think it is just someone fading from the limelight and they need something to put them back into it.

432. TroyS | 07.26.09

Some of you really need to take of your blue-tinted glasses. Police are trained to give direct orders not carry on normal conversation. Although Sgt. Crowley was, more than likely, following procedure that “procedure” has a way of making most law abiding citizens feel like a 2-year old child.

Although the Cambridge P.D. was responding to an attempted break-in call and were doing their job the police manual is designed to protect the officer, not make the citizen happy… Even if it is in his own house.

433. rohit | 07.26.09

Even though I think Gates had the right to yell at the cop, perhaps it should not be a right to insult a cop. I think a cop who is insulted by a civilian should have the right to give the latter a ticket. It is because we do not allow a measured response to a cop that then the cop resorts to something illegal, namely arresting someone who is not violent. As the Buddha said, speech too can be violent and there should be consequences for violent speech. But arrest is over reaction.

434. george | 07.26.09

This whole thing is sad and the last thing that was needed was the President
revealing that he is a racist to the people that voted him into office.
The President has much bigger problems to deal with here in a dying country.
The majority of people in this country (both people of color and whites)are tired of the “bigots”on both sides trying to divide us.
Those of us in the mainstream of this country are the ones catching the “backlash”from these idiots.
We all better get together soon to save this country.

435. Beatrice | 07.26.09

I think Bill Cosby is right, and I also think Gates is so
obsessed with race card.

436. Herb | 07.26.09

Yes,
The President may have commented a little too soon about a case he did not have all the evidence about but being a middle class black male myself and being insulted and belittled by two white officers because I am black and was driving a nice vehicle was very degrading. Living in America and having to walk on egg shells, work harder, perform better than our white counter part is sickening and should be a thing of the past but sadly, it not. Yes, I would say to the President let local authorities handle local affairs as long as it does not involve federal attention.

437. Cory | 07.26.09

According to Elliot Savitz, Attorney at Law:

A disorderly person is defined as one who:
(a) with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm,
or recklessly creates a risk thereof;
(b) engages in fighting or threatening, violent or tumultuous behavior,
or creates a hazard or physically offensive condition by any act
which serves no legitimate purpose.

Conviction for Disorderly conduct in MA can be punishable by imprisonment for up to 6 months.

Disturbing the peace also falls under Chapter 272, with similar penalties. Some Massachusetts towns also have specific ordinances relating to disturbing the peace.

438. Terry | 07.26.09

The president tried to seize this opportunity to further pander to the votes of minority group (blacks and Hispanics), by declaring that racism is still alive in this country. But this was one of those times when he spoke too soon. There are cases of racism for sure, but he picked on the wrong occasion, exposing his deep hatred of the other race.

He continues to thread the principle that the poor and the minority groups will keep him and the Democrats in office. The danger here is that he and his blind folowers in the congress and senate will encourage poverty in this nation so that the poor will always get their vote, and perpetuate their power in the government.

439. R. Atkinson | 07.26.09

Both the prof and the cop are idiots - the prof for shooting off his mouth and the cop for not saying “just another loudmouth”.

440. PlanB | 07.27.09

Hello. Read the facts. Listen to the neighbors’ statements. Eventually, Dr. Gates did show ID so the police knew he was not the reported burglar. They then started to leave. When they were all outside the front door, Dr. Gates was shouting. It was night, lights began to come on in the neighborhood, a crowd started to gather. THAT is disturbing the peace. The police warned him to calm down. He didn’t. So they followed through with an arrest. As often happens, they let him go when he did calm down at the station.

441. ron ray | 07.27.09

remove harvard and black and the right wing would be ranting about how jack-booted thugs invaded this guy’s home and rights.

442. Sharon Lignier | 07.27.09

Oreo.

443. Ben | 07.27.09

31. adam russell | 07.23.09

After reading the police report I guess the question becomes “is it proper and legal for an officer to arrest someone for disorderly in public if they are yelling from their front porch”? Does the law that he was arrested for support the arrest? All this business of “well he should have just cooperated” is not to the point. Does the law allow arrest for yelling on your front porch or not?

Thank you Dr. Russell. (I wonder if this is my old college advisor). That is a great question. Does the law allow arrest for yelling on your front porch or not?

AH

444. lilmikey | 07.27.09

Erika - I grew up in an all black neighborhood, and I am white. Don’t tell me I don’t know what its like to be discriminated against because I am white, let me tell you I was attacked all the time because of my skin color, always picking on the white kid. Stupid thing is that I am mixed, but my skin is too light to count. Problem is that people are SO BUSY POINTING OUT COLOR DIFFERENCES that it CAUSES MORE PROBLEMS. Instead of putting people in a box, categorizing them as black, white, etc, try seeing people as just people. Sure, some are going to try to box you, just as the people I grew up with tried to box me. I refuse to be boxed or to be defined by my skin color, and if I know someone who is like that, I work on them in the hope that someday they will feel differently. Love, kindness, those things go way farther than calling people names, even if the names are deserved.
I am tired of hearing about race. There are bigots on both sides. I know from personal experience. But until people with clout, people with power put their collective feet down and refuse to be identified by race and refuse to blame race for things, this problem will never go away.

445. john shermer | 07.27.09

people……………calm down.

446. john shermer | 07.27.09

#339 Theresa…………..thank you. my feelings also.

John

447. LT | 07.27.09

When someone jumps to the conclusion that an incident was racially motivated because it involves persons of different races, isn’t that racist in and of itself?

448. Sharon | 07.27.09

I am absolutely shocked that our President would comment at all about this situation,especially when gates is one of his good friends.Obama need to apoligize to this cop period. I watched the interview with the cop & it sure sounded like he did not do any profiling of Gates. It seems that Gates automatically jumped to the conclusion that when the cop asked him to step out on the porch & talk with him, it was because he was black. Another Black officer said that the cop did everything correctly & was not at fault. You can even tell by the photo that Gates mouth was still raging when he was being put into handcuffs. He apparently would not even give the policeman his drivers license so show that he lived there. He just gave him his professors’ id. You or I would have to give them our drivers’ license. Then I am sure after Gates talked to Obama & Obama realized that he goofed by commenting, Gates wanted this to be put “behind him & go forward”. Shame on him!He also needs to apolize about his poor behavior.

449. Brett in West Virginia | 07.27.09

I was sorry to see that Dr. Gates pulled the race card. This issue isn’t a matter of race - but more a matter of Constitution. Every State has it’s “contempt of cop law” which is usually very vague and empowers the police with the powers of summary arrest - which effects every race. Constitutionally, Sergeant Crowley should have determined whether or not any life, liberty or property was forfeit and a victim created. Upon obtaining that information, he should have appologised for the intrusion and left - before he created a victim in Dr. Gates. A policeman only becomes an authority when he has a warrant or probable cause… he had neither at the time of the arrest, subsequently lied on his report, and should be jailed. The insults are inconsequential and part of your First Amendment right - a professional knows this.

450. kristianjl | 07.27.09

Racism is alive and well in Amerika. Not only is Gates black, but he is an intellectual. What a despicable person he must be to the wingnuts. Oh! He didn’t offer up enough deference to an officer of the law?! Take him away in irons! What’s the matter, a little too uppity for you? Hmm? This outrage is all fake. Fake, fake, fake. But then, this is typical for newspaper comments pages. Troll-town.

451. Hugh Janus | 07.27.09

Gates was interfering with the investigation of a suspected burglary. That’s disorderly conduct in my book.

452. D. Luke | 07.27.09

I agree with Bill Cosby’s first statement. Obama has to learn to hedge his answers. The reporter ambushed him with her question but he did not have to give a personal answer. He will learn. All his remarks about health care reform are totally lost. I wish the whole thing would just go away. Gates and the cop are both accustomed to being right. This is a no win situation.

453. Julia NYC | 07.28.09

Skip Gates blew it and has seriously discredited himself and Harvard. Obama just looks like a rank amateur.

454. Sousa | 07.28.09

Ok time to set things straight, in a way…

1. Obama was right and wrong about what he stated: right by saying there is an issue with police mistreating what you americans call minorities instead of just calling them “americans,” because that is what they are regardless of skin color! He was wrong to make a public statement so early into the issue, i will make that call and say it was not a timely comment.

2. Furthermore, for all the people who actually hate Obama for his comment, that is rediculous because other presidents have made far greater mistakes during their terms in office. Now there is a massive issue with racism all around the world, BUT, the efforts need to be focused at home first. Starting with the South.

455. Just Jim | 07.28.09

Wow.

Having read and reflected on most of your comments (1-350), I am encouraged by the wisdom, irony, humor, and common sense that they contain.

My personal encouragement, however, should not be a big deal to you.

But consider the possibility that the discouragement I have experienced since the run up to the election, the election, the inauguration, and subsequent events through July 2009 could be rampant among those who value individual freedom and responsibility to act.

A nation of discouraged but empowered patriots cannot survive.

Your collective wisdom may be an encouragement to many more than I.

What could we do to crystallize the wisdom of your ideas into an agenda that will lead to an effective redirection of the leadership of our democratic republic?

My ID: I’m white. 60. Grandfather to 7 + 3 to come in December. I’m not angry, and I don’t have hot button issues, apart from individual freedom. I’m just concerned that the direction we are pursuing under the current administration will not serve what we value most.

What can we do to create the environment America needs in order to thrive?

Not sure if I can respond to everything that might occur to the following, but if you want to respond, please write me at jlr007@charter.net. Be assured, I will read well intentioned responses. Be equally assured, I will joyfully ignore any trash that comes my way.

Please send serious responses only.

I’m looking for a reason to live. This might be it.

456. Unbelievable | 07.28.09

Here is the statement Gate’s lawyer released. Compare this to the police report and decide which one is more believable:

“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.”

So Gates wants us to believe that he didn’t say or do anything to provoke his arrest? He provided the documents the police asked for without question and then was arrested?

No credibility at all…

457. jlk | 07.28.09

A few years back I received a ticket from a black police officer. Two white males had hit me, a white woman, from behind as I was making a left turn. I was threatened with arrest when I told the officer I disagreed with the ticket and simply stated, “I am not signing that ticket.” I signed the ticket. Now, I am thinking my rights might have been violated. I am thinking the officer was probably sexist. I hope the President has some words of consolation for me.

458. joe santana | 07.28.09

The President’s comment was so wrong and revealing - “I don’t know all the facts but the Police acted stupidly”.

1. How can anyone comment without knowing the facts.
2. Obviously, The President is a racist and therefore the ‘knee jerk’ reaction
3. The president obviously is still in Rev. Wright’s influence

459. Tim | 07.28.09

Just a little FYI that may save some of you from an embarrassing arrest some day. It is against the law to become disorderly with an officer of the law. In this case, Professor Gates’ own reaction certainly provided reasonable suspicion that something was out of sorts and in need of investigation. If I stand on my front porch and give a police officer the finger, I’m going to be arrested. Probably not in the physical sense, but certainly cited and fined. It is the responsibility of every citizen to cooperate with law enforcement officials. They put their lives on the line for each and every one of us on a daily basis….it’s the least we could do.

460. Mark | 07.28.09

I have often had to produce my license when using my credit card as a means of proving my ownership thereof. I have never felt offended in doing so. To the contrary, I usually thank the requestor for taking added steps to ensure my property. Similarly, Gates should have thanked the cop for taking such steps to ensure his property as well, not use it as an opportunity to incite racial tensions. In so doing, he has devalued his role in the overall dialogue regarding race in this country.

461. kjeanne | 07.28.09

I have been very upset with President Obama’s remark. I think he really let one slip! However, while we accuse the President of race favoritism, the question is: would he have made the same remark about a white friend, who was 56, walking with a cane??? Try to view his comment from a friendship or situational perspective and not a racial one, which is the way I am inclined to think he meant. His comment was a “knee jerk” reaction to a situation where he didn’t have all the facts, he didn’t know how poorly Gates had responded, etc. Best advice is for the President to leave these things to the local police departments!!! I bet he will from now on!

462. IJ | 07.28.09

Bill Cosby - please run for President - I’ve read most everything you’ve written and you sure have some common sense - something this country needs very badly!

463. KT Crosby | 07.29.09

The hate and condemnation overwhelmingly voiced here when we still don’t have all the facts is most sad and discouraging. Haven’t we, as a people, come further in brotherhood, than to spout vicious narrowly held personal biases and (un) compassionate opinions. I’m ashamed of most of what I’ve read here. We are all Americans, we have an exceptional President who, by the way, is as much white as he is black, if we look at parentage. What about “the teachable moment”? Aren’t we able to balance our responses with love and respect? Please read or listen to the full statement of our President and accord him the respect and gratitude he has earned.

464. Ashleigh | 07.29.09

I think focusing on what President Obama said when giving his opinion–HIS opinion–misses the larger point. Racial profiling is an incredibly subversive and detrimental practice on the part of law enforcement in this country. You can be a white male and love the police if you want to, but just don’t stick your head in the sand about what goes on outside of your four walls. By actively ignoring and subsequently defending that kind of behavior on the part of the police, you give it a thumbs up. Until we all start demanding that the police’s racial sensitivity be challenged by more than a demonstration or two in an 8-hour Saturday diversity training, we’ll continue to experience this outrage and racially-motivated bickering indefinitely.

465. LaDondra Jackson | 07.29.09

Thank god it wasn’t like most police videos where someone starts shouting at the police and not cooperating….the police then light them up with Mr. Tazer!!! Seriously, I believe Gates was lucky.

Racial profiling is a reaction to statistics, that these police know first hand. There is no way a police officer can be proactive without having to assume… Do you want protection before the crime or just someone to do the paperwork after the crime? But none of that even happened here. It was Gates panicking and shouting at the police.

Moral of this whole story; don’t panic and/or start yelling, cooperate with the police, stay cool, stay cool again, repeat.

466. Obedient Citizen | 07.29.09

Irony #1 - 360 comments made by people without ‘all the facts’ criticizing Obama for making a comment without ‘all the facts’

Irony #2 - the same people who refuse to answer a census taker claim they would willing offer a cop multiple forms of ID upon request and wouldn’t expect the cop to leave after seeing the ID.

Irony #3 - the same people who would give up their guns only ‘when pried from my cold dead hand’ would give up their guns if Obama ordered it and sent cops to collect them because he’s the President and they ‘respect authority’.

Maybe the reason Obama can relate is because he too is constantly being asked to show ID and prove that he’s entitled to live in his house.

467. ADEKEYE | 07.30.09

Wow!Americans again.I learnt President Obama has called the Cop(Crowley)and Gates to the White House for beer drinking.The President of my country (Nigeria)would have called the cop to be locked up by soldiers maybe for life.See the difference!

468. Christopher Lehnert | 07.30.09

Everybody talks about ‘my’ ID. A state ID or drivers license is physically the property of that state.

469. Les | 07.30.09

You wanted an afirmative action President; and you got one.

470. Jim | 08.01.09

Look everyone and listen. We have no control what color of skin we were born with. We do however have complete control of how we treat each other. Quit looking at the outside and start looking on the inside. It is the evil forces that are trying to stir up trouble among us. Be aware, There are alot of wolves in sheeps clothing. Always stand up for what is right. May God bless us all.

1. Hot Air » Blog Archive » How not to win support from police unions; Update: Obama retreats; Update: Bill Cosby “shocked” by Obama’s remarks | 07.23.09

2. Dr. Clifford Huxtable knows more than Obama about race (and medicine) | 07.23.09

3. OUTRAGE: President Obama Owes Sgt. James Crowley an Apolog [Update: Crowley Taught Racial Profiling Cass For No Pay] - Swamp_Yankee’s blog - RedState | 07.23.09

4. Obama on Professor arrest - inconsistent and biased - Page 26 - U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum | 07.24.09

5. Dr. Clifford Huxtable knows more than Obama about race (and medicine) | 07.31.09