Obama vs. Cambridge police

[Dis]

So which side do you take? Actually I'm not going to word it that way. I'll say this. Do you think the police acted appropiately with the arrest of Gates? It does seem strange arresting someone in their own home. But the guy was definately an *******. Some people definately have a chip on their shoulder. What's this guy's problem? Not everyone is out to get the black man you know. good grief.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/24/officer.gates.arrest/index.html

[Grandpa Troll]

Well, from what I read this professor did not do what was asked of him.

The more interesting point to me, is Obama excelling in yet another area he hasnt a clue in.

No way that even The President of the United States should make that quote without knowing all the facts.

If a black officer had done this to a white person, would Obama have come out and stated that Black Officers are over scrutinized for their actions?

Or more likely because this Professor was a friend of President Obama's that caused our Commander in Chief to rush judgement and rash decision making comments such as "Stupidity"

Darn shame Obama preaches one thing but does another.

Gramps

[-Jrabbit]

Gates was in his own home. And the officer refused to give his name or badge number (according one one account I read). If true, that's pretty outrageous. In Texas, it can get you shot as a home invader.

I like to think I'd have handled it better than Gates did, but I sure would have been pissed.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I lean more to the side of the officer. I know Gates is trying to turn this into a race issue, but all of the white guys I'm acquainted with know that when an officer is asking you something, ranting and raving and getting in their face is a great way to get arrested.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Gates was in his own home. And the officer refused to give his name or badge number (according one one account I read).

And according to a report, Gates refused to show his license which had his address on it to show that he actually lived there after the police got a call that two men were breaking into the house.

[Ben Kenobi]

I read the police report.

From what I can see, the only reason Gates was arrested was for lipping off to the police officer, not for breaking and entering as he claimed in his longwinded press release.

If he had kept his mouth shut he would have been fine.

If I were a criminal, I'd totally target Gates because no police officer is going to be in a rush to investigate a break and enter.

[Blaupanzer]

Imran, just because police are usually overbearing, does not mean one should automatically backdown. Gates was breaking in (to his own home), so the police response was proper. When the police asked for ID to support his claim of being home, he told the cops to get lost -- not a good idea. However, from that point forward the situation deteriorated oot of what appears to be police over reaction. He did show them an ID but accompanied it with lip. If the cops had been smart they would have ended it there, but they demanded a second ID, threatened him with arrest if he was not more respectful, then arrested him. This looks very bad for the Cambridge police. I would bet they don't routinely arrest angry old men.

As to Obama's response, he was asked what he thought by a reporter. Is he no longer able to speak without consulting with the whole world? It's pretty obvious that an old man who needs a cane to walk is not much of a danger to two armed policemen. Arresting him for entering his own home or for yelling at them after they accosted him really does seem petty and nasty.

[Arrian]

From what I can see, the only reason Gates was arrested was for lipping off to the police officer, not for breaking and entering as he claimed in his longwinded press release.

Yes, from every account I've read that is exactly what happened. Cop responds to B&E call. Gates proves he is the homeowner. IT SHOULD HAVE ENDED RIGHT THERE, even if Gates was irritable. But no, the cop trumps up another charge because he's annoyed with Gates.

So yes, the cop acted stupidly. It doesn't make the cop a racist or anything (unknown and probably unknowable), but he acted stupidly in this particular situation. Make of that what you will.

-Arrian

[Ben Kenobi]

So yes, the cop acted stupidly. It doesn't make the cop a racist or anything (unknown and probably unknowable), but he acted stupidly in this particular situation. Make of that what you will.

The cop provided mouth to mouth rescucitation for a black man recently, and runs the diversity training for the police force in Massachusetts.

I think we can reasonably conclude that he's no more a racist then Gates.

The moral of the story is, don't be a jackass and you won't be arrested. Gates has a harvard degree, so I think he should be able to figure that one out.

[Dis]

I'm supposed to be impressed by a Harvard Law degree?

The guy sounds about as intelligent as Bush.

[Felch]

From what I can see, the only reason Gates was arrested was for lipping off to the police officer

Telling a cop to go **** himself is stupid, but not grounds for arrest. The cop was wrong. Gates is a jerk, but not a criminal.

[EPW]

Is it a crime to be rude in Massachusetts?

[Sprayber]

People should just really take Obama's word for this and move on.

[Patroklos]

What you guys are forgetting is that they did not drag him out of his house, the cops did try to leave just as you people are suggesting and Gates FOLLOWED them into the yard and continued his abuse. The cops repeatedly asked him to quiet down and return to his home and Gates repeatedly refused.

I don't know how many parties you guys have thrown, but a cop won't think twice to ticket you for making a ruckus on your own property but within public view/earshot. And I know damn well if I do anything other than take that ticket and go straight back inside I am getting hauled off to the cruiser at least.

This is nothing more than a loud mouth spoiled blue blood thinking he is better than some low born publuc servant. He got exactly what he deserved.

[Ben Kenobi]

Telling a cop to go **** himself is stupid, but not grounds for arrest.

So the officer should have simply ignored it altogether?

I'm all for that. Would that be called breaking and entering while black?