This is a great idea! I had just though this is what should happen. I was thinking that they should all meet and talk. This is the mature way to handle things. Great solution!

A misunderstanding by two good men is all this is. Maybe Gates was fatigued, maybe the officer was having a crappy day as well. Sh!t happens sometimes. These guys getting together for a beer is the way real men should settle their differences. Let it go and learn from it, we all should.

Officer Crowley: Don't do it! The beer is really orange flavored kool aid! Don't allow him to snatch your body too as he did in the case of millions of Obama Zombies across the nation. Don't accept the invite! Obama is an alien space invader!

"It's real and it's happening now!" Kevin McCarthy, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, 1956

Mick, let it go. I don't know about the reasons blacks voted for him but the truth is Obama won because he was the best candidate for the job. He actually had a campaign platform! The other 2 candidates didn't. I would have never voted for the other 2 candidates because they had nothing to offer. I watched the whole election and was very disappointed in the way the other 2 candidates handled themselves.

I wonder who is going to foot the bill to fly them to the White House. This is so pathetic. Why doesn't this sad excuse for a President do his job on things that really matter to our country like the economy. What a joke this guy is.

who could turn down an oppurtunity to get hammered with the president? hopefully they all get crunk drunk, work out their differences and tinkle in the garden. that would make me lol.

Don't fall for it Crowley!

If you took the time to read the article you would know that it was Sgt. Crowley's idea.

Gates wants to use his experience as a "teaching moment". He is an angry black man. He let his true color come through that day. I hope this experience teaches him something. Our President and Mr. Gates can use their collective experience as community organizers and go jump in a lake. They're both racist.

This is not a situation the POTUS should be involved in...?!!! What is going on here?

I am having trouble paying my mortgage... will the President host a Barbque for me and my lender so we can work things out? I'm not counting on it.

well I'm happy to see that something can be positive over this..thank God, their smart enough, not to hold a grudge..that blaming thing got old..I never seen so many neck biters and finger pointing in my entire life..smart people usually don't get violent, but we all can be a pain in the ash at times...

it was Sgt. Crowley's idea.

I watched the news release and it sounded to me like it was obama's idea. The author of this article said it was Crowley's idea.

But the pres never did apologize - he said he could have "calibrated" his words better. In other words, he could have made his racist comments less obvious. He re-emphasized his belief that the cop over-reacted by "pulling him from his house" and taking him to the station.

The pres stands by his comments, doesn't back down, and the professor demands an apology, and now they want this guy to drink beer with them. I'll bet they want to have the great American beer - Budweiser (now owned by a foreign beer maker).

Officer Crowley - just say no!

Keep the same standards for everyone. If you are tired and cranky and you get upset and yell out racial slurs then you should be punished. You cannot say that a black man can use racial slurs but a white man cannot. If we make excuses for the black man's behavior then we just prolong these racist attitudes of all Americans.

Racism toward blacks is wrong. Racism towards whites is What? Acceptable, excusable? No, it is wrong.

Racism is racism no matter what form it takes. We need to end racism in America and we cannot do that if we hold a double standard. Gates and Obama need to accept the fact that they are guilty of the exact thing they accused this officer of doing.

Playing the race card everytime a black gets into trouble is just another form of racism. Yet, we accept it. That is shameful and it perpetuates bad racial attitudes in our country.

Lets put an end to racism.

This only sounds good on paper. Nothing will come it as no one (except Obama) will admit they did or said anything wrong.

This is really an "embarrassing moment" for Gates. With all the people that gathered outside his home when he was having his own little melt-down, there are more than enough witnesses to say what really happened; an over-reaction from a black man, who tried to cover it up using the racial card.

But, hey, if I was Crowley, I wouldn't hesitate to have a presidencial beer and a photo op at the white house.

Officer Crowley - just say no!

Maybe this is what Prof. Gates should've said when Sgt. Crowley asked him to come out of his house after it was already clear he was not an intruder. Not outside, not public.

I'm sorry to see this farce happening while our soldiers are dying defending our country, does anybody care...not this president, and reverse discrimination?....you bet...if this was a white guy, the president would still be working on our health care

Is this going to happen every time someone who is black is arrested or just someone who happens to be a friend of the president.

And to all of you out there who are saying the officer asked for this meeting....don't you believe this nonsense

my question!!! why is the president of the united states getting his nose into this arrest.

If it were you or I, would he be asking for this meeting.

Mr. President.....there are thousands of children in the country that could use your attention to their situation. More damage is about to happen in this Un-united states of America

I am sad to see the travesty happening in my country.

I will not vote for you next time Mr President...Is it going to happen again, you bet.. Every time someone of color gets in a scuffle is this what we are going to get? What is going to happen next, no white person will want to have anything to do with us, afraid we'll report them to the president.

To the Thinker - It was Crowley's suggestion in spite of the fact they everyone failed to inform you personally.

So the two blacks invite the white for a beer. Whitey better watch out - he might have to apologize for doing his job. What a country.

great idea meet for a beer this is how adults work out problems.

You know, I thought of that too, but if you think about Crowley's behavior through this whole fiasco, he has been controlled, professional and even humorous (how do I get the press off my lawn?). He'll handle it.

Gates, on the other hand, is sending the message, how do I make money off this with a 'documentary'? Did you view the "IReport"? www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-303137

No wonder Gates is wanting to move on, African Americans are unimpressed.

Stop complaining. This is something good.

This is something GOOD??? Oh please look at it for what it is, an opportunity for Gates to parlay this some more. This is exactly what Gates wants. Mr Crowley, this is a set up. Of course this is what respectable people would want to do however we are not dealing with respectable people. Obama and Gates are liers and opportunists who do not deserve respect. Gates saw an opportunity to promote racism and went for it. The only thing that should happed at this so called meeting is an apology from Obama and Gates to Mr Crowley.

So I guess your solution is to hurl insults at each other for the rest of eternity?

So Jodie,what exactly do you know about empowering black people?And when you say"there is nothing white about him"what are you really saying?Why don't you re-read the part of your comment about stereotypes.

This is exactly what Gates wants. Mr Crowley, this is a set up.

Read the article again Karen.

"I suppose I will be footing part of the bill."

What are you poor basturds gonna do when Obama buys a Ranch to spend 70% of his presidency at, LMAO. I say buy these three gentlemen the best 40's obtainable. ;)

Here's the thing folks. The next time Obama runs - that would be in about 3.5 years - vote him out. Collect signatures and promise to ride people in your car to the polls if they can't make it on their own. Help register those who can't and campaign for the candidate you like. Be proactive like ACORN. You need to do all the necessary things to properly and lawfully make the change you want. That shouldn't imply that ACORN was within the law. But they got what they wanted. The change that was voted in the last time hasn't happened - we're still waiting. As for me - I'll be living out of the country by then and might not be voting. So it's up to you. Stop complaining and make a change - a real one this time.

I don't have an Obama sticker but if I did I would be loving it. LOL. I like the way he handles most situations.

Sad. Yes you are. You have pennies because the Republican Congresses spent money like water on their friends. Because Bush kept 7 years of war costs of the budget while signing bills to give oil companies, cable and satellite TV companies and everyone else who hired a lobbyist Billions of dollars. Have you even asked WHY you had to get a new TV or a new Antenna, or subscribe to cable or satellite? ITs because lobbyists convinced Bush and Congress that those industries needed a handout. So TV manufacturers got coupons (your tax money), TV stations got handouts to reconfigure their broadcast equpment (your tax money), TV Stations SOLD their existing frequencies back to the government (your tax money, and they sold your frequency rights which they paid pennies for in the 20's, 30' and 40's), while getting subsidies to "invent" new channels and technology (your tax money on frequencies that were abondoned by radio and TV decades ago because they are too weak to be received), and finally, subsidies to the cable and satellite companies (through your new purchase of service) because you can't get a decent signal over the airwaves.

If you need it, I can explain the $1.4 BILLION that Congress and Bush GAVE the oil companies during their periods of record earnings because they couldn't afford to explore for oil.

Yes Please do explain !!!!!!

So now you're complaining about his freakin' clothes?What are you,the fashion police?Maybe I just missed that part of the constitution that says the president may not dress like everyone else.I would be sad if I where you too.

SAD-1239501

I am going to paint my face black...

Oh, you won't like being black, you're too accustomed to white privilege. Being African American is for the brave and hardy.

Sad. Yes you are.

Sad is sadder than sad can be.

SAD

the beer and jeans worked for our last President over 500 times.......seems like a good idea.

come to the white house for a beer???? what the heck is that..I'll tell you what it is. A joke. I had more written, but I did not want to get blocked because I was telling the truth...we can't do that anymore!!!

Mr President..our young men and women are dying for you in foreign countries..innocent children are being abused by grown men...please notice the operative word innocent.. and your spending your time butting into this...you alone have done more to foster reverse discrimination than anyone else in history

please go back to being the president. Do you not have enough other stuff to do, is the world a safer place, are all the children in the world safer..just what is your job..if you wanted to be in race relations, then !!!...you will not get re-elected by my vote again. not with these actions, and I am black. and all you people who think this is the greatest thing since kool-aid...what are you doing to make the state safer this officer put his life on the line every day he went to work..and if he gets in the middle of the president and his long time friend....does the law only pertain to those who want to obey it...do you think the next white officer will be so willing to come to your aid in the future....this officer deserves our respect...not this garbage.

I agree with you.

Isn't it amazing,,the police are always wrong and the blacks are alway wronged....It would seem everyone other than blacks are racist according to maybe the president and this professor...so far according to the media...the only ones using the race card though was the professor and then the president..Its always easy to place blame on everyone else...why not just admit that blame is on both parties...not just one...the race card is used by all groups...anything for an excuse for poor judgement .

you're right!

It appears both parties were wrong. However, it's over now. I am just glad they are meeting. That's a good thing.

Law enforcement officers deserve respectful behavior from members of the public.

I may be going a little off-topic here but as much as I believe that Sgt. Crowley didn't do a thing wrong and certainly deserves a sincere apology making a broad comment such as this is a tad out of line. Although most officers do deserve respect every bunch has it's bad apples.

He has much more to gain than a free beer. Who wouldn't jump at the chance to go in the history books as the first cop to be invited to the White House for a beer? Furthermore, most of the nation is delighted to see a peaceful ending to a very touchy issue. Those who want to keep stirring troble are just haters and rabble rousers.

We also don't know how the officer reacted either. Both parties appeared to have overreacted in the situation. Just be glad they are meeting and stop complaining. I would think that since you are so concerned about Obama and Gates being a racist that you would be glad they are meeting and trying to resolve this.

I'm sure your a genius puck but your statement is stupid.

standingwave

yours is far more "stupid". you should remember you have to live your life with many different people. something gates, a supposed academic, failed to realize.

Read Sharky's post below.It's a far better answer than I could possibly give except to point out that presidents,academics and cops are all human and make mistakes.You might try giving each of them the benefit of the doubt sometime.You might even wish for that gift yourself one day.

I am no genius. But you ARE a moron standingwave. It is a good thing they tuned you properly or you would radiate out into space. Now stop acting 'stupidly' by supporting people who are acting 'stupidly'.

I agree.

Lin Nil: You are just another mindless, brain-washed Obama Zombie. Just drop it and return to your favorite stupid tv program now.

Waterdog49: You are just another mindless, brain-washed Limbaugh Zombie. Just drop it and return to your favorite stupid tv program now.

He admitted he could have "calibrated" his words better. That isn't an apology - just that he could have been wiser about how to put his opinion in about a perceived racial injustice without drawing so much interest.

sharky

when bush said those statements at least he stood by them. he did not have to "recaliber" his words. obama is a pansy puppet who had to be reset by his handlers when they determined his statement offended figures of authority. all the while trying to not offend a core base.

what a wuss.

aramgeddon

interesting how before Bush left office he said" they were poor choices of words"....6 years later.

what a wuss

obama just wants another chance to "reset" his view on race relations. obviously, most of america didn't like his initial read on the situation.

he's a bigot and has no excuse for it. his handlers failed him

Please get your facts straight.

I could not have said it any better myself! Thanks for your years of proud public service!

Thank you for writing!

denver4und, you are right on point! The officer did not demonstrate professionalism. That is especially egregious after being shown ID!

It's interesting that it was the officer who suggested getting together for a beer. IMO, he's trying to get 16 minutes of fame.

Thank you, denver, for your years behind the badge.

john is correct

please, get your facts straight. the issue is disorderly conduct. refusing to comply and being beligerent to a sworn officer of the law.

you claim to be a former policeman. during the clinton era the police were given expansive police powers. welcome to the 21st century of policing.

the police are not paid to be psychiatrist for someone to vent to. they are there to "protect and to serve". that includes if someone calls them to report you are breaking into your own house. it is their duty to gather the facts and make the appropriate judgement. it is a person's duty, as law abiding citizens, to help them in this endeavor. it is not the right of a citizen to intefere in their duty.

gates became beligerent. he chose to be hostile. he chose to not cooperate. the facts support this.

officers face danger every time they go on duty. they should not be expected to put up with ego stroking assh0les

arm...I believe you described yourself perfectly in your last sentence

wow. how long did it take your feeble mind to come up with that?

i bet you love the smell of your own sh!t on your lips after a night of self-teabagging.

assh0le

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

denver4und - as a former cop, you should be better able to read and comprehend the facts of a case. Arrive on scene to find 60 year old struggling with a door in which he has a key. When the officer arrived on the scene, the professor was inside. He refused to answer the door. His first ID was a Harvard ID (which only establishes he has some association with the school - not residence there).

If you read - Advice that would be well served

the DA (I was one of those too) - it is becoming more obvious why you used the past tense when referring to your career fields. Trying to argue undisputed points would make for a short tenure in either one - where cases hinge on disputed points. Let's hope your new career doesn't require in-depth comprehension.

What an ingrate! Gates should have thanked Crowley and invited him for coffee, then thanked his neighbor for looking out for the 'hood.

WOW denver4, you were a cop and you have so gotten your FACTS wrong?!

Crowley arrived with Gates already INSIDE the house.

Crowley asked for ID, which Gates refused to provide at first. The Harvard ID Gates finally gave DOES NOT HAVE A PHOTO!

Crowley then had to call Harvard security to verify his affiliation and called for Harvard police to arrive- professional police conduct.

Crowley asked Gates if there was someone else in the house (report of two black males), to which Gates replied, "None of your business". Sound cooperative to you?

Crowley was leaving the house, with Gates yelling insults and "your mamma" comments.

Gates was arrested for disorderly conduct, not breaking and entering.

I'm really surprised at you, perhaps that's why you are a former cop?

But the USA economy isn't down the drain. It actually rebounded in March of 09. Thanks to the corporate welfare dished out late in 08 and early 09, we're actually climbing out of this mess. No thanks to Rove/Cheney admin for bringing our economy down in flames.

This is something we're going to be hearing from the right for a long time. Obama did inherit a screwed up economy, way worse than what Reagan inherited. That absolutely is non-sequitur and has nothing however to do with this argument. Way to try to tie the two together Frank Bus.

LOL

Walt, I think the point is that you shouldn't be treated badly by the police. But Bush's politics of hate works, you now accuse another victim to take your mind off the way you are treated, focused on anything except the problem, which is police power gone nuts abusing both you and the prof.

>>>>>>

Even if it did cost that, which is doubtful..(how'd you come up with that figure?)...it would be money well spent to get the national attention on something more important.

The something important being that black people are ridiculous in crying racism at the drop of a hat? Yes, I agree with you if that's what you mean. Otherwise nothing is worth it. And I arrived at that price because of oh, the price of massive security involved in someone visiting the president, etc. And add to that the fact the government pays 500x the retail price for most everything.

Fred: The only whites I know who voted for Obama are total leftist scum.

Classy guy Waterdog49.

homebrewer: no offense to your respectable line of work, but in the WH it will be orange-flavored kool aid. Lin Nil drinks it hourly, so there must be something to it.

He or she seems quite happy in their totally ignorant bliss.

The Kool-aid thing is so old. Is '49' your birth year?

I'm thinking IQ.

For real! Maybe after the three of them knock back a few brews, they'll go doorbell-ditch that bee.otch.

Yes, that reminds me of that old nosey women on the old series "Bewiitched", always peeking through the curtains.

Remember Gladys! Don't we all have neighbors like her? Those aren't even the worst ones either!

And I don't think racism has a thing to do with an arrogant, out-of-sorts, pompous academic who was hurling the words he knew best. If he had not been African-American and continued that kind of behaviour towards law enforcement - do you really think the result would have been different?

I don't because - racism hasn't a thing to do with reactionary people like that. If all the law enforcement personnel on the scene were black - I would just guess he would have reacted in the same cranky manner, but wouldn't have had a chance to use his ongoing rhetoric.

I hope Sgt. Crowley turns down the invite which Gates is turning into his personal podium to lecture. What a maroon, as Bugs Bunny used to say.

I'm an Obama supporter and will continue to be - I think he was just a little confused when he spoke.