this nimrod found the policeman being supported by a multi-racial majority, and figures his best avenue is to fade quietly into the darkness. i hope that crowley has the stones to demand an apology from both him AND obama rama ding dong

Bopdaddy,

You dont have to be black to suffer oppression.

The little ***** is afraid the police are going to make public the tapes of him screaming like the ***** he is.

Gates wishes to move on......to a book deal, possible a movie or a position as Whitey Oppression Czar in the Obama administration.

I agree, though, it is time to move. Dinosaurs like Jackson, Sharpton, Wright and Gates are only holding back race relations in America. Nor did Obama's racist remarks about the police help matters.

Obama and beer= idoit

Obama and Sprite = idiot

Obama and Gates and beer = two idiots

LOL will you be screaming racism when the cops come to your door and pull out an intruder when you were on vacation? This D Bag proffesor screwed up big time and they want to make it look like the cop was the bad guy. Sorry Carl, But this professor acted disorderly and went to jail for it. Then blamed it on Racism instead of his own stupidity. Then Baracks dumb ass made himself look stupid, and neither of these morons will offer an apology. Fine I'll issue one for them.

"I Barack Obama was wrong when I said the Cambridge Police Dept. Acted Stupidly. I WAS THE ONE THAT ACTED STUPIDLY. I REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT JUST BECAUSE MY FRIEND WAS ARRESTED, THAT HE COULD HAVE ACTED SO BLATANTLY RASCIST HIMSELF. HIS CAREER AS A PROFESSOR NEEDS TO BE RE EVALUATED. ONCE AGAIN I'M SORRY FOR MY STUPID ACTIONS AS WELL AS MY COMPADRES. THE CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPT. DID EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO. THIS ISN'T ABOUT RASCISM BY THE COPS, BUT RASCISM BY MYSELF THE POS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MY FRIEND, MR. "HYSTERICS TEACHING YOUR KIDS AT AN IVY LEAGUE TO HATE THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY'RE WHITE" GATES.

Yes, it is time to move on.

Next step…… Impeach Obama.

Racism is alive and well in America, but what everyone has to understand is that racism itself is color blind. The problem I have as a white man and a lifetime liberal trying to make sense out of this is that when I hear the accounts, I am scratching my head thinking that if I acted like that I'd be arrested to. As much as I try, I can’t see racism here, at least not on the officer’s part.

Gates seems to be eating up the attention and people will and do question whether this was staged. It does a disservice to those people who really do suffer oppression and undermines those with legitimate cases of racism. It gives the right ammunition against the left and it moves our country in the wrong direction.

He wants to move on because he realizes he was wrong. Its funny that the man he thought he could cry this racism bull about was actually a product of the racial injustices that this country has been trying to grow out of. The majority of us "white devils" as were so kindly called want to move beyond this issue. I being a white male would like for the playing field to be level. Why should anyone be given a leg up because of the race? Why don't we all try our hardest to achieve the highest level we can gain in this country. Not everyone is qualified to be doctors-remember the world needs ditch diggers also. Until this nation stops giving in to this "black thing" we will continue to have people with lower standards.

I agree, though, it is time to move. Dinosaurs like Jackson, Sharpton, Wright and Gates are only holding back race relations in America.

It (racism, real or perceived) is how they make a living. It is in their personal interest to beat the froth; no matter how much it hurts society as a whole.

Nice to see hate is alive and well in all of us. After all somebody has to be wrong, it's either the officer, the professor and of course the President. Go ahead and pick one so you can be right.

People suck.

How big of the elitist Prof to concede now that he has managed to make a ass out of himself and the once conservative school called Harvard. It's a matter of who you picked on and how you did it and this smug little racial therorist managed to all that wrong and got a wake up he did not expect.

For officer Crowley, according to witnesses and reports you tried to give this loud mouthed head case a break and he was to dumb to take it.

So he wants to move on huh? He goes on CNN initially and starts the whole firestorm, it starts to back-fire and now he wishes to move on?

Since the issue of race is now stoked again, let's review what perpetuates it......in one of my previous posts on the matter:

This is really simple folks....I mean this with all due respect. If black Americans really want to end all discrimination forever, they will take a stand.

The real issue is deciding one question. Do you want equal rights or not?

If you do, you can't continue demanding / supporting:

1) Preferential hiring

2) Minority contract provisions

3) Special college admission practices

4) United Negro College Fund (shouldn't everyone be entitled?)

5) NAACP

6) Miss Black America (can't black women compete in Miss America? Sure they can)

7) BET (Should there really be a special channel?)

8) ACORN

9) ACLU

10) Black Congressional Caucus

11) etc, etc.

The point is, black Americans can't have it both ways. This can and should be ended once and for all. You must decide, the decision is totally yours.

DO YOU WANT EQUAL RIGHTS OR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT?

You can't have it both ways.......You decide !!!!

Cheers

A lot of people don't understand that as long as they are in denial that this had nothing to do with profiling or was motivated by a race issue this will continue to fester, the officer was doing his job it's that simple, some people think just because he was black and the officer was white there was some kind of sinister motive involved, I have no doubts that there racial issues in our country and racial profiling but that's not the issue here, I agree that both sides need to try and work on equality for all but to point fingers in this situation was not fair to the officer, he was just doing his job,it's just to bad that Mr. Gates took offense, and until people can truly see it as what is was this issue will continue unresolved, Mr. Gates made a mistake by not cooperating and should just MAN up and admit it then this matter can be put to rest and people can then make that effort to address the problems of profiling and race issues.

I'd love to see the phone records between the Attorney General, Holder's office and the entity that dropped the charge on the fine Mr. Gates.

I wouldn't at all be surprised the charge was dropped after another "strong-arming" by the current administration which seems to be the M.O. on too many fronts.

it doesnt matter if you are the harvard professor or the drunk living in the whirlpool box, blacks still think they are entitled for the wrong their ancestors suffered by the white man during the slave era. why dont you ever hear anything about the africans that sold them in the first place? its not uncommon knowledge that they soon to be american slaves wanted to get out of africa because of the way they were treated by their own race.

So three people who made the news because of their lack of good judgment, are going to get together for a beer? BAR FIGHT!

Seriously, Obama is compounding his mistake by dragging this out. He should have simply apologized for publicly jumping to conclusions and let it go.

high road raised an interesting point earlier; if Gates is so lilly white (pardon the pun), why aren't he and the president pressing to make any film of the incident public for the public to judge? Are there any reports anywhere that such a film exists?

This should be a lesson for Obama and Gates. The police officer was just doing his job.

I wonder if they are going to release the video. Probably not because Gates was at fault. I'm glad the police officer asked for Gates ID. If only Gates would have produced his ID when first asked then none of this would have happened.

Smart_Voter-874902

You're 100% right Equal mean Equal can't have your cake and eat it too.

Interesting, this incident was totally about Gates and now he says it isn't. It appears cooler heads have prevailed...or is it because both he and Obama have been embarrassed by their poor decision making, lack of judgement and jump to conclusion attitudes. The Gates-Obama phone call was probably one for the ages. Gates thinking this is TV special or movie material and Obama wishing the whole thing just go away. I see Gates in some newly created Czar position very soon...like the nations Race Relations Czar or perhaps a special envoy to some obscure country with white sand beaches and swaying palms. You know Gates agreeing to shut his flapper didn't come without a price. Stay tuned.

So now we can move on. Yesterday the union representing the officer said they wanted the tapes from the dipsatch released, and today he wants to move on.

I say release the tapes. Let the record show! Don't let this guy get away with being a racist S.O.B. Let the information out sothat Harvard has to explain why they continue to employ a racist. If he were White, the outcry would be so horrendous that Harvard would be attempting to FIRE someone who most likely has Tenure and cannot be fired easily. There would be demosntrations, Al Sharpton would be holding press conferences, and the "public" would be demanding blood.

But since it's the other way around, no one is camping out. No one is holding press conferences in support of the victim. No public outcry that fills the air waves on a constant basis. No calls for termintation of the Racist. And last but not least, The President of the United States wants to sit down and have a beer with the Racist (Friend) and the victim. Can anyone say double standard?

i think they should keep the charges in tact. just because pres. nobama the clown knows him does not make it ok. by the sounds of it, the professor like some other black people i have met, scream racist every time you thing something negatve about them. listen to those same people behind closed doors, see that they are usually so racist they stink of it. yes, i speak from actually knowing a few people like that, so don't go crying i'm a racist, be wasteing your breath, or blog space...lol

Of course, Prof. Gates and President Obama are oozing contriteness now, because they are the ones in the wrong and they know it. Officer Crowley has expressed regret that the incident happened, but he is apologizing for nothing, not trying to deflect attention by saying "it's not about me", because Crowley has done nothing improper.

Obama says he could have "calibrated his words differently". Such eloquence. Please, does anybody know what that means? That is as Clintonesque as it gets.

Americans, do you really want a neophyte, racist, wordsmithing president negotiating with the North Koreans, the Palestinians, the Iranians, the Russians, the Pakistanis, the Cubans, the Syrians, et.al.? Clearly, the flummoxed, dumb, illiterate, pointy-headed, yahoo President No. 43 from Texas was a superior leader, a non-apologist for America's strength, a guardian of our ideals and a man who knew when to keep his mouth shut. No. 44 is a politician and his skills end there.

He has also managed to sweet talk and sugar coat his racist,elitist,socialist agenda past the media and the majority of the American voters.

Smart_Voter-874902

No truer words have been said that those found here: #1.15.

Excellent post!

+1

Nope, I think they should release all the tape about this incident so everyone can see what a moron gates is and what a bigger moron his president is.

A fine post #1.1

No. This isn't going to go away so easily Mr. Gates, and Mr. Obama. YOU BOTH have apologies to make to Officer Crowley, and to the nation's police at large.

Sitting and looking smug won't play.

In the so-called Grand Scheme, Blacks have advanced far faster than whites (wiggers excluded).

Not all whites are Catholics, Jews, Italian/American, Irish/American, Episcopalians. And, some are not wiggers.

I know, what's my point? My point is: you can extrapolate.

No joke: I hope that cop uses the beer opportunity to arrest both Obama and Gates as they both belong behind bars for their criminal activity!

Thank You gates, you are responsible for BHO to BLOW his Wed HOUR of Fame pushing his Health Care CHANGE, and you were also instrimental in causing BHO to show his TRUE colors.

BHO popularity is NOW in double digit NEGATE territory. Thanks!!!!!!!!

Here's what we have learned. If you are black or latino you can be racist and pretty much be the victim all the time and get a pass. If you are white, you get no benefit of the doubt and will always be racist and in the wrong. There will never be equality with negro racists playing the card and stirring up @!$%#.

Michael, that is a truly strange post. What exactly is it that you're trying to say?

What a waste of time spent on this issue when there is news like LeAnn Rimes and her husband splitting. I feel for both. Apparently she was seen sucking some guys finger at LAX last week. Never know where fingers have been.

Michael: I know you can extrapolate but if you do you get in trouble; especially as a wigger

This should have never been an issue from day one. It was a local problem and that's how it should have been handled; but, thank the press for jumping all over it and Obama for throwing his 2 cents in and it's an national item. It's called "blowing things out of proportion". I think the public will hang on to this one for awhile.

Like Rev. Wright and Bill Ayres, Gates wants to "move on." To quote Mr. Berra, "I'm having deja vous all over again." We've been here before, haven't we? When are you Obama Zombies going to wake up about this guy? Take a look at the company he keeps. When his associations with avowed radicals and racists become public issues, we are forced to "move on" as if nothing ever happened. And the biased, leftist media cooperates every time. I feel that I'm living Orwell's "1984". It's just arrived 25 years late.

The stupid A S S still thinks he was in the right. HE was the problem. The police do not owe him an apology for ANYTHING regarding his arrest for disorderly conduct. They should keep the charges up until HE APOLOGIZES TO THEM. He is the only one who acted improperly.

Yes, this was a "teaching moment" alright.

I learned that Obama isn't a very good public speaker (I thought this was one of his best qualities) as he is willing to ramble on and on about an issue which had nothing to do with the conference.

I do understand that Obama can't and won't apologize because he probably still doesn't have all the facts, and besides, Obama may have indeed been correct! I don't know, I wasn't there, I don't have all the facts.

Obama, just do your job and keep your personal feelings about your friends to yourself.

What a POS Gates is. This egotistical ill-mannered "professor" has himself demonstrated that HE is a racist. This guy should lose his tenure and be prohibited from teaching our youth.

Not to be outdone, Obama has ALSO shown his racist colors (pun intended). The only thing "transparent" about him is his massive ego.

isn't that the idea of democracy? the people make the rules? those who, like the bulk of those declaiming the professor for not just 'playing nice and rolling with the punches', trade liberty (the right to be secure in their homes) for a bit of temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety

I'm beginning to sense a theme here- first Pelosi, let's move on, and I won't answer any more questions about the CIA and now Gates - let's move on and I won't answer any more questions about he police. New play from the democrats play book. Lets make accusations, find out we were wrong and then time to move on.

He should move on, away from teaching the youth of America. He's a disgrace and so is the President for jumping to a conclusion without having the facts.

Gates needs to get that chip off his shoulder and get on with life. just because he is black he doesn't need to be a jerk. There were TWO officers there, one white and one BLACK. Gates is a RACIST, just like OBAMA. Did you get a chance to look at wife Michelle's masters thesis (received throuth affirmative action, a racist program) and her intense hatred for whites and our country (not hers, and have we ever seen Baracks real birth certificate??)

As long as there are Jeremiah Wrights and Al Sharptons to foster this racist attitude, there will be problems; too bad Obama didn't reread his speeck on race before staging the news conference. Ir is it one of Barry the magicians illusions to stick it to us with a health-care 'reform' when we are looking elsewhere?

Since Gates makes his living by race-baiting and playing the victim, it follows that if he had any case whatsoever to fling at the Cambridge PD, he wouldn't be backing down.

Why would Gates stand-down? A lawsuit against Crowley and the PD would force out into open court the playing of the audio tape Crowley recorded during the incident that would not make Gates a very appealing figure, according to the Boston Herald.

Gates probably figures that it is better to be thought an idiot than to leave no doubt at all of that fact, should the tape be produced and played in court proceedings.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 29% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -11.

Sounds like the fallout from this incident, combined with other agenda items for Obama has turned into a real drag for the Administration. Obama's approval rating among voters is now at 49%, and his disapproval is at 51%. When Congress comes back from vacation, I suspect Obama's agenda on cap and trade and health care reform will be in real trouble.

It is not a teaching moment as he and our lord thy Obama states, all blacks already know if they yell racism, they get what they want. The media just loves playing up to this racism bulls**t, problem is that most of the time it is against whites!!!

Did anyone sence a little Rev. Wright race issue in Obamas comment the other night??

Crowley should refuse that beer until Gates apologizes first and admits that this had nothing to do with racism on the part of Crowley. Gates is still pushing the racism thing even though now he is doing it as a martyr for the black cause don't you know. Crowley should say apologize first and then we will have that beer.

So here's what happened. Obama didn't have a way out - he acted foolishly and was caught. So he places a call to Gates and suggests he back down and allow Obama to get out of the spotlight...

Don't forget Obama pre-judged Sgt Crowley without the facts and that folks is prejudice...

No question about it, if you are whitey obama is out to get you (destroy you) with taxation or any other means. !

"GATES FOUND TO BE RACIST!" News at 11:00pm. I agree with someone above. How can we have equality when we have "skin color" functions (beauty pagents), scholarships, magazines etc. It is reinforcing a seperation in cultures when there really isn't one. If there was a magazine written specifically for "White Folks"...they would be racist in a hot second...JUST TELL ME I'M WRONG.

I actually lost respect for Mr. Obama and his comments, unfortunately he is not a universal as I thought. I'm starting to think twice. Too much attention is being given to this issue of a hot headed man who's pride got him in trouble with the law ( color had nothing to do with it!).

this must be the transparency obama was talking about on the campaign trail last year-it's crystal clear that his "recalibration"of his prior position is due to the negative feedback he's gotten since his ignorant comment on the cambridge police department.

he also seemed to have reigned in the belligerent professor gates as well.his weeklong inflammatory media tour appears to be over as well.

acting without thinking is surely something both obama and gates should take as their primary lesson from this fiasco they both created.

slowclimber

Obama has ALSO shown his racist colors

I thought Obama clearly showed "his racist colors" in March, when he held a press award ceremony in the White House & declared that only Blacks would be allowed to attend - no Whites were allowed. Of course, he did say everyone could read about what had transpired during that closed ceremony - since the Black newspapers would be covering the event. I've been looking for the follow-up articles, supposedly allowed to be written up in Black newspapers - in the last 4 months, I haven't found anything online. That leads me to suspect it was full of anti-White comments - why else would it remain secretive? Has anyone else read those articles telling what happened during the 'no Whites allowed' White House ceremony/reception?

The more I read about Crowley, the more he impresses me as being someone who has done way more than his share to improve race relations. He should be given a medal, instead of a 'slap in the face' by a racist president and yet another of Obama's race-baiting White-hating friends. While I don't think Crowley will apologize for not giving Gates a free pass for his asinine actions just because he's Black, I do think he will try to help Obama by going to the White House 'for a beer' - after all, Crowley seems to be the type of fellow that would do whatever he could, within reason, to help the president defuse the anger in our country over this.

All Gates had to do was show the officer his drivers license when asked, proving that he was the resident in that house and not one of two possible intruders, as had been reported by the neighbor. The cop had no way of knowing if Gates was (or was not) the intruder and was required to verify that Gates lived there by verifying the adderss on Gates' drivers license. The situation would have ended quickly and quietly if Gates would have simply shown the cop his license. Gates brought all this drama on himself.

Gates is a complete whiny, cry baby, arrogant, pompous, self-righteous .... JERK. And don't even get me started on Obummer and how he responded to the situation ... lol!

I agree, let's move on but that won't happen anytime soon. Not until the book deal, movie, and numerous speaking engagements have all been exhausted.

"in the end, this is not about me at all."

Baloney, this was, is, and will always be about you Professor Gates. This is how it should have happened.

Professor Gates: "Can I help you officer?"

Officer Crowley: "We received a report of a possible burglary at this address. Are you the homeowner?"

Professor Gates: "Yes Officer, I'm the owner."

Officer Crowley: "May I see some sort of identification?"

Professor Gates: "Of Course, let me go get it. Whoever called in probably saw me and my driver trying to force open the front door. It sticks now and then."

Officer Crowley: "Well everything seems to be in order Professor Gates. Do you mind if I come in and look around?"

Professor Crowley: "Of course Officer, please come in."

Officer Crowley: "Everything looks fine to me Professor Crowley, have a nice day."

Professor Crowley: "Thank you Officer, you too."

Gates has the audacity to think because he's black that he can rise above the authority when their trying to protect society by doing their job. If that happened to me or any other common person of other than colored, without a title from going to school and knowing someone in the white house of same color; we mouthed off to police officials and we would get hauled off in a minute with no publicity what so ever. So, I ask what makes this person so important to make the headlines. Guess what it's who you know and the true colors come out when people get in trouble and they want to be the exception and start pointing fingers because they always want something for nothing. Even in today's society they're still trying to collect something for their ancestors being slaves even though it didn't involve them. I guess they didn't do their research very well, because back then the slaves were paid with land and mule, but yet they still looking for a handout.

What everyone on here is doing is the same thing President Obama did and that is judging without the whole story from both sides. You are all starting to sound really stupid with my guy over your guy stories. President Obama is a lawyer and really should know not to make statements without all the facts. Now you all know this would be on page 5 of the local newspaper (and ignored by both sides) if the President hadn't made a comment, so unless you were an eye witness from beginning to end, don't judge. If it goes any further then the facts will come out and then you can decide at that time. Good gravy, stop the 3rd grade school ground arguments of my guy is better than your guy, etc.

OK, you made a funny.........smile!!! Will you make it into a movie?

Time to move on? It absolutely IS time to move on. It's time to move on and away from an insignificant event that never should have gained so much attention. I believe it was NOT race related and it's disgusting how it's being used as a springboard to accuse a respectable police officer who was simply doing his job of racial profiling.

The real racist here is Gates, who instead of cooperating with an officer and thanking him for doing his job and coming to protect his property, became beligerant and immediately assumed the policeman's request for identification was based on race. It couldn't possibly have been because a neighbor saw someone breaking into the apartment and called the police after witnessing what appeared to be a crime.

It's 'crying wolf' like this that diminishes the outrage over the prejudice that occurs every day. It's not just based on skin color, either. Much of the prejudice Americans have to deal with include sexual orientation, weight, and age (particularly being elderly). This officer acted as he was supposed to to protect the community. Whether Gates was black, white, or any other race, the officer would have asked him for his ID to prove he lived at the address that appeared to be broken into.

I truly hope what comes out of this is an awareness that the pendulum of prejudice is swinging back, and is now heading away from the center of equality and is about to swing to the other side. The days of 'white' and 'colored' fountains are over, but now what is happening is officers may be afraid of doing their job for fear of being labeled as racists. It's all racism in the end.

A good example of how sentence structure can change meaning. The last sentence of the first paragraph should read:

I believe it was NOT race related and it's disgusting how it's being used as a springboard to accuse a respectable police officer of racial profiling, who was simply doing his job.

I totally agree with quite a few of the other comments previously posted. Gates went on for days screaming about racism, lawsuits, and so on. Now, he says "Just move on"? I don't think so, jerkweed!

Gates knows about the tapes; he knows that he LIED when he accused Crowley of falsifying the police report; and, he knows if those tapes are released, everyone will see him for the race-baiting bigot he truly is.

Release the tapes and let's really see who acted stupidly!

How about we all move on from racists like Gates, Jackson, Sharpton, Obama, and most of the democratic party? That will be the only way we can get past all of the race-baiting, race-card pulling, politically correct racists crap! Ignore the lot of them, and we can finally be done with it.

On a side note: Does anyone know that W.E.B Dubois is Gates' hero. Although Dubois was a well accomplished scholar, he was also a known COMMUNIST! So, Gates is a good friend of Obama? Go figure. Does Obama have any friends who aren't communists, or socialists? Oh, wait...I forgot about Bill Ayers...he's just a murdering terrorist!

This story is not even newsworthy! It's only still in the news because of obama. Who called the cops stupid? obama is not a leader of all races.

Obama simply let his true motives and racist beliefs he learned from 20 years of attending the racist, hateful, Rev. Wright's church ooze out. He couldn't help it.

This is who he is folks!!!

cart

What department? Do you really think he will do that? Wasn't the policeman doing his job? Was Gates trying to prove a point and it all blew up in his face? So many questions and I don't have a clue.

Yeah, if I yell at a policeman........."DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM"? He will say,"You was free, now you are just under arrest".LOL

It would seem that the only race notation was made by Gates. Can we believe that he will ever move on? Can we believe that he will not do the same thing again, soon! In the pictures, there were several Officers of Color. Why didn't Gates single them out also? Lots of questions, few answers but one thing is true - Gates is the problem.

Obama and beer= idoit

High Road - What is an idoit?

This is America, yes, Henry Louis Gates, along with the rest of the people make the rules. Not the police. We spent a generation defeating the Soviet Union in the Cold War, where the police made the rules. One of our rules is the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which says that the police or any other law enforcement officer can conduct only legal searches, as detailed in that amendment.

During the campaign when Rev. Wright's video was seen, what bothered me was not the video but the fact that Obama kept going to that church again and again. Me, once would be enough. No need for me to go back a second time having walked out on the first. First, it was Rev. Wright. Now, Gates. One has to wonder what kind of buddies the Prez keeps? I didn't vote for the man. I wonder now how many that did are scratchin' their head some now? We'll see?

He should!!!

Thank you 1.15, if I may add to your list. 17. stopcalling your self's african-americans, americans works for the rest of us. 18. Obama, I still respect you but you are not even the first african-american president, you are the first mixed race american president to be correct about all this. Your mother is white and on top of that you were raised ALL your life by your White family.By discounting that part of your life is to slap in the face to your mother and grand parents, Barry. We need to have a color blind society. Affirmative actions have hurt successful blacks (if I may use that phrase) by being stereo typed as being where you are only due to being given the position. Listen to Bill Crosby. He is telling the truth. And the truth will bring you the real eqality you all seek.

His doors of opportunity have always opened due to looking like a black man.

True American, you don't want to afford Mr. Gates the chance to move on after a one day altercation , but you don't have a problem telling black people to "move on" after 400 years of oppression. The way I see it, white people want their cake and eat it to. Many seem to want equality for all without a price. There is no cut and dry answer to ending racsim, there is no "instant"

termination of the feelings and desires of those who have been wronged. That being said, whatever injustices we all suffer reaching equality for all is "par for the course."

you don't want to afford Mr. Gates the chance to move on after a one day altercation

Wrong! I don't want to let another race-baiting liar to throw around phony charges of racism, then flippantly say, "Let's just move on". The crux of the problem with Gates is this: He's done this crap a number of times in the past. So, why should we who call ourselves AMERICANS, not (insert race here)-Americans, let every one of these race-baiting sh!theads (i.e. Jackson, Sharpton, and now Gates) get away with it anymore?

Oh, and by the way, the Civil War was a pretty heavy price!

400 years of oppression?

Every race of people has had their run in with slavery or being oppressed. I understand our countries history and our immoral past of slavery. I also understand the harm that discrimination has caused by keeping black people out of the game. Our country has tried to rectify this in many ways for many years. In what other place on the planet would the majority -white people- agree to allow blacks to have first crack at jobs or college's above other whites with the same or better credentials. The issue now is how long does this need to go on - forever?

Before you go off on white people and blame them for everything. How about this - how about the black man gets a job, marries his babies mommy and helps raise his children as a father figure and husband. This is the main issue facing the black's in our society. Do not blame this on the white man.

Lastly, the whole immancipation thing - cost a lot of white men their lives. So please do not heap us all into the evil racists empire camp.

wq-I don't know where you are living but there are many black men taking care of their kids and family. Also, check the stats, there are more white dead beat dads than black. but my point is this. Racsim makes no sense for anybody. I think blacks and whites need to stop defining themselves according to what others think of us or them. Yes Gates is rascist and probably will always be, but no matter who is what in this case it does not change history. Yes every race of people has dealth with some form of slavery, but you will find it difficult find a group who has suffered chatel slavery and ownership of another human being for such a long time. Anyway, I really don't care about racsim anymore. You and me and all the civil rights nuts (Jesse, Al and so forth) have all had our day.

Nice fiction. And it's people like you who keep racism alive, don't try to blame it on someone else.

Chris,

Just because it doesn't support your bigotry doesn't mean it's fiction.

If whites were to list all the crimes committed against them by black criminals it would be astounding. And the majority of crimes against blacks are committed by blacks. Whitey has little to gain by oppressing blacks. The fact that blacks prefer to be called african-americans says a lot, why not join the rest of the nation and be americans. Self imposed segregation is racism too.

Chris

huh? so if someone says they don't like to be discriminated against, but they are white, they are a bigot? um,......What?

I'm in the same boat Debbie. I married a black man and now that I've been in an interacial marriage for 10 years, i'm starting to see that racism is really being kept alive by the Al sharptons and Gates type of characters. My husband see's it as well. Clearly america is moving on. They even voted in Obama. But it's not in the best interest of the NAACP and the Al sharptons of the world to admit that. I'm also realizing that race is constantly perpetuated by liberals to piss people off. It's very sad.

Harvard tends to build elitism. It is only a natural course of events. Via achievement, which is measured by other elites, SOME are chosen.

The hierarchy...

The caste system...

Economic development...

Class...

Metropolitan...

Corporatism...

Affirmative Action! Which is garbage.

Nice fiction. And it's people like you who keep racism alive, don't try to blame it on someone else.

but I doubt that chris will ever defend his position, it's so much easier to scream "racism"

but chris is sure good at "racial profiling" himself.

you see people, in chris harris's world, if a black man acts like a jerk, and a white person complains, then the white person is discriminating against the black man.

it's really simple, GATES made a fool of himself because he "knew his rights". yet if the person trying to force the door to Gates's house HAD been a burglar, and refused to produce ID , claiming that "he was being profiled", and "it was just because he was a black man in white america", etc. (BS), etc(BS), etc(BS). . and if the cops had left it alone, then Gates (and chris) would be yelling that "the police won't give equal protection to black people", because they let the burglar go. once a burglar is inside, all he would have to do is claim to be the legal resident. tellme chris, (and all those others that scream racism) without iD, how would the cop know that the person is the legal resident?

your statement Debbie, is just full of non-truthes. Why do you insist on them?

As a show of good faith, I'm going to list a few examples of Black racism, which I've encountered in my sheltered life and which I think are abominable. I have a charicature of MLK grieving such incidents on my desk. I just think it's more appropriate for us to clean up "our" side of the street than to carry hatred for all Blacks, who I'm sure have experienced worse -- as well as have many Whites and everyone else.

The most painful was accomplished without a word by a Black woman checking me out of a large home improvement store. She sported elaborate fingernails painted in the French style, but with black polish replacing what is ordinarily done with white. I was alone, and had a few hardware items for some repairs to my sister's home. The glare from her eyes was something I'll never forget. Absolutely contrived hatred of the most intense sort. I mean I was a visitor to her town from 2,000 miles away, and she determined to victimize me with her glare.

My sister's 6-3 16 year old son could shoot 100 baskets in a row from any place I designated on the court. At his public high school (in GA), the black kids would never pass him the ball to shoot. They wanted their friends on the team, and he was too much competition for them. ugly. I had to explain somethings to him, apologizing for a few spoiled brats and thugs.

I couldn't seem to explain the brand of cigarettes to another Black store clerk, until it became apparent that she was merely playing dumb in an effort to exercise her whatever alien thing it was.

There are lots more. But these are not attributes of Black people, rather people of the same sort who declare Prof. Gates to be a nobody seeking his 15 minutes of fame, etc.

Until we become American enough, on both sides -- all sides, to be concerned about these trivial exercises of racism, and to try to understand and be sensitive to what offends in a simple desire to be polite, we're going to forever be caught up in uproars and problems of this sort. I see no effort by many posters here, nor by CPD, Crowley, or his Union (I'm a big union guy) to that end and I thus oppose them for not being mindful of their side of the street. I am delighted that Obama is big enough to try to get out of this destructive need to be right. I hope more people will follow.

Now, if Newsvine will post this instead of telling me that I must enter something in the comment section before they will post it.

I've experienced this hatred from blacks at stores. They are all nice and chatty to the black customers in front of you, but when you get up there, nothing but grunts, or not a word. They will ring up your stuff then stand there with their arms folded, not telling you how much it is. I just wait. I also wait for a thank you.

bob, sounds like you ran into that bug "please post comment" right after you wrote out a long comment. the only way out is to leave the thread completely.

I will say one thing though. I can understand gates being upset after being unable to get in to his house from the front door after a long trip. then the cops show up. I would have been annoyed too, but would have promptly showed my ID to the cops. even though, that by "right" I don't "have" to show them anything, or even open the door.

I feel sorry for those who have had problems with White/Black relations. What puzzles me is that most of our families who have been in this country for the past few hundred years are probably related in some way. Bush and Obama are both my cousins (even though I am not too happy with either person's policies) - how many others are related to them in some way? Probably more than you realize.

I live in a small town in Washington State. We don't have noticeable problems like that. We don't have Black gangs, nor Black neighborhoods. An inter-racial couple can even walk down the street without anyone commenting in a negative manner, unlike some places in which I've lived. We (Blacks/Whites) are pretty much united against the steadily increasing numbers of Hispanic/Latino gangs, which might be the reason we have such good relations between us here.

I have lived in areas where this wasn't so, and have experienced some problems similar to those referenced above. I noticed a lot of prejudice in Portland, Oregon, and many Black store clerks there who did display hatred toward White customers - but also many White store clerks who treated their Black customers with disdain.

During the busing riots in Boston, I lived in a very prejudiced neighborhood (I think the address was 471 Mass. Ave). My husband and I were the only Whites in the entire neighborhood. I learned what it was like to be hated simply for my skin color. It was almost impossible to even find a person who would rent to a non-Black. It was horrible to walk down the street and be glared at/verbally accosted by the Blacks. In order to get groceries, we had to drive to a different neighborhood, since most clerks didn't want to wait on a White person. I vowed during that time that I would never be friends with anyone who was prejudiced against a person simply over the color of their skin. And I've kept that promise.

And I don't dislike Gates because he's Black - I don't like him because he's a racist and a typical far-leftist professor who thinks he's above the law.

Thankyou graphicnovel. It's sure nice to hear from you.

Ditto danwill. It really irks me though that I have to rewrite the whole thing. I've resorted to c&p in a different location, but NV seems to routinely delete them when I try to put them back on.

I'm sure both have had second thoughts about their roles in this fiasco. I'm absolutely sure that Gates was not at his best, and that both felt unimpeachable and sensitive about their perspectives on racism. I don't think they are really all that different, and that there's a lot of symbolic posturing going on. But, the perponderance of the comments here have been soooo awful. I'd be fried if I thought they reflected a majority position, but once one has convinced themself that they are right -- well, that's another story. I think that Obama is to be admired for backing off that position, and that those characterising that as a sign of weakness are wrong. So I have the same problem -- except (hee-hee) I'm right.

Anyway, nice to hear from you

The only thing to learn from this incident is that "black racism" is alive and worse than ever. The only thing Gates seems to be a scholar of is "hate whitey" philosophy. The only good that can come from a meeting with Gates and his fellow racist is if they offer a public apology. Otherwise this is nothing but an attempt for our racist president to get some kind of positive media coverage from his devoted left wing media followers who will no doubt look for a positive way to spin this. But the truth is out... Obama, Gates, Sotomayor, and rev wright are all birds of the same racist feather.

YEAH pat- you were there inside the house and heard the interaction between the two of them--like a fly on the wall-- please

Yeah its not about the fact that AT SOME POINT- the SGT knew the house he was at which is private property was mr gates legal residence--

And at that point the SGTs presence inside the house for a legal purpose had ended--

The SGT did not immediately leave the home-- PER HIS REPORT-- he indicated the heated exchange went out of the rooms in the home into the public viewable area of the porch--

The SGT should have continued to walk and get in his squad and let the old man rant--

The SGT made it appear to be a racist motive when his action of Arresting mr Gates occurred after they reached the porch--

which the D.A. and homeowners across the country knew was not nessacary PERIOD--

The DA had to dismiss the charges because the SGT knowing arrested him for a charge not central to the scope of his legal reason to be on the property when a burglary report would be FILED unfounded.

The SGTs thin skin and inability to use his years as a veteran made his arrest appear RACIST and his calculated guess that this old man was not a well connected as he hoped.

But lets put it this way-- the SGT would have my support and millions of others if he would have charged GATES by doing it the right way-- which means

As he leaves the private property, before he gets in his squad he says to mr gates " sir go back inside your house cause if we get a call and have to come back out here you will be going to jail for disorderly conduct"

200 percent no national news - no whining and no support for mr gates -- if the SGT

got dispatched out again (new scope) the caller is the complainant (witness) the SGT can say in his report i told mr gates in front of OFFICE X and Y to "return inside the residence" (legal advisement)or that he could go to jail for ordinance 555.222

So the SGTs action of arresting him at that time would have seemed on the level and very business like. So please spare us homeowners who dont care what color anybody is-- no american deserves to have the police blur the lines between public property rights and private property rights-- The D.A. knew the SGT didnt stay with in the spirit of his authority as soon as he read the report.

The SGT knew the charge wouldn't stick to but he could legally arrest him to ONE UP Mr Gates-- he just guessed wrong at how well connected he was in the HARVARD community

haha Im sure that sounds good to somebody

Somehow, this discussion gets off the point very quickly. One woman complains of an alleged sexual assault on her and her sister when she was six. This point apparently made to say that all African-Americans were guilty of sexual assault and therefore Professor Gates deserved to be illegally arrested for a burlgary of his own home that did not happen. Another one, yet complains about the rhetoric of Al Sharpton and others, I believe Jesse Jackson. One can believe, disbelieve, like or dislike what they say, the relevant point is whether the Cambridge Police Department illegally entered the home of Henry Louis Gates and illegally arrest him. That this was done because his skin was black further makes this issue a bigger concern.

But racism sure does provide a nice excuse for some individuals to behave badly or not to behave responsibly.

Just blame Whitey.

They don't like it when they get arrested..... and it is always for what color they are or what color the police officer is not the CRIME THEY JUST COMMITTED!!!

The answer for these dim bulbs is simple: STOP BREAKING THE LAW MORONS!!!!!

It is amazing how prominent, well educated black men can turn a blind eye to the facts (that we all have access too) and then say whites are racist. They have created their own form of racism. And eveytime this happens the division gets bigger! If I change my skin color from one to another am I now a different person.........or can I use my color to promote myself and my ideations?

please reveal the other incidents you refer to

Dr. Gates did not break the law, the police did. They illlegally entered his home and accused him of a crime that he didn't commit, a crime that did not even happen. He simply had trouble getting through the door. That's all. They did not try to help him, instead they demanded his identification and arrested him for disorderly conduct in his own house. Police do not have the right to enter your home and accuse you of crimes you did not commit and crimes that did not even happen.

Carla, you have a good point. Several years ago I went to my parents house to pick up a large screen TV. They were on vacation and I pulled up to their house on a Saturday afternoon in a white cargo van. I wore a baseball cap and had about 3 days growth of a beard (typical "suspect" look). While I was in the process of loading the TV, I walked around the side of the van and there stood a Sheriff's deputy. One of my parents nieghbors had called the police. I immediately pulled my ID out of my wallet and handed it to him (he had not asked for it yet but you knew it was comming).

The sheriff asked to look around which he did. During this time, I asked to try to call my parents to help verify my story wgich the officer thought was a good idea. I was unable to get a hold of them but, next to the phone was a picture of me and my family. The officer took this as "evidence" that I really did know the people who lived there. However, he also took down every piece of information from me that he coulg (name, address, phone number, license number, etc...) He explained this was in case they got another call from my parents about a missing TV.

Bottom line, we shook hands and the officer left and I finished loading the TV. I believe 100% that my attitude was reflected by him. Had I been beligerant or confrontational, I would have probably spent my parents vacation in the county jail.

We as citizens absolutly have the right to question authority, but, using a little common sense and a little rational thought (on both sides) most of these incidents can be avoided.

It''s called street smarts. never yell at a cop, whether you're black or whte. It's not racial but offensive to officers who don't really want to arrest you.

What few people here seem to realize is that, after being identified as the occupant ot the house, Prof. Gates was asked by Officer Crowley to step outside. Screaming and yeling inside your own house is not disturbing the peace. Screaming and yelling outside is disturbing the peace. According to the constitution, a person cannot be arrested inside his own house without a warrant.

This may be the point where Prof. Gates showed poor judgement. He never should have steped outside to talk with the officer.

H-TV,

You are incorrect. I have no idea where you got the impression that whatever you do inside your own home is sacrosanct, but legally you are incorrect. There are many reasons and ways a person can be arrested in their own home without a warrant. It may not seem to make sense to you, but I would discourage making legal comments without actually understanding the law - or without understanding the contents of the constitution and bill of rights.

slowclimber, you are right, but in a very limited way. A warrant is not required only in the most extreme situations, none of which existed here. There is a ton of distinction between your rights inside your house vs outside, and in my opinion, asking Gates to step outside was a vicious act meant to take advantage of those distinctions. It is not a casual event between a resident and a policeman, regardless of guilt, etc. do you think the founding fathers were fools to make "the right of the people to be secure in their homes" in the Constitution. Further, I think this situation has less to do with race than the overly aggressive use of the power we endow our police with. How come they don't act like this regarding biker gangs, etc. Why employ them against a 150 lb septagenarian on a cane? You sound like he was some sort of immediate physical threat to someone, and that you are protecting police in that kind of situation, which it clearly was not. palease!

Oh, come on. "asking Gates to step outside was a vicious act..."?? If you read all the details of this case, you'd know that asking him to step outside was exactly what he was trained to do, as a matter of his own safety. If he suspected a potential robbery with at least two people involved, and Gates refused to provide proof of who he was, then Crowley would be a fool to go inside not knowing if he was dealing with armed robbers and how many there might be. He was following the procedures, exactly the way he was supposed to do, not being vicious.

Sheesh.

IF he was "following procedures", the procedures are wrong. Where I come from, "step outside" can be an invitation to fisticuffs. Are you denying that your rights are fewer outside your home than within it? Would you prefer living under such a rule?

Sheesh

'

I think that if I had been the officer, I would have asked Gates to step outside as well, if he was screaming and hollaring-- because at least then Gates couldn't accuse the officer of beating him while indoors.

Bob,

"IF he was "following procedures", the procedures are wrong. Where I come from, "step outside" can be an invitation to fisticuffs. Are you denying that your rights are fewer outside your home than within it? Would you prefer living under such a rule?"

So where you come from when the cops ask you to step outside it means they want to fight you? You're rationalizing Professor Gates' behavior like a drunk rationalizes his. Now I'm starting to understand MoveOn.org's name. Move on, nothing to see here, move on. Bob, time to Move on isn't it? You've donated to MoveOn.org haven't you? I just know you have.

I don't think I've donated to moveon, as I enjoy a very limited income. Nor have I heard from them for a long time.

I am trying to emphasize the different constitutional status one enjoys inside his home aot outside his home. I think policemen are well aware of the difference, and that it is profoundly to their advantage to obtain the benefit of that difference. I don't think most people are aware of that.

I may well think like a drunk. but I've been AA for over 25 years. You seem to demand that others follow your mental processes. I have a great deal of professional experience in this area, and Crowley's request was much more aggressive than the circumstances called for. Yes, I have two (different) copies of the police report in front of me, replete with cook-book law enforcement jargon. I am embarrassed that an officer with Crowley's credentials wrote it. He was clearly in a non-professional state of rage -- I think that it arose from his belief that his racial sensitivity was beyond question. I don't think that's true for anyone, and that holding that belief is a problem preventing interaction with the other person. I'm sure we have differing interpretations of each unfolding event, and I hope its all down on tape. I'm sure both parties have had second thoughts about their respective roles in this event, and that the private exchange of those misgivings will result in a vast improvement in Crowley's class. The real problem is that cops have it drilled into them constantly that they are to take control of situations. The conflict here involved so much internal symbolism that an irresistable force vs immoveable object situation was created.

I'm waiting on a higher analysis of this conflict than is offered on this blog. Why are authorities accepting the adulation offered here. Much of it is ignorant, racist, narrow-minded, etc to the extent it makes me sick. It's really quite unAmerican in my opinion.

Thanks for your input

Bob, as a retired law enforcement, I can assure you that under the law, there are many circumstances in which you can be arrested inside your house, and it has nothing to do with the severity of the crime. In addition, according to some of the statements issued from the Cambridge police department, Sgt. Crowley asked Gates to step outside because of the acoustics in the kitchen, which made it difficult for the Sgt. to hear his radio or to be heard himself. In a situation where the noise/acoustics in an area make it difficult or impossible to hear my radio or to carry on a civil conservation, I would ask the person to stop outside also. If I felt the person I was dealing with was uncooperative and/or accusations were likely to be made, I would also have them step outside for my safety and to have witnesses to the situation.

Also, when they exited the house, Gates continued to rant and rave and made no effort to constrain himself. As soon as his behavior caused neighbors and passerbys to stop, (crowd forming), he committed the crime of disorderly conduct. At that point, I would have arrested him also and it would not have mattered what his skin color was.

For those saying you cannot be charged with disorderly conduct for what you are doing inside of your house, you need to ask some of the people who have been arrested inside of their house for this very thing, when they are having a loud party, or playing music so loud that it disturbs the peace of their neighbors or people passing by. All it takes is a statement from a neighbor that your conduct is disturbing their peace and the officer being able to hear the music/loud party etc at the time they are there, and you can be arrested.

For those who say that an officer does not have the right to ask for your identification if you are in your own home are incorrect. If the officer is investigating a possible crime, he can demand that you produce identification (to determine if you are a burglar, or have lawful permission to be in the premises) and if you fail to produce the identification, you can be lawfully detained, handcuffed if needed, until the officer can establish your right to be there.

The bottom line is Gates had the attitude that is was his house and no one had the right to ask him for identification. He did not once think about the fact that the officer was simply doing his job, and immediately assumed the cop was being a racist for asking for it. That Gates was currently doing a movie/project on racial problems was the reason he immediately assumed this instead of actually looking at the situation for what it was.

Obama, as an attorney and as the POTTUS, should have known better that to pass judgment on the situation without the facts. But obama is no better than gates or rev. wright in his thinking. Because gates was his friend, and was alleging this was a racist cop, immediately took his friends side, showing he is nothing but a racist also.

It's amazing he can go around the world and apologize for past actions of the United States (which I find reprehensible) but yet cannot be man enough to apologize for opening his mouth and sticking his foot in it. I think Sgt. Crowley should have refused to go to the White House until obama issued an apology, but I understand that Sgt. Crowley would like to put this behind him as quickly as possible, because even though he was right, this will follow him for the rest of his life, which I think is the worst part of obama's and gate's racially charged comments.

Term limits and vote all of congress and the president out in 2010 and 2012.

You seem to have omitted enumeration of those circumstances in which someone can be arrested in their own home, and that my comment was to correct someone who made that declaration. Of course people can be arrested in their home.

This business about the kitchen accoustics, Gates denying him entrance prior to this incident, and whether Gates posed any of the threats justifying Crowley's conduct are at odds with your position. I'm sure you are aware of that from your own experience. Permission is neither license nor mandate.

It also seems clear that Crowley was being more aggressive than was appropriate, regardless of any grounds which might support his actions. Why didn't he just wait outside until someone could verify that yes, Gates lived there, and wasn't burgling his own house. The reason is that Crowley had it screwed into his head to take control. There was no need for that. His actions speak clearly that he was personally offended that anyone would challenge his racial views. That's purely a personal thing, and abusing his authority for personal reasons is neither acceptable nor professional. While it is undeniably true that we don't pay cops to be abused, it is just as true that we don't pay them to abuse. It may be a fine line, but it need not even be approached. Where's the attempt to defuse which surely must be part of Crowley's curriculum?

Reprehensible to apologize for past wrongs? I can only assume you believe there were none. How does that grab you?

Having him step outside had two advantages for the officer, Mr. Gates could have a weapon within his home and outside there were witnesses that would be able to confirm what was happening ...

Bob, I could list numerous offenses you could be arrested for inside your house, but my point was you can be arrested inside your home for disorderly conduct which is the charge here. As for officer safety, can you state for certain how any individual is going to act or what they are capable of doing just by looking at them? Richie was correct in that there could be weapons in the house, and in the kitchen, there are usually knives, which people do not realize, can be more deadly then guns if someone knows how to use them. (Watch the movie, double edged weapons).

Just because gates physical looks do not appear dangerous doesn't mean he wasn't, as some of the worlds worst serial killers did not appear dangerous either. When you approach someone who becomes angry immediately on contact, you have to react and take control immediately. If you don't, the situation can get completely out of hand and someone can get hurt. As to waiting outside, this is the worst thing you can do because once you make contact with someone, you do not leave them unattended until you have determined they are there legally and you do not want to give them the opportunity to get a weapon. If this had been a burglary, and you waited out front, the suspect could easily get a weapon and/or escape out the back. I could write a book on this, but the bottom line is that gates wanted to be a victim of racism and showed this by his demeanor and initial comment that Sgt. Crowley was a racist.

As to the apologies by obama to the world, yes this is reprehensible. Yes, America has made mistakes in the past as has every other country. But we have sacrificed our soldiers in two world wars to save Europe, as well as assisted in other countries. We provide financial support to most of the countries in the world and assist whenever we can. When the other countries start apologizing, then maybe. But until then, it is not obama's place to apologize for our actions as though we have to bow down to them. But after he bowed to the Saudi King, I guess he will bow down to anyone if he thinks it will get him what he wants.

troubled

PLEASE START LISTING them -- and i only car about the laws with no body else with in the home but 1 person ---thanks

ugh!!

cj,

Are you serious...you really can't think of ANYTHING that a person could be arrested for while inside their house alone?

Nothing at all...

Didn't a neighbor call the police about two men breaking into a house? He was not alone. Can't you read?

I was once arrested for stealing my own car. I'm a white guy.

SHAWN--

what is a warrant-- when you answer that question -- you will be able to figure out why a homeowner cant be disorderly on his own property

-- then the light will go off-- that in this SPECIFIC cases the officers scope of investigation ended his right to continue to be present on the property STOPPED once he determined GATES was the legal resident of the property

sheesh guys

cj, you need to read my original post above. It details how you can be arrested for disorderly conduct on your own premises without a warrant. It happens all the time, and a warrant is not needed except for a search of the premises where the owner will not give consent, and where the officer has probable cause that he can stipulate to under oath to a judge. As for an arrest warrant, any time an officer witnesses a crime, or takes statements from a victim/witness of a crime, he has the option of fiing for an arrest warrant for the individual, or if the state law for the place in question. If the law allows for an arrest for the violation in question based on probable cause and does not require a warrant, the officer can arrest you on your own property, inside your house if he sees you there.

The law is different from state to state, but an arrest based on probable cause has been established by the U.S. Supreme Court. Exceptions on search warrants and arrest warrants have all been established by the Supreme Court and to try and list all of the information on this site would take days and hundreds of pages.

The bottom line is yes, you can be arrested on your own premises for disorderly conduct based on the circumstances, and the circumstances in the gates case does allow for a lawful arrest for disorderly conduct. Gates was an ass from the git go and he was looking to be a victim. Now he intends to use it in his project he has been working on about racial profiling. Go figure.

Trouble-

YES based on the factors that include p/c or citizens arrest or warrant-- can you be arrested in your own home--

but for being disorderly without any of those three factors above--no way

and that is what happened to GATES--

and the again per the Cambridge statues that have been cut and pasted here and there

it does not allow for a misdemeanor arrest for d c when the victim is the cop--thats the law in cambridge and thats the law in this country

plus most lawyers as well the d.a. knew it was not worth his offices reputation to get in front of a judge when a defense attorney will argue and win, on the Fruit from a poisonous tree -- was what resulted in gates being arrested.

So again -- g m and felony disorderly conduct charges would apply only when warrants are made out or you have p/c from a police officer that was in view of the public and in

this misdemeanor case-- no element of a crime exsisted and could not since again the legal right of the officer EXPIRED (burglary is a g.m or felony) once he determined GATES was a legel tenant===

thats the law not my == so my point is just know the differance cuase then in this CASE you will see the arrest was not warranted--becuase the charge was not a crime

We could go round and round on this, but from all published accounts, the elements of the crime were clearly established. The whole thing could have been avoided if gates, instead of making out like he was the victim of a racial profiling from the minute the officer got there, and had instead, been civil and simply showed his I.D. instead of his ass, we would never have heard about this. And it should be noted that Colin Powell has gone on the record noting the same thing.

As to your comment about no D.A. wanting to prosecute this, in this situation, it never made it to the DA because the police department dropped the case. And I'M SURE there were NO POLITICS involved in that.

you know cj; the real problem is that so many people "know their rights" and completely ignore any responsibility that goes with those rights.

increasingly rude, obnoxious, self-important and self righteous people running around everywhere,and many going off about their "rights".

you say that it's not a crime, and yes that is true, but maybe it should be.

DAN--

well then go find leaders that will- change the laws so that society can me held more accountable--

that i agree with totally

if being disorderly in your own home was a crime then bye bye gates-- and i agree that at some point -- if gates could have taken a deep breath -- maybe he would not have made the SGT mad

then the sgt wouldn't have put him in handcuffs--

which is fine if he did as soon as gates opened the door

but once gates was determined to be the legal occupant at the location

the SGT should have turned around cut him loose and maintained his integrity and threw his business card on the table when he left--

But maybe things will change and laws can be tweaked a bit-- cuase i know it sucks when people are screaming in your face and all your trying to do is your job!!

cjfromMN;

Probably the most accurate thing about the whole affair would be to say that BOTH could have handled it better.

I wonder some times, what ever happened to politeness in society? while it still exists here and there, a lot of it seems to have gone by the wayside,

dan-

that is a very good question

i also recall when i was a kid it was always smart to be good -- cause if you weren't -- any body would drag you home or word would get to my momma before i got there-- and the belt would come out-- hehehe lol lol

I wonder some times, what ever happened to politeness in society? while it still exists here and there, a lot of it seems to have gone by the wayside.

I was commented the same to the Mrs. just the other day...

I'm standing in an aisle at the grocery store, standing with my back against one side of the aisle, deciding on whatever variance of (whatever the product was) I wanted to buy from the side opposite (if that makes any sense - not enough Mt. Dew yet), and people walk right in front of me without an "excuse me" (save seniors that did, which leads me to my later supposition)...I guess I grew up differently because in an instance like that, or if you're walking down the hallway and two people are talking and you HAVE to walk between them, you say "excuse me" (or "pardon me", whichever your prefer) but I see day after day just walk through oblivious to anyone in the world.

I don't know if we chalk that up to parents failing to educate their children in proper etiquette or even basic manners or that we've just become so self-absorbed that we don't care...no idea, but where I grew up you said, "bless you" when someone sneezed, you greeting people you didn't know with a handshake, you excused yourself if you had to interrupt someone, and you kept your tone when having a conversation.

I was eighteen years old from California in 1971. I traveled with the carnivals and and was very impressd by the way I was addressed by younger kids as sir. ( in the southern states )

Politeness is taught by the parents. And just like the old saying, "you'll catch more flys with honey than with vinegar". It's very important to be respectful to everyone.

I agree that the police officer has the power. I've found anytime I get stopped that simply speaking courteously to the official and being respectful, brought the same type of civility in return. From what I've read, the police office did "use his power wisely" and was attempting to leave the premises after verifying who Gates was, but Gates followed him outside, continued to scream and yell at the officer and began to create a situation in front of bystanders. At that point he was outside and being disorderly and deserved to be arrested for his conduct. His foolishnesses could easliy have gotten out of hand and incited the crowd gathering. I think the reason we heard so much about it is the President decided to bring it up at his news conference without bothering to check his facts and made some very discriminatory remarks about the police officer and the Cambridge Police.

If I get pulled over..........I just cooperate and get through it. Last thing on my mine is to act up. I respect the officer, no matter what color.

Sic mile,

The office was behaving responsibly and within the constraints society places on his position. Had this been a black officer you would never have heard about this either, Gates needs to respect the officers as all other non bigots would do.

You would have heard about it no matter what. I'm glad we did. Gates is exposed on a national level for what he is. Presdient Obama has exhibited one more time why he didn't leave Rev. Wright's church until people started asking. And the issue of racism is kind of being discussed. well maybe being discussed. okay, not really. because no one dares go on camera and call Gates a racist.

"I think the reason we heard so much about it is the President decided to bring it up at his news conference without bothering to check his facts"

Please remember that Barack Obama Pre-screens ALL questions & answers for news conferences.  He meant to say the things he said and he finally showed his true colors in front of the american people.......How does it feel to have your eyes opened?   I think he is a coward, just as much as his friends Gates and Wright are bullies and cowards.

Six Mile Mike

No Mike you would never have heard of this if President Obama had stayed neutral instead of taking sides without the facts, hence the news media frenzy.

Observer, your comments reveal so much more about yourself than you will ever know, as a reflection of how small your world is, and about the nature of your hopes. Ignorance, brayed however loudly, displays fools. There's a lot of that on this blog. Will you even consider the Commission's study? I doubt it. I think only a kind of benevolent paternalism can incude you as part of civilisation. Pity.

Bob,

Observer has a right to say what he thinks, just as you have a right to do the same. Small world is it, for wanting a blowhard like Gates to be subjected to some penalty for his assault on race relations in America? Gates was way out of line and should apologize, Obama as well.

"Commission's Study"??? I have to go back and read the whole article, but just off the top of my head --

Don't tell me they set up some kind of "Commission" to study this????

OMG - who's paying for that? Who's time is being wasted? Wow!

Bob

I invite you to examine the thought that

you may be a pompous arrogant fool.

I do not mind being seen as a pompous and arrogant fool by the likes of those who disdain an examination for the truth. Newsvine allows me a couple of comments a day before it cuts me off -- compared to say, Industrial Strength, who is allowed as many as he wants. study the collapsed comments

Bob, I don't think you're necessarily a pompous and arrogant fool. I think you are yourself too racially biased to rationally look at the facts in evidence. Pulling the race card or simply using race relations as an excuse for breaking the law or bad behavior is exactly the opposite of asking for accountability and responsibility. Your comments are illustrative of the disease that is killing our country. It's not blacks vs whites. It's people like you who want to rationalize away responsibility and put the blame on others.

I'm white. I have a ggggrandfather, Gen. Seth Pomeroy, who died leading troops to Saratoga. I agree that playing the race card is an abomination, but I don't think that happened here. I think Crowley felt himself above scrutiny on the racial issue and took no steps to defuse the situation. Surely he teaches that as part of his class -- why didn't he practice what he preaches? I think the answer lies in policemen having it ground into them to dominate the situation. I also think he might have entertained Gates offer of humor with his "I'll talk to yo' mama outside" comment. The next day, Crowley described that, laughably, as dragging his mother into the incident. Finally, I suppose I am shocked and sickened by the racial character of the public commentary in this blog, and am mistakenly trying to oppose it as strongly as I can. I mean really/ I cannot understand why Crowley and CPD are not repudiating it and distancing themselves from it with all their might, mind and strength, instead of appearing to be promoting and glorying in it. So there sweet slowclimber. Thank you for your gentle courtesy

Bob..you seem to be fighting a rather one-sided mindset on this blog but I must tell you your posts show civilized, intelligent and informed logical thought. I seldom reply to all this blatant hatred myself but be assured I appreciate reading your posts. Of course you won't change any minds because their hate will prevent that. I'm grateful to live in the greatest Democracy in the world and the leadership that is working to fix all that ails it.

Thankyou. I was a Republican myself until Nixon, and I believe the loss/absence of their voice and its usurpation by these people who call themselves 'conservatives' posits an extreme peril to what America stands for. Ditto for the ideologues on the left who've never pumped gas, dug ditches, or worked in a factory or the like. It's very painful for me to read what is being expressed by many here. I think a lot of this is the result of the seemingly intentional destruction of government credibility. Thanks again.

"destruction of government credibility?" We don't do that, the idiots in government do that.

Bob - you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but the facts are clearly opposite your opinion. Equality does not come by demanding special treatment. That's what happened here.

I suspect the Professor knows that the audio files will soon be released, as they must, and he wants this to go away ASAP. As does the President.

Bob,

Newsvine is not collapsing your comments. The other posters are. So it really isn't all about you either Bob. Oh, and your gggggrandfather is probably rolling over in his grave after reading your posts.

CROWLEY.....don't go to the Whitehouse. It is a situation where it will be two blacks against one white and they will quote you as saying the wrong thing and try to makre you look bad. Do not trust this President at all. Just walk away from it and go about your business....

My gggrandfather was at war with a system which abused its police powers, forced residents to accept troops being quartered in their homes, and would not resort to the childish name-calling so prevalent here. I am certain that there are a number of things about which he will someday straighten me out, but crying out against the things I've commented upon are not among them. He died for them.

Sure -- don't go to the Whitehouse -- make it perfectly clear where you stand. After all, everyone says you are the clarion voice of racial profiling, and you don't want to leave any doubt that you support what they are saying.

So, it's all these lovers of free speech and searchers for truth who don't want me to be heard? People who complain that news is slanted want to censor the dissemination of opinion? How democratic of them.

Gates only claim to fame....being a black racist like rev. Wright.

Bob Pomeroy

You seem to think that the officer some how may have been obligated to diffuse the situation, there were two people that both had choices to make, Mr. Gates could have shown respect and cooperated with the officer, the officers could have just leave, end of story, but would anything have been learned from either action, NO we would still have Mr. Gates with his authority problem and seeing anyone white was out to get him, the only way there could have been something learned would be to arrest Mr. Gates, which the officer did, Now Mr. Gates has learned something you have to give some to get some, it's called respect .....next time if he should ever have to relive this situation he will think twice about this, (lesson learned)..

Surprised at MSNBC being slanted? Hardly.

Do you really think that the cops wouldn't write their reports to cover their own asses. I wonder if the nieghbor who reported this would have called if they had seen a sixty year old white person trying to enter the house. Having been in a simular situation myself. The cop didn't ask for ID he demanded it, after showing him ID he then wanted to search my home and was mad when told him he couldn't come in. Crowly may not be a racist but I'll bet he doesn't like anyone to challenge his authority. I wonder how many from the hate Obama crowd that think the blacks have all the advantages would trade places

Good point made Jim. How many of these intellectually deficient individuals would trade places with Blacks, who have all of the advantages. They contradict their own selves with the posts they make.

First, one guy talks about not having the United Negro College Fund. He clearly doesn't know what that fund is for. Unlike private white colleges, that have massive endowment funds, private historically black colleges & universities normally don't have the same level of alumni giving to sustain a meaningful endowment. The UNCF provides funds to assist these schools in reaching the goal of college education for a great number of students, and, contrary to their racist thinking, the UNCF is a private organization, not government setup and run. This allows those students the opportunity to pick themselves up by their bootstraps; a mantra we hear so many times from the bigots. However, this is somehow a racist institution for attempting to advance young people's lives, so they can enhance our society, instead of being a burden.

My point is that, much like Bob Pomperoy has pointed out on this thread very intelligently, it's a "no win" situation with people, who are racist, ignorant, and bigoted to their core, to have a meaningful conversation about this situation. To them, the only way things are going to be perceived is by "the cop was right, no matter what, and how dare Dr. Gates and President Obama tell our good white people what is wrong, stupid, racist, or intolerant". Unfortunately, these are the type of people who engage in conversation here on Newsvine. It is better to find other methods of communicating civilly and with a level of intelligence, and my suggestion is for those of like-mind to find those places and leave somewhere like here to the incessant ramblings of foolish and intolerant beings. That'll be my course of action. I don't mind speaking to others, whose opinions are different than mine, but I do mind trying to make conversation to closed-minded fools.

I wouldnt trade places. I dont want to be a racist like blacks are.

I'm not Black nor am I white I'm a minority, the problem that I see and this is why most whites are pissed off, it seems that the Blacks think America some how owes them something because they were brought here as slaves, and the problem they have with that is they were not even born, that's one of their reasons, another one is how all the Blacks seem to band together even though Mr. Gates was clearly wrong and made this an issue of race, and all the Blacks then agreed when it had nothing to do with race, So whom is actually the racist, if you defend someone that is wrong and you are all the same race what else could it be ......

I agree, Obama owes an apology to the police, unfortunately too many of our leaders and their buddies are guilty of this same sort of thing.

It appears to come from an elitist attitude born from their position in government, they think they have all the answers and that the world must hear them.

I honestly believe that Obama would rather cut out his own tongue before he bothers to apologize for ANYTHING he says or does.

His narcissim won't permit him to.

robynlewisTX.

I honestly believe that Obama would rather cut out his own tongue before he bothers to apologize for ANYTHING he says or does

You're 100% correct. He will never simply say, "I'm sorry for my actions" - although he might say something like, "I'm sorry this turned out like it did"...lol. Of course, he'll make sure the press tells us all how he was the person who solved the whole problem between Crowley and Gates, and will make sure he gets painted as the Great Uniter...and once that gets plastered all over by the MSM, some may believe it.

Obama? A uniter? haha Thats funny.... what a hoot!! Hes the biggest divider Ive ever witnessed in the white house. He can't get or doesnt even seek any kind of unity. Its his way or the highway... 2012!! If he doesnt get an apology from Gates for acting like a spoiled racist brat then he accomplished absolutely nothing.

Profchaos, is it just me or what is it with successful black people hating whites so much? Black people that have such accomplishment and respect from all races. Money, position, talent, intelligence, fine education, but they still have the attitude that they must be intolerant of others? I know many successful people like that and the first thing they like to throw out, is how much they hate white people. They will even say in their presence and not even blink. White people are the ones with targets on their backs............it just sents the resentment up again. Like Dr. Gates, just going off on the cop, in front of everyone, making a scene and screaming his head off.

Not all successful blacks act like children, look to Clarence Thomas for one.

Many successful minorities recognize their own success for its required effort, then there are the Gates' of the world who have achieved only through hand outs and realizing this they act out, possibly out of a sense of inadequacy or envy.

Sorry, but Gates did not obtain his status among his peers by hand outs or anything but hard work. I sense you are unfamiliar with the academic world. That's OK, but it doesn't mean you can characterize it accurately from your world, nor can I yours.

Clarence Thomas has not gained such respect from his peers, and he is well aware of his status and acts in conformity with it.

Somehow you seem to be unable to grasp that both Crowley and Gates did what they felt they had to do. Both felt unimpeachable on racial issues. Crowley, in my opinion, did nothing to defuse the problem, which would surely be part of the curriculum he presents. I think he grasped instead on what he was taught about dominating situations generally. What we have then is the irresistable force and the immoveable object. I leave it to you to decide who should blink first in his own home, and invite you to life under such a rule. OK?

VIVA, I think you are partially correct. Here's the difference. Truly successful black people do not act that way. The ones that do think they are successful without actually having succeeded at anything. Affirmative Action also has a hand in this attitude. If they are helped by AA, subconciously they know they didn't do it all by themself. They are internally conflicted so they get the attitude you describe. Truly successful blacks don't have this attitude because they know that their success has everything to do with the efforts they made.

Bob, you are part of the problem. You insist on using race to further your political goals. Nothing more. You are the reason we have this problem today. If blacks had used MLK as an example they would be far better off today. Instead the Radical Left Wing used their victim status as a tool to help them with their goals. Now all we have today is black victimhood. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Let's see.... here is how it should have went for all parties involved.

Cop: sir who are you?

Gates: I am Prof. Gates and I live here.

Cop: Can I see your ID for proof?

Gates: Yes sir follow me and I will get it.

Cop: Thank you sir and I need to check the rest of the house because it was a burgler call in

Gates: Go ahead I know it is part of your job to check and make sure

Cop: All clear professor.... you have a nice evening now!

and that is all it would have took to keep from getting to this point. now is that so hard?

Sven,

You don't understand. A lot of the people who you're are disparaging are using Dr. King's teachings to gauge their statements and actions. Also, affirmative action is a useful tool in correcting the injustices minorities and women have suffered in the workplace. Getting a helping hand doesn't help a person excel in the school or professional position they join. It only gets one in a door that for far too long has been closed to them. However, thanks for nothing for trying to explain something you have no idea what you are talking about. If you did, then you would know that white women have benefited most from affirmative action.

Like I said, Dr. Gates is being degraded here because he is being perceived as an "uppity @!$%#" and didn't be subservient to the officer. The officer should have been a little more cooperative in giving Dr. Gates his information, as requested and required by law, and this could have been prevented. But no, no one on this board would ever hear of this "uppity @!$%#" being so out of line in asking anything from his perceived superior, no matter what his background.

It reminds me of Bull Connor in Alabama. He was out keeping Blacks from voting and being treated with the respect required to them under our Constitution. He was the epitome of white supremacy and power. However, while the Jim Crow South was making up ignorant rules, such as the reading test required along with a poll tax, it was found out that Connor couldn't read himself. This is the type of ignorance that is shown in many minds, most of the posters on here, that shows the true nature of those who are always downgrading Black people for not staying in their place or trying to make sure they are treated with the respect that is due. This is not based on what we feel, but on what we have helped in making this country's morals and values.

It's white people like those here on Newsvine that keep our country lagging behind all others in intellectual prowess and integrity. You are the most un-American and unpatriotic citizens we have, and you should be ashamed of yourselves for being such a detriment to our society.

Gates isn't wasting Obama's time. Obama started wasting AMERICA'S time the second he ignorantly and stupidly inflamed an issue that had been handled by Officer Crowley and the Cambridge police.

Seems like his teleprompter wasn't working at that press conference.

Obama's teleprompter was working fine, he just chose to ignore it an speak out on how he really feels. Fortunately america saw it and Obama stands exposed as the true student of Rev. Wright that he is.

It's finally clear that Mr. Obama is a black president!

Jamey, I think Gates ought to go down to the station and invite the whole force to a barbeque at his house........to show his gratitude. Now that is something that would show goodwill.

VIVA -

Beer included, right?

Randy-283493... This would have made more sence and not have turned into an issue.

Common sence is so easy and like manners is costs you nothing.

Carin C

Common sence is so easy and like manners is costs you nothing.

Perhaps affirmative action, that got him into college, couldn't get him into a class that taught either manners or common sense.

Maybe his own words will give a hint as to why he conducted himself in such a manner. It was simply something his beloved Malcolm X had done:

Malcolm X was talking about the white man was the devil and standing up in white people's faces and telling them off. It was great.

The article that referenced this (http://boards.history.com/topic/Current-Events/Henry-Lewis-Gates/520062330) also noted:

this guy has no preconception of white people. Not at all. He only teaches Afrocentrism, was raised to hate white people by his mother and admired Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam for getting in white people's faces.

The only other time I've heard of Gates, was when he was a witness in the obscenity trial against 2 Live Crew. He persuaded the jury that what the law considered obscene should really be allowed for Black rappers, since it's part of African-American culture.

I think instead of giving Gates a 'free pass' because he was a Black friend of the President, the authorities should have required him to take an anger management course, and perhaps even a few of the classes Crowley teaches on avoiding racial profiling.

Cone,

You show your complete and contemptible ignorance by saying Dr. Gates got into college through affirmative action. He went to a HBCU and received full scholarships to the other institutions he attended. I guess he got his MacArthur professorship through affirmative action also, based on your bias.

White people, hear this, and hear this good. All Black people who go to college don't get admitted through affirmative action. I scored over 1300 on my SAT's and graduated in the top 10% of my class in high school, that had a senior class of over 550 graduates. Schools came knocking on my door to ask me to give them the privilege of attending their school. There were no "handouts", just a recognition of a "blue chip" student in their midst and what an asset I would be at their institution.

Get over your intolerant mindsets and listen to others' points of view; you just might learn something other than the racist, ignorant, and intellectually deficient garbage you continue to repeat over and over, ad nauseum.

And so did OBAMA!

And so has MSNBC.

That is a fair statement! Just don't try and tell me because bush messed up Obama can do the same. Sorry, we just don't need another one right now!

Jamey, what year is this?

Waaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! Bush did it too! God, what a tired mantra.

I guess Obama can promote his agenda as acceptable on the basis that Stalin proposed many of the same things?

How about standing on your own two feet for a change, take some ownership for once.

Yeah he can't blame Bush on this one!! It's all yours baby!

NJ, you are right........Why shouldn't Gates learn something from this? Crowley is painted to look like the one that has a lesson coming to him, why? Is Gates going to change? He is going to teach Crowley how to what handle a black man differently? Maybe Dr. Gates needs to learn something about the respect he expected based on race too. Race relations is not a one way street. Dr. Gates should do a seminar about how not all white cops are racist.

hehe, love your post! I'm having so much fun with this story...

Yeah and when I, a non black man, is approached by the Police I will use GATES fine method of dealing with the issue.

Officer: Sir I need to see your identification.

Me: I will be happy to show my ID to yoru momma sir.

Officer: ...............

Well we all know how this one ends. Im pepper sprayed and laying on the ground with a cops knee in my back.

Black people quit acting like your special. You are not. Your just as worthless as the rest of us who dont have a corporation as a last name.

Oh and you stupid sue crazy minority.

If this was a ""field day" for ACLU lawyers why do you think hes backing down???

Riddle me that Mr. Poor Black Man.

just wondering why he had trouble in west va when he was in college there

Fact, you are assuming a lot. Not knowing what actually happened as it has not come out yet, your theory of the aclu sueing and winning is NOT FACT.

Hey since you are a black man and since black men are harassed by the police so much how come you do not know that his name is right on his chest for all to see along with a big shiny badge. I am white and have seen them up close and personal. Gates is a racist and so is Obama. They can both go get f&^ked. Poor little black man. Take some responsibility for your actions. What a waste of 300,000 lives to free you.

nice to see how you all just ignore that crowley violated state law even when the statute is cited right in front of you

gates was noncooperative and did not show his id? guess what ? HE WAS NOT ARRESTED FOR THAT. if he had been maybe this would be a good arrest.as it is he was arrested for mouthing off on his porch which is protected political free speech

why would gates back down? A black man taking a hit to help the first black president out this mess. of course he will back down if it helps obama.

No one is going for your black crap. So give it up. The testimony of the other police officers present prove you a liar. I bet your mad because the black brother who is a cop also backed Crowley and also his superior who is black also backs him. Shove it.

you undereducted morons don't get it,so let me spell it out for you.if you work in a field were you can be held legally liable for your actions violating the law/not following protocal as crowley did makes it virtually impossible to defend your case in court

the charges against gates were dropped .why ?lack of evidence despite half a dozen cops witnessing his actions as you pointed out?no because legally it was a bad arrest

Were your present to witness the events, or are you simply relying on Mr. Gates' version of what happened? I don't see many facts here!

Excuse me for challenging your obvious attempt to make the police the bad guys for doing their job. However, out of the four Cambridge police officers at the scene all dressed in police uniforms with badges, radios, taser, gun belts, night sticks, with their fully outfitted police cars in front of his house with lights flashing, should have been the one to convince Dr. Gates that they really were the Cambridge police and this was not some frat prank? Which ID would have been more convincing, the white officers or the black officers? Maybe in all of Dr. Gates years getting an education he missed the class on “what it looks like when the police come to your house.”

If I open my front door and there is a fireman in full battle array and a big red fire truck in my front yard and neighbors standing out there watching, do I ask for an ID before they come in and go upstairs to put out a fire I didn’t know what burning?

I do not know Dr. Gates, but by his actions, I can conclude he is the racist and it is he who owes an apology, not only to the Cambridge police but especially to all African Americans for showing his stupidity. Dr. Gates makes Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, Ph.D, look like a genius. Sorry, maybe I exaggerated on that last statement.

the police report states that crowley tried to tell gates his name and badge number while gates says he refused to.

either way gcrowley is REQUIRED BY LAW to present his ID card

thats a pretty clear fact

The General Laws of Massachusetts

Mass.gov

PART I. ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT

TITLE VII. CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS

CHAPTER 41. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS

POLICE OFFICERS

Chapter 41: Section 98D. Identification cards

Section 98D. Each city or town shall issue to every full time police officer employed by it an identification card bearing his photograph and the municipal seal. Such card shall be carried on the officer’s person, and shall be exhibited upon lawful request for purposes of identification

-

gates wanted crowleys name and badge number so he could make a complaint not because he doubted he was an officer.

the massachusetts state law was specifically written so citizens can identify police officers that they have concerns about

crowley by his own police report did not follow the law

why do you people keep defending crowley violating the law?

Officer Crowley most likely didn't hear Gates ask for his name and badge number,which I'm sure Crowley gave at the onset of Gates uncontrolable ranting and raving and his racial remarks.Gate's just played the race card as he did a few years back.

Officer Crowley did his job and his Captain stated that in the news coverage..

Obama and Gate's just set racial relations back 10 yrs. Reminds me of the comments Sharpton and Jackson and Wright make everytime they open their mouths..

I'll bet you the aclu loosers DON'T sue because the arrest was good . He wasn't arrested becaused he didn't give his name and badge number, but because he attempted to incite a crowd that gathered with him OUTSIDE! As the line goes....YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH. You can site the section for anything you want, just TRY to be sure it pertains to the facts at hand. You sir, are either misinformed and ignorant, like obama, or a racial arsonist. Which is it coward?

I and about a thousand people on this forum think you a full of it blowhard who doesen't even know what he's talking about.

Gordon fan,my bad. This was obviously ment for the knucklehead who has the NERVE to call himself....."facts"?

So fact, you, like Obama, weren't there, don't know the facts, but feel perfectly comfortable deciding what happened there and who's in the wrong? You know, I saw Al Sharpton interviewed on FOX earlier today and his position is that either the cop was racial profiling or committed abuse of authority. Apparently it's just not conceivable that the professor acted like a braying jackass and brought this on himself.

the law states that crowley MUST PRESENT HIS ID CARD when asked.his own police report itself says he did not and this violates the state law

cutthebs -unlike the rest of these morons you at least understand gates was arrested for inciting a riot. however the idea that gates was was aressted for inciting a crowd of 6 police officers and a few neighbors to riot is laughable.the bar for violating gates 1st amendment right to political speech is a lot higher than that.the police will have to prove that the arrest was not done to shut gates up .it doesn't help that the charges were dropped

i have cited state law,a district court ruling and the officers own police report to validate my assertion that the arrest was impoper. not one of you has made a logical rebuttal .i think it's pretty obvious who is misinformed andd ignorant

Baloney. Have you been drinking the koolaid?

Gates should have been arrested for harrassing Sgt. Crowley and creating a public disturbance - following the officer to his cruiser as he was trying to leave!

I hope ACLU has a field day which will open the door for Crowley to sue for defamation... then the tapes will be released.

the courts in massuchusetts have ruled that you must engage in speech that will lead to a riot to be charged with disorderly conduct. trying to argue that gates was trying to incite 6 police oficers and a few wealthy cambridge neighbors to riot is ridiculous.a federal judge is much more likely to believe the arrest was done to shut gates up especially in light of crowley not showing his id card as required

for the record .i believe gates was an a--.he gave a cop who was just doing his job a hard time.that does not change the fact this was a bad arrest and a violation of his first amendment rights.i may not agree with what he said but i will defend his right to say it.

America Today-Anthony, I agree. Anyone that mouths off to the cops runs the risk of getting arrested, and Gates got EXACTLY what he deserved. If he'd just kept his cool none of this would have happened in the first place.

Obviously he thought that having the name "Professor Gates from Harvard" entitled him to recieve special priviledges, which he now found out was NOT the case.

Love your posts, funniest ones I've read today!!!

I hope Gates does sue. (He won't).

Then he would be exposed for the racist blowhard that he is, because all audio and any video of the incident will be released. That, by the way, is the reason he will NOT sue, and the reason he is trying to get this off the front pages.

The police have to act in the moment - not in some theoretical, "I wonder what would happen if" manner. If they think someone is getting out of control, they try to stop it peacefully (which they did).

Gates should be thanking the police for answering the call - there wa a day when that would not have happened.

fact 1239366 ....

In order to obtain the official police report, you had to have paid money to obtain it. Good for you that you have so much extra cash to waste on a racist event.

In my opinion, your posts regarding this "official police report" would hold more credence with me if you copied and pasted it in its entirety, rather than just the parts that suited your purpose to elevate Gates and denigrate Crowley.

Crowley DID NOT violate state law. He responded appropriately to a potential crime in progress. If he'd known that he'd have to go to a nut case's house, I would have advised him to say, "Not me, boss. Pick someone else to deal with that racist."

Did you even READ the articles .... MSNBC, NY Times, Fox, CNN? Sheesh.

fact 1239366 and anyone else ... I was wrong .... here's the complete police report:

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

Yawwwwwnnnnnnnnn

I don't know about the rest of you ,but any town I've ever lived in, ranting and yelling loud enough to draw a crowd at 1am will get you arrested. It's funny how some of you choose to ignore some of the undisputed facts.

The police were there because of a 911 call. There was recently a break-in at this same address. Prof Gates initially refused to produce his ID and was belligerent and loud in that refusal. Ultimately he produced ID so the officer could determine Prof Gates was the resident. Upon being satisfied Prof Gates was the resident the officer proceeded to exit the premises. Prof Gates followed the officer out of the resident, down the steps and onto the walkway. The entire time Prof Gates was being loudly belligerent and disrespectful. As a result a crowd was startng accumulate. I also want to point out that Prof Gates does not dispute any of these FACTS. In fact his complaint is he thinks the officer is there because Prof Gates is black not because they were responding to a 911 call. I would love this to go to court. In my opinion the only reason Prof Gates & Obama are suddenly all about moving on is because Prof Gates knows that the tapes from this call will show Prof Gates was way out of line. His behavior was unwarranted in this situation.

you people appear to be undereducated morons

this was written by

a professor at university of chicago one the top 6 law schools in the country

Brian Leiter

John P. Wilson Professor of Law and Director, Center for Law, Philosophy, and Human Values
The Arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Everyone has an opinion about this, so I guess I should too. The short version: Police do not like to be berated or challenged, period, and an incident like this should call more attention to police abuse of the charge of "disorderly conduct" as a way of trampling on the First Amendment rights of citizens to challenge police conduct. The longer version here

why don't you people read or take a logic class or ...something

fact -

Wow, you are so kind to say that we're all undereducated morons. Thanks for providing your personal "short version" interpretation, because you know that we'd never understand the real document.

Oh my, it seems like you conveniently omitted where you found the real document in your post 19.27. Maybe because it widely differs from yours.

Anyway, even the short version is only ONE person's opinion piece. It's not at all relevant to what happened. So, your point?

that was not my opinion but that of Brian Lietner a law professor at U of chicago his qualifications to speak on the law

are below

Brian Lietner was a Visiting Professor at the Law School in the fall of 2006 and joined the faculty July 1, 2008, simultaneously founding the Law School’s Center for Law, Philosophy, and Human Values. Prior to that, he taught for more than a dozen years at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was the youngest chairholder in the history of the law school, and also served as professor of philosophy and founder and director of the University of Texas Law and Philosophy Program. He has also been a visiting professor of law at Yale University, of law and philosophy at University College London, and of philosophy at the University of California, San Diego.

in the last 28 hour other than saying " you are wrong " not a single one of you has made out a well thought ,logical or cited any law or court ruling to refute my claim this was a bad arrest

i have cited state law, district court rulings ,the officer own report and the writings of a professor at one of the most respected law schools in this country

your response "baloney" "your full of crap"

maybe undereducated moron was harsh but someone PLEASE make a well thought logical and well refrenced argument

What will make the white people stop complaining about everything blacks do? I am white and see racism EVERYDAY. I hear people talking to a black person and then when they have gone on, that very same person will call them a n------. I dare for any white person who has dealings with black people to say they don't come in contact with racist remarks or behavior from white people at some time during their daily living. I worked for a private employment office some years back, and the employers who called looking for workers would specifically say they would only want to see white applicants. They could do that with a private agency. And of course this isn't to say blacks can't be racist, because they can be and are. Seems everyone needs to just remember that we are all God's children, and try to get along.

Answer to your question........NEVER, NEVER, NEVER.........they will use whatever means to Never like white people, not even the benefit of a doubt. They will make sure their children hate your children, long after you are gone. NEVER, even if Obama is half white, he gets the perks from the black side of it........NEVER NEVER NEVER

And it's people like you that will see to it.

Whitebird,

Gotta lotta white guilt there, don't 'cha?

Don't forget Charleton Heston marched beside the Reverend, Dr. Martin Luther King. Not all whites feel guilt over slavery, a lot died to end it.

To whitebird-Perhaps there is a reason the companies don't want to hire blacks. Maybe THAT should be looked into. If I owned a company, I would not want the hassle of putting up with their bull. They have shot themselves in the foot, with their behaivor. Very rarely do I get good customer service from a black, they are just bored, sitting around talking about hair and nails or racism.

Outstanding post.

Very well said

ditto!!!

Michael-1240234

That is absolutely right. Thank you.

To do what you exhort, your people will have to expunge the whole sense of exceptionalism and belief in "manifest destiny" that has characterised your people's psyche from shortly after your country's founding.

Now, this doesn't mean the rest of us in the world don't have our work cut out too but I wonder how many of you, reading some of the posts in this and other threads, even realize the size of the task.

Yeah right. Mr. Gates had just returned from a trip and was exhausted. Then he was irritated when he couldn't get his front door opened because some jerk had broken it the week before while trying to break into his house, and hasn't been caught. Then when he's finally inside, some cop comes to the door who doesn't recognize him, doesn't take into consideration that he is tired and irritable, and is in his own home, and as often happens, the proverbial straw broke. I'm sure most people would mistake an older graying, man who has to use a cane to walk for a burglar. No one knows what they would do in such a situation, just a lot of people on both sides talking lots of smack.

I absolutely know what I would do in his situation. Even if I was tired and irritable, like the poor professor, I wouldn't start screaming at the cops like some jackhole. I would calmly deal withthe police, then go take a nap. Gates obviously sees himself as someone special who does not have to follow the same rules as everyone else. I liked the post earlier about equality and all the organizations that promote the advancement of black people. If you really want equality in America these organizations should go, and it should be the black community that needs to usher them out. Won't ever happen though.

Dr. Gates must have gotten his second wind.........cause he screamed like a pissed off b@#$

whitebird - grow up. none of the factors you stated should have ANY effect on what the police officers (not plural) did.

Exhausted? so what?

broken door? so what?

cop does not recognize him? so what? (and what an absurd factor).

In his own home? so what - the police don't know that, and should not make such an assumption.

gray hair and a cane? so what? there were two people and you would not want the police to discriminate would you?

Correct. Marginalize his own behavior by saying it's about something much bigger than him, do an end run by having a beer with the officer and the president, sit for an hour long photo-op with his arm around Sgt. Crowley, then when the dispatcher tapes are released, it will be the Cambridge Police Dept who are put on the defensive for destroying the good will that beer drinking built, and what is on the tapes will be relegated to irrelevance.

I believe this is Module No. 3 in the Bill Clinton training course, "How to Make Someone Else Accountable for Your Own Behavior".

Officer Crowly is crazy if he actually meets with the two of them. Wouldn't youlike to be a fly on the wall for that one. If he does meet, I hope he honestly tells America what is discussed. I can see it now, Gates and Obama at the head of the classroom "teaching" Crowley about the plight of the black man.

Crowley doesnt have a choice. when summoned by the 'top cop" of the land you gotta go.

Obama is going to pull a Clinton and be the "great healer"

The Dems will spin what a kind caring man Obama is and the rest of us will have puke fest when this all goes down.

For someone who is so insistent with regard to apologies, you certainly sound like your typical, tight-arsed bigot. Having a little trouble with "fair and balanced" impartiality?

Do not generalize, lest you be generalized.............

Randy -

do I detect you making a generalized attack on someone for a free-speech post on the internet?

Good job. I suspect, but do not know for sure, that you may understand the concept of prejudice and bigotry very well.

And how can you guarantee that? And what is this law, "disorderly conduct", as defined being in one's own house? Being fromTexas, I'm sure you have some BIG explanation.

Randy, Gate was not in his home. He followed Crowly OUT screaming at him!

lol wow, these insipid fans of the Pres will never stop to defend him even when he was completely and totally wrong. what a surprise. I'm starting to hate the president. He's a real Ahole, and refuses to apologize or even admit he was wrong.

I'm surprised that Gates didn't beat Crowley with his cane, just to show other black people how he has made it to the top. Yeah, that way he would really score high with black people..........they would put it on pay for view. Then Gates could write a book about taking a white cop down in Harvard for a lesson on,"Who's yo Daddy"?

What a bunch of immature haters.

whitebird,

I agree. Those that back Gates are full of hate.

Let me get this straight. Gates gets home and he can't find his keys so him and the cab driver knock the door off the hinges. The cops are called by the next door neighbor who tells them somebody is breaking the door down. The cops get there, with extra reinforcements cause they're expecting a dangerous situation, and by then, Gates is the only one around. Gates tells the cop he owns the place and forgot his keys. The cop asks for some ID. Gates goes ballistic and takes off for the kitchen to get his ID. The cop thinks "what the hell is his ID doing in the kitchen" and follows him to make sure he doesn't come back with a Glock. The cop still hasn't seen any ID. When he finally determines that Gates IS who he says he is the cop tries to leave and Gates follows him outside hollering all the while upsetting the neighbors. The cop doesn't understand what all the theatrics are all about, thinks the guy is a danger to himself or others, takes him into custody and charges him with disordely conduct and takes him down town to have him checked out. When he is determined to NOT be a danger to himself or others (or they get a call from the mayor) the cops release him and probably gave him a ride home.

All the guy had to do was comply with a simple request to identify himself as the legal occupant of the residence. And he calls that racism????? HE'S the racist and paranoid too, for thinking all white cops are out to do him wrong. Hell, if I was the neighbor I might have SHOT THE BASTARD for breaking into my neighbors house.

That's it in a nut shell...Case closed... Gates is a racist moron... If the cop didn't check the place out and it was really getting robbed , Gates would have said the cops didn't come because they knew a black guy lived there.. Or, if Gates was white ,we would not have heard a word about this !! It's all B.S.

Gates apparently also has a PBS program on race relations in the works. Maybe he needed added material to prove that the only racists in America are whites.