After portraying Professor Henry Gates as a victim of racial profiling on Thursday, on Friday’s CBS Early Show, co-host Harry Smith reported: "We are learning more about the arresting officer...this is the guy hand-picked to help teach recruits how not to racially profile. This is a guy who helped try to save the life of [late Boston Celtics basketball player] Reggie Lewis."
A report by correspondent Bianca Solorzano further informed viewers: "It turns out the arresting white officer was actually hand-picked by a black police commissioner to have him teach recruits how to avoid racial profiling...Sergeant James Crowley, an 11-year veteran of the force, is an expert on racial profiling, having taught a course at the police academy."
In addition, Solorzano’s report featured clips of an interview with Sergeant Crowley: "I acted appropriately. Mr. Gates was given plenty of opportunity to stop what he was doing. He didn't...There was a lot of yelling. There was references to my mother, something you wouldn't expect from anybody that would be – should be grateful that you're there investigating the report of a crime in progress, let alone a Harvard University professor."
Solorzano also highlighted Crowley’s criticism of President Obama’s comments that police "acted stupidly" in the case: "I support the President of the United States 110%. I think he's way off base wading into a local issue without knowing all the facts as he himself stated." Later Friday afternoon Obama expressed regret over his comments and acknowledged that Crowley had a "fine track record" on racial issues.
Following the report by Solorzano, Smith spoke with Cambridge, Massachusetts Mayor Denise Simmons and again spoke with Professor Gates’ daughter Elizabeth Gates, whom he had spoken with on Thursday. Mayor Simmons simply noted that the case was being investigated. Smith then turned to Gates and asked: "Is it possible these are two righteous guys saying, ‘I'm not who you think I am’?" She continued to attack Crowley: "I don't think that the officer is at all being cooperative in any kind of extensive resolution to this...my father has said that he'll participate in whatever the next step must be. And if the officer is saying that he won't, I think he needs to maybe extend his sensitivity training."
During her Thursday appearance on the show, Gates claimed: "my father might be one of the last black men on earth who actually believed in the justice system...a proponent of, you know, intellectualism can help you outrun the – the war on race. And I think the incident last week is a clear indication that that's not yet true." Smith responded by wondering why Crowley had not apologized to Professor Gates.
Here is the full transcript of the Friday segment:
7:00AM TEASE:
MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: More heated accusations in the arrest scandal involving a Harvard professor. As President Obama tones down his criticism, the officer doesn't back down.
JAMES CROWLEY [SERGEANT, CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT]: I acted appropriately. Mr. Gates was given plenty of opportunity to stop what he was doing. He didn't.
7:06AM SEGMENT:
HARRY SMITH: The police commissioner of Cambridge, Massachusetts, is assembling an independent panel to review last week's controversial arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates. Also this morning, we are learning more about the arresting officer. CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano is in Cambridge with more. Good morning.
BIANCA SOLORZANO: Hi, good morning. Since his arrest, Henry Gates has claimed that he was the victim of racial profiling. It turns out the arresting white officer was actually hand-picked by a black police commissioner to have him teach recruits how to avoid racial profiling.
JAMES CROWLEY: The apology won't come from me. I've done nothing wrong.
SOLORZANO: Sergeant James Crowley, an 11-year veteran of the force, is an expert on racial profiling, having taught a course at the police academy. In an interview Thursday, Crowley defended his actions of one week ago.
CROWLEY: I acted appropriately. Mr. Gates was given plenty of opportunity to stop what he was doing. He didn't.
SOLORZANO: And he placed the blame squarely on Professor Gates.
CROWLEY: There was a lot of yelling. There was references to my mother, something you wouldn't expect from anybody that would be – should be grateful that you're there investigating the report of a crime in progress, let alone a Harvard University professor.
SOLORZANO: Crowley also took on the President for his remark that Cambridge police acted stupidly.
CROWLEY: I support the President of the United States 110%. I think he's way off base wading into a local issue without knowing all the facts as he himself stated.
SOLORZANO: Meanwhile, the President tried to defuse the growing controversy.
BARACK OBAMA: From what I can tell, the sergeant who was involved is an outstanding police officer, but my suspicion is probably that it would have been better if cooler heads had prevailed.
SMITH: Joining us once again is Professor Gates’ daughter Elizabeth, a writer for the DailyBeast.com, and from Massachusetts, Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons. Good morning to you both.
ELIZABETH GATES: Good morning.
DENISE SIMMONS: Good morning.
SMITH: I want to read one other quote from President Obama from last night, from ABC. He said ‘I think it was a pretty straightforward commentary that you probably don't need to handcuff a guy, a middle-aged man, who uses a cane, who's in his own home.’ The President is now involved in this conversation. Madam Mayor, do you feel like your officer responded properly when he went to Professor Gates' home?
DENISE SIMMONS: You know, just recently our commissioner, Commissioner Haas, gave a press conference. And in his press conference he talked about, just briefly, what had happened. And what he said was that the police officer followed practices and procedures. He also said out of that is that he would be – he would be bringing together a panel of individuals to look at what happened, the practices and the procedures, and then, from that, make the appropriate recommendations.
SMITH: You said you would love to get these two men together.
SIMMONS: Yes.
SMITH: Have you had a positive response from either?
SIMMONS: I certainly have had a positive response from Professor Gates through [Harvard University] Professor Ogletree. I have not had an opportunity to talk to Sergeant Crowley, but I have talked to the city manager, and he has committed to getting him into the room with Commissioner Haas.
SMITH: Especially knowing what we know now, Elizabeth, about this officer – this is the guy hand-picked to help teach recruits how not to racially profile. This is a guy who helped try to save the life of a – of Reggie Lewis. Is it possible these are two righteous guys saying, ‘I'm not who you think I am’?
ELIZABETH GATES: Well, I think at this point it's beyond who they were in that moment. I think now it's about conflict resolution, and I don't think that the officer is at all being cooperative in any kind of extensive resolution to this. I think he's been defensive at best by saying, you know, even I saw on the show yesterday that he refuses to give an apology. So, you know, as the mayor just eloquently stated, my father has said that he'll participate in whatever the next step must be. And if the officer is saying that he won't, I think he needs to maybe extend his sensitivity training.
SMITH: Here's what's interesting, because this has created this conversation in this country. And I wonder if it only serves to reinforce what people already believe in the first place. If that meeting could be possible, maybe something could go beyond this, but if it doesn't happen, people will just sit back and say, ‘see, that's how it is.’
GATES: I think you're exactly right. I think, if it's left as is, I think we're going to rely on what our preconceived notions of disagreement in race have been for so long. But I think, if we watch these two people come together and actually, you know, create a resolution that doesn't end in some bitter lawsuit, I think there – it will signify progress.
SMITH: Elizabeth, thank you. Madam Mayor, thank you as well.
—Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
The Other Side
July 24, 2009 - 14:54 ET by JDWThe nut of this story is complacent to Gates
JDW
DAILY WAVE
Jobs, jobs, jobs ... Spending, spending, spending
Crowley should apologize
July 24, 2009 - 14:55 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonAnd his apology. And his apology should be:
"I am sorry that you are a racist. I am sorry that Harvard University has placed you in a position of trust where your students will be subjected to your racist attitudes and beliefs. I am sorry that your racist attitudes extend to your friends, including the racist friend in the White House."
End of apology.
http://gjresult.com
"And I could have calibrated those words differently."
July 24, 2009 - 14:56 ET by upcountrywaterThere you go that's right from the OAF's mouth.
drop by for a beer....
Then I pop your stewpid a$$ for a DUI , as you drive away...
Reagan VS Liberalism
The Borgia family often
July 24, 2009 - 15:52 ET by Dan The Man 2The Borgia family often invited rivals and enemies over for a bite to eat and some drink, and some left kind of dead. I dont know if I would do that, in addition Crowley needs to stand up to Duh One amd say I want a public apology from both you racists.
Duh One is getting the bus ready.
So don't sue me...
July 24, 2009 - 15:04 ET by acumenGATES: But I think if we watch these two people come together and actually, you know, create a resolution that doesn't end in some bitter lawsuit....
So finally we get to the heart of the matter. It's not about conflict resolution. It's about fear. The conflict between Gates and Crowley was resolved when Gates was arrested. If Gates wants to pursue healing the personal conflict he created all he has to do is apologize to Crowley for his adolescent behavior on the night of the arrest. Gates must have heard a copy of the audio tape made at the scene which has now directed his concerns to a possible civil suit by Crowley. Conflict resolution my ass....it's all about money.
More like gates hoping
July 24, 2009 - 15:08 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonA nice settlement check would always makes his delicate sensitivities feel a lot better.
Scream rascism, threaten a lawsuit, and wait for the big bucks to come rolling in....
http://gjresult.com
Again...Good Grief!! Why
July 24, 2009 - 15:46 ET by motherbeltAgain...Good Grief!! Why should these two be made to come together???? Why should they have to publicly create a resolution?
These Gates people just want a pound of flesh and grovelling from the cop. I hope he tells them to pound sand.
If I was Gates I'd go with the legal action
July 24, 2009 - 16:15 ET by nwahsGates probably has a winnable law suit, and no it has nothing to do with racism or racial profiling.
From the original report:
I asked Gates to provide me with photo identification so that I could verify that he resided at Ware Street and so that I could radio my findings to ECC. Gates initially refused, demanding that I show him identification but then did supply me with a Harvard University identification card. Upon learning that Gates was affiliated with Harvard, I radioed and requested the presence of the Harvard University Police.
Why? The incident is over at this point. The officer need do one thing at this point- leave. He can do all his communicating with ECC and mopping up from outside of the house. His legal right for being in that house has expired. Its time to leave.
Crowley goes on:
With the Harvard University identification in hand, I radioed my findings to ECC on channel two and prepared to leave. Gates again asked for my name which I began to provide. Gates began to yell over my spoken words by accusing me of being a racist police officer and leveling threats that he wasn’t someone to mess with. At some point during this exchange, I became aware that Off. Carlos Figueroa was standing behind me. When Gates asked a third time for my name, I explained to him that I had provided it at his request two separate times. Gates continued to yell at me. I told Gates that I was leaving his residence and that if he had any other questions regarding the matter, I would speak with him outside of the residence.
This is a common mistake that is frequently contained in a fabrication. How do you prepare to leave a place you've just arrived except by putting one foot in front of the other? Its not like you have to pack or look for your keys.
What was the officer's preparations? Did he write his name and badge number on piece of paper for Gates? Did he give Gates an incident number? A watch commander's name? Was he tying his shoes? Cleaning lint off his shirt? What? What preparations? How long did his preparations take? Did he hasten his preparations because his presence was antagonizing Gates? Did he have any legal reason for being in the residence while he was making preparations to leave?
The report goes on with the officer admitting he twice invited Gates outside. The officer was obviously escalating the situation at that point. According to the officer, Gates had asked his name numerous times. According to the officer, he "prepared" to exit the residence. Well during all the time he was talking under Gates yelling, and while he "prepared" to leave the residence he no longer had a legal reason to occupy, he didn't write his name down? The only way he could think of to get that information to Gates was to invite him outside? Many police officers and federal marshals carry business cards with name, badge number, and contact numbers. Has Crowley ever carried such cards?
No its not racial profiling. But any lawyer would jump on that case because the initial police report admits improper police procedure.
Why not Jeb Bush?
Why? The incident is over
July 24, 2009 - 16:54 ET by Dan The Man 2Why? The incident is over at this point. The officer need do one thing at this point- leave. He can do all his communicating with ECC and mopping up from outside of the house. His legal right for being in that house has expired. Its time to leave.
You did not read the entire report or quote it. You are not exactly a legal eagle and remind me of my son when he remarked to me "If I am stopped I dont have to roll my window down or talk to the officer. All I have to do is roll my window down enough to slide my license through. I know my rights."
Yep you and my son both leading edge lawyer types.
Only because they got word
July 24, 2009 - 17:43 ET by kgOnly because CBS got word that Obama would "apologize" for his unfounded comments. So they would have to explain why Obama was doing this ahead of time so their uninformed viewers wouldn't say "wtf?"
"DumbAssity of Dope"
Well I did read the entire report
July 24, 2009 - 19:18 ET by nwahsI did read the entire report, and I quoted one part that sends up red flags.
"Preparing to leave" reminds me of my son preparing to cut the grass while the video game controller is still in his hand. What the hell is "preparing to leave" ? Getting the courage up? Procrastinating? Taunting? What the hell was he doing to prepare to leave?
Listen, this was not racial profiling, but it was a bad arrest, and it was police officer with his nose out of joint. The officer, as good as he is, screwed up in escalating this, and when more legal eagles ( and I'm not one) read that report, the more backlash there will be against Crowley for digging his heels in. Crowley is not innocent here. He contributed to the problem.
Why not Jeb Bush?
So Crowley escalated it now . . .
July 24, 2009 - 19:36 ET by SeftonThe officer, as good as he is, screwed up in escalating this, and when
more legal eagles ( and I'm not one) read that report, the more
backlash there will be against Crowley for digging his heels in.
Crowley is not innocent here. He contributed to the problem.
So you're saying that not only are the cops who were on the call with him wrong in backing him, the entire Cambridge dept. and the Police Union haven't interpreted the report as well as you have.
That's good comedy.
And, btw, "preparing to leave" is exactly what it means; they were on their way out. Quit reaching for crap that isn't there.
Thats expected
July 24, 2009 - 19:54 ET by nwahsI really don't expect cops to break ranks before an investigation is complete, and the Police Union will never break ranks even if the investigation finds wrongdoing. Ever hear the term "the blue wall (or code) of silence?"
Go google this on some legal forums. I'm not making this up. The initial report has some problems.
And no "preparing to leave" doesn't mean leaving. It doesn't mean anything. Its ambiguous. Its akin to "time passes and.." He could have been urinating, looking for his keys, kicking the dog, or giving Gates his business card. I don't know how the hell he was "preparing to leave" and neither do you.
Why not Jeb Bush?
Stupid
July 24, 2009 - 20:06 ET by general companyAnd no "preparing to leave" doesn't mean leaving. It doesn't mean
anything. Its ambiguous. Its akin to "time passes and.." He could have
been urinating, looking for his keys, kicking the dog, or giving Gates
his business card. I don't know how the hell he was "preparing to
leave" and neither do you.
Some arguement you got there nwahs, real logical. Street loaded with witnesses and the caller right there in the front yard, but everyone is lying but the creep who got arrested. Yea right?
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Dammit, gc!
July 24, 2009 - 20:12 ET by BlondeThere were pictures on the wall (nwahs) and/or piles of mail addressed to the belligerent proff (j. frank).
Dammit man....you have to get into the liberal supposition to figure out that Bamster was spot-bloody on!
Get with the program, would ya?
:)
I hope he fails, too.
Re pictures
July 24, 2009 - 20:19 ET by slickwillie2001I don't know anyone that has pictures of themselves on their walls. That would be kind of creepy. On the other hand, the Bamster probably does. Probably lots of those pec shots from the newsmagazines.
Say what?
July 24, 2009 - 20:36 ET by nwahsYou haven't seen a family portrait on a wall? You haven't seen vacation pictures on a refrigerator or desk? Do you have your wife's picture on the wall? She doesn't want a picture of you on the wall?
You find that "creepy?"
Thats odd.
Why not Jeb Bush?
Congratulations
July 24, 2009 - 20:46 ET by ParagrouperYou have managed to pull this topic so far off base that we have now attained the tenth power of ludicrous. I like the way you twisted the statement from Slick Willie about "themselves" into "their family" to completely change its context.
and the "creepy" shot--low budget, dude.
"Beware the fury of the patient man." - John Dryden
I'm not pulling anything off topic
July 24, 2009 - 22:33 ET by nwahsThe poster made a comment I thought odd. I have pictures of my wife and children on the walls, and me also. My wife and my children use the house too! It would be quite odd that I would be absent. "So the father die?" There are group pictures, and even individual portraits. On my desk, I have pictures of me and my wife with our kids and grandchildren. Who thinks that's odd? All I can imagine is they live alone. What a bizarre reaction.
Noel - any picture of you hanging on a wall or sitting on a desk in your house? Your wife? Is it weird for your wife to have a picture of herself in your house?
I'm sorry, that's just a nutty take on the idea of having visible photographs of yourself in a house.
Why not Jeb Bush?
@Paragrouper:
July 25, 2009 - 09:04 ET by j. frank wilsonIf you find the "creepy" remark a shot or low budget, your beef is with slickwillie2001.
LOL, slick...I thought the same thing
July 24, 2009 - 20:42 ET by BlondeYou know, I thought about having that life-sized portrait painted to hang in my entrance hall, but then I had to have my car washed. While there, I gave it alot of thought, and decided that a portrait of myself in the foyer would be ultra-creepy.
Sheesh....check out the further (argh) spinning....this is hillarious.
I am waiting to go to the airport (sheesh).....so thanks for keeping me amused while I await this later-and-later plane.
I hope he fails, too.
Does your husband have a picture of you displayed in the house?
July 24, 2009 - 22:40 ET by nwahsDoes your husband display a picture of you in your house? Your kids? So everyone else is hanging except you?
No one is that ugly :)
What would make sense for that reaction is if you live alone and have no family.
Why not Jeb Bush?
Yep
July 24, 2009 - 20:00 ET by general companyFact is when Gates followed him outside and continued to be beligerant, he made it the publics problem. Exactly how you get a disterbing the peace or disorderly conduct offence. Gates is a moron, they dropped the charges and he should be grateful. They checked on his property and he should of had been grateful, but not this moron. He wants to proove he is the biggest moron in Cambridge.
A few years back (25yrs) the wife and (we were not married yet) I were at the store, when we came out her car had been broken into. So we called the law, Cops arrived, a white and black officer, the white one leans out of his car window and asked "whats the problem". I said "someone broke my wife's window and stole a few items out of her car" He said "what the f--k do you want me to do about it" I said "nothing just take your ass back to the donut stand" They both got out of the car and beat me into the back seat of the cruiser with their night sticks. Charged me with 9 different offences and it cost me plenty to settle it up, not to mention the injuries I recieved. I have no sympathy for this moron, I would had loved to have Crowley's presents there that day. A good Cop should be valued, and respected.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Back for more, Shawnie boy
July 24, 2009 - 17:28 ET by PA ConservativeWahhh, it's racial profiling, Wahhhh. Just keep spouting your talking points buddy. Typical lib. I guess this goes back to your brilliant argument from yesterday...this clown must be innocent because of the police in New Orleans. Right? Daily Kos called Shawnie. They are looking for moonbats like you over there. Go play with your pals over there and leave the serious, intellectually honest discussions for the adults.
PAC
That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends,
it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to
institute new government...
Funny thing
July 24, 2009 - 17:54 ET by Paragrouperabout dead horses--no matter how much you beat them, they just don't come back to life.
"Beware the fury of the patient man." - John Dryden
@paragrouper:
July 24, 2009 - 18:24 ET by j. frank wilsonIt was Henry Ford who said "You can't fix a dead horse with a wrench."
legal beavers
July 24, 2009 - 19:01 ET by WesenScientists are now using Lawyers instead of rats for lab experiments because:
1. They are plentiful.
2. Lab Assistants do not become attached to them.
3. There are some things a rat will just not do.
LOL!
July 24, 2009 - 19:04 ET by RukusI love it! : )
Gary
Hey, Jimmah Che Obama! I want my country back!
I know
July 24, 2009 - 19:26 ET by nwahsThats why Rush called a policeman instead of a lawyer when he was arrested for doctor shopping. Damn lawyers - great policemen.Everyone hates lawyers, till they need one. Then its "thank God!"
Why not Jeb Bush?
nwahs:
July 24, 2009 - 20:17 ET by j. frank wilsonThat would be the case that the American Civil Liberties Union filed a "friend of the court" brief in favor of Ole BlunderRush.
Not that he, or anyone here at NB, is willing to give the ACLU credit for that one...
While you're busy
July 24, 2009 - 19:24 ET by UpNorthtrying to come up with something that doesn't make Gates look like the total a$$ he proved himself to be, you overlook one fine point. No one had yet established that Gates had any right to be where he was. His Hahvad ID doesn't list his address, so the police still had no way of determining that he was legally in that house. They would have been derelict in their duties to leave him in that house, without proving that he had a right to be there.
And you don't know proper police procedure.
@UpNorth:
July 24, 2009 - 19:39 ET by j. frank wilsonAnd his driver's license doesn't have his address on it, either?
Prof. Gates was returning from a trip to China. Gee - do you think on the floor or in the mailbox would be a stack of letters with his name and address on them? How about a check from his checkbook?
PS: How do you know a Harvard professor's ID doesn't have an address? Just curious...
J.
July 24, 2009 - 20:16 ET by UpNorthI've yet to see any ID card, other than a state-issued ID with a home address on it. Privacy concerns, identity theft concerns, among others.
Gates refused to show any ID, other than his Hahvahd ID. Only he knows why, but that's it. And how can you connect the mail on the floor with anyone? IF there was any mail. Maybe he'd had the mail stopped? That isn't gone into. And do you know for a fact that the Hahvahd ID had a picture on it?
Were there any pictures of Gates on display in the home?
July 24, 2009 - 20:04 ET by nwahsI don't know, but from reading the officers narrative, I'm betting there were pictures of Gates on the walls of the home in plain view of the officer. Now if thats the case and the officer left that little detail out of his narrative, he has more problems. I think the pictures were on the wall because the officer seemed pretty sure Gates belonged there even before he saw an ID. Now I don't think the officer is psychic. I do think there were pictures on the wall or on display.
Would you be taking up for Crowley if there was a painted portrait of Gates in the foyer and pictures of Gates on display in the home? Would that change your opinion of what happened?
Why not Jeb Bush?
Keep making it up, nwahs
July 24, 2009 - 20:09 ET by BlondeGood grief, you'd shill for Obama if he nuked Honduras.
I hope he fails, too.
nwahs and Frank
July 24, 2009 - 20:21 ET by ParagrouperBoth beating the same, dead horse. At some point you have to wonder why? Do they get that tingle from pointless arguments?
"Beware the fury of the patient man." - John Dryden
Liberals.....
July 24, 2009 - 20:23 ET by BlondeWho knows?
They'd be useful if you could use them for firewood or tire chalks or somesuch.
I hope he fails, too.
Blonde
July 25, 2009 - 13:59 ET by UpNorthexactly right, I think both of them are practicing for when the O-nnointed one does, in fact, nuke Honduras. Or provide C-17's to Hugo, so the Venezuelan army can invade Honduras.
he who does not
July 24, 2009 - 20:24 ET by UpNorthknow police procedure, how dark was it inside the house? Is it the officer's responsibility to look for pictures of the residents, or to keep his eyes and attention focused on someone who could very well be a felon, who may want to flee, or fight? As it turned out, the person inside the home went off his nut, for whatever reason. Mostly due to his own prejudices.
As I read the reports, I see no problems the Sergeant Crowley has, other than dealing with a racist, effete snob from Hahvahd, who thinks that he should be recognized by anyone who comes in contact with him, and that he has no obligation to maintain minimum standards of conduct in his dealings with other people.
tired of liberal lies Yes
July 25, 2009 - 03:31 ET by stunnedtired of liberal lies
Yes he handed over his Harvard ID. The house is owned by Harvard and he had to confirm with Harvard Police that Gates had a right to be in THAT house. The Harvard ID does not have your address on it and Gates was mad the cop didn't take his word that he lived in the house. Your arguement works if he handed over his driver's licencse with the address printed on it
Defeted you own argument, nwahs
July 25, 2009 - 10:26 ET by CobraManYou just did an excellent job at defeating your own argument, nwahs.
"With the Harvard University identification in hand, I radioed my
findings to ECC on channel two and prepared to leave. Gates again asked
for my name which I began to provide."
First you claim that the cops should have left, then you actually quoted the cop who stated that he was TRYING to leave when Gates kept asking questions and demanding answers, answers he was already given and would have hear if he would have just shut up.
"How do you prepare to leave a place you've just arrived except by putting one foot in front of the other?"
You still refuse to see the obvious. The police were trying to leave when the Professor kept asking questions and ranting when the cop tried to give that answer. Had that idiot professor just shut up, he would have received that answer and the police would have left. But, no, the idiot couldn't keep his mouth shout. He HAD to escalate the situation buy continuing to rant and rave, he just couldn't let it (and the police) go. But who do you find at fault? The police!
The PROFESSOR is totally at fault here. No amount of spinning by you is going to change this fact.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
No you don't get it
July 25, 2009 - 10:54 ET by nwahsYou don't "try to leave," you don't "prepare to leave." You turn a** 180 and put one foot in front of the other. Thats how you leave.
How long are you allowed to "try to leave" or "prepare to leave" when it becomes evident you aren't leaving? Less than minute? Less than 5 minutes? Less than 15?
He wasn't "preparing to leave." There was nothing to prepare. He wasn't writing down information for Gates. He was "preparing." What the hell is that? Taking ten deep breaths? He was coaxing Gates outside so he could arrest him. You might want to live in a state where you have to kiss a cops a** or be arrested, but I don't. I'm all for showing them respect for doing a tough job, but I'll be damn if I do that for fear of being arrested. This ain't Iran.
Why not Jeb Bush?
motherbelt sticks nose in.....
July 25, 2009 - 11:09 ET by motherbeltOK, he should have said "as I was leaving" or "as I turned to leave."
You have to remember that cops speak in their own jargon.
They say "I proceeded to examine his license" instead of "I looked at his license." They say "I indicated" instead of "I said." They say all kinds of things in a wordier way than most people talk. ( I often laugh at those reality shows or courtroom shows when all of a sudden regular people start to use police jargon. They will say "I indicated to him, or I proceeded to cross the street...or I exited my car..)
That's just the way the word things in their reports. I don't know why; I guess they think it sounds more formal, or more official.
I think you're making too much of it.
It could be that
July 25, 2009 - 18:29 ET by nwahsI just said it was a red flag, and something the needs to be looked at more closely. It strikes me as one of those things people say to account for time they can't account for. Its very much like when you ask you child, "Why aren't you cutting the grass ( or whatever)?" and they say "I was getting ready to."
Then you wonder did "getting ready to" or "preparing to" involve 20 more minutes on the Xbox or gassing up the lawnmower?
Why not Jeb Bush?
MY 2 Cents on this...
July 27, 2009 - 00:42 ET by Radar_OneOK...lets assume for the fun of it that there were 200 pictures of him on the wall. that DOESN'T matter. Hypothetically speaking, if Mr. Gates was dovorcing his wife, and she had a writ of protection against him he CAN'T enter his own home with the 200 pictures on the wall.
The simple fact is this he FAILED TO COMPLY and was disorderly. IF any of us did the same things to a police officer we'd be bailing our a$$es out of jail.
No University ID has your home address on it...never will never has, a U. ID gets you into dorms, offices etc. also on the U. ID is meal card and library card.
SO...in summation, Mr. Gates (he's not a Dr.) was rude, belligerant and non compliant.
Barack Obama= Half Honkey...ALL Donkey
What the F.....
July 24, 2009 - 15:06 ET by Airforce_5_O"ELIZABETH GATES: Well, I think at this point it's beyond who they were in that moment. I think now it's about conflict resolution, and I don't think that the officer is at all being cooperative in any kind of extensive resolution to this. I think he's been defensive at best by saying, you know, even I saw on the show yesterday that he refuses to give an apology. So, you know, as the mayor just eloquently stated, my father has said that he'll participate in whatever the next step must be. And if the officer is saying that he won't, I think he needs to maybe extend his sensitivity training."
First off Beth, you need to get out of denial.
Second: HE DOSEN'T OWE YOU FATHER AN APOLOGY!!!! Come on and face the facts! Your father made a complete ass of himself. He is the one who needs to go to sensitivity training.
Gates is the one who needs to apologize for his misconduct.
I could care less if CBS finally did some real journalism or not, you can't polish a turd, and their reporting is a turd.
"Obama lied, transparency died!" Michelle Malkin
This whole sorry incident
July 24, 2009 - 15:12 ET by j. frank wilsoncould have been avoided if Prof. Gates had just shown Sgt. Crowley a copy of his birth certificate when he asked for it...
Psychostimulant
July 24, 2009 - 15:23 ET by JDWWhat kind of exhilaration do your posts create?
JDW
DAILY WAVE
Jobs, jobs, jobs ... Spending, spending, spending
....would that be a
July 24, 2009 - 15:48 ET by Snappy....would that be a certificate of live birth? or the long form, and would Crowley have accepted either, both or none of the above? ....Probably either is my guess, because Gates did finally produce his University Hall Pass..errr Id card.
Y@snappy:
July 24, 2009 - 17:29 ET by j. frank wilsonYou make an excellent point!
Sgt. Crowley demanded to see Prof. Gates' "birth certificate."
All Prof. Gates was able to provide was a "certificate of live [rhymes with "five" despite what you might have heard on the tvs] birth."
Sgt. Crowley became progressively more upset, again demanding the actual, signed, noterized, authentic original birth certificate.
Prof. Gates explained the certificate of live birth was enough to get him a US Passport. As a matter of fact, Prof. Gates had just used that Passport when he returned that day from a trip to China.
Sgt. Crowley insisted that Prof. Gates's step-grandmother had told him the certificate of live birth was a fake.
And things went downhill from there...
Wow JFW
July 24, 2009 - 19:45 ET by jdlybrandYou are truely OUT standing in your FIELD! Way out!
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
"I could have calibrated those words differently
July 24, 2009 - 15:20 ET by sevans1956"I could have calibrated those words differently, and I told this to Sgt. Crowley." Uh, is this Obamaspeak for an apology.
I would never "demand" an apology from anyone. But it is painfully obvious that Gates and Obama owe this man an apology. So just do it! While you are at it, ask yourself how you can apologize to the whole world for George W. Bush, but you cannot apologize to a brave hero for doing his job?
He could at least admit that he acted "stupidly".
As was pointed out at the end of Rush's show today
July 24, 2009 - 15:39 ET by lsudolemiteNotice that Obama still has not issued a public apology to Crowley or the Cambridge PD, much less this private non-apology. This man's arrogance truly knows no bounds.
These audio recordings must be very damning to Gates. If they supported his side of the story he would be screaming for them to be publicly released and accusing the PD of a coverup. As for the media, you know they were just dying to find some bit of dirt on Crowley: maybe an arrest complaint, dropped misconduct charges, anything. Instead they get a mouthful of crow with exactly the opposite.
Gates just blew his
July 24, 2009 - 15:30 ET by ForeverOnTheRightGates just blew his credibility on racial profiling, he used the incident for his own aggrandizement and anyone like Michael Eric Dyson who claims that it is racial profiling are making fools of themselves.
Dyson ain't all that bright
July 24, 2009 - 18:48 ET by GalvanicDyson is one of those activists who knows he can get a lot of airtime by crying about things like "racial profliing" and "driving while black."
This case reveals (again) that he doesn't concern himself with facts -- there was no racial profiling; the officer was responding to a citizens call. Dyson merely regurgitates past charges of poice abuse and racism because the MSM won't challenge him.
Don't look for the MSM to challenge Dyson's credibility.
Gates, Obama and the national media made fools of themselves
July 24, 2009 - 15:37 ET by krendlerGates, Obama and the national media made fools of themselves on this.
Amusing to watch the back-pedaling begin. Starting to hear terms bandied about like "perhaps this can become a teaching moment that Americans can learn from". Don Lemon tried that one on CNN this afternoon.
So they're backing off on the criticism of bad, racist, white cop Crowley. Hearing absolutely zero criticism, though, of Gates' behavior. Just ain't pc.
Don't expect the media to go so far as to say what is obvious to everyone in the country: Gates is a race-baiter with a chip on his shoulder who hates anybody involved in law enforcement. I guess he's still willing to forgive Crowley if Crowley offers an apology. Good f'ing grief. What a pitiful little a-hole.
Oh, and Gates' daughter is a complete imbecile.
Another racially-tinged witch hunt blows up in the faces of race-baiting blacks and liberals.
Bait shop
July 24, 2009 - 15:58 ET by SeftonExactly.
Gates' big mistake was thinking he had the "stereotypical racist" cop to use as a mark in his public rant and accusation display, with the added advantage of assuming his pull with the prez was going to be his ace in the hole.
Epic fail on both his play, Obama's initial "step in it" and now egg-on-the-face recovery attempt, and the media's usual bias even when they're in the wrong.
So will Gates be held accountable for his behavior?
July 24, 2009 - 16:09 ET by krendlerWe all know that if evidence came out (e.g., an audio recording) that Crowley had acted in an unprofessional manner or that he had lied, the media would crucify him endlessly and he would receive disciplinary action or be fired, and probably sued.
So the question is, as it becomes clearer that Gates was the actual racist in this case ("profiling" a white cop), cried wolf, and talked trash abou the officer's mom, will he be subjected to the same level of media criticism and disciplinary action (by Harvard)???
Short answer is no
July 25, 2009 - 11:00 ET by nwahsThere's a double standard in regard to race in this country. Thats fairly obvious and it would be hard for anyone to deny. The difference of opinions regard whether thats and adequate way to deal with the past history of oppression against blacks. I don't think it is.
Why not Jeb Bush?
So
July 25, 2009 - 11:09 ET by ParagrouperWhat do you suggest, shawn? your opinion.
"Beware the fury of the patient man." - John Dryden
I suggest a race blind society
July 25, 2009 - 11:29 ET by nwahsI suggest immediately phasing out affirmative action and become a race blind society. But that's not going to happen. In my city, integration is a complete failure. The public schools went from all white in the late 50's to almost all black by the 1990. And no one bothers to lure (i.e., make it safer for them to attend) more white kids into public schools here.The mayor of my city bragged about it becoming a black city (Nagin's Willy Wonka speech). I guess that's cool, but if you're a minority white guy, its a slap in the face. They certainly aren't trying to lure more white people to New Orleans.
Its not a problem if its an all black city. Its only a problem if its an all white city. Does anyone really think this double standard is going to solve our race problems? I don't, but one might as well yell at the wind.
Why not Jeb Bush?
I agree with you
July 25, 2009 - 12:24 ET by ParagrouperShawn. I believe that affirmative action hurts the healing process because it rewards one group at the expense of others--thereby making them "more equal." conversely the other groups feel persecuted and resent those they feel to be treated as more equal.
Enter the Gates affair. We have argued this episode the last day or so. We are not going to agree. But I do want to understand.
So I will ask you one simple question: based on all you have seem or heard in the matter of Gates, when he went out side of his house do you feel that he acted in a responsible manner?
I'm not looking for a debate--just your opinion.
"Beware the fury of the patient man." - John Dryden
No
July 25, 2009 - 13:14 ET by nwahsI think Gates acted like a jerk from the moment the officer got there until he was handcuffed. I don't think we was talking as sweetly as he ridiculously claims in his Gail King interview. I think he was still aggravated by the door situation and took it out on the cop.
Two things could have prevented an arrest.
A: Gate's tells the officer "Look I apologize. I'm aggravated and tired and took it out on you."
and/or
B. The officer says "Ok, sorry to bother you." And leaves.
Instead, it was a collision of egos.
As someone said on Fox news last night, there were three wrongs - Gates' behavior, the officer having to win the confrontation, and Obama commenting on it. That about sums it up IMO.
Why not Jeb Bush?
Fair Enough
July 25, 2009 - 13:18 ET by ParagrouperWe won't agree, but I understand your position.
"Beware the fury of the patient man." - John Dryden
Sensitivity training? Some
July 24, 2009 - 15:35 ET by SnappySensitivity training? Some cranky old man is screaming at you, insulting your mother, calling you racist...all for showing up to protect HIS home from a potential burglery and you think the arresting officer needs sensitivity training?
........I am at a complete loss of words. (not really but this is a family show here)
I don't think that the
July 24, 2009 - 15:37 ET by motherbeltI don't think that the officer is at all being cooperative in any kind
of extensive resolution to this...my father has said that he'll
participate in whatever the next step must be. And if the officer is
saying that he won't, I think he needs to maybe extend his sensitivity
training."--Elizabeth Gates (emphasis added)
Oh, good grief! WHAT next step?
For people with the racial grievance mindset, there are always "steps" that must be taken, penances that must be one, rituals to follow.
And who's going to specify the "steps" Ms. Gates?
Are you waiting for Al or Jesse to show up and orchestrate the drama that must be acted out?
Twit in the box drive through
July 24, 2009 - 15:41 ET by kangarooBaz- can of worms please, and super size it with a double helping of shoe in mouth fries with grey poupon on the side. charge it to the tax payer thanks,
I don't know if it's me
July 24, 2009 - 15:44 ET by MidAmericaI don't know if it's me or what but has anybody else noticed a character pattern that keeps repeating itself among obama's friends and associates?
No, it's not you. And as
July 24, 2009 - 15:48 ET by motherbeltNo, it's not you. And as I've said elsewhere...the racial grievance card is the first one the President reflexively played, before he thought about it.
yep we noticed, but the libs
July 24, 2009 - 15:50 ET by kangarooyep we noticed, but the libs haven't,
my comp
July 24, 2009 - 15:55 ET by kangarooplaying silly buggers again, I swear dad I only pushed the button once LOL
every body is wrong
July 24, 2009 - 15:44 ET by sevenObama has a different source of his prejudice. He doesn't respect these and that has not changed in 20 years.
According to the Somerville Times in 2007, as a Harvard Law School student, Obama got 17 parking tickets during 1989-1991 from the Cambridge Police Department that he left unpaid until just weeks before he announced his bid for the presidency.
@seven:
July 24, 2009 - 17:32 ET by j. frank wilsonYou've got to be kidding!
A college student getting parking tickets!
No way!
Move them goal posts there buddy
July 24, 2009 - 18:58 ET by RukusThe point is that he didn't PAY THEM until he decided to run for POTUS! Cover yer arse! Good golly! He voted present until he decided to run for POTUS. Good move apparently. Sheesh!
Gary
Hey, Jimmah Che Obama! I want my country back!
If Crowley really thought he
July 24, 2009 - 15:44 ET by goldbarIf Crowley really thought he was on the right side of the law, he shouldn't have dropped the charges against Gates. By dropping the charges it makes him look like he may have booked him as an act of vengence. If this had been a black police officer and a white professor, the right would be crying about how Obama's created a police state. Personally, I'd say both parties are guilty, but as soon as the officer was shown proof that Gates lived there, he should have left and later filed a defamation suit.
Hello Goldbar!
July 24, 2009 - 15:53 ET by BlondeThe D.A. (in conjunction with the police department) is responsible for furthering a case or dropping charges...not the arresting officer.
Why don't you think before you type?
I hope he fails, too.
"in conjunction with the
July 24, 2009 - 16:00 ET by goldbar"in conjunction with the police department". Of which Crowley was a member. Either way, by dropping charges they're admitting the arrest was meritless.
no
July 24, 2009 - 16:24 ET by UndercoverConservativethey have only "admitted" that the charges are politically inconvenient or dangerous.
DA's here have dropped *murder* charges simply because they had the political support to save a gang member who killed a cop. Nothing to do with the case other than *political* fallout. Same as the assault charges filed by a DA looking to create a "hate crime" case where the "gay" man who started the fight admitted to it and chose not to file charges, but the DA overrode and went on with the case.
Had the roles been reversed, the DA woulda made sure the charges stuck. Duke University, anyone?
WWW.GS2AC.COM. 2nd Amendment Grass Roots Action in the Bay Area, CA. We're not all "Breakfast Cereal" folks here! :)
Nice Move
July 24, 2009 - 19:21 ET by ParagrouperGoldbar! way to take a portion of your opponents argument, twist it and use it to support your own "meritless" argument. Its a great way to elicit multiple responses.
"Beware the fury of the patient man." - John Dryden
gb...I see you stayed at Holiday Inn last night
July 24, 2009 - 19:51 ET by BlondeOr were recently admitted to the "gold bar".
Sheesh, fella...what you don't know about the law would fill the pacific ocean.
Tell you what, think a couple of times before you type, that latest of yours was just pathetic.
I hope he fails, too.
With what?
July 24, 2009 - 19:36 ET by general companyWhy don't you think before you type?
Some things are physically impossible
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Not necessarily; he may
July 24, 2009 - 15:53 ET by motherbeltNot necessarily; he may have just been convinced that, considering the uproar, it might be the better course not to push it. It was a minor charge, after all, was it really worth wasting court time etc?
The reverse is also possible: by refusing to drop the charge, do you not think the case would be made that he refused to reconsider and was adamant about trying to make this black man pay (unjustly) for what he saw as "disrespect"?
I didnt think it was Crowley
July 24, 2009 - 15:57 ET by SnappyDang it...Blonde beat me to it....
(edit)
I'm sure Crowley's bosses
July 24, 2009 - 15:57 ET by SickofLibsI'm sure Crowley's bosses were behind the charge being dropped, not he himself...he remains totally unrepentant.
Lets go Fishing
July 24, 2009 - 19:12 ET by ParagrouperThe Art of Trolling
"Outwardly you need to appear sincere, but at the same time you have to tell your "real" audience that this is blatant flamebait."
"Beware the fury of the patient man." - John Dryden
Great Link
July 24, 2009 - 19:37 ET by slickwillie2001No date but I'd guess it's from Day 2 of the internet.
"It turns out ..." that CBS should check their facts first
July 24, 2009 - 15:59 ET by mom_roxAnother example of media bias: the first three words of Bianca Solorzano's report, "It turns out ..." meaning that the original storyline of a racist police officer wasn't factually correct.
~~save your tea, dump congress~~
Good catch
July 24, 2009 - 19:18 ET by general companyKinda makes it seem like an apology. Bout the closest this he could expect
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
At this point it doesn't
July 24, 2009 - 16:08 ET by kangarooAt this point it doesn't matter that the charges have been droped, the horse is off and running, I am wondering though if the Gov made a call, he is in Gates corner. Could be bad for him if he did. just sayin
Release the Audio!
July 24, 2009 - 16:54 ET by slickwillie2001If and when the audio tapes of the incident are released, and if they are of reasonable quality, it will be most enjoyable watching the Bamster and Gates slink off into a corner. Perhaps the Police Department might hold them another day or two to build the suspense.
Obama backed off
July 24, 2009 - 17:07 ET by soosanjust heard a network news report that the Prez has complimented the cop and expressed suprise at the massive media coverage - he invited them both to the White House for a beer. This guy (O) is in way over his head. Its about time he was being held accountable for his actions.... The Sunday morning show apologists should be fun to watch.
July 24, 2009 - 17:40 ET by jessieHWhy even watch these hacks? WE can see the REAL news online. Boycott the MSM untill they do their jobs. Or loose their jobs. Either way, WE win.
I'm sure the truth is somewhere...
July 24, 2009 - 19:49 ET by katainkentin the middle. Having read Gates' lawyers statement - I'd lean heavily toward the police officer's report.
the point of all this crap is that it likely would have never made the national news had Obama realized he's the freakin POTUS and not a guest pundit on MSNBC.
___________________________________________
Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past - George Orwell - 1984
Re POTUS
July 24, 2009 - 20:14 ET by slickwillie2001So true. Had this question not even been asked, or if the Bamster had not shot his mouth off, the Gates incident might be gone from the news already.
It's not that different from the Cynthia McKinney/Capitol Police case, March 2006. They are both principally 'don't you know who I am' incidents. You can tell much about a person's character by how they treat those in lower positions than themselves. The liberal elite, especially the limousine liberals, tend to treat police officers and military like dirt. That tells us much about them, -none of it good. Ask any of the long-time White House staff who treats them better.
Harry Smith must be a mushroom, who they keep in a cave...
July 24, 2009 - 23:03 ET by R D Helm...and feed a constant diet of bullsh*t to, as all of this info has been all over the Internet since shortly after this happened.
-Dave
The reason...
July 24, 2009 - 23:10 ET by enoughisenoughThe reason Officer Crowley asked Mr. Gates to step outside, according to an interview earlier today, was for everyone's safety.
The fact is, the initial call reported TWO unknown people possibly breaking into the house.
Crowley stated that he didn't know:
- If there was someone else with Gates he couldn't see.
- If there were two strange gentlemen in Gates' home that GATES was unaware of.
By asking him to step outside, he was trying to protect himself and/or Mr. Gates. He was following up on the initial tip that two men were possibly breaking into the home he was now standing in with Mr. Gates. Smart policing if you ask me. I guess he COULD have spent time wandering about, looking at pictures on walls, reading the mail - heck, he could have even gone to the fridge to make a sandwich. Instead, he chose the safe route.
As far as dropping the charges - do you really think that police arrest people for Disorderly Conduct or creating a public disturbance in hopes of "making it stick" or generating jail time? No. You have someone who is worked up, who is being a public nuisance, who may be looking to incite, to escalate. You arrest him to end the situation. He sits in the squad car, maybe spends the night in a cell - and hopefully cools off. It's a means to defuse a volatile situation before it escalates into violence.
Any more straws you'd like to grasp at?
YES!
July 24, 2009 - 23:29 ET by Ran56enoughisenough is 100% correct.. he is now, or was, a cop. Anyone who has been a police officer knows EXACTLY what happened here, and it had nothing to do with race. Gates let his mouth overload his butt.. plain and simple. While in the middle of an investigation, the #1 priorty is to maintain control of the "possible crime" scene, (after securing the area). The police are responsible for the safety of BOTH themselves and the public. It appears, that Gates was grandstanding and forgot he wasn't in front of a bunch of airhead kids, but actual adults who knew their jobs. So when the officer defused the situation, he cried racist! As to the actual charge, most cops expect the charges to be dropped, and, in fact, most times they inform the DA, if asked, that they could care less. We used to call situations like this one "Mind Explosions" by a citizen. Keep in mind... it was GATES who blew this up!.. not the officer, what does that tell ya...(27 years narcotics SGT.)
Yes and the officer conveyed this in his narrative
July 24, 2009 - 23:53 ET by nwahs"The reason Officer Crowley asked Mr. Gates to step outside, according to an interview earlier today, was for everyone's safety."
Yes and the officer conveyed this in his narrative by saying he asked Gates outside because he couldn't hear his radio.
" My reason for wanting to leave the residence was that Gates was yelling very loud and the acoustics of the kitchen and foyer were making it difficult for me to transmit pertinent information to ECC or other responding units."
Talk about grasping at straws.
Why not Jeb Bush?
I believe
July 25, 2009 - 00:38 ET by ParagrouperYou have argued practically every aspect of this episode tonight and, sorry to say, your audience remains unconvinced. The President has backed off his position, the MSM is backing away--yet you persist. What are you, the Lone Ranger? The point of your last post is so ridiculous it doesn't warrant a response.
"Drag them off-topic - the further off-topic the better. Remember, you are trying to waste their time." ~The Subtle Art of Trolling
"Beware the fury of the patient man." - John Dryden
Wow!! The Kenyan had a
July 24, 2009 - 23:32 ET by SvenWow!!
The Kenyan had a great week: He's managed to piss off physicians and police officers!
Keep up the good work Barry!
Gates Interview
July 25, 2009 - 00:30 ET by slickwillie2001There's an interview of Gates on satellite talk radio, with Gayle King, an Oprah radio host here, two segments, total about 20m:
http://www.sirius.com/oprahradio
Gates puts miles between Crowley's report and himself, and considerably raises the stakes here. Oddly, he admits that it all started when the officer came to his front door and Gates didn't feel that he was polite enough. He outright accuses Crowley of making a false police report. He also wants to make documentaries for HBO or PBS (ka-ching) so he definitely sees something in this for himself. He drips with race grievance attitude.
This makes the police radio tapes of the encounter all the more important. Does Gates know that they exist? Does he know how many witnesses there were outside in the dark? Were the outside witnesses able to hear what was going on inside the house? Crowley knows about the radio and the other officers outside, making him far less likely to lie. If the tapes are good quality and reflect Crowley's version, Gates will be disgraced after their release.
slickwillie2001
July 25, 2009 - 00:41 ET by BondPlainBondExcellent comments.
Gates AND Obama, who shares Gates' attitude, will be disgraced.
Good link
July 25, 2009 - 08:50 ET by nwahsWhat a boat load of crap. I have no doubt Gates was acting like a jerk.
But, in his house he has the right to act like a jerk, and a policeman doesn't have the right to bring about an arrest because he doesn't like it. I agree with you the radio tapes will play an important part.
Why not Jeb Bush?
Again,
July 25, 2009 - 14:19 ET by UpNorthif you create a disturbance, that "disturbs" someone, you are subject to arrest if the police are there, in response to a complaint. And, the "professor" created a disturbance, whether inside or outside. He does not get a pass for his behavior, just because he was inside. How many ways does it have to be stated to you, if you create a disturbance, you can be arrested for it. It's that simple.
I guess you just don't want to get it? You certainly have the right to be a jerk, or to spout whatever kind of BS you want to spout, but you don't have a right to do that, to the disturbance of someone else.
Gates was allowed to create a disturbance in his house
July 25, 2009 - 14:46 ET by nwahsThe only person who had a right to be in Gates house after he was identified, was Gates. Any disturbance in the house was created by the fact an officer was in there and wasn't supposed to be in there. If someone is in your house that isn't supposed to be in your house and you don't want in your house, you are allowed to create a disturbance and yell your head off - "Get the hell out of my house!" using any adjectives you damn well please. The officer lured him outside to create a reason to arrest him. Its no different than if Gates was drunk inside his home and the police officer lured him outside to arrest him for drunk in public.
Why not Jeb Bush?
@UpNorth:
July 25, 2009 - 16:25 ET by j. frank wilsonThere is a world of difference between being in one's home and one being in a public place.
For example: Anyone can walk around their own home nikkid. Do it in public and we all know what would happen.
It is apparent Massachusetts' "disorderly conduct" law requires that the incident takes place in public.
Simply disturbing someone else is not a crime. Thank goodness.
Again,
July 27, 2009 - 15:42 ET by UpNorth"Simply disturbing someone else is not a crime". Your statement is factually accurate, as far as it goes. But, "simply disturbing" anyone can be a crime, if the disturbance carries to a public area. Not the participant(s), but the disturbance. As I said, been there, done that. And not from the disturber's perspective, either. And you've never, ever heard of someone being arrested for indecent exposure, for standing in front of their picture window, "nikkid". Where they were visible to someone on the sidewalk, or in the home across the street or next door? Because it's happened Sparky, more than once.
@UpNorth:
July 28, 2009 - 21:47 ET by j. frank wilsonI was attempting to introduce the standard of "reasonableness" (if that is a word).
Is it ok to take a shower "in the nude?" (I've always thought that was such a funny phrase.) Sure.
Is it ok to stand in front of a picture window facing the street without any clothes on? Nope.
I suggest the bar for reasonable "disorderly conduct" within one's home is high, indeed. Is is legal to be drunk in your home? Far as I know, the answer is "Yes." In public or driving a car? Definately not.
Did the actions of Prof. Gates rise to the level of a reasonable charge of "disorderly conduct" - given the fact that he was at home? Based on everything I've read - Nope.
One more time: Was Prof. Gates a jerk? Sure sounds like it. But being a jerk in your home - happily for most of us - is not against the law.
And the conservative commentors who are speculating that Prof. Gates was drunk aren't helping matters a bit. Why do they stop there? Why don't they accuse him of sniffing glue or smoking crack? They're just making it up - why not keep running with it and lie even more?
You crack me
July 28, 2009 - 21:54 ET by Free StinkerYou crack me up.
Lecturing other people here about reasonable . . .
One more time: Was Prof. Gates a jerk? Sure sounds like it. But being a
jerk in your home - happily for most of us - is not against the law.
You do know that he stepped out of his house, don't you ?
@Free Stinker:
July 29, 2009 - 09:38 ET by j. frank wilsonThat was discussed days ago.
You don't have much Moxie on the ball, do you?
j frank, I think in this
July 28, 2009 - 21:56 ET by Radical1979j frank, I think in this case the police were investigating a possible crime, so he was interfering in a police investigation.
I was in a similar situation once when my family arrived at my parent's vacation home and the alarm started going off. We were asked for identification and told to sit in our car until they could reach my parents (who weren't there) to verify who we were. At that time we even had two young children. We didn't argue because we knew the police were doing their job.
Gates was wrong in every sense.
@Radical1979:
July 29, 2009 - 09:36 ET by j. frank wilsonI would agree with you that, based on what I've read, Prof. Gates could have done a much better job of handling this situation.
However - is that against the law? Did his conduct rise (or fall, depending on how one looks at it) to the point where his arrest in his home was justified?
I don't think so. Apparently others here at NB do. Fine. We agree to disagree on that.
The larger lesson can be drawn by how various people have responded to this incident. That tells me a great deal about race relations in America in the Summer of 2009...
Yeah,
July 29, 2009 - 18:04 ET by UpNorthespecially Gates, his daughter and the neophyte in D.C. They need to clean their racial glasses.
You were?
July 29, 2009 - 18:01 ET by UpNorth"For example: Anyone can walk around their own home nikkid. Do it in public and we all know what would happen". That was your post at You didn't qualify your statement, at all. The one you made on 7-25 made no reference to standing in front of a window, I did.
Yes, it's legal to be drunk in your home. And, addressing Gates' actions, and the reasonableness of Gates' arrest, "Based on everything I've read-Nope", so you view this through your prejudices and I view it through mine. And he wasn't just "at home", he was outside his home, creating a disturbance!!, So, he got hooked up. Was it a reasonable arrest, from my perspective, oh, Hell YES...
@UpNorth:
July 29, 2009 - 22:02 ET by j. frank wilsonYou are absolutely correct, I did not qualify that example.
You did, and I agreed with you.
On this matter you have made a strong case for your point of view. Pending new information - such as the report of an independent third-party expert (which I do expect in due course) - let's agree to disagree on this one.
It has been a pleasure discussing it with you, and I've learned some things from you.
Cheers!
slick -- I made a similar
July 25, 2009 - 11:11 ET by Jack Bauerslick -- I made a similar point yesterday regarding the audio recording evidence.
Given the strength of official police support for Crowley, including many black officers, they've heard the evidence and know it backs up the officer 100%.
They just wouldn't go that far out on a limb otherwise.
Of course, as soon as it is released, there will be those who claim it is fake. You just know it.