POTUS Weighs in on Harvard Prof Arrest

[abc_123]

Originally Posted by swpa19

The absolute paramount of importance is ratings not facts.

Who else involved in this could that apply to? I wonder.

[Defender968]

You know this is just another example of a day in the life of an LEO, the only difference here is the ass hat he was dealing with happened to be a muckity muck at Harvard. Mr. Gates talked himself into cuffs, it happens all the time and personally I wish the PD wouldn't have dropped the charges, it makes them look weak, and will just embolden idiots like him not to mention the fact that Mr. Gates violated the law. I have no doubt that the police report is accurate because I've been on that same call dozens of times. The racist in this situation is Mr. Gates, not the officer as the liberal rag media are spinning it. Mr. Gates needs to pull his head out of his rear and come to grips with his own racism.

Personally I think the fact that he gave a Harvard ID shows how pompous this moron really is, if I were the officer getting yelled at by this idiot I'd probably have insisted on a state or federally issued type of identification not a college ID just out of spite, and if he continued on as he did I'd have arrested him too, disorderly conduct is a referred to a POP law, (pissing of police) don't piss off the police and you probably won't get arrested.

Further for the POTUS to comment on this is completely absurd, especially siding with the racist idiot, then again like minds and all. Clearly being a lawyer didn't give the POTUS an understanding of the application of the law or maybe he would think differently, then again maybe all he can see clearly is the color of people’s skin.

[dennisw]

Between Obama and Biden, I thought the POTUS was the smart one. Apparently not.

[rubberneck]

The White House is in full damage control mode now. According to Press Secretary Bill Gibbs the President wasn't calling Sgt Crowley stupid but rather he was making a point that the situation had "gotten out of hand". I think the President's lack of experience is showing. That is a bush league mistake one would expect from a first term Senator not the President of the United States.

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by Defender968

You know this is just another example of a day in the life of an LEO, the only difference here is the ass hat he was dealing with happened to be a muckity muck at Harvard. Mr. Gates talked himself into cuffs, it happens all the time and personally I wish the PD wouldn't have dropped the charges, it makes them look weak, and will just embolden idiots like him not to mention the fact that Mr. Gates violated the law. I have no doubt that the police report is accurate because I've been on that same call dozens of times. The racist in this situation is Mr. Gates, not the officer as the liberal rag media are spinning it. Mr. Gates needs to pull his head out of his rear and come to grips with his own racism.

Personally I think the fact that he gave a Harvard ID shows how pompous this moron really is, if I were the officer getting yelled at by this idiot I'd probably have insisted on a state or federally issued type of identification not a college ID just out of spite, and if he continued on as he did I'd have arrested him too, disorderly conduct is a referred to a POP law, (pissing of police) don't piss off the police and you probably won't get arrested.

Further for the POTUS to comment on this is completely absurd, especially siding with the racist idiot, then again like minds and all. Clearly being a lawyer didn't give the POTUS an understanding of the application of the law or maybe he would think differently, then again maybe all he can see clearly is the color of people’s skin.

As I read the post above, I couldn't help but to remember the statement offered below.

Originally Posted by Defender968

Unless you were there you don't know what happened....

[Red Flag 1]

Originally Posted by Sigaba

I think it was inappropriate for the president to comment publicly on the event at all.

I wonder about the relationship between Professor Gates and Ms. Whalen. Is she new to the neighborhood? Had the two met?

The discussions at the Cambridge Police Department would be something to observe. They have to worry not only about the incident itself, the president referring to Professor Gates as "a friend of mine," they also have to deal with Charles Ogletree and, potentially, the umbrage of Harvard University.

Is bringing up Reggie Lewis the best move? Not everyone has forgotten how Mr. Lewis was treated when he was house shopping after being drafted by the Celtics. (To this day, you'll come across reports of current Celtics having to give assurances about living in the Boston area to potential team mates.)

If I heard this correctly, Bill Cosby agrees with you. Zero had no business making the comment he did last night.

LEO under the bus!

Who is next??

When all this comes back to bite Zero, what will his tantrum look like? He would not be the first to call for a "scorched earth" response. Zero shows no depth, no experience, and little insight; I expect an imature response when all this falls on him; IMHO.

RF 1

[Defender968]

Originally Posted by Sigaba

As I read the post above, I couldn't help but to remember the statement offered below.

Apples to Oranges, we're not trying to discern what is going through a man's mind and making a judgment on whether it was right or wrong based on a video that is unclear. While you're right I wasn't there, I did read the first hand official report of what happened by not one but TWO respondings LEOs who WERE there, and last time I checked it's illegal to file an illegal police report in pretty much every state in the Nation, with that in mind and my experience in the matter as I've personally been to that same call dozens of times, I voiced my opinion on what I believe happened, and I stand by it.

See Sigaba one of two things happened here, either the Police officer who is a detective chose to arrest a guy for no reason what so ever other than being black, and in doing so made more work for himself, violated the law in filing a false official report and in doing the above knowingly exposed himself to the real probability of a law suit on top of risking his job, as the guy he was arresting worked at a LAW SCHOOL and then on top of it all convinced another officer to go along with it and file a second false/illegal police report while a witness looked on, or the officer showed up and this idiot did exactly what was in the report, which in turn pissed said officer off, and when the idiot continued on he was placed under arrest. I say these are the two options because we have a statement by Mr. Gates lawyer saying he was just nice as pie, and we have a police report saying the exact opposite, these two options are mutually exclusive, and based on my life experience I'm going to go with the second one every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by Defender968

Apples to Oranges, we're not trying to discern what is going through a man's mind and making a judgment on whether it was right or wrong based on a video that is unclear. While you're right I wasn't there, I did read the first hand official report of what happened by not one but TWO respondings LEOs who WERE there, and last time I checked it's illegal to file an illegal police report in pretty much every state in the Nation, with that in mind and my experience in the matter as I've personally been to that same call dozens of times, I voiced my opinion on what I believe happened, and I stand by it.

I don't see it as apples and oranges. In both instances, you are offering analysis of events to which we do not have access to all the documentation. In the shooting, you suggest that judgment should be reserved until all the available facts are collected. In the Gates arrest, you appear disinterested that the same standard level of due diligence be applied.

See Sigaba one of two things happened here, either the Police officer who is a detective chose to arrest a guy for no reason what so ever other than being black, and in doing so made more work for himself, violated the law in filing a false official report and in doing the above knowingly exposed himself to the real probability of a law suit on top of risking his job, as the guy he was arresting worked at a LAW SCHOOL and then on top of it all convinced another officer to go along with it and file a second false/illegal police report while a witness looked on, or the officer showed up and this idiot did exactly what was in the report, which in turn pissed said officer off, and when the idiot continued on he was placed under arrest. I say these are the two options because we have a statement by Mr. Gates lawyer saying he was just nice as pie, and we have a police report saying the exact opposite, these two options are mutually exclusive, and based on my life experience I'm going to go with the second one every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

You are suggesting that a police report is a document that perfectly (by the nature of it being exact) captures everything that happened in an incident. If such is the case, then why are there ever follow up investigations?

MOO, QP Pete offered an interpretation that reconciles the two versions of the event that appear to conflict.

Originally Posted by Pete

Would be really funny if half said he was nice as pie and the other half said he was shouting.

Originally Posted by Defender968

You know this is just another example of a day in the life of an LEO, the only difference here is the ass hat he was dealing with happened to be a muckity muck at Harvard. Mr. Gates talked himself into cuffs, it happens all the time and personally I wish the PD wouldn't have dropped the charges, it makes them look weak, and will just embolden idiots like him not to mention the fact that Mr. Gates violated the law. I have no doubt that the police report is accurate because I've been on that same call dozens of times. The racist in this situation is Mr. Gates, not the officer as the liberal rag media are spinning it. Mr. Gates needs to pull his head out of his rear and come to grips with his own racism.

Personally I think the fact that he gave a Harvard ID shows how pompous this moron really is, if I were the officer getting yelled at by this idiot I'd probably have insisted on a state or federally issued type of identification not a college ID just out of spite, and if he continued on as he did I'd have arrested him too, disorderly conduct is a referred to a POP law, (pissing of police) don't piss off the police and you probably won't get arrested.

Here you are presenting a fourth reason for the arrest: spite.

Moreover, you are saying that it would cross your mind to use your authority as a law enforcement officer to satisfy your affective state. You are also suggesting that antagonizing a police officer is grounds enough for an arrest. Are these standards of conduct that you want?

In regard to your allegations of Professor Gates's racism, are you discounting entirely the findings of Northeastern University's study on racial and gender profiling by LEOs that was published in 2004? Do you also disagree with the concerns Harvard University has raised over the treatment of members of that school's community by members of the Cambridge PD (link)? Was Gov. Deval Patrick in error when he pointed out that these kinds of incidents have a huge financial impact on the state (link)?

Incidentally, you have an extraordinarily high standard for intelligence if you find a MacArthur Fellow and member of the Council on Foreign Relations an "idiot". (FWIW, Professor Gates's CV is available here.)

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by rubberneck

The White House is in full damage control mode now. According to Press Secretary Bill Gibbs the President wasn't calling Sgt Crowley stupid but rather he was making a point that the situation had "gotten out of hand". I think the President's lack of experience is showing. That is a bush league mistake one would expect from a first term Senator not the President of the United States.

Most likely the "Community Organizer" was not reading from the "Teleprompter". This is what happens and what to expect when the "Community Organizer" speaks his mind.

AL Sharpton wannabe.

At least now the Law Enforcement Officers of the United States of America know where they stand in the eyes of the "Community Organizer".

Remember that next time you're standing guard for hours protecting "his" life.

"Stupid" LEO's.

Team Sergeant

[Richard]

Reading between the growing volume of lines on this incident and its as yet unsettled aftermath, I might consider that:

• the prof had just returned from a long flight from China
• he was tired and ready to get home, and it was a hot, humid July day in MA
• he was driven by a hired driving service
• he got home and couldn't get in the front door because it was jammed for some reason
• he went in through the back door and returned to the front where he and the hired driver attempted to unjam the door
• a neighbor saw two men trying to force open the door and reported it to the police
• the door was unjammed and the prof got on the phone with the realty company to see about getting the door fixed
• the PD responded to a call of a possible burglary
• the prof - already tired and agitated with the situation - found an LEO at his door - the perfect end to a long and less than perfect day
• words were exchanged, the prof is snarky and the LEO became irritated, too
• it was still a hot, humid day
• proof of residence and ID was verified but the prof continued to irritate LEO by demanding his name and badge number
• LEO ignored the prof and the prof became more insistent
• 2nd LEO showed up - 1st LEO now had honor impugned in front of peer as prof continued insistent demands
• LEO warned prof - neither backed off and LEO arrested 'ivory tower' prof
• Chief let prof go as soon as he reviewed the situation - charges dropped
• prof embarrassed and law professor pal convinced him to publicly release statement
• PD released arrest report
• lines drawn in the sands of public opinion - prof and LEO aren't talking
• POTUS weighed in with ill-formed opinion
• MSM and race vultures of all sides feed the situation
• speculation continues unabated (including this conjectured possibility)

And so it goes...

Richard's $.02

[The Reaper]

I would like to think that if LE responded to anyone's home for a possible B&E in progress, found a subject inside who refused to provide ID and became abusive, they might be a bit suspicious, regardless of the color of his skin. The home appeared to be in a nice neighborhood, so the cops would have been expecting the homeowner to be polite and well-educated. Race is immaterial.

If I were a homeowner and the cops caught me in the same situation, I would be happy to provide ID, and to cooperate to their satisfaction. I think that most reasonable individuals would do the same, and be happy that someone was looking out for them and their home.

Even if the officers were abusive and threatening, I would still provide them with ID and cooperate. Afterwards, I would look to make a formal complaint to their leadership. Every situation is not necessarily racial, even if the individuals are of different races, nor are all interactions with LE opportunities to become confrontational. Surely an educated man like Dr. Gates could have figured this out.

One thing I have learned is that all stories have multiple versions, depending on how many people are involved. Another thing is that most people tend to spin their story, or flat out lie, to support their own positions. The benefit of the doubt should go to the person with credible witnesses, or supported by physical evidence. A videotape is superb, an audiotape almost as good. I suppose motive figures in to a lesser extent. Why would the POTUS have a comment, as he admittedly did not know all of the facts? Is he running for a local judge or DA's position now?

I hope that an investigation gets to the bottom of this and that justice is done. I think the POTUS should have reserved comment till the investigation was complete.

TR

[SF0]

Originally Posted by Sigaba

Incidentally, you have an extraordinarily high standard for intelligence if you find a MacArthur Fellow and member of the Council on Foreign Relations an "idiot". (FWIW, Professor Gates's CV is available here.)

If his actions and the incident as reported by the police officer are true, he acted foolish. The use of the word by someone that has already formed a negative opinion towards the Professor is justified if it is meant in this context.

Honestly, I don't find his reported behavior hard to believe based purely on my experiences working in the EDA/EE industry. Some of the most obnoxious behavior I've encountered as a civilian came from 20-30 year electronic engineer "vets" with doctorates, books, etc under their belts. Intelligence unfortunately does not dictate maturity and ability to work with people without letting emotions direct their actions.

[Gypsy]

I'm still stuck on the fact that the POTUS felt the need to respond to the question in the manner that he did. He wasn't there, yet felt the need to decree it was stupid. WTG.

No amount of "damage control" can erase that tape of his comments.

Doesn't he have more important things to worry about, like the trillion dollar debt his children's children will be paying off?

[abc_123]

Originally Posted by Gypsy

I'm still stuck on the fact that the POTUS felt the need to respond to the question in the manner that he did. He wasn't there, yet felt the need to decree it was stupid. WTG.

No amount of "damage control" can erase that tape of his comments.

Doesn't he have more important things to worry about, like the trillion dollar debt his children's children will be paying off?

The salient point here is that he didn't have all the facts but he had to respond anyway in a way that basically accused the LEO's of racisim. Nice job Mr. President. I wonder what other issues you are acting on that the facts don't really matter.

Nevermind.

Hey whatever happend to that "post-racial" thing ??

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by abc_123

Hey whatever happend to that "post-racial" thing ??

That was campaigning, now they are governing.

TR