Obama and the Henry Gates incident
We’ve got two separate questions at work in the Henry Louis Gates incident, which in this late-July news vacuum seems to getting more attention that it deserves.
Question One:
Gates has always struck me as a very intelligent, rational person. If I was “breaking into” my own home, and if I had ID to prove it was my own home, as Gates did, I could see getting a little upset if the responding cop treated me like a criminal. If I was a black man in that same situation in a neighborhood such as Cambridge, I could see that trigger getting a little shorter.
However, if I was the cop in that identical situation? I can’t promise I would have reacted differently either. Absent evidence of the interaction between the professor and the officer, we do not know and cannot know who was most at fault. Even if we had sound and videotape, I’m sure opinions would vary.
So who was right? Who knows.
Now, the second question: Should the president have ventured into the matter?
No. He should have expressed concern and moved on. But the world is not perfect, and neither are those of us who occupy it. In expressing sympathy for Gates, Obama acknowledged and expressed the justified frustration that many black Americans feel in general about interactions with the police. I can’t blame him for that.
But in a perfect world, given his position, Obama would have explained that history without impugning the individual officer involved. His error was in translating the general problem into a specific criticism.
It’s not pretty, but this is how our national conversation about race continues. It’s all good in the end.
Really.
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442 comments Add your comment
Gale
July 24th, 2009
8:23 am
Assuming the police report was acurate, and based on comments above about potential situation training for police, I think the officer behaved appropriately. If there had been a hostage situation, the homeowner might have been able to give the officer information outside the hearing of a home invader. Oncce Gates demonstrated that he was simply on a rant, the officer tried to calm him and finally resorted to arrest. I do not believe he set out to humiliate Mr Gates. I can understand that Gates was frustrated by the need to break into his own home. However, I think I would have been glad that police showed up to investigate. The situation could easily have been criminal.
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
8:23 am
AmVet –
“One would think he invaded the wrong country and got a whole bunch of Americans killed needlessly or spent half of his first one hundred days in office on vacation…”
would you get some priorities???!!! don’t you know it’s FAR more important to talk about what kind of jeans he wears and what kind of mustard he likes rather than discuss the merits of a war of choice …
AmVet
July 24th, 2009
8:25 am
As long as we are talking out our a__es and for other people:
Many white people constantly complain about being “pre-judged” based on their obvious bigoted attitudes.
At the same time, they take it for granted that all of Those People are Cadillac-driving welfare queens/kings.
They can’t see through the slits in their sheets.
Paul
July 24th, 2009
8:26 am
Dusty,
Welcome back.
Jay,
Thanks for fixing the laggggg problem from yesterday –
———————–
RW-(the original)
As far as deflecting attention from health care reform (now it’s ‘health insurance reform’) – it buys him, what, 72 hours?
Spkr Pelosi says she still has the votes. Blue Dogs says she doesn’t.
Does Spkr Pelosi exhibit a willful intent to deceive, or is she simply delusional?
Real
July 24th, 2009
8:27 am
It’s not pretty, but this is how our national conversation about race continues. It’s all good in the end.
Really.
Great Jay — turning this into a “warm and fuzzy”…
Mrs. Godzilla
July 24th, 2009
8:30 am
I admire President Obama for standing up for his friend, however his use of the word stupid was impolitic, even if IMHO, the arrest of Professor Gates in his own home for being p.o’d and loud WAS a stupid move.
Night Train
July 24th, 2009
8:32 am
Does anyone remember the original call to 911?
The caller stated that TWO people were seen breaking into the house.
I would guess that the officer wanted to get Gates out of the house for is own safety. Then once the ‘other’ intruder was identified Gates could have returned.
If the officer had left the property after Gates proved he lived there and someone else was in the house and Gates was later harmed by the ’second’ person, who would have been blamed for Gates injuries?
The officer for not doing his job.
Could it have been handled differently? Probably.
Who caused the arrest? Gates.
Who should have kept his mouth shut and stayed out of this event? The President!
Expat
July 24th, 2009
8:35 am
AmVet at 8:25 – Isn’t is Escalades, not Cadillacs??
@@
July 24th, 2009
8:36 am
As long as politicians have pigeon-holes, there will be political bloopers or poopers, if you will.
Doggone/GA
July 24th, 2009
8:38 am
“What mistakes do you think he made, and what should he have done differently?”
I think he made the mistake of (asking, demanding) that Gates leave his own house after the officer verified that he was IN his own home. Whether he asked or demanded that Gates leave his own home, he should have provided a reasonable explanation for wanting Gates to do that.
Scooter
July 24th, 2009
8:39 am
Mrs G, I don’t think he was arrested in his own home. he was outside yelling.
Swami Dave
July 24th, 2009
8:40 am
ByteMe @ 10:26
From the link that -you- provided about the alleged “PayGo” legislation in Congress……
“The chairman of that chamber’s budget committee, Democrat Kent Conrad, has said it does not go far enough to rein in deficits that are predicted to top a record $1.8 trillion this year.”
–Sounds like the Senate Budget Committee Chairman agrees with Republicans that the House bill needs to be better.
“Republicans derided the measure as a loophole-laden public relations exercise that would allow lawmakers to claim the mantle of fiscal responsibility while adding trillions of dollars in new spending, such as the $787 billion economic stimulus package passed in February.”
–Sounds like House Republicans agree with him.
“The bill contains exemptions that could lead to larger deficits over the next 10 years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, including an extension of tax cuts set to expire at the end of 2010 for families that earn less than $250,000 per year…Programs from space exploration to law enforcement to education would be exempt from the paygo rule.”
-Sounds like the Congressional Budget Office agrees with him too.
“The bill gives House members “an ability to put out a press release to make it look like they’re being fiscally responsible,” said Paul Ryan, the top Republican on the House Budget Committee…CBO also said that any across-the-board spending cuts triggered by the paygo bill would likely not be enough to cover the cost of new measures.”
–Sounds like Representative Paul Ryan is right.
I would suggest that the next time you intend to make such a laughable and misrepresentative contention; you probably should at least use sources that support your point. In this case, the -actual- story was that the liberal House Democratic leadership passed a bill that liberal Senate Democratic leaders, Republicans, and the CBO recognize as a publicity stunt and farce.
However, I guess you guys need something else to talk about with PrezBO’s headlong drive toward socialized medicine crumbling from underneath you.
-SD
Truth
July 24th, 2009
8:44 am
Yeah Mrs. G… Why shouldn’t he cooperate with the police??? How foolish! The race card is old and worn out.
Normal
July 24th, 2009
8:47 am
UsinUK: Yes, I see what you mean. Just remember I’m not the brightest
firecracker out there…
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
8:48 am
of course, if the guy had a big ol’ McCain/Palin sign in his front yard and if Gates was saying “you’re just doing this because I’m a republican”, he would be the natterers’ heeeeeeroooo for standing up to the oppressive gummint …
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
8:49 am
Normal –
“UsinUK: Yes, I see what you mean. Just remember I’m not the brightest
firecracker out there…”
this is what I do – I don’t expect everyone to be as econo-nerdly as I am.
Pennsylvanian
July 24th, 2009
8:49 am
Doggone @ 8:38. Sgt. Crowley states he told Gates he would be outside if Gates had any other questions. He did not ask, or order, Gates to go outside.
Mrs. Godzilla
July 24th, 2009
8:51 am
Scooter
on his porch…..that’s the picture I saw…in handcuffs…..on his property…..
facist tales can come true, they can happen to you…
Gandalf of Gwinnesia
July 24th, 2009
8:53 am
EXPAT; Yes He does seem to be lookin out for us, inspite of what Barry is doing to attempt to destroy the American way of life!
AmVet
July 24th, 2009
8:53 am
“AmVet at 8:25 – Isn’t is Escalades, not Cadillacs??”
Good point, expat! I’m SO old school, all I can visulaize are those caddies that were like forty feet long!
USinUK,
I did not vote for the Uppity Muslim Sans Birth Certificate. (Though in all honesty at the time I didn’t know about either!). But after his first hundred days I gave him a grade of B-. I think that is pretty fair.
I like some of what he has accomplished – overturning some of the anti-environmental and anti-science BS from BushCo and restoring our image and reputation at home and abroad that intelligent, credible and relatively trustworthy adults are again in charge of the USA.
But I also think he has made some pretty big mistakes already – escalating the quagmire in Afghanistan, keeping the secretive policies of his predecessor in place and using signing statements – and ultimately believe the grade I gave him may drop some. But I may be wrong.
He is a very bright guy and has some good people around him. But the world is a very challenging place right now and lets face it, he inherited a stinking cesspool, both domestically and in foreign matters, from his predecessor.
And the Hero of the Texas ANG was very arguably the worst president in American history. And that is not something that the president or the nation can just shake off in a few months. It’s gonna be a long hard haul back…
Normal
July 24th, 2009
8:54 am
This is so simple to solve…send the cop to summer police acadamy, and make the professor write on the blackboard 500 times “I will not yell at cops ever, ever again. The punishment fits the crime and everybody can go home happy. Oh, and the President has to publicly pardon both of them…
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
8:55 am
GtG –
“EXPAT; Yes He does seem to be lookin out for us, inspite of what Barry is doing to attempt to destroy the American way of life!”
did you read the news: exaggerations are up ONE MILLION PERCENT this year!!!
AmVet
July 24th, 2009
8:55 am
“AmVet at 8:25 – Isn’t is Escalades, not Cadillacs??”
Good point, Expat. I’m old school and all I can visualize are those caddies that were forty feet long!
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
8:56 am
Remember, this discussion over an ‘invite’ began with the allegation the officer invited the professor to go outside an enclosed area into a public area in order to humiliate him.
No, don’t remember that. Further, an invite is an invite and they do come in many sizes and shapes. If I hand you my business card and say nothing at all, I’ve still invited you to contact me.
Scooter
July 24th, 2009
8:56 am
Mrs. G, I have not seen any pics of the story. Where can I see them?
Gandalf of Gwinnesia
July 24th, 2009
8:57 am
EXPAT: It’s a systematic attack Barry and his minions are doing! Open your eyes girl! We are weaker than we have been since 1951!
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
8:58 am
did you read the news: exaggerations are up ONE MILLION PERCENT this year!!!
So true. Hyperbole is through the roof. If only it had some marketable value. Then again… .
Donovan
July 24th, 2009
8:58 am
Keep in mind folks…your president comes from a background of a broken home, a community organizer in a corrupt city, a sympathizer of radicals, and a junior senator. What you see is what you get. Unfortunately, he has no social graces nor apptitude for doing the right thing.
AmVet
July 24th, 2009
8:58 am
USinUK,
I did not vote for BHO. And after his first hundred days I gave him a grade of B-. I think that is pretty fair.
I like some of what he has accomplished – overturning some of the anti-environmental and flat-earth anti-science nonsense from BushCo and restoring our image and reputation at home and abroad that intelligent, credible and relatively trustworthy adults are again in charge of the USA.
But I also think he has made some pretty big mistakes already – escalating the quagmire in Afghanistan, keeping the secretive policies of his predecessor in place and using signing statements – and ultimately believe the grade I gave him may drop some. But I may be wrong.
He is a very bright guy and has some good people around him. But the world is a very challenging place right now and lets face it, he inherited a stinking cesspool, both domestically and in foreign matters, from his predecessor.
And the Hero of the Texas ANG was very arguably the worst president in American history. And that is not something that the president or the nation can just shake off in a few months. It’s gonna be a long hard haul back…
Paul
July 24th, 2009
8:58 am
DoggoneGA 8:38
[[I think he made the mistake of (asking, demanding) that Gates leave his own house after the officer verified that he was IN his own home. Whether he asked or demanded that Gates leave his own home, he should have provided a reasonable explanation for wanting Gates to do that.]]
I read the report that the officer was done, that the professor asked a question for the third time that had been answered already, and that if the professor had any other questions, he’d be outside.
Frankly, at that point, I’d guess the officer was done and if the current tone was going to continue, he’d want witnesses (other than the other officer on scene), which made going outside prudent. Again, I can’t see any reason, at that point, for the officer to remain inside the house.
————————————————————- (DoggoneGA, that line means it’s a general remark, not directed at you)
I don’t know what leave me more amazed – that Pres Obama chose to answer this as he did, or that he expressed puzzlement that his remarks (’the police acted stupidly’) caused such a furor.
Just doesn’t fit with his past level of cool, detached, deliberate, analytical, highly intelligent manner.
I Report :-) You Whine :-(
July 24th, 2009
8:58 am
COOL TURNS COLD: OBAMA ‘BELOW 50%’
Mission Accomplished!
Yes we can!
Gandalf of Gwinnesia
July 24th, 2009
8:58 am
MV7 can play football again! I bet BARRY had something to do with that too!
Night Train
July 24th, 2009
8:59 am
Could this have something to do with the President’s comments? If someone would explain how to ‘italicize’, I would have the information below in italic.
One reason Barack Obama may think the Cambridge Police Department is “stupid” is that he has a grudge against the law enforcement agency.
Obama, who attended Harvard Law School from 1988 to 1991, lived in Cambridge, and apparently didn’t like the fact he was frequently hit with parking tickets.
In all Obama received 17 tickets for parking violations — and never paid 15 of them until he was exposed by a local Massachusetts newspaper as a scofflaw.
According to a 2007 Associated Press story, Obama was a parking ticket deadbeat for more than a decade — and only felt the need to pay the 15 outstanding parking tickets as his presidential campaign began in earnest in 2007.
Here is the Associated Press story detailing Obama’s negligence:
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama got more than an education when he attended Harvard Law School in the late 1980s. He also got a healthy stack of parking tickets, most of which he never paid.
The Illinois Senator shelled out $375 in January – two weeks before he officially launched his presidential campaign – to finally pay for 15 outstanding parking tickets and their associated late fees.
The story was first reported Wednesday by The Somerville News.
Obama received 17 parking tickets in Cambridge between 1988 and 1991, mostly for parking in a bus stop, parking without a resident permit and failing to pay the meter, records from the Cambridge Traffic, Parking and Transportation office show.
He incurred $140 in fines and $260 in late fees in Cambridge in all, but he paid $25 for two of the tickets in February 1990.
Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for the Obama campaign, dismissed the tickets as not relevant.
“He didn’t owe that much and what he did owe, he paid,” Psaki said on Wednesday. “Many people have parking tickets and late fees. All the parking tickets and late fees were paid in full.”
Pennsylvanian
July 24th, 2009
9:00 am
As I posted downstairs, the truth of Gates’ behavior will be found on the police tapes. The subject today is POTUS Obama – and it is clear he has pooped in his mess kit.
AmVet
July 24th, 2009
9:01 am
“…your president…” should be redacted to read
“…your previous president yada yada yada… Unfortunately, he had no social graces nor apptitude (sic) for doing the right thing.”
You people need some editors!
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
9:02 am
Based on years of personal experience, the Republicans, who normally just sit on the sidelines and just say no to everything when they are not in a position of power, miraculously found the time in their ‘busy’ schedules to locate and elaborate on so-called loopholes in the PayGo legislation. How astute!
Mrs. Godzilla
July 24th, 2009
9:03 am
SCOOTER
photo of dangerous handcuffed criminal here…..
http://www.weei.com/sites/default/files/pictures/louis_gates_arrest.jpg
Paul
July 24th, 2009
9:03 am
Trust Me 8:56
That was from yesterday, I believe USinUK –
as far as continuing the invite thing, the ‘invite’ was a poster’s characterization, the poster’s term for the event. Nowhere in the report is the term used. As noted, I don’t equate a ‘please come outside with me’ (directive) in the same league as ‘if you want to speak with me, this is where I’ll be” (informative).
Donovan 8:58
Speaking of corrupt cities, didja see the report of the politicians arrested in the big sweep back east yesterday? Know how I know they weren’t Republican politicians? ’cause the AP didn’t list party affiliation, and if they’d been Republicans, it would have been in at least the second paragraph.
How’s that Culture of Corruption going, Speaker Pelosi?
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
9:04 am
Jay,
I cannot spot what got my 9:02 moderated. Was it the use of the word “astute”.
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
9:05 am
OK, Paul. I’ll try to remember that you require an explicit ‘invite’.
Redneck Convert
July 24th, 2009
9:05 am
Well, glad to see Night Train found the time to check out this Obama’s parking tickets at Harvard. Maybe next time he can tell us what his hind end looks like.
Have a good day everybody.
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
9:06 am
GtG –
“It’s a systematic attack Barry and his minions are doing! Open your eyes girl! We are weaker than we have been since 1951!”
awww … moopsie. weaker in what way? economically?? well, considering that in 1951 the rest of the world was recovering from having the holy crap bombed out of them, yeah, we were pretty strong by comparison.
AmVet
July 24th, 2009
9:08 am
Trust me, apparently the virtual Sarah Palin/book burning wannabe moderator/censor from hell is on the rampage this morning.
I’ve got one held up for gawd knows what…
Scooter
July 24th, 2009
9:08 am
Thanks Mrs. G!
TnGelding
July 24th, 2009
9:09 am
RW-(the original)
July 23rd, 2009
11:34 pm
I don’t know what happened and really don’t care. But police reports have never been fabricated? Weren’t the charges against Gates dropped? That’s a pretty good indication he never should have been arrested, which is what Obama was referring to as acting stupidly.
Gandalf of Gwinnesia
July 24th, 2009
9:09 am
ExPAT: Remember this thing called Korea? Pray we never forget Operation Smith!
Gandalf of Gwinnesia
July 24th, 2009
9:10 am
Correction: Task Force Smith!
Gandalf of Gwinnesia
July 24th, 2009
9:10 am
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Task_Force_Smith
Doggone/GA
July 24th, 2009
9:10 am
“Doggone @ 8:38. Sgt. Crowley states he told Gates he would be outside if Gates had any other questions. He did not ask, or order, Gates to go outside”
That’s how he reported it. I read it. I think the most telling part of this is that the charges were dropped. That requires some explanation. After reading the report I still think they both overreacted, but I think the police officer, after verifying Gates identity, should have just KEPT WALKING and left the premises altogether.
He was there to investigate a break-in. He confirmed no break-in occurred. Everything after that was irrelevent. He was not physically attacked. He was in no danger. SO WHAT if Gates was “yelling” at him. It was HIS house. The report states that Gates was standing on his porch and “yelling” – that was still HIS HOUSE.
I think the officer cleaned up the report as best he could, but I think he got angry and overstepped his authority when he arrested a householder who was STILL ON HIS OWN PROPERTY.
And, again, the most telling fact is that the charges were dropped.
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
9:11 am
On a more serious note, Gidget died. A moment of silence, please.
AmVet
July 24th, 2009
9:12 am
USinUK,
I did not vote for BHO. And after his first hundred days I gave him a grade of B-. I think that is pretty fair.
I like some of what he has accomplished – overturning some of the anti-environmental and flat-earth anti-science nonsense from BushCo and restoring our image and reputation at home and abroad that intelligent, credible and relatively trustworthy adults are again in charge of the USA.
TnGelding
July 24th, 2009
9:13 am
Mrs. Godzilla
July 24th, 2009
9:03 am
The officer in the forefront doesn’t look too pleased. It’ll be interesting to hear what he has to say, if he ever is interviewed.
Gandalf of Gwinnesia
July 24th, 2009
9:14 am
Who else has one of these?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Infantryman_Badge
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
9:14 am
A word to ponder — I recall reading on more than one occassion about ex-cons obtaining jobs, after release from prison where they paid their debt to society in full, as police officers. The moral. Always pack a witness.
jconservative
July 24th, 2009
9:14 am
If I am standing on my front porch & get arrested for hollering at a policeman, I am going to sue somebody! Remember, per the Constitution & the Supreme Court’s interpretation of it, a man’s home is his castle.
Gates biggest mistake was not staying in jail & getting his lawyer and forcing the issue in the courts. Sometimes you must fight to protect your liberties.
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
9:15 am
Paul -
“That was from yesterday, I believe USinUK –
as far as continuing the invite thing, the ‘invite’ was a poster’s characterization, the poster’s term for the event. Nowhere in the report is the term used. As noted, I don’t equate a ‘please come outside with me’ (directive) in the same league as ‘if you want to speak with me, this is where I’ll be” (informative).”
yes, and I still stand by it. the reason the policeman went outside was because he said it was too loud inside and that, if Gates wanted to talk to him, he needed to go outside. in the policeman’s own words, he described a gathering of police and passers-by standing around gawking at them both – and it was only THEN that he arrested Gates.
he didn’t arrest him inside his house, even though Gates was evidently yelling at him there, too. he only did it OUTSIDE, where there was an audience.
and you wonder why I think that humiliation played a part …
(oh, and to echo TnG – the charges were dropped … if they had a valid complaint, I don’t think the charges would be dropped, do you?)
Kamchak
July 24th, 2009
9:16 am
Some on this blog have criticized law enforcement in the incident at the branch Davidian complex in Waco. In that confrontation, law enforcement suspected child abuse and suspected the members of having automatic weapons, yet I’ve read posts protesting the violation of private property. In this case though one man didn’t show the proper respect for the officer and it’s all the resident’s fault.
Gandalf of Gwinnesia
July 24th, 2009
9:16 am
In a socialist society, there is no private property.
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
9:16 am
And remember, challenge authority. It IS the American way. Just as Samurai Sarah.
Normal
July 24th, 2009
9:16 am
Trust Me. You just scared the blue blazes out of me…I thought you meant the REAL Gidget, breath slowly, Normal, breath slowly…
Mrs. Godzilla
July 24th, 2009
9:19 am
Trust Me
That was a scare…..
I was afraid you meant…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj3CWACel4c
Tom
July 24th, 2009
9:19 am
Obama shouldn’t have said anything, but Doggone is right. All you “proud conservatives” can think of this incident like this: Gates, who had committed no crime, was arrested in his own home for showing disrespect to a government employee.
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
9:20 am
At 9:16, that should have read “…just ask…” I think I have some misbehaving phalanges or something.
Mrs. Godzilla
July 24th, 2009
9:20 am
Normal….I understand….Gidget and Ann Marie were my heroines!
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
9:21 am
Kamchak –
WELL DONE on your 9:16.
like I said, if Gates had had a McCain/Palin sign on his front lawn and was yelling that the police hated Republicans, these schmidiots would be declaring him a political prisoner.
chiu
July 24th, 2009
9:22 am
Before Mr. Obama became Presentment he avoid racial subject, now he is presentment he can say anything he really think. simple is that!
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
9:23 am
Mrs G –
“Gidget and Ann Marie were my heroines”
I wasn’t a huge fan of Gidget, but I LOVED That Girl!!! (ooohhhh, Donald!)
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
9:27 am
hey … is today the day that Bosch is having his tests??? does anyone know???
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
9:28 am
What about “The Flying Nun”. She was miraculously light, you know.
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
9:28 am
um. what means “presentment”??
Paul
July 24th, 2009
9:29 am
Trust me 9:05
Depends on circumstance, but nope, I don’t require a specific invite. But if a cop says “come with me” that’s an ‘invite’ (strong) to accompany him.
DoggoneGA
Even if on one’s property, disorderly statutes apply (in many communities).
The police enforce the statutes. The District Attorney makes the decision whether to prosecute or not. Has nothing to do with the validity of the arrest.
USinUK
You see the desire to humiliate. I see the desire to extricate oneself from a deadend situation and go to a location where there are witnesses.
Try this at work sometime. Your boss passes by your desk. Ask him/her a question. Get an answer. Ask it again. Get the same answer. Ask it again. Continue until the boss says “if you have any OTHER questions, I’ll be in my office.”
Follow the boss into his/her office. When he/she says “what are you doing here?” say “You invited me!”
But, have a fresh resume handy…
Later –
If a cop says “I’ll be here if you wish to speak with me’ I read that as he doesn’t care if I speak with him or not. So it’s not an invite.
Hate to get personal, but this makes me wonder if you’re female? Reason I ask: had a haircut appt with a person I’d never used before. Had a voicemail from her “I had to change our time to 3pm, if that’s not okay, let me know.” I showed up at 3. She said “I didn’t know if you were going to show, you didn’t return my call.” I said “you said IF it’s NOT okay, let me know. It was okay, therefore, no need to call.” She looked at me like I was from another planet.
Maybe it is a culturally sex-differentiation thing, like women looking at each other while talking while driving or men internalizing more when responding to a question.
Off to collect a guest from the airport – later.
Paul
July 24th, 2009
9:31 am
I hate cutting into a small comments block…
DoggoneGA
Even if on one’s property, disorderly statutes apply (in many communities).
The police enforce the statutes. The District Attorney makes the decision whether to prosecute or not. Has nothing to do with the validity of the arrest.
If a cop says “I’ll be here if you wish to speak with me’ I read that as he doesn’t care if I speak with him or not. So it’s not an invite.
Hate to get personal, but this makes me wonder if you’re female? Reason I ask: had a haircut appt with a person I’d never used before. Had a voicemail from her “I had to change our time to 3pm, if that’s not okay, let me know.” I showed up at 3. She said “I didn’t know if you were going to show, you didn’t return my call.” I said “you said IF it’s NOT okay, let me know. It was okay, therefore, no need to call.” She looked at me like I was from another planet.
Maybe it is a culturally sex-differentiation thing, like women looking at each other while talking while driving or men internalizing more when responding to a question.
USinUK
You see the desire to humiliate. I see the desire to extricate oneself from a deadend situation and go to a location where there are witnesses.
Try this at work sometime. Your boss passes by your desk. Ask him/her a question. Get an answer. Ask it again. Get the same answer. Ask it again. Continue until the boss says “if you have any OTHER questions, I’ll be in my office.”
Follow the boss into his/her office. When he/she says “what are you doing here?” say “You invited me!”
But, have a fresh resume handy…
Off to collect a guest from the airport – later.
Scooter
July 24th, 2009
9:31 am
Tom, what does this story have to do with cons or libs??????
I Report :-) You Whine :-(
July 24th, 2009
9:31 am
It cracks me up to see these socialist goons taking credit for the minor surge and recovery of the stock market, although they are partially correct; the more investors see that democrat policy is going to crash and burn, the more money they put into the markets, hahahahahaha.
No new taxes cause you got beat.
bwa
Gandalf of Gwinnesia
July 24th, 2009
9:32 am
Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law , St. Paul , Minnesota , points out some interesting facts concerning the Presidential election :
Number of States won by: Democrats: 19 Republicans: 29
Square miles of land won by: Democrats: 580,000 Republicans: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by: Democrats: 127 million Republicans: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Democrats: 13.2 Republicans: 2..1
Pennsylvanian
July 24th, 2009
9:33 am
I don’t know if Gates crossed the line and was disorderly. If he did, it was a good arrest. If he didn’t, it was not. Dropping the charge does not necessarily mean Gates was not disorderly. Really does not matter to me. What matters, and the subject of this blog, is the comments made by the POTUS, which were inappropriate.
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
9:34 am
Jay,
What in the world did I say in my 9:28 that is considered inappropriate.
Brad Steel
July 24th, 2009
9:36 am
Obama’s response showed poor judgement to a situation that did not allow much reflection.
I’m just glad this incidence of bad judgement won’t get us in a war or get people tortured.
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
9:36 am
Depends on circumstance, but nope, I don’t require a specific invite. But if a cop says “come with me” that’s an ‘invite’ (strong) to accompany him.
Only if he says “Please”, Paul. Otherwise, most citizens would likely misinterpret as an order.
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
9:37 am
whiner –
“the more investors see that democrat policy is going to crash and burn, the more money they put into the markets”
your total lack of understanding about how the markets work amuses me.
TW
July 24th, 2009
9:38 am
And there would be no outrage had it been black cops and a wealthy white man???
As soon as the officer recognized it was the man’s house, there was no need for him to be there any more. Seems odd, that this cop is supposedly a pro, but he wouldn’t be suitable for crowd control at a Palin rally? Speaking of which…
“Overall, the new poll found that 53 percent of Americans view Palin negatively and 40 percent see her in positive terms”
Alas, do the centerfold, Simple Sarah, and then…go…away
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
9:39 am
“Only if he says “Please”, Paul. Otherwise, most citizens would likely misinterpret as an order.”
funny how a gun and a badge make that kind of impression …
norman ravitch
July 24th, 2009
9:39 am
Professor or not Gates is the proverbial angry black man. (I know plenty of angry white professors too.) As such O’Bama should not have given him support without evidence. O’Bama here is acting like Gates’ pimp.
I predict this will drown O’Bama much more effectively than his Health Care missteps.
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
9:41 am
GtG –
re: your 9:32.
in other words, PEOPLE approved of him overwhelmingly … cows, chickens and prairie dogs didn’t.
thanks for clarifying.
Tom
July 24th, 2009
9:41 am
Scooter–because conservatives normally take the view that one’s private real estate is sacrosanct, that it should not be subject to invasion by government employees, and that government employees are prima facie entitled to no respect at all.
Gandalf of Gwinnesia
July 24th, 2009
9:43 am
Trust me, he does that all the time! Don’t worry, when it’s not relevant to the conversation, he’ll allow it. His points are sacrosanct!
Sam
July 24th, 2009
9:43 am
To Jay and all the other libs here: in the famous words of Prof Gates–
“Yo Mama”
I Report :-) You Whine :-(
July 24th, 2009
9:45 am
USinUK- It’s called investor confidence, look it up, fool.
extremerightwing
July 24th, 2009
9:45 am
Everyone is missing the real issue here….Obama offered a knee-jerk reaction to this situation based on his association with radicals. If you sit in Jeremiah Wright’s church for 20 years and listen to Black Liberation Theology week in and week out and hear from the pulpit about how bad America is and whitey is, and you associate with community organizations like ACORN who intimidate and bully local communities and stir up trouble with policy, then yes…Obama is going to respond to this situation as his background dictates.
Or, this could have been a ploy to deflect attention away from the hopefully faltering debate on health care.
Kayaker 71
July 24th, 2009
9:46 am
Gates, like most of black America, has a permanent middle finger up for the white community. Now that distinction extends to the POUS. Gates is so full of himself that he would not know the meaning of being law abiding. He, and others in that ivory tower that they live in are so separated from the realities of what life is really all about…. wonder if Gates ever spent much time in the hood? 49% of the occupants of American prisons are black and they only represent 6% of the population. If you are a police officer, those statistics make it difficult to ignore where at least half of the crime is going on. There is at least one shooting in Atlanta most every day posted in the headlines of the AJC and pictures of the suspects are pictured frequently in the paper. Someone in a missed drug deal, a shootout with rival rap gangs or a robbery of a store or business. Most of the pictures are of black men. America is getting tired of this. The extra officers that this requires on the force, the vast sums of money spent to incarcerate these idiots and the cost of protecting law abiding citizens is going through the roof. And we’re supposed to ignore all of these facts and pretend that everything is peachy creamy in America and that arresting officers are “stupid”….. and that from our esteemed leader.
jt
July 24th, 2009
9:47 am
President Obama knew before-hand every question that was to be asked.
His answer to the Gates issue was calculated to shore-up his minority falling approval numbers.(they’re still be disproportionally incarcerated despite his promises.)
As an even bigger benefit, this issue divides Americans and and keeps the heat off of the REAL culprit.
Sheeple are easily led.
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
9:48 am
whiner –
“It’s called investor confidence, look it up, fool”
yes – and the investors are showing confidence that the administration and the fed are doing a good job at shoring up the markets.
josef nix
July 24th, 2009
9:48 am
USinUK–thanks for the Salon link of earlier. An interesting read and pretty much my point as far as the good professor and his “outrage” is concerned.
I wonder did anyone else notice this or if it was just me. Last night while the talking heads were yammering on and on about this, the screen posted its visuals. Now most of those of the officer presented a rather good looking young man, clean cut all American type. Keith Olbermann’s image, however, was a distorted one which made him look like the village idiot. Why?
David
July 24th, 2009
9:50 am
One fact still amazes me about this story: WHY don’t Gates’ neighbors know him? If he’s such a prominent and scholarly figure (which he is) then why doesn’t he take the time to meet the people he lives near?! I find it amazing that in pretentious old Massachusetts, neighbors don’t know each other.
Gale
July 24th, 2009
9:50 am
It would seem like a good tactic to me if police use the threat of arrest, and even handcuffs to calm a disorderly person. On the other hand, that action might also escalate a situation beyond public disturbance into violence. I think I will trust the judgement of a career police officer to make that call. Personally, I think Gates should have been happy that his neighbor noticed someone breaking into his house and called the police, and that the police responded quickly. It is not strange at all that his neighbor did not recognize him. Lots of people today would not recognize a neighbor by sight.
pat
July 24th, 2009
9:51 am
He should have said nothing. He doesn’t need to weigh in on everything. He need to practice STFU…
jt
July 24th, 2009
9:52 am
Although, not all police are bad, no one race is immune to the rotten ones that brutalize Americans everyday.
USinUK
July 24th, 2009
9:53 am
David –
actually, it wasn’t a neighbor that called the police, it was someone working in the area (caught that in a story this morning)
Trust me
July 24th, 2009
9:55 am
I think we can call this a success for those looking to associate this event with the discussion on healthcare. Hardly a word about healthcare. Clever, these people that would force us to talk about this. I sense a Jon Stewart moment in the making.
Scooter
July 24th, 2009
9:56 am
USinUK-Off topic! I have been considering moving my money out of the market and into something less risky. Would you be so kind to give me your opinion on this?