QUESTION: Do you feel most blacks (including Obama) are overreacting to the Gates arrest?

[uponit7771]

QUESTION: Do you feel most blacks (including Obama) are overreacting to the Gates arrest?

I like to ask this question of progressive cause it's a decent measure of where the other side of the political racial spectrum will be like...

Myself thinks blacks (including myself) are frustrated that a black man got arrested on his own grounds AFTER doing what was asked of him even though he might have done what was asked in a less than perfect way.....in the day that we have a black man as president.

To me we have pockets of racial resistance that are being brushed aside to a certain extent as if they've been dealt with because Obama is president.

Thx in advance

[lindisfarne]

1. No. n/t

[falcon97]

120. +1 n/t

[Cronus Protagonist]

2. Skin color is irrelevant

I think we all need to quit bringing race into things.

[uponit7771]

8. Ummm, yeah....I would like to live on that planet one day but we aint there YET....we getting there.

....but we aint there YET

[SemiCharmedQuark]

10. Stephen Colbert: "I don't see color. People tell me I'm white and I believe them because

police officers call me sir"

[uponit7771]

16. Colbert is the man, he...he's the man

[vaberella]

Pardon me...what planet do you live on? You do realize that racism is instituionalized in polices,

right?! I mean this is not news. You do know DWB's is not a joke, it's very real and this is just one example of something that fits the bill.

[uponit7771]

17. Do you think a black man would be respected in the GOP?

[backscatter712]

111. Case in point: Michael Steele...

At best, he's the GOP's Uncle Tom.

When he actually tried to assert his authority as RNC chair, they took the purse away from him.

[Fearless]

118. Jindal as an Indian man?

[Chulanowa]

52. You're probably on the paler side of skin tones, yes?

Not trying to be a dick, it's an honest question. It seems every time someone's saying "let's stop talking about race" it's a white person.

I can't argue with the sentiment, it WOULD be nice to live in a totally colorblind society. But that's not going to happen. Race is an issue, and it does need to be spoken of where applicable. Some of us simply don't have the luxury to pretend that we are clear. That honestly seems confined to white people and a small handful of truly advantaged people of color. The rest of us are constantly reminded that we're quite brown, often with attendant denigrations.

When you say "we need to stop talking about race" what it sounds like, to my shade-darker-than-tan ears is "your experiences don't matter because you're colored" Now I'm certain this is not what you mean, but it is my first impression. it sounds like you want to pretend everyone is on equal footing, and that race is a non-issue, when everyone isn't on equal footing in our society, and race is an issue. Again, this is just my first impression, I'm aware you're not trying to make that particular point.

But it does obviously point out race does matter. Should it? In a perfect world, it wouldn't, but this world is obviously imperfect.

[Number23]

96. Really, really nice post.

[Raineyb]

99. I agree. Much nicer than the one I put up.

:thumbsup:

[Raineyb]

98. What planet do you live on?

Here on Earth in this country skin color is certainly not irrelevant although many people certainly like to pretend it is.

[freddie mertz]

138. Yeah right, it is "we" who bring race into things.

:patriot: :applause: :yourock: :headbang: :fistbump: :sarcasm: :cry:

Mother of God protect us
:scared:

[Cronus Protagonist]

148. OK, YOU can bring race into things, the rest of us will take the high road

Maybe your half-dozen buddies here can also keep bringing race to things, after all, I can't stop ya!.... but I want to live in a racially celebratory world of diversity, so I will, in opposition to you and your peanut gallery, continue to call for an end to racialist thinking.

[Solomon]

3. Boy oh boy. You must be a masachist. Why oh why

would you pluck a scab like this one?

[BlooInBloo]

6. "masochist".

[uponit7771]

7. I am black, I want to know what people think. Some wounds wont heal until their exposed no?

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Not at all.

Good articulate valid points that have to be faced and dealt with.

[BlooInBloo]

5. You're so tumultuous.

[wryter2000]

13. LOL

I write romance novels, and I have never used the word "tumultuous." :rofl:

[BlooInBloo]

19. Me neither. I'm coming to have a newfound appreciation for it, however.

[wryter2000]

64. It's a great word

"It's certainly tumultuous in GD-P today." :rofl:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

20. Have you used the word "quivering"?

:silly:

[wryter2000]

63. I'm sure I must have

And plush, too. :evilgrin:

[wryter2000]

9. No n/t

n/t

[vaberella]

11. As a Black Woman from Harlem and Haitian to boot. I'm hypersensitive to this shit.

But no, I don't think Blacks are overreacting in the least. There's a good amount of Blacks who forget that we still have a struggle ahead of us. They assume that because Obama is here, ooooh...MLK's dream has come to fruition. Bullshit!! We still have a lot of work ahead of us and this is just a nice reminder if the Holocaust Museum shooting wasn't enough, if all the shit that was said about Obama during the primaries---like the emails and what not from racist GOP, if the accusations against the Black community as the perpetrators in passing prop. fuckin' 8, wasn't enough.

[uponit7771]

15. RIGHT!! The GOP is one of the most racist institutions we have in America and they are

...lauded about as mainstream

[monmouth]

23. As a white woman I was very, very angry that this man had to go

through this ordeal. Racism, if anything, has gotten worse in this country, not better.

[vaberella]

35. Agreed. n/t

[Fire1]

90. Surely, you don't think this is just a 'republican' attitude or

problem!

[goclark]

84. I say it has gotten worse because we should know better by now

It is my hope that this generation of American itizens will look at these old and out of touch idiots and understand that we want to get over this stuff.

"Can't we all get along?" - Rodney King

[DesertFlower]

12. no. i don't think they're overreacing.

BTW. i'm a white woman.

[depakid]

14. The fact that we're even arguing asbout this is repugant

The cop should be fired and Cambridge ought to settle up quietly in the six figure range.

[Howardx]

18. exactly

white male agreeing.

[MUAD_DIB]

21. Should all the other cops that were there be fired as well?

You know, guilty by association?

I mean they must all be corrupt and racist as well.


Right?

[Cha]

24. Your strawman is

stupid.

[MUAD_DIB]

26. No, actually I was looking for an answer. You failed to give one.

Live with it.

[uponit7771]

28. No, 99.5% of cops out there are cool and do thier jobs. It's the cops who aren't checked like

...this one who piss a whole community off for generations.

[Fire1]

92. I think your stats are WAAAAAAY too high!! n/t

[TheKentuckian]

109. 99.5% my ass. Right., 99.5% don't even say they are cool and do their jobs. Off the record.

Most will have some pretty colorful stories that fail to meet any real standard for being servants of the people and/or respect for the law.

I'd say more like 40% of police are criminals, 15% are heros, and the rest are watching the clock and counting the days.

[Fearless]

123. Maybe in KY but not in more liberal places I assure you.

I'm sure it isn't as high as 99.5 but I promise you it's higher than 15.

[depakid]

30. Yeah, as a matter of fact.

The whole lot of them violated their duties. Maybe suspensions for them are order depending on their involvement.

And btw- this doesn't have to be played out with the race card. As another poster pointed out- they arrested an old ass many in his own fucking house! With no justification other than rudeness.

[MUAD_DIB]

50. Oh, so you were there and saw them violating their duty.

I stand corrected.

[depakid]

103. It's obvious

But then again, the thin blue line allows cops to get away with a lot worse in America.

[Howardx]

31. disciplined at the least

this is clearly a case of cops using their authority to hassle someone who didnt talk to them with the deference they seem to demand.

[MUAD_DIB]

53. Since I wasn't there I can't say for sure, but many DUers must have

a palantíri that lets them see into the past.

[Howardx]

55. the fact that the charges were dropped

tells me all i need to know, without resorting to my palantiri.

[MUAD_DIB]

70. Knock yourself out jumping to conclusions.

I'll wait for the final report.

[daninthemoon]

29. exactly right

[Cha]

22. No, Pres Obama made

a good statement when asked about it.

<snip>>>>>


.."But his tone quickly turned serious.

"I think it's fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry; number two, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home; and, number three, what I think we know separate and apart from this incident is that there's a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately. That's just a fact," Obama said.

Obama went on to note the incident doesn't lessen "the incredible progress that has been made" in race relations and cited his presidency as an example. But he added a long history of African-Americans and Hispanics being stopped in disproportionate numbers by police "still haunts us."

"Even when there are honest misunderstandings, the fact that blacks and Hispanics are picked up more frequently and often time for no cause casts suspicion even when there is good cause," Obama said. "And that's why I think the more that we're working with local law enforcement to improve policing techniques so that we're eliminating potential bias, the safer everybody is going to be."

http://blog.buzzflash.com/node/9055

[Window]

65. Correct. They became stupid when they arrested him AFTER they knew he was the homeowner.

nt

[maxsolomon]

25. Hellz no

here is police action clearly over the line in a way that every white person can understand: HIS HOUSE, HE PROVED IT, and he still got arrested.

everyone should be pissed. i am. the man is a fucking tenured HARVARD professor. i'd recognize him on the street, and i live on the other side of the country.

I am a caucasoid.

[Aramchek]

27. Not One Bit.

[Grey]

32. As explained by Ms. O'brian on CNN I would be

more than a little offended. I think they are showing a great deal of restraint.
As she said, they couldn't arrest him for having a "hissy Fit" in his own house so they asked him to step outside.
Only then could they cuff a frail, 150 lb man that walked with a cane. I was disgusted and I'm not even "black".
That is no way to treat anyone.

[uponit7771]

38. Hmmm, that's a good point...of all the people to arrest. Cambridge must be one safe town...

[jeffrey_X]

33. "blacks" ?

sorry, using the term that way is derogatory IMO.

[Grey]

81. Sorry, could you explain?

People have been talking about Professor Gates that way and to me the point was "Why should he be treated differently?"
But, then I don't 'get' a lot of stuff americans grew up with.

[kestrel91316]

34. No. And I'm white.

[mix]

36. No. Gates' arrest is appalling. n/t

[Occam Bandage]

37. No. "The cop acted stupidly" is acceptable. The enormous controversy that statement caused

is the only overreaction that I can see (apart from a police officer arresting a man for being upset that a cop was still harassing him in his own home even after he had provided two forms of identification. That was an overreaction as well.)

[DKRC]

39. Not at all

Prof. Gates provided proof of his identity as asked & the cop took him to jail on a trumped up charge.
I hope Prof. Gates sues the pants off of that cop. The guy escalated a misunderstanding into a false arrest.

[rwheeler31]

40. no

[Hell Hath No Fury]

41. No, not at all.

I understand the response completely. Black men continue to be targeted by police -- that's just a fact. I remember LeVar Burton telling a story how he was pulled over for DWB -- he was in a Beamer and wearing a red bandana on his head -- the Southern California cops stopped him because he was a black man in a nice car.

I am sure Gates was extra offended because this shit is STILL going on in 2009, and with a black man as President.

[uponit7771]

60. Yeap, your last sentence is what adds some fule to the reaction IMHO. Obama gets elected

...but some attitudes continue.

We'll endure past this frustration no doubt

[MarjorieG]

As Obama said, cooler heads should have prevailed, and both parties' past experiences contributed.

Saying stupidly doesn't charge malice or profiling, although latently, maybe was so. Gates proved he was in his home. If it matters, I'm white.

[DevonRex]

42. Hell no. nt

[Wednesdays]

43. "QUESTION: Do you feel most gays overreacted to the Matthew Shepard incident?"

"QUESTION: Do you feel most Jews overreact to the Holocaust?"

Hmm...let's think of some more...

:eyes:

[Jennicut]

44. Absolutely not.

And I say that as white woman who grew up in an ultra wealthy small town in CT.
Many whites and blacks are sick of abusive police...whether through over aggressive force to everyone or racial profiling.
My husband got in a fight with a police officer when he was dropping off equipment in front of a club at Norwalk, CT for his band. The officer just totally went off on him, screaming and yelling that they were not allowed to park there. It was ridiculous how much the police officer over reacted. My husband tried to reason with him but he threatened to arrest him right then and there. Thankfully my hubby decided not to keep fighting with the officer but its ridiculous the power trips some of them go on.

[uponit7771]

59. I've heard this before about New England police officers before, Bostons especially

[Jennicut]

107. My hubby has played in Boston before, it can get out of control there

quickly. Lots of alcohol and fights outside clubs and bars. Some of the cops can be a bit rough there too. Crazy place, that Boston. Tiny hotel rooms, too. Albany can get out of control easily as well. I have too many stories of crazy incidents...my husband has been doing this cover band stuff for 7 years. The Norwalk incident was the only time he ever had a cop freak out on him before though. Most of the time they handle the craziness with cool heads.

[PretzelWarrior]

45. NO. this is a window into day to day racial discrimination they contend with

and we cannot imagine.

[quantass]

46. Actually most whites are overreacting not blacks ...and i am white. nt

turn on the tube and notice the gop and the msm talking all about it.

[Hansel]

47. No. nt

[whistler162]

48. I think that too many are not walking through the

decision tree.

Take the arrest, there where two possible out comes. The first one, the obvious one, and the one that happened was that everyone gets ticked off because of the arreat of a Harvard professor. The second, maybe unlikely but possible, out come was upon being placed under arrest and taken far enough away from the house Professor Gates could finally safely inform the Police that he was being held at knife/gun point by a home invader, second man, and had provoked the situation to be arrested.

This also brings us to the what if... had the officer not responded as he did and Professor Gates was being held hostage or underduress and Profesor Gates was killed or injured. What would the commotion be like then.

Once the possible burglary was reported the officer needed to find out several things. Was there a break in and who each of the men seen entering the house where and their relationship to the homeowner/renter.

[sandnsea]

51. Puhleeze. The officer was IN the home

Why do you want to rationalize this completely inexcusable behavior?

[mix]

56. To quote:

What if the officer had treated him like a human being?

Your scenario is a fantasy and distraction from dealing with the reality of a racist cop and bad policing.

[jbnow]

154. I heard a better "what if". What if

Henry Kissinger was the one in his own home and a it was a black cop who arrested him after seeing the ID and knowing it was his house. Would we blame Henry for being rude to the black cop or think the cop had gone too far.
That gave some of the white people on the panel pause...

and as far as the possibility of being held hostage. The cop was in the house but OK the burglar could be in the next room. So when Gates went out on the porch they could have grabbed him and talked to him in the yard. I'm thinking that as they grabbed and cuffed him they were not asking if he was safe.

The issue is not the police wanting to investigate the report or make sure things were OK. They arrested him and hauled him off. What does your point have to do with that?

[sandnsea]

49. I'm white and embarrassed everyone isn't appalled

The officer should have left immediately after being shown the ID. And given his name and badge number, with a smile. Anybody who says otherwise is just an arrogant ass who can't see their own shit when it's stinking everybody else out of their homes.

[uponit7771]

58. yeapers...

[Chulanowa]

54. Absolutely not

And the only reason people are saying anything about Obama making a perfectly valid statement, is that he himself is black. For some sanine fucking reason, only white politicians seem to be "allowed" to speak of racial issues, and any black or Indian or Asian or Latino who attempts to do likewise is branded an "extermist" or is themselves called "racist"

It is clear to me that this professor would not have had to deal with the cops if he were white. At the absolute worst, they would have said "excuse me, sir, do ou live here? Okay, just checking, bye-bye"

[alcibiades_mystery]

57. No

I feel many white folks immediately overreact whenever there's a hint that racism still exists, and jump to the defense of anyone anywhere accused of any kind of racist behavior short of Klan marching.

[Karenina]

135. BINGO!

I had to end a friendship of 25 years due to that particular knee-jerk.

[babsbunny]

61. no

[Beacool]

62. It seems like a case of he said, he said.

Having not been there, I wouldn't touch this one with a ten foot pole.

Although, cops seem on occasion to act first and ask questions later. Too many like the power that being a cop gives them.

:(

[uponit7771]

66. FACT NOT IN DISPUTE: Gates showed his ID and verified he lived in home and STILL got arrested...

...the thing I can see that is stupid is Gates getting arrested for having a Hissy Fit.

Now if that's against the law folk should be informed that it is so they's can govern themselves accordingly

[mix]

68. The cop seems extremely thick, to not see the policing mistakes

unfolding around him...arresting Gates AFTER he shows his ID and verifies his right to be there? Also, the officer's failure to deal with Gates' attitude shows how poorly trained in simple deescalation techniques he is. A combination of bad policing and institutional racism, Mr. Gates is lucky to be alive.

[The Wizard]

146. As Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago said

of his police force's behavior during the 1968 Democratic convention: "The policeman isn't there to create disorder. The policeman is there to preserve disorder."

[Beacool]

89. Some neighbor said that Gates was belligerent.

The whole thing elicited an emotional response from people and having not been there, I rather not come to a rash conclusion.

Having said that, I don't care for cops at all. Too many of them are bullies and abuse their power.

[Th1onein]

105. There is no law against belligerance.

Hello? No law against belligerance. Gates was asked for his ID, gave it. It should have ended right there. His attitude was not a crime. Belligerance is not a crime.

[Fearless]

122. For being disorderly...

[sandnsea]

74. Seems like it's a case of Hillaritis

Because if you can't put racism ahead of your sour grapes, you are truly in need of some kind of treatment.

[musicblind]

76. Um, I don't think she was slamming Obama. I think she was defending

the fact that the officer may have lied on the police report

[sandnsea]

83. Wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole? Why???

There is absolutely nothing someone could say in their own house that should cause an arrest. Period. Pole not necessary.

[Lord Helmet]

106. What do you expect from some that defended Geraldine Ferraro's racist comments?

link

[Beacool]

86. I wasn't even thinking of Obama.

I haven't said a darn thing about his response to this question last night. His response doesn't bother me at all.

[Beacool]

85. What the hell are you talking about?

I'm not getting involved in this issue at all. I avoided commenting on every thread on this issue. The officer said one thing and professor Gates said another. Since I was not a witness to this incident, I prefer to stay out of it altogether.

There's plenty of racism in this country and I'm no fan of the police in general, but there seems to be more than one version of this event.

[sandnsea]

88. You put yourself in the issue

and it's clear to me that you can never find a decent thing to say about anything atall to do with Obama, in any remote way -- which is more important to you than looking at an obvious incident of racism and civil rights violations honestly.

[Beacool]

91. This was not about Obama.

Furthermore, I have no problem with his response last night.

[lunatica]

67. No. What's considered 'overreacting'?

People like the Birthers are overreacting but that's because their logic is flawed and stupid to begin with. Their foundation has no foundation.

[Bluenorthwest]

69. The President was about as calm and moderate as it gets

and he most certainly did not overreact. I would have liked more. I think a strong reaction to such a obvious and sadly typical injustice is called for. Also, for what it is worth from the heart of lib land, not one person I know of any race thinks Obama overreacted, in fact there has been general delight at seeing the police called stupid by the President, and a universal wish that he had used stronger language, not about the individual officers, so much as about the Institutional Prejudice of many Police Departments.
I think people should scream bloody hell at any abuse of authority, and do so until the people control the police, not the other way around.

[camera obscura]

71. No.

[Thrill]

72. How did Obama overreact? They arrested an old ass man for breaking into his own house

After he showed them ID. That was stupid.

[Critters2]

73. No. nt

[musicblind]

75. No

I do not

[Arkana]

77. No, I think they're right to ask why officers arrested Gates in his own home.

[Undercurrent]

78. No.

.

[Jetboy]

79. I think that libertarians are underreacting.

There is no way Gates should have been arrested IMO.

[uponit7771]

82. VERY good point

[Fearless]

121. Libertarians? Those who believe that police have no place in people's homes? Explain??

[Hekate]

80. No, I do not.

[LisaM]

87. I want to know who made the call in the first place

I don't see very many people talking about this. This is Cambridge, presumably a nice neighborhood. So people would probably have at least a passing acquaintance with their neighbors, and would also know if they lived near someone famous, which Gates is. I find that part the most disturbing of all. Police do have to respond to calls, after all (not saying this officer didn't overreact). They didn't originally target Gates, but the neighbor sure did.

[muriel_volestrangler]

128. Some reports I've seen say it was a woman 'walking by'

eg

A white woman walking by saw a black man trying to force the door, called 911, and hapless Sgt James Crowley arrived.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/22/henry-louis-gates-arrested-at-home

A woman walking by who works for Harvard Magazine saw this, didn’t recognise Gates and called 911.

http://www.france24.com/en/20090722-henry-louis-gates-arrested-harvard-indonesia-school-java-independent-gallery-fakes-eclipse-settlements-west-bank

I wouldn't be too surprised if someone walking in an area didn't know all the people living there, and even if she works for Harvard Magazine, she might not recognise him when he's in the middle of trying to fix a door.

[Dappleganger]

93. No, but it would be more helpful to react with facts

about why things continue to be so unequal with treatment by the police rather than throw around inflammatory words which tend to distract white people from looking at FACTS. People need to tell their stories as often as they can, not just say 'that cop was racist and I hate cops!' Well, you and I know that but for the typical ignorant bigot they need to have it spelled out for them in pictures they can understand. There are some people who can be persuaded and it's my hope that this situation will bring them to a better understanding about the harm that is done on a daily basis.

[struggle4progress]

94. Harvard prof arrested in own house on suspicion of B&E? What could it be but racism?

[Zavulon]

95. I think the media is overreacting to it.

Bush and all of his white predecessors would never been asked what Obama was asked, and now it's a firestorm. What a load of shit.

[ms liberty]

97. No...we should all be outraged that this is still happening in America. n/t

[Rosa Luxemburg]

100. No they are not overreacting but state governments should have controlled this

City mayors, governors, State legislators should not be trying to bury their heads in the sand. This racial profiling has been allowed to carry on and on. Obama has fired a shot across the bows. It is time for some action.

[Colobo]

101. I'm not overreacting.

[JayMusgrove]

102. White people are NOT QUALIFIED to answer this question..........sorry

to say.........they simply NEVER EXPERIENCED AMERICA as a black person..............so sorry they haven't been subjected to discrimination.........and need to act like white people whose homes are invaded for no reason.............

Get to this question more relevant...........how many stupid WHITE people feel this issue of race is resolved by Obama being elected?

Yeah, this solves everything, especially stupid acting white cops in Mass.

What a stupid question! People in America really do NOT understand how deep the debt of slavery is....for hundreds of years.....even for a poor working class white Irish-Catholic cop in Cambridge, Mass, and an accomplished Black professor in Harvard.......the legacy of racism lives on for many many many years....and these two guys could be a model for America, now they are screwing each other on the media.........what a stupid world, with all the media

[Fearless]

117. How about a gay white person. Or a latino/a? Would they?

Where do we draw the line. Wouldn't it be more honest just to say those who don't have experience with discrimination don't understand? Curious.

[Th1onein]

104. Hell no.

And, if it means anything, I'm white. I've watched mostly blacks being killed, tased, beat up, sodomized, etc., by these killing pieces of shit, and I'm sick of it. I can't imagine how angry I'd be if I were black, but it would be a horrendously righteous anger.

[donheld]

108. k & U

[tomm2thumbs]

110. your post is interestingly worded - here's my take

As no one on this board leaving commentary was actually there, comments on what 'happened' simply need a caveat. Even if it is just the simplest of caveats which even a criminal gets when his crimes are discussed before trial. The word 'alleged' is used by the press consistently because they can no doubt be sued by someone if they start talking about incidents like fact.

I can understand comments of 'it wouldn't surprise me if it were true'. But when someone specifically says one party acted improperly (ie. stupidly) without being there, it takes away the weakest of any kind of 'alleged' which we give to even the most hideous assumed perpetrators. The Police were 'convicted' of stupid-conduct by someone who really didn't know what transpired.

As for my other issues - why a professor at Harvard thinks it is good form to bust in the door of a University-owned residence instead of simply calling University-security to let him in is beyond me. In my opinion, the officer had a right to request University-security to come even after he saw a name and address I.D. because it is reported he initially refused to show I.D. (again, I don't know this) and University-security could confirm if the professor was still working there or was recently fired and trying to bust in. Again, this goes back to my 'what was he thinking of not simply asking Security to let him in' since it was University-owned residence in the first place.

Finally, as to whether his conduct was such that an arrest was called for - only those that were there will ever know. I doubt it. But folks here claim to 'know it is true' which is patently false as they can only assume. They were not there. So, although I know there is a history of bad-acts like this which can be cited, you have to judge these one case at a time.

I bet frankly we will never know the circumstances.

[uponit7771]

132. He was renting the home and he showed his ID, after he showed his ID that's it...I don't understand

...why he got arrested.

[tomm2thumbs]

140. now I'm hearing there is audio so maybe that will settle some of this /nt

[BklnDem75]

162. Did he bust in his door?

He used his key to get in through the backdoor. With help, he managed to get through the door from the inside. He was on the phone with the repair guy when the officer arrived. Why do people continue to cling onto misinformation?

[cliffordu]

112. Nope.

[backscatter712]

113. No, racist fucktards are overreacting.

[Pirate Smile]

114. No, I don't think most blacks are overreacting.

For the record, I'm a white chick.

[Fearless]

115. I believe that if he was a poor black man no one would have cared.

I believe that sometimes people with hair-triggers call racism without cause. Especially P.C. university types.

I believe that racism is alive and well in this nation.

I believe it's best left up to the independent panel in Cambridge to comb through the evidence and come to a solution.

I believe that we are being distracted from health care and the GOP is laughing it up.

[Raineyb]

124. We would have cared. It just wouldn't have gotten any media attention.

This kind of bullshit happens to people of color every day and we're fucking sick of it. I'll take any chance that comes along to put a spotlight on it.

[Fearless]

125. Far fewer then. And in specific only a very select few.

Try not to take what I say completely literally.

[Raineyb]

141. I needs to be taken literally in order to be completely clear as to what is meant.

Far too often I run into white people who say nobody would care when they mean to say no white person would care since black people would care and by definition that's not nobody. Said use of the word is not acceptable. Nobody means nobody of any race hue or color. It is absolutely necessary to be literal at times to be utterly clear as to what is meant.

You should try not to be so sloppy with your use of language.

[Fearless]

142. Who said I was white? Who said you're right either?

Oh right. No one.

Get off your high horse. It's very detracting from any point you could possibly make.

[Raineyb]

150. Like I said I was clarifying. Don't get nasty with me because your language was sloppy.

Frankly, I'm surprised you could figure out the point I was making what with your head stuck up your ass. Of course seeing as you've not said what you think my point is I may be giving you too much credit.

[Fearless]

164. If you make a valid point it will be acknowleded.

:hi:

[quiller4]

116. Absolutely not. The arrest was and outrage. n/t

[HughMoran]

119. Not at all

I think the cop is getting too much benefit of the doubt - he clearly had a very bad day and needs to apologize for his bad behavior.

[democracy1st]

126. Yes!

[FrenchieCat]

127. Which ones? Please provide some samples, thanks.

[democracy1st]

133. there's no way he should have dove into this issue without knowing all the facts of the case

[uponit7771]

131. Thank you for your honesty, I'd like to know why you feel blacks are overreacting? Thx in advance

[democracy1st]

134. the problem is the POTUS doesn't know what happened, if there's audiotapes

of Gates totally going berzerk on the officer then Pres Obama will lose credibilty. So I'm hoping that this professor held his cool,we'll see. I have to say for the POTUS to use "stupidly" when referring to law enforcement is asking for trouble.

[uponit7771]

136. What's NOT in dispute is Gates showed his ID then got arrested. What Gates did to deserve

...arrest is what I would call stupid seeing that being an asshole to someone you feel is being a jerk to you is not cause for arrest but I could be wrong and the police can arrest you for anything.

But Gates was NO DOUBT inside his house (via the pictures) and told to step outside (Crowleys report) then got arrested...AFTER...AFTER...Gates showed ID.

[democracy1st]

139. think about it the POTUS waying in on a issue he knows nothing about and making a judgement call

[uponit7771]

145. Again, the police report was ALREADY out, that much he DID know and it's NOT in dispute that Gates w

...was arrested AFTER showing his ID!!

Come on, this is not confusing...cops can't arrest you for pissing them off....ok, the SHOULD not but

[BklnDem75]

163. You're still on this?

I gave you the actual quotes and you continue with misinformation. Get over it. The officers DID act stupidly.

[TexasObserver]

129. No.

[northernlights]

130. as a white, middle-aged woman former professional

all of 5'2 and 110 pounds, I've been subjected to police abuse ever since W took office.

Seriously, I've been threatened with jail for:

1. "leaving the scene of an accident" that took place in my condo parking lot. The kid was illegally blocking a fire hydrant -- I was very careful backing up but couldn't see the bed of his truck in my rear view. I'd known the kid since he were tiny. He knew I lived 2 doors down. I told him I'd be right back -- I needed to pick up meds before the pharmacy closed. I was back before the police arrived on the scene. All the damage (a broken tail light) was to *my* car, not his truck. Under the $500 reporting point. AND I was being very polite.

2. disturbing the peace. The guy I yelled at was a known criminal -- registered sex offender just off probation. Had been harrassing me 24x7 for 3 years. Police had refused to come in the past when I called begging for help. I yelled at him for a couple minutes starting precisely at 11 pm to "SHUT UP. JUST SHUT UP. QUIET TIME STARTS AT 11 PM so SHUT UP!!!!!!" Until he STFU, at which time all was quiet and I went to bed and for the 1st time in several nights had enough quiet to fall asleep. An hour later -- at midnight -- I was awakened by the cops pounding on my door and threatening to break it down.

3. supposedly threatening a contractor who had trashed my property with his bulldozer. He was a local (and therefore known to be a hunter and armed). The damage to my property was clearly apparent. There was no evidence I had threatened him or anybody. He was literally double my size, plus. But he was a local, I'm a transplant. That's all the evidence they need around here.

IMO, the police went totally off the deep end in the last administration. I can understand them being very cautious when somebody appears to be breaking and entering.

But they've reached a point where they threaten to arrest victims for daring to simply stand their ground. Or, in the case of the contractor incident, crying. Not be belligerant. Just stand their ground.

On the one hand, I thought it was strange the a president would get involved so vocally about a local issue. On the other hand, the police need to calm down and remember who the criminals are.

[slackmaster]

137. How could any of us possibly know how "most blacks" are reacting to anything?

Seriously, how?

[Phx_Dem]

143. Short answer: No. Since I'm not black, I would never presume to

tell a black person how to feel about an issue that could be seen as racial. They've had experiences I can't even imagine.

[Karenina]

147. Thank you SO MUCH.

:hug::cry::hug: The first time I ever heard those words was AFTER I left the states. I have no plans to return.

It first happened when a friend, after hearing an account of my encounter with security at our city's concert hall, uttered almost verbatim the words you typed. She let me speak uninterrupted and ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS. She was in a position to deal with the situation and did so.

The second time was on the tram, discussing a word used to describe black people. The young man, who had engaged me in conversation on the platform*, LET ME SPEAK, was not defensive in any way, asked questions and had a :think: moment. "I NEVER thought of it that way! I can't even imagine what you've experienced.

The third time was, Gott sei dank, by an AMERICAN who, while I was being subjected to a shitload of subtle racist hazing in the hotel dining room, recounted the story of a singer he'd travelled with who'd had her last nerve worked. "She's had experience I can't even imagine. If she's going off, I KNOW SOMETHING'S FUCKED. I BELIEVE HER." (I managed to maintain my composure. :cry: )

*The tradition of engagement in this city has been severely NEGATIVELY impacted by the be-connected-with-everyone-on-earth-while-ignoring-the-real-life-person-next-to-you technology.

[Phx_Dem]

157. ...

:hug:

[johnaries]

144. Not at all, considering the way the media ran it.

After doing a little digging, I think Crowley was wrong to arrest Gates but i don't think it was because he was a racist. But to hear the M$M tell it - hoo, boy!

Funny, seems like racism has become much more of an issue on M$M since Obama got elected. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe we can have some serious discussion, now. Well, outside of the M$M fanning racial flames, I mean.

[grantcart]

149. To all blacks reading this thread --- I am too embarassed to respond

[omega minimo]

153. To "most blacks" reading this thread -- I tend to agree.

[Vidar]

151. Hell no!

[omega minimo]

152. How would DU know what "most blacks" are doing?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

155. It's amazing that even some liberal whites that I spoke to just don't get it. It makes me very sad.

[LaydeeBug]

156. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Initially, I don't believe it was overreacting. But NOW I think this is overblown, especially since both sides of the story are out, and it is pretty easy to glean what happened.

[marshall]

158. Gates himself has basically admitted as much

He has turned the "learning experience" inward and commented that he was learning about the reasons he reacted the way he did.

[MellowDem]

159. I don't think anyone can speak for "most blacks"

but Obama has not overreacted at all, in fact he has handled it very well. His response during the news conference was very good, except maybe for the "stupidly" comment. When a black man is arrested by a white cop in his own home, many people will automatically wonder if race had anything to do with it, and that points to the fact that race is still very important to society and people's experiences make them suspicious of it. I think Obama made this clear. Racial profiling, both from the past and in the present, will lead to suspicions of such cases as these. The reaction to this case is indicative of the state of race in this country more than this case itself.

[JustinL]

160. no

[JonLP24]

161. No way

What people are leaving out even if may have been "tumultuous" you got to factor in he just came back from a flight from China. Besides that if the police is wrong, I'm going to let them know they are wrong as I have before in my life.