Cambridge Professor Arrested After "Breaking In" to His Own Home

[foodcourtdruide]

ok. but MB is in charge. and when MB tells you to calm the fuck down, you do it. if you dont, you go on a temporary vacation, which is later dropped.

That doesn't make it right. If your argument is, "It's just how things are", then one can say to smokers who complain about their rights being violated that "it's just how things are".

[TripleSkeet]

Id love to know where some of you guys grew up that you think youre allowed to mouth off to cops. Thats too fucking funny. That shit has NEVER been tolerated. Only thing is 30 years ago instead of arresting you they just smack you in the ribs with a nightstick to teach you that lesson.

15 years ago theyd just throw us in a paddywagon and drop us off in a black neighborhood miles from home and we'd have to make it back Warriors style.

[foodcourtdruide]

Id love to know where some of you guys grew up that you think youre allowed to mouth off to cops. Thats too fucking funny. That shit has NEVER been tolerated. Only thing is 30 years ago instead of arresting you they just smack you in the ribs with a nightstick to teach you that lesson.

15 years ago theyd just throw us in a paddywagon and drop us off in a black neighborhood miles from home and we'd have to make it back Warriors style.

I grew up in Astoria around the same time Guide to Recognizing Your Saints supposedly took place.

I don't know what that has to do with this.

[underdog]

Id love to know where some of you guys grew up that you think youre allowed to mouth off to cops. Thats too fucking funny. That shit has NEVER been tolerated. Only thing is 30 years ago instead of arresting you they just smack you in the ribs with a nightstick to teach you that lesson.

15 years ago theyd just throw us in a paddywagon and drop us off in a black neighborhood miles from home and we'd have to make it back Warriors style.

I grew up in Kelly Park, Compton. I never saw any cops.

[sailor]

i grew up in the bronx with crack sold on my corner and witnessed a few shootouts with semi-automatics. cops had better things to do than harass kids.

[TripleSkeet]

i grew up in the bronx with crack sold on my corner and witnessed a few shootouts with semi-automatics. cops had better things to do than harass kids.

My point was not mouthing off to cops wasnt really something that had to be learned. It was pretty much a given where I grew up.

[foodcourtdruide]

My point was not mouthing off to cops wasnt really something that had to be learned. It was pretty much a given where I grew up.

Again, are you comfortable with this going from social norm to actual law?

[sailor]

My point was not mouthing off to cops wasnt really something that had to be learned. It was pretty much a given where I grew up.

we just never had any interaction with them.

[TripleSkeet]

Again, are you comfortable with this going from social norm to actual law?

What was the charge against the professor? Because it pretty much is the law. Like I said back in the day they wouldnt arrest you, but in the Youtube generation they have to do whatever they can to protect themself.

Like someone said earlier, now theyll just arrest you and let the judges sort it out.

[Furtherman]

Again, are you comfortable with this going from social norm to actual law?

Who said anything about yelling at cops turning into an illegal act?

That will never happen, nor is there any indication that there will be based on this instance or any other. It's the cop's prerogative to arrest someone mouthing off to them because WE gave them that ability.

[topless_mike]

http://ui31.gamespot.com/1214/deadhorsebeat_4.gif


i'm done.
enjoy guys.

[brettmojo]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/trutv/thesmokinggun.com/graphics/art4/0723092gates1.gif

http://i.cdn.turner.com/trutv/thesmokinggun.com/graphics/art4/0723092gates2.gif

http://i.cdn.turner.com/trutv/thesmokinggun.com/graphics/art4/0723092gates3.gif

[TheMojoPin]

Sounds about right.

[TheMojoPin]

i have no idea what he said to the cops
neither do you

the cops may have construed it as
resisting arrest

How does that work?

Arrested for resisiting arrest?

Talk about putting the chicken before the egg.

[Furtherman]

No doubt in that report, he deserved to be arrested.

[Dude!]

it sounds to me like the racist
may be Lucia Whalen

who now gets her 15 minutes of fame
as well

[King Imp]

I'm curious about one thing. I'm not taking sides here, but something about that report doesn't equate.

In it, it says "loud and tumultuous behavior in a public place". Didn't he get arrested at his home? Since when is your home a public place?

[Crispy123]

I'm curious about one thing. I'm not taking sides here, but something about that report doesn't equate.

In it, it says "loud and tumultuous behavior in a public place". Didn't he get arrested at his home? Since when is your home a public place?

that OG negro yelled at the cracker ass cop out in the street starting sum shit all up in that hood.

[Doogie]

You know something, I laid off commenting here because I wanted to see the back and forth and watch the knee jerk reactions without all of the facts presented. I will say that my opinions might come across as a little biased cause I am the son of a law officer and my brother is a cop in the NYPD as well. So I understand that perspective of the cops. I will also look at this whole thing from an objective point of view and present my arguments. I know some will agree, I know some will disagree..."que serar serar."

A) I don't believe the cops acted from a racist perspective. I believe everyone here can agree with that.

B) Can we stop with the 400 years of oppression thing as we discuss something here in modern times please?? Especially if you are a white person, shut the fuck up when it comes to that.

C) Lets review the scenario. Your neighbors house recently gets sold, you are busy with your life between working, schooling, whatever. Many of us have busy lives and we tend to stick to ourselves. I know for a fact my neighbor sold his house and because my life is so busy I didn't know new people moved in next door till like 2 months later. Now if one day I saw the new neighbor trying to break into the home because he/she forgot their key, and due to my scenario of being busy, I would call the cops immediately. I don't give a fuck if the person was white, black, injun with a big headress...I am calling the cops. When the cops come and they ask the person for ID and claims it is their house and starts getting belligerent, the cops are justified in feeling threatend. How do they know the person lives there? And also upon letting the person enter the residence (which happened in this Harvard Scenario) how does the cop not know they are going to arm themselves with some sort of a weapon? As a cop you just don't know, and you have the right to feel an imminent threat. Also, in many states and towns you do have the right to talk to cops but you don't have the right to harass them either physically or verbally as this professor Gates was doing.

D) I think Obama commenting on it was poor for a president. That is something that has nothing to do with the federal government, nor the executive branch. A better thing to say in that scenario would be to say "I trust the state officials to do the right thing in this case..." or something to that effect. His commenting on it was a poor decision. It is the reason we have a separation of federal and state powers and why cops fall under state juridstiction. The only reason he was asked about was because it was a friend of his. Not cause the guy was black. This was a case that has nothing to do with the president. NOTHING. Period.

E) I think many people are looking at more of the social issues surrounding race rather than looking at the facts of the case. I believe the cops were justified in arresting this professor from the facts I laid down before.

Like I said, agree/disagree. I don't care. Just laying down my point of view.

[Furtherman]

I'm curious about one thing. I'm not taking sides here, but something about that report doesn't equate.

In it, it says "loud and tumultuous behavior in a public place". Didn't he get arrested at his home? Since when is your home a public place?

The cop was in a public place with a lot of people around.

You can't just open your window and start cursing out the police - you voice is carrying into that public place. They will come get you.



And after reading this, Obama should publicly apologize to the Cambridge Police department.

[Doogie]

And after reading this, Obama should publicly apologize to the Cambridge Police department.

I one hundred percent agree with you about this. Obama should not have of commented on a case that DID NOT PERTAIN TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT! And I understand that race crimes fall under the juridstiction of the federal government, but this was not a race case. Let's be realistic here.

[foodcourtdruide]

I one hundred percent agree with you about this. Obama should not have of commented on a case that DID NOT PERTAIN TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT! And I understand that race crimes fall under the juridstiction of the federal government, but this was not a race case. Let's be realistic here.

Agree with both, looks like Obama is backtracking his comments. He shouldn't have said what he said.

Sorry, very busy at work. That's why I'm not responding to posts above.

[SatCam]

It may have been posted already, but what ever became of the story of the two black guys trying to break in?

[TheMojoPin]

You can't just open your window and start cursing out the police - you voice is carrying into that public place. They will come get you.

But he didn't do that. There was an ongoing context to this entire situation. It wasn't someone just randomly screaming out a window at them. It was someone who thought they were being unfairly confronted by the police and ultimately hadn't done anything wrong. That's not saying Gates made the right deicison with his actions, but it makes sense why he would be mad. Yeah, it sucks that the officers have to take that but it sucks that Gates had to go through what he did. The officers were embarassed by the public scene? OK, how does that trump Gates being publically confronted by the police and accused of breaking into a home? Isn't that embarassing? Why should all of us be forbidden from having any kind of interaction with the police besides "yes sir" and "no sir" when no such laws or rules exists that say we must?

I just don't see the reason Gates or anyone in a similar confrontation has to be arrested. Yeah, it sucks but both sides are in a crappy situation. The police show up, confront Gates, ask for proof of residence, get it, Gates is furious at the situation, wants their names and badge bumbers, the police give it and leave. What is Gates going to do at that point? He's making a scene because the police are there unecessarily. If the police are gone, he's not going to be making in the scene. Nothing in the report indicates he's a threat to himself or others. We should be able to be mad at or around the police. There are obvious lines that can be crossed, but if those lines are not crossed there's zero need to waste the time and resources to arrest and jail someone. It's just ends up being petty, wasteful retriubtion that serves no purpose.

All of that said I agree the smart, diplomatic thing to do would be for Obama to apologize for what he said. He should then also apologize for Mark Buehrle and the White Sox existing.

[Crispy123]

It may have been posted already, but what ever became of the story of the two black guys trying to break in?

They went to KFC and bought a bucket of fried chicken with a TV set.

[Furtherman]

The officers were embarassed by the public scene? OK, how does that trump Gates being publically confronted by the police and accused of breaking into a home? Isn't that embarassing? Why should all of us be forbidden from having any kind of interaction with the police besides "yes sir" and "no sir" when no such laws or rules exists that say we must?

It's not about being embarrassed by the public scene, it's about keeping order in the public scene. To have someone yell at the officers, like Gates did, in a public place and do nothing about it makes the officers and the police department look bad, like they can't handle the public and it could be as they have no respect for themselves or the job.

He was warned numerous times, which most cops that I've seen will do. They will give you the benefit of the doubt and let you calm down. But if you don't, an example will be made, and I don't see anything wrong with such example.

[Fallon]

I'm so sick of hearing about this already.

Now Obama is calling policemen. He should really be focusing on more important issues.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/07/obama_calls_cam.html

[Furtherman]

The biggest asshole is this whole debacle is the press and media.

Obama was talking for an hour before that dumb reporter asked the question. AND what was he talking about for an hour? Any of these talking heads have any opinion about that?

[Dude!]

Obama was talking for an hour before that dumb reporter asked the question. AND what was he talking about for an hour? Any of these talking heads have any opinion about that?

apparently not
but 40-45 democrats do:

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/house-healthcare-talks-break-down-in-anger-2009-07-24.html

[HBox]

While the report makes me lose most of the sympathy I had for Gates I still don't think he should have been arrested. It's not illegal to be an asshole to anyone. And the reason as written in the report was pretty weak.

These actions on the behalf of Gates served no legitimate purpose and caused citizens passing by this location to stop and take notice while appearing surprised and alarmed.

As satisfying as it is to see a guy like Gates arrested for acting like he did just take a second to think about how many things that description could apply to. Fuck man, that could apply to blasting a fart in a crowd.

[TheMojoPin]

It's not about being embarrassed by the public scene, it's about keeping order in the public scene. To have someone yell at the officers, like Gates did, in a public place and do nothing about it makes the officers and the police department look bad, like they can't handle the public and it could be as they have no respect for themselves or the job.

What's there to handle? It's an old man arguing with the police in the house and then in front of the house. If they just leave then there's no longer any scene. How does arresting an old man make it look like they can handle such a non-situation any more than simply taking the high road and leave since the reason they were called for is taken care of? I don't need to see the police arresting someone over bullshit to have respect for them.

He was warned numerous times, which most cops that I've seen will do. They will give you the benefit of the doubt and let you calm down. But if you don't, an example will be made, and I don't see anything wrong with such example.

Yes, it's an example of "don't argue with the cops because they'll arrest and jail you for no real reason just because they can." We don't need our police to be overly-sensitive and act like they can't deal with someone yelling at them or arguing at them without arresting them. Why is not OK that they can look bad needlessly arresting people exercising their right to protest (sans threats) but if they "look bad" if they take the high ground and ignore it it's unacceptable? The lines of what will justifiably get you arrested are clear. I don't see why we need accept those lines being blurred. The police are able to be the police and do their job regardless of people arguing with them. It's not like our system of law and order will fall report if we stopped tolerating the unwritten rule of accepting that we can and should be arrested if we argue with the police.

[TheMojoPin]

While the report makes me lose most of the sympathy I had for Gates I still don't think he should have been arrested. It's not illegal to be an asshole to anyone. And the reason as written in the report was pretty weak.



As satisfying as it is to see a guy like Gates arrested for acting like he did just take a second to think about how many things that description could apply to. Fuck man, that could apply to blasting a fart in a crowd.

Pretty much. Gates was clearly being an ass but the vague reasons to explain his arrest could be applied (and often are) to way too many other things across the board. Gates was being a jerk, but there's no law against that. There's nothing that says you can't be a jerk to the police, and arguably we have rights and laws specifying that we have the specific right to be able to be jerks (to a point) towards the police if we feel or know we have been wronged or in protest and we haven't done anything that doesn't justify being arrested.

[Ogre]

As satisfying as it is to see a guy like Gates arrested for acting like he did just take a second to think about how many things that description could apply to. Fuck man, that could apply to blasting a fart in a crowd.

I would be in Leavenworth

[TheMojoPin]

I fully endorse and support the illegal farting initative.

[HBox]

It really is the duty of a freedom-loving citizenry to fart in the face of cops and dare them to make an arrest.

[TheMojoPin]

GIVE ME FLATULENT LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH.

































*Poooooooot*

[Crispy123]

It really is the duty of a freedom-loving citizenry to fart in the face of cops and dare them to make an arrest.

Thats ASSault brother!

[TheMojoPin]

Raise your lighters to shine as a beacon of freedom.

Then watch out for the scorching fireball of liberty.

[Furtherman]

I don't need to see the police arresting someone over bullshit to have respect for them.

I see that they should in this case. A B&E was reported, the mistake was figured out, but Gates wouldn't let it go. In fact, according to the incident report, he was angry right from the start, spewing all that racial hatred. He could have just shut the door and cursed them out, but he took it outside. I think the police should be respected, but everyone's feelings are different for that aspect, so choose your words wisely. These guys just want to do the job that most people don't want to do.

[TheMojoPin]

I see that they should in this case. A B&E was reported, the mistake was figured out, but Gates wouldn't let it go. In fact, according to the incident report, he was angry right from the start, spewing all that racial hatred. He could have just shut the door and cursed them out, but he took it outside. I think the police should be respected, but everyone's feelings are different for that aspect, so choose your words wisely. These guys just want to do the job that most people don't want to do.

What if he farted at them?

[HBox]

The torch on the Statue of Liberty should be relocated to a more appropriate position for our times.

[TheMojoPin]

I want the Lincoln Memorial redesigned so that ol' Abe can lean to the side and let out a sqeuaker.

[Furtherman]

What if he farted at them?

Well then I would suggest the officer use his nightstick.

[Serpico1103]

I would have to say that a report with an official eye witness (Officer Figeroa) and other non- CPD witness (more than a half dozen) is more than credible. The guy was arrested because he was an asshole looking for a fight from the Cops.

Yes I do believe the Officer and his report. What evidence do you have that his character should be questioned?

I am confused. Everyone on your side is calling the professor a racist opportunist. Is that not a character attack?

I am leaving open the question that the report is not 100% the truth. It is easy to "lie." Did he yell at him, did he ask him in a stern tone, did he ask politely at first and then get more agitated. These are all minor degrees that are open to interpretation.

I don't think the cop is a racist nigger hater. I am not sure the cop did anything wrong.
I am sure that the police force does not train officers well enough and who ends up paying the price for that? The officers.

Crazy me. I think officers need to be aware of the historically relationship between certain groups and the police. The police that were used to oppress them for a long time, an oppression that didn't end that long ago.

I think the professor was wrong. I think you always politely respond to police requests. I am just not certain that race played no role. Perhaps a minor role, perhaps a subconcious role. If 99.9% of that community is white, what will the officers instinct be? "I am dealing with a criminal." When he is proven wrong do you think that is turned off? No, that's not how people work.

[HBox]

I propose a moment of flatulence in remembrance of those brave warriors who died for our freedoms.

[HBox]

What if he farted at them?

Fart = no arrest
Shart = Rodney King

[Serpico1103]

It's not about being embarrassed by the public scene, it's about keeping order in the public scene. To have someone yell at the officers, like Gates did, in a public place and do nothing about it makes the officers and the police department look bad, like they can't handle the public and it could be as they have no respect for themselves or the job.


No. It shows they have restraint and can not be baited into a unnecessary conflict.

If his yelling was causing a greater disturbance, was creating a possibility of violence or danger to the officers or the crowd, fine, arrest him. If his yelling was insulting to the cops, sorry, insults are permitted.

[Ogre]

I am confused. Everyone on your side is calling the professor a racist opportunist. Is that not a character attack?

I am leaving open the question that the report is not 100% the truth. It is easy to "lie." Did he yell at him, did he ask him in a stern tone, did he ask politely at first and then get more agitated. These are all minor degrees that are open to interpretation.

I don't think the cop is a racist nigger hater. I am not sure the cop did anything wrong.
I am sure that the police force does not train officers well enough and who ends up paying the price for that? The officers.

Crazy me. I think officers need to be aware of the historically relationship between certain groups and the police. The police that were used to oppress them for a long time, an oppression that didn't end that long ago.

I think the professor was wrong. I think you always politely respond to police requests. I am just not certain that race played no role. Perhaps a minor role, perhaps a subconcious role. If 99.9% of that community is white, what will the officers instinct be? "I am dealing with a criminal." When he is proven wrong do you think that is turned off? No, that's not how people work.


No more of a character attack than the Professor, stating emphatically for all the street to hear, the Officer was a racist simply because he was a white cop.

The part I am now trying to wrap my head around is your gross use of the N word in your post. Inappropriate in any discourse. I will have no further comment with you on this subject.

[Furtherman]

If his yelling was insulting to the cops, sorry, insults are permitted.

I've already stated my reasoning as to why his insults was not permitted in this instance.

[TheMojoPin]

The part I am now trying to wrap my head around is your gross use of the N word in your post. Inappropriate in any discourse.

I agree with Ogre on this, Serpico. That was a really pointless add-on to your post that seems to serve little except to get attention.

[Dude!]

The part I am now trying to wrap my head around is your gross use of the N word in your post. Inappropriate in any discourse. I will have no further comment with you on this subject.

that struck me too

like he was just waiting
for a chance to use it

[TheMojoPin]

I propose a moment of flatulence in remembrance of those brave warriors who died for our freedoms.

I was going to propose that the Iwo Jima memorial be remade so that the soldiers are planting a flag in a giant ass, but that would imply that the flag is plugging up the anus which unleashes our heroic farts.

[Zorro]

But he didn't do that. There was an ongoing context to this entire situation. It wasn't someone just randomly screaming out a window at them. It was someone who thought they were being unfairly confronted by the police and ultimately hadn't done anything wrong. That's not saying Gates made the right deicison with his actions, but it makes sense why he would be mad. Yeah, it sucks that the officers have to take that but it sucks that Gates had to go through what he did. The officers were embarassed by the public scene? OK, how does that trump Gates being publically confronted by the police and accused of breaking into a home? Isn't that embarassing? Why should all of us be forbidden from having any kind of interaction with the police besides "yes sir" and "no sir" when no such laws or rules exists that say we must?

I just don't see the reason Gates or anyone in a similar confrontation has to be arrested. Yeah, it sucks but both sides are in a crappy situation. The police show up, confront Gates, ask for proof of residence, get it, Gates is furious at the situation, wants their names and badge bumbers, the police give it and leave. What is Gates going to do at that point? He's making a scene because the police are there unecessarily. If the police are gone, he's not going to be making in the scene. Nothing in the report indicates he's a threat to himself or others. We should be able to be mad at or around the police. There are obvious lines that can be crossed, but if those lines are not crossed there's zero need to waste the time and resources to arrest and jail someone. It's just ends up being petty, wasteful retriubtion that serves no purpose.

All of that said I agree the smart, diplomatic thing to do would be for Obama to apologize for what he said. He should then also apologize for Mark Buehrle and the White Sox existing.

You can dig and dig and dig, but you'll never reach a place that justifies Gates' actions.

[TheMojoPin]

You can dig and dig and dig, but you'll never reach a place that justifies Gates' actions.

I'm not trying to justify anything Gates did.

[Serpico1103]

I agree with Ogre on this, Serpico. That was a really pointless add-on to your post that seems to serve little except to get attention.

It is not to get attention. But, sadly, I guess people here buy into the evilness of a word.

When you say "n word" what does the listener interpret that as? Nigger. So, instead of saying the word, you pass the responsibility on to the listener. Childish. It is like saying a derogatory term in Spanish and than taking the higher ground.

This is why we can't have race discussions. People want to dance around a topic with a fear that if they say something inappropriate they will be deemed a racist.

If you are insulted or offended, that is fine . But, can we not fuel the "words hurt" fire.

[TheMojoPin]

It is not to get attention. But, sadly, I guess people here buy into the evilness of a word.

When you say "n word" what does the listener interpret that as? Nigger. So, instead of saying the word, you pass the responsibility on to the listener. Childish. It is like saying a derogatory term in Spanish and than taking the higher ground.

This is why we can't have race discussions. People want to dance around a topic with a fear that if they say something inappropriate they will be deemed a racist.

If you are insulted or offended, that is fine . But, can we not fuel the "words hurt" fire.

That's ridiculous. It's in no way necessary to just randomly and needlessly drop that word into the discussion as you did. It served no purpose except to make you seem snide and condescending in your concession that you don't think the officer's actions were based out of racism. Nobody has to "buy into" anything in regards to that word and nobody is doing anything wrong if they take exception to you thinking so little of them to use it in a response to them.

[Serpico1103]

Who said anything about yelling at cops turning into an illegal act?

That will never happen, nor is there any indication that there will be based on this instance or any other. It's the cop's prerogative to arrest someone mouthing off to them because WE gave them that ability.

Wow. You have no grasp of a "cop's ability." Police must absorb insults. If the insults are part of a larger context that threatens violence or interferes with their ability to actually enforce the law, that is a separate issue. They are not arresting someone for being insulting.

Do police arrest people for being insulting? Yes, but they than claim that a scene was being created that threatened them or bystanders. There is no "anti-insult" law.

You are free to call a cop "an oppressive pig being used as a tool of a Fascist government." Or any sort of donut joke you like.

[Serpico1103]

That's ridiculous. It's in no way necessary to just randomly and needlessly drop that word into the discussion as you did. It served no purpose except to make you seem snide and condescending in your concession that you don't think the officer's actions were based out of racism. Nobody has to "buy into" anything in regards to that word and nobody is doing anything wrong if they take exception to you thinking so little of them to use it in a response to them.

You are buying something. We are talking about racism, yet the use of the nigger slams the conservation to a halt.

That is exactly why we don't make progress. Let's talk about economic recovery without using the word- capital. It is silly. Again, if you are personally offended, fine. It was never intended as either an attention grabber or a personal insult. It was merely the easiest way to express a thought. Yes, "n-word, n-word, n-word" would mean the same thing, but I doubt a racist uses "n-word" for their internal thoughts.

[TheMojoPin]

You are buying something. We are talking about racism, yet the use of the nigger slams the conservation to a halt.

That is exactly why we don't make progress. Let's talk about economic recovery without using the word- capital. It is silly. Again, if you are personally offended, fine. It was never intended as either an attention grabber or a personal insult. It was merely the easiest way to express a thought. Yes, "n-word, n-word, n-word" would mean the same thing, but I doubt a racist uses "n-word" for their internal thoughts.

I'm not offended by how you used it, but the person who you chose to use it in your response took issue with it. You have to take into consideration the person you're talking to when going to that extreme. There's was no reason for you to use it as you did when you could have just said "I don't think the cop is a racist." Using it as you did comes across like you're only conceding that you don't think the officer is a virulent, on the sleeve racist running around insulting minorities and dropping slurs left and right.

[Serpico1103]

I'm not offended by how you used it, but the person who you chose to use it in your response took issue with it. You have to take into consideration the person you're talking to when going to that extreme. There's was no reason for you to use it as you did when you could have just said "I don't think the cop is a racist." Using it as you did comes across like you're only conceding that you don't think the officer is a virulent, on the sleeve racist running around insulting minorities and dropping slurs left and right.

And luckily for me, that is how I meant it.

Everyone, even you, is racist to an extent. It is impossible to escape. We stereotype and act prejudicial for many reasons. The goal is to limit it as much as possible, and make sure the government has regulations to prevent it becoming a larger problem.

When you meet someone, for any purpose, you judge them. Height, weight, sex, age, race, neatness, grooming, style of clothes. All this factors contribute to you deciding how well that person fits your current needs. It is not a deliberate checklist that you run off. But, it happens.

If a safe falls on your foot. Two people are there, a man and a woman. In the other room is a phone. Who are you going to ask to call 911 on the phone? Who are you going to ask to help lift the safe off your foot? You will pick the man, because on past experience, men have shown themselves to be stronger to you. Are you a sexiest? Yes, you based a decision based poorly on sex. Are you a horrible person? No. In that situation in was unnecessary. When it is unnecessary, that is when it is a problem. Did you have time for a strength test? Maybe you should have asked if the woman spoke english, knew how to use a phone.

[TheMojoPin]

Acting based on someone's race doesn't necessarily make one a racist. There's a difference between racial and racist. You seemingly only wanted to concede a point while still taking a shot at the officer.

[Serpico1103]

Acting based on someone's race doesn't necessarily make one a racist. There's a difference between racial and racist. You seemingly only wanted to concede a point while still taking a shot at the officer.

No. I have always tried to say that whatever happened was the police force's fault, not the officers.

When police in NYC are involved in shoot outs, emptying their clips. I don't think they are to blame, I think NYPD does not train them well enough to deal with those situations.

I don't think police forces train cops well enough to deal with every situation and this may have been one.

[Bob Impact]

No. I have always tried to say that whatever happened was the police force's fault, not the officers.

When police in NYC are involved in shoot outs, emptying their clips. I don't think they are to blame, I think NYPD does not train them well enough to deal with those situations.

I don't think police forces train cops well enough to deal with every situation and this may have been one.

That's ridiculous.

[Serpico1103]

That's ridiculous.

I agree. NYC cops are under trained and under paid. Ridiculous.

[foodcourtdruide]

Haha, wow this thread has completely veered off topic.

So, what's everyone doing this weekend? lol.

[HBox]

I'm seeing The Roots tonight. Top that fuckos.

[TheMojoPin]

Haha, wow this thread has completely veered off topic.

So, what's everyone doing this weekend? lol.

Farting around.

[foodcourtdruide]

I'm working tonight, then both days this weekend. I've been working like crazy lately. SUUUUCKS :(

[Death Metal Moe]

B) Can we stop with the 400 years of oppression thing as we discuss something here in modern times please?? Especially if you are a white person, shut the fuck up when it comes to that.


http://paulfite.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/al-sharpton.jpg

"NO we can not! If we do I may starve!"

[Death Metal Moe]

I'm with the police on this one.

And Obama really disappointed me by admitting to not knowing all the facts and then just bringing up race out of the blue. It was a real "Us vs. Them" moment that came out and it kinda frightens me that his was his gut instinct to hearing the 1st reports.

[Serpico1103]

I'm with the police on this one.

And Obama really disappointed me by admitting to not knowing all the facts and then just bringing up race out of the blue. It was a real "Us vs. Them" moment that came out and it kinda frightens me that his was his gut instinct to hearing the 1st reports.

I think the cops were right, up until the point of actually arresting him. The situation seemed to be under reasonable control, making an arrest unnecessary. The guy seems to have acted like an ass, but without knowing exactly what happened during those first moments of confrontation it is difficult to say how much he overreacted.

Obama was certainly wrong to say the police acted stupidly. He should have said "I hope the police are vindicated when we find out all the facts. However, I can also sympathize with the Professor, being challenged in your home can be a stressful situation." Something like that.

Maybe, he meant to say "It was a stupid situation." But, that might be putting words in his mouth.

[Death Metal Moe]

I think the cops were right, up until the point of actually arresting him. The situation seemed to be under reasonable control, making an arrest unnecessary. The guy seems to have acted like an ass, but without knowing exactly what happened during those first moments of confrontation it is difficult to say how much he overreacted.

Obama was certainly wrong to say the police acted stupidly. He should have said "I hope the police are vindicated when we find out all the facts. However, I can also sympathize with the Professor, being challenged in your home can be a stressful situation." Something like that.

Maybe, he meant to say "It was a stupid situation." But, that might be putting words in his mouth.

Well, there's no "I meant to say" after you say it.

My personal opinion is the professor is an asshole racist who's been waiting to take his revenge on white society for decades, but of course there's no way to prove that. He got what he deserved and I hope the cop sues him for defamation. It would be a breath of fresh air.

[underdog]

Day 2 of the Crisis In Cambridge : I was able to make it home safely tonight. I live about a block from the police HQ and I saw what looked like a cop in the distance and quickly sprinted into my complex to avoid the inevitable arrest.

Also, my wife walked by the police station and every news station in Mass was parked outside.

[TheMojoPin]

http://paulfite.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/al-sharpton.jpg

"NO we can not! If we do I may starve!"

Both that and Doogie comments are pretty shallow dismissals of much larger and very relevant issues. The social, political and economic ratifications of slavery and the segregation that followed are still very much in play today. The racial divide in this country is not simply an invention of someone like Sharpton and pretending like everything is "fixed" or "all better" or that everyone is on even remotely equal footing is not being realistic. We're more seperate now than ever before and a huge part of that is the insistance by many that racism is "over."

[TheMojoPin]

My personal opinion is the professor is an asshole racist who's been waiting to take his revenge on white society for decades

LULZ WHUT

Is this serious?

Good Lord.

Everything he's done and accomplished was just an elaborate ruse so that as an old man he could yell at some police officers to stick it to The Man?

[TheMojoPin]

I'm with the police on this one.

And Obama really disappointed me by admitting to not knowing all the facts and then just bringing up race out of the blue. It was a real "Us vs. Them" moment that came out and it kinda frightens me that his was his gut instinct to hearing the 1st reports.

He didn't bring it up out of the blue. It was in response to a question that specifically framed the issue as part of a larger racial question/issue and he answered it as such. I think his overall approach to the issue wasn't very smart, but the race stuff was brought up in the question to him and he answered it as such.

[Serpico1103]

LULZ WHUT
Is this serious?
Good Lord.
Everything he's done and accomplished was just an elaborate ruse so that as an old man he could yell at some police officers to stick it to The Man?

Of course. He colluded with Africans to enslave his forefathers to set this diabolical scheme in motion.

[foodcourtdruide]

Day 2 of the Crisis In Cambridge : I was able to make it home safely tonight. I live about a block from the police HQ and I saw what looked like a cop in the distance and quickly sprinted into my complex to avoid the inevitable arrest.

Also, my wife walked by the police station and every news station in Mass was parked outside.

I work downtown and during the peak of the financial crisis there were literally dozens of news vans around wall street. I cannot tell you how much I loathe our mainstream media.

[TheMojoPin]

I work downtown and during the peak of the financial crisis there were literally dozens of news vans around wall street. I cannot tell you how much I loathe our mainstream media.

Fart upon them.

[foodcourtdruide]

Fart upon them.

I will, then ill say:

spankfully yours,
Foodcourtdruide

[TheMojoPin]

I will, then ill say:

spankfully yours,
Foodcourtdruide

God bless you, sir.

[Bob Impact]

The farting subthread here makes me happy Mojo is back.

[TheMojoPin]

Every time I let one slip I'm pumping my fist in the air with RIGHTEOUSNESS.

[joeyballsack]

A disorderly person is defined as one who:

* with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or
* recklessly creates a risk thereof
* engages in fighting or threatening, violent or tumultuous behavior, or
* creates a hazard or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.

Conviction for Disorderly conduct in MA can be punishable by imprisonment for up to 6 months.

Gates broke the law and was arrested for it.

Everyone is saying it was just between the police officer and Gates, but the surrounding neighbors also have the right to live in a peaceful neighborhood. It also sets a pretty poor precedent for future incidents to allow residents to publicly berate a police officer.

[Bob Impact]

Every time I let one slip I'm pumping my fist in the air with RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Times like this I wish I could freeze frame my life. I would raise my fist into the air and let one go while Don't You (Forget About Me) played in the background.

[Serpico1103]

Gates broke the law and was arrested for it.

Everyone is saying it was just between the police officer and Gates, but the surrounding neighbors also have the right to live in a peaceful neighborhood. It also sets a pretty poor precedent for future incidents to allow residents to publicly berate a police officer.
WRONG! I think.
"Defendant who did not physically resist his arrest arising out of a domestic violence incident could not be convicted of disorderly conduct based solely on his loud and angry tirade, which included profanities, directed at police officers as he was being escorted to police cruiser, even if spectators gathered to watch defendant; defendant did not make any threats or engage in violence, and his speech did not constitute fighting words. Com. v. Mallahan (2008) 72 Mass.App.Ct. 1103, 889 N.E.2d 77, 2008 WL 2404550."

From a Massachusetts ruling. So, it appears that he probably did not break the law.

Also,
Massachusetts courts have rejected MPC s. 250.2(b) as a violation of free speech rights. So this provision is not part of Massachusetts law:

(b) makes unreasonable noise or offensively coarse utterance, gesture or display, or addresses abusive language to any person present.

[joeyballsack]

Your law has more numbers and letters than mine, so I will stand corrected.

[Dude!]

there was a black cop on the scene
as it turns out

says he supports the way the officer
handled it, including the arrest, 100%:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-ap-us-harvard-scholar-arresting-officer,0,4731766.story

[Death Metal Moe]

LULZ WHUT

Is this serious?

Good Lord.

Everything he's done and accomplished was just an elaborate ruse so that as an old man he could yell at some police officers to stick it to The Man?

Just my gut on this one. Seems like the kind of asshole whos been looking for a problem.

[Death Metal Moe]

Both that and Doogie comments are pretty shallow dismissals of much larger and very relevant issues. The social, political and economic ratifications of slavery and the segregation that followed are still very much in play today. The racial divide in this country is not simply an invention of someone like Sharpton and pretending like everything is "fixed" or "all better" or that everyone is on even remotely equal footing is not being realistic. We're more seperate now than ever before and a huge part of that is the insistance by many that racism is "over."

My Reverend Al post was more a joke rather than any social commentary.

[ToiletCrusher]

I broke into my place once.

No one noticed or cared.

[Death Metal Moe]

I broke into my place once.

No one noticed or cared.

When you questioned your own actions did you scream at yourself and label yourself a racist in front of the neighborhood?

[ToiletCrusher]

When you questioned your own actions did you scream at yourself and label yourself a racist in front of the neighborhood?

Oddly, yes.

Does that make me a bad person?

[Death Metal Moe]

Oddly, yes.

Does that make me a bad person?

No but you should have taken yourself downtown...and bought yourself something nice. Maybe that off the shoulder number you've had your eye on.

[brettmojo]

You know something, I laid off commenting here because I wanted to see the back and forth and watch the knee jerk reactions without all of the facts presented. I will say that my opinions might come across as a little biased cause I am the son of a law officer and my brother is a cop in the NYPD as well. So I understand that perspective of the cops. I will also look at this whole thing from an objective point of view and present my arguments. I know some will agree, I know some will disagree..."que serar serar."

A) I don't believe the cops acted from a racist perspective. I believe everyone here can agree with that.

B) Can we stop with the 400 years of oppression thing as we discuss something here in modern times please?? Especially if you are a white person, shut the fuck up when it comes to that.

C) Lets review the scenario. Your neighbors house recently gets sold, you are busy with your life between working, schooling, whatever. Many of us have busy lives and we tend to stick to ourselves. I know for a fact my neighbor sold his house and because my life is so busy I didn't know new people moved in next door till like 2 months later. Now if one day I saw the new neighbor trying to break into the home because he/she forgot their key, and due to my scenario of being busy, I would call the cops immediately. I don't give a fuck if the person was white, black, injun with a big headress...I am calling the cops. When the cops come and they ask the person for ID and claims it is their house and starts getting belligerent, the cops are justified in feeling threatend. How do they know the person lives there? And also upon letting the person enter the residence (which happened in this Harvard Scenario) how does the cop not know they are going to arm themselves with some sort of a weapon? As a cop you just don't know, and you have the right to feel an imminent threat. Also, in many states and towns you do have the right to talk to cops but you don't have the right to harass them either physically or verbally as this professor Gates was doing.

D) I think Obama commenting on it was poor for a president. That is something that has nothing to do with the federal government, nor the executive branch. A better thing to say in that scenario would be to say "I trust the state officials to do the right thing in this case..." or something to that effect. His commenting on it was a poor decision. It is the reason we have a separation of federal and state powers and why cops fall under state juridstiction. The only reason he was asked about was because it was a friend of his. Not cause the guy was black. This was a case that has nothing to do with the president. NOTHING. Period.

E) I think many people are looking at more of the social issues surrounding race rather than looking at the facts of the case. I believe the cops were justified in arresting this professor from the facts I laid down before.

Like I said, agree/disagree. I don't care. Just laying down my point of view.

http://www.passionateblogger.com/pictures/hit-the-nail-on-the-head-200x200.jpg

I'm so sick of hearing about this already.

Now Obama is calling policemen. He should really be focusing on more important issues.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/07/obama_calls_cam.html

Encouraging. Embarrassing it's happening, but encouraging for the situation. Hopefully this keep ol' Rev. Al out of the situation.

While the report makes me lose most of the sympathy I had for Gates I still don't think he should have been arrested. It's not illegal to be an asshole to anyone. And the reason as written in the report was pretty weak..

Then why do people harassing clerks at convenience stores or fast food joints get arrested?

I am sure that the police force does not train officers well enough and who ends up paying the price for that? The officers.

Crazy me. I think officers need to be aware of the historically relationship between certain groups and the police. The police that were used to oppress them for a long time, an oppression that didn't end that long ago.
Jesus fucking Christ...

[sr71blackbird]

Apparently it went down a little like this:



<object width="464" height="376"><param name="movie" value="http://embed.break.com/830606"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://embed.break.com/830606" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" width="464" height="376"></embed></object><br><font size=1><a href="http://www.break.com/index/angry-prisoner-tasered-in-courtroom.html">Angry Prisoner Tasered in Courtroom</a> - Watch more <a href="http://www.break.com/">Funny Videos</a></font>

[TheMojoPin]

Just my gut on this one. Seems like the kind of asshole whos been looking for a problem.

And this is based on what?

You really think that something along these lines are has been this Gate's ultimate goal? He willfully wanted to subject himself to this type of humilation? It's not possible at all that he was actually and genuinely furious over the entire situation?

[Death Metal Moe]

And this is based on what?

The fact that "Racist" was one of the 1st things out of his mouth, he kept challenging the cops even after things were explained to him, and even after they were leaving he came out of his house again to start shit all over again.

This guy's been waiting for an opportunity like this.

[TheMojoPin]

Then why do people harassing clerks at convenience stores or fast food joints get arrested?

Because businesses are private property and if someone is asked or told to leave and they refuse they can be charged with trespassing.

[TheMojoPin]

The fact that "Racist" was one of the 1st things out of his mouth, he kept challenging the cops even after things were explained to him, and even after they were leaving he came out of his house again to start shit all over again.

This guy's been waiting for an opportunity like this.

I ask again: you think it's essentially impossible for him to be genuinely furious and humilated by this situation?

It's disconcerting that you so readily dismiss the idea that someone could be genuinely angry over what they perceive as a truly insulting and harassing situation at the hands of the police potentially due to their skin color (even though in hindsight that's not the case). In the heat of the moment and given the very real and widespread context of the history and the present day reality of such things occuring far too often it's easy to see why someone who was non-white would get caught up in that. You're basically saying that that's not possible and that it's more likely that this was an act. Why? Why wouldn't someone in his position actually be outraged and furious? Why is he forbidden from thinking that at the time this was occuring for racial or racist reasons? Do you assume most people who claim to experience such things or feel this way are simply doing so to make a statement or make a scene?

I have no idea why a literary scholar and critic would be "waiting for something like this."

[Serpico1103]

Then why do people harassing clerks at convenience stores or fast food joints get arrested?


Do better than that. I don't think you have any understanding of the difference. Do you think you can be arrested for calling a clerk a racist?
Do you think you can be arrested for insulting anyone?
Someone causing a scene in a store is disrupting business, it is a enclosed space, creating a more dangerous situation. Someone on their front lawn yelling is in no way analogous.

I think you have the legal term of "harassment" confused with the dictionary definition.

While, I disagree with the arrest. If it was justifiable, as the police claim, they should stand their ground and push for a trial. They should be mad that the charges were dropped. Otherwise, it looks like they are abusing the disorderly conduct law, and than "fixing" it by dropping charges.

[foodcourtdruide]

Again, I don't understand why the conservatives in here, who often call themselves libertarians aren't outraged that this guy was arrested for some type of disorderly conduct INSIDE his house.

Also, I was pissed at Obama for the "stupidly" comment. Now I'm kinda happy he saw he did something wrong and is trying to diffuse the situation. Some type of public understanding between the cop and the prof may actually go a long way.

Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but each side needs to realize the other is not the bogeyman, as the opportunists would lead you to believe.

[Serpico1103]

Again, I don't understand why the conservatives in here, who often call themselves libertarians aren't outraged that this guy was arrested for some type of disorderly conduct INSIDE his house.


Because they equate questioning police action with being anti-American. Similar thinking to, when you question the war you are protesting the troops personally.

Also, I find most conservatives are fine with more individual restrictions, and simply want less restrictions on corporations.

[Bob Impact]

Again, I don't understand why the conservatives in here, who often call themselves libertarians aren't outraged that this guy was arrested for some type of disorderly conduct INSIDE his house.

Also, I was pissed at Obama for the "stupidly" comment. Now I'm kinda happy he saw he did something wrong and is trying to diffuse the situation. Some type of public understanding between the cop and the prof may actually go a long way.

Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but each side needs to realize the other is not the bogeyman, as the opportunists would lead you to believe.

If I remember correctly from the police report he was arrested outside

[west milly Tom]

Let me add that I am not for any additional personal restrictions. I do agree with the police in this instance not because I'm 'conservative' but because the professor did not heed the officer's instructions and was non-comply. The outcome would have been the same were he white.

[foodcourtdruide]

If I remember correctly from the police report he was arrested outside

I heard on his front porch.

[Serpico1103]

I heard on his front porch.

Gates was on his porch. The officer had left the porch and was walking back to the sidewalk. Gates continued to yell at him from the porch. The officer asked him to stop, Gates did not, the officer threatened arrest, Gates still did not comply. The officer arrested him.

The problem is that police do apply the disorderly conduct law too broadly. According to the courts the conduct has to present a real a threat of violence. Not merely be loud, insulting, alarming etc.

"Defendant who did not physically resist his arrest arising out of a domestic violence incident could not be convicted of disorderly conduct based solely on his loud and angry tirade, which included profanities, directed at police officers as he was being escorted to police cruiser, even if spectators gathered to watch defendant; defendant did not make any threats or engage in violence, and his speech did not constitute fighting words. Com. v. Mallahan (2008) 72 Mass.App.Ct. 1103, 889 N.E.2d 77, 2008 WL 2404550."

A Massachusetts ruling that I think is on point.
The officer should have simply left the scene. Gates is allowed his opinion that cops are racist. He is allowed to scream that opinion from his porch. He is allowed to scream that opinion from his porch at police.

[sailor]

Because they equate questioning police action with being anti-American. Similar thinking to, when you question the war you are protesting the troops personally.

Also, I find most conservatives are fine with more individual restrictions, and simply want less restrictions on corporations.

just stick to explaining your own thought, bucko.

[Serpico1103]

just stick to explaining your own thought, bucko.

:lol: bucko

[foodcourtdruide]

just stick to explaining your own thought, bucko.

Was he wrong?

[sailor]

Was he wrong?

i don't think it's unamerican questioning police activity. i can't speak for other conservatives.

[Serpico1103]

i don't think it's unamerican questioning police activity. i can't speak for other conservatives.

And I think that many people, more conservatives than liberals, think anti-police, anti-military protests, questioning the government, burning the flag, etc are anti-American behavior. While I think it is the most American behavior you can exhibit.

All countries can go to war, very few can openly protest their government. I don't think any can do it as openly as we can.

[brettmojo]

Because businesses are private property and if someone is asked or told to leave and they refuse they can be charged with trespassing.

Yeah but they don't get charged with trespass, they get charged with disorderly. Public drunkenness, disturbing the peace and even loitering can be covered by a disorderly charge. If someone is considered behaving in a disruptive manner, which this guy clearly was according to witnesses and that police report, then they can be arrested for it. Is it vague? Hell yes but that's for the courts to deal with, not the cops fault for using it.

Do better than that. I don't think you have any understanding of the difference. Do you think you can be arrested for calling a clerk a racist?
Do you think you can be arrested for insulting anyone?
Someone causing a scene in a store is disrupting business, it is a enclosed space, creating a more dangerous situation. Someone on their front lawn yelling is in no way analogous.
So all laws end at my lawn? Good to know.

Also good to know you believe in cops treating people differently because of race.

If I remember correctly from the police report he was arrested outside

I heard on his front porch.

That's outside.

Let me add that I am not for any additional personal restrictions. I do agree with the police in this instance not because I'm 'conservative' but because the professor did not heed the officer's instructions and was non-comply. The outcome would have been the same were he white.
Don't try to be logical here. Apparently people do not need to listen to what a cop tells them to do.

[Serpico1103]

So all laws end at my lawn? Good to know.

Also good to know you believe in cops treating people differently because of race.


Do laws end at your lawn? No. Please point out where I said that. I apologize if you could not understand what I wrote. I described the situation as written in the police report. According to the court in Massachusetts, what Gates did was not disorderly conduct.

Again. You can yell at a cop. You can call a racist pig. From your porch or not. A cop needs a reason to ask you to stop talking/yelling/screaming. He needs a reason beyond hurt feelings or curious onlookers.

Do I believe "in" cops treating people differently because of race? No. Do I know that they do? Yes.

[foodcourtdruide]

Do laws end at your lawn? No. Please point out where I said that. I apologize if you could not understand what I wrote. I described the situation as written in the police report. According to the court in Massachusetts, what Gates did was not disorderly conduct.

Again. You can yell at a cop. You can call a racist pig. From your porch or not. A cop needs a reason to ask you to stop talking/yelling/screaming. He needs a reason beyond hurt feelings or curious onlookers.

Do I believe "in" cops treating people differently because of race? No. Do I know that they do? Yes.

His front porch may be outside, but its still his property. Hey, whatever makes libertarians sleep better at night.

[Enabler]

i respect everyones opinions in this thread (i think..too lazy to read..sry gvac). but isnt this story already so played out? the cop overreacted, the citizen overreacted. its not like Gates is getting prosecuted. he was inconvenienced at worst. and it seems like both parties were at least slightly wrong. its not a national matter. its not a "watershed" event. the president should have never even commented on it. if not for Gates "in" with Obama, he wouldnt have. cops occasionally fuck with people but it doesnt make them evil. and people occasionally fuck with cops but it doesnt make them criminals. all is well. sort of. nobody is going to do time or actually broke any laws right?

[Dude!]

i like the idea that obama
invited gates and the cop
to come to the white house
for a beer

very nice touch

this may be easily defused
after all

[Crispy123]

i like the idea that obama
invited gates and the cop
to come to the white house
for a beer

very nice touch

this may be easily defused
after all

sure, defused with some...

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/06/hardees_badthings/image/colt_45.jpg

[underdog]

Day 3 of the Crisis in Cambridge : I just got home. I was followed on the way home last night by the cops and had to hide out for the entire night. I can't let them know where I live, for fear of being arrested on my porch. The tension is rising in Cambridge. You can feel it in the air. I think there's a race war of white cops vs black professors about to start.

Also, the news is still surrounding the police station.

[TheMojoPin]

The tension is rising in Cambridge. You can feel it in the air.

That's actually the farts you're feeling.

[TooLowBrow]

i wish during the imus situation that bush had invited imus to the white house for a beer. then they could have drank with the girls basketball team and realized that it was not that big of a deal

[Dude!]

i wish during the imus situation that bush had invited imus to the white house for a beer. then they could have drank with the girls basketball team and realized that it was not that big of a deal

actually
i have to agree with that

when handled that way
there'd be no room for sharpton

bush could have come in
with a nappy wig on
and cracked them all up

[keithy_19]

Again, I don't understand why the conservatives in here, who often call themselves libertarians aren't outraged that this guy was arrested for some type of disorderly conduct INSIDE his house.

Also, I was pissed at Obama for the "stupidly" comment. Now I'm kinda happy he saw he did something wrong and is trying to diffuse the situation. Some type of public understanding between the cop and the prof may actually go a long way.

Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but each side needs to realize the other is not the bogeyman, as the opportunists would lead you to believe.

As a Libertarian my view on the situation is that the police worked in the means of the law and the professor acted in a manner that wasn't proper. Yes he was on his property, in his home, but being in your home doesn't let you live outside of the law. He could have diffused the situation quickly and quietly but chose to make a fuss and blow up the situation.

My problem with Obama is that he passed judgement without knowing all the facts. There have been many of times where he has been caught with his foot in his mouth. I would like the president to be able to be better with his choice of words and statements.

[TheMojoPin]

You're a terrible Libertarian.

[keithy_19]

And I think that many people, more conservatives than liberals, think anti-police, anti-military protests, questioning the government, burning the flag, etc are anti-American behavior. While I think it is the most American behavior you can exhibit.

All countries can go to war, very few can openly protest their government. I don't think any can do it as openly as we can.

The one thing that I'm not in support of is burning the flag in protest. If you want to fly your flag upside down, that's fine with me. But burning the flag seems to be spitting on the very country that gives you the freedom to do so. This is just in my opinion.

[TheMojoPin]

OK, stop calling yourself a Libertarian altogether.

[IMSlacker]

As a libertarian, it bothers me when people don't pay enough taxes.

[keithy_19]

OK, stop calling yourself a Libertarian altogether.

I'm for personal freedom. People can burn the flag. It's just something that I would never do. Unless this country became something that I didn't believe in anymore, which would probably make me want to leave altogether.

[jauble]

it looks like they are abusing the disorderly conduct law, and than "fixing" it by dropping charges.

I am late to the conversation and frankly don't care, but you know that cops cant press or drop charges right?

[Serpico1103]

The one thing that I'm not in support of is burning the flag in protest. If you want to fly your flag upside down, that's fine with me. But burning the flag seems to be spitting on the very country that gives you the freedom to do so. This is just in my opinion.

So you fall into the simple trap of "I agree with free speech, as long as it is speech I agree with."

I am not saying that I find burning the flag fun or something to do lightly. It does send a powerful message. One that should not be made illegal.

Burning the flag is speech. There is no category of unprotected speech that would allow flag burning to be criminalized. It is not obscenity, provoking imminent lawlessness or other categories that would allow restriction.

[HBox]

I'm a communist who appreciates the value of private industry.

[keithy_19]

So you fall into the simple trap of "I agree with free speech, as long as it is speech I agree with."

I am not saying that I find burning the flag fun or something to do lightly. It does send a powerful message. One that should not be made illegal.

Burning the flag is speech. There is no category of unprotected speech that would allow flag burning to be criminalized. It is not obscenity, provoking imminent lawlessness or other categories that would allow restriction.

It is an act free speech. Everyone has the right to do it. I do not want it to be made illegal. It's just something that I don't think I would do. Then again, if I were to find that this wasn't the country I loved and recognized, that could change.

[epo]

There have been many of times where he has been caught with his foot in his mouth. I would like the president to be able to be better with his choice of words and statements.

Did you live through the last 8 years?

[Serpico1103]

I am late to the conversation and frankly don't care, but you know that cops cant press or drop charges right?

Yes. But, they can be upset about the charges being dropped. I think it just shows how the system fails. They have no problem having a press conference to "correct" the President. If the professor was just another person black or white would the charges have been dropped?

Dropping the charges adds to a believe that disorderly conduct arrests are used as punishment. The cops arrest someone, having no other legitimate reason to arrest them, than the DA or the court throws it out for not actually fitting under the meaning of disorderly conduct. The person is happy, I guess for having the charges dropped, but an arrest can still affect you.

Why wasn't he charged with interfering with the police officer?
It was a bullshit arrest. Whether the officer acted a certain way because the professor was black? No one knows, not even the officer.

[keithy_19]

Did you live through the last 8 years?

I did. Bush never did/said anything that equates to him putting his foot in his mouth.

[brettmojo]

I did. Bush never did/said anything that equates to him putting his foot in his mouth.
http://roadkillrefugee.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/mission-accomplished.png

[underdog]

I did. Bush never did/said anything that equates to him putting his foot in his mouth.

http://images.chron.com/blogs/txpotomac/mission_accomplished.jpg

[underdog]

http://roadkillrefugee.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/mission-accomplished.png

Wow, we bumped heads going for that one.

[epo]

I did. Bush never did/said anything that equates to him putting his foot in his mouth.

There is a website devoted to the stupid shit he said. (http://www.dubyaspeak.com/) Only a stockpile of 4,327 stupid quotes.

[keithy_19]

Did no one really catch the sarcasm in my statement?

[epo]

Did no one really catch the sarcasm in my statement?

This site really needs sarcasm tags.

[TheMojoPin]

keithy also needs to not suck at sarcasm.

[underdog]

Did no one really catch the sarcasm in my statement?

If it hadn't followed the libertarian comments, it would have been easier to catch.

[Gvac]

I'm all sticky.

I'm going to take a shower now.

[Serpico1103]

I did. Bush never did/said anything that equates to him putting his foot in his mouth.

That one was too easy to miss. Anyone who thought you were serious, obviously thinks you are a neo-con lunatic.

[SP1!]

That one was too easy to miss. Anyone who thought you were serious, obviously thinks you are a neo-con lunatic.

Why? Bush was a saint.

[underdog]

That one was too easy to miss. Anyone who thought you were serious, obviously thinks you are a neo-con lunatic.

He's a libertarian.

[keithy_19]

He's a libertarian.

OK. I don't follow party lines completely, but out of all political groups I agree with them the most.

[keithy_19]

That one was too easy to miss. Anyone who thought you were serious, obviously thinks you are a neo-con lunatic.

I'm glad you caught it, Serpico.

[angrymissy]

I did. Bush never did/said anything that equates to him putting his foot in his mouth.

Are you a new Jezo type board character?

[Serpico1103]

Why? Bush was a saint.

Why is that in the past tense? I didn't know saints had terms. Torture, war, poor people get poorer; not how I would interpret saint requirements.

He's a libertarian.

Libertarianism is a pipe dream. Sure, having the least amount of government interference is nice. But, time and time again, people and corporations prove that we don't have enough regulations now, so how will less help?

Libertarianism requires people acting responsibly. Good Luck!

[badmonkey]

You can listen to the 911 call and the police radio transmissions for yourself here. (http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/20190228/detail.html)

"An older woman noticed two gentlemen trying to get into a house at that number at 17 Ware St. They kind of had to barge in and they broke the screen door, and they finally got in. When I looked, I went further closer to the house after the gentlemen were already in the house. I noticed two suitcases. So I am not sure of these were two individuals who actually work there, I mean who live there," she said.

What's that you say? Two gentlemen? Suitcases? "work there"? Sounds like she's using code words to me.

"Are they white, black or Hispanic?" the dispatcher said.

"There were two larger men. One looked kind of Hispanic but I am not sure. The other one entered, and I did not see him at all," she said.

Interesting, she didn't mention race until prodded by the dispatcher and even then she said hispanic, not black. Trying to pin it on the hispanics. This woman is god awful.

[Serpico1103]

You can listen to the 911 call and the police radio transmissions for yourself here. (http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/20190228/detail.html)
What's that you say? Two gentlemen? Suitcases? "work there"? Sounds like she's using code words to me.
Interesting, she didn't mention race until prodded by the dispatcher and even then she said hispanic, not black. Trying to pin it on the hispanics. This woman is god awful.

Maybe I missed it. But, was anyone making a big deal out of the woman caller being a racist?

But, she is probably filled with white guilt so she tried to blame the Hispanics.

[yojimbo7248]

according to Politico, professor, cop, and prez having a beer at the White House Thursday at 6pm

[TheMojoPin]

Maybe I missed it. But, was anyone making a big deal out of the woman caller being a racist?

Me, dammit.

She's not fooling me.

[~Katja~]

damn I was really hoping for Chris to return to this thread after posting his latest findings about the Prof on fb :blink:

[foodcourtdruide]

damn I was really hoping for Chris to return to this thread after posting his latest findings about the Prof on fb :blink:

I'm going to take a leap and guess he's pro professor.

[SP1!]

Why is that in the past tense? I didn't know saints had terms. Torture, war, poor people get poorer; not how I would interpret saint requirements.
Thats why hes a saint, keeping the people where they belong and his foot on the neck of the common man just in case he tries to get ahead! How dare people try to make money and get ahead in this country!

damn I was really hoping for Chris to return to this thread after posting his latest findings about the Prof on fb :blink:
What did he post?

[Dude!]

the more i learn of
skip gates
and the way he behaved that day
and in the past
the less i like him

[TjM]

according to Politico, professor, cop, and prez having a beer at the White House Thursday at 6pm


http://multimedia.heraldinteractive.com/images/galleries/holbert20090728.jpg

[epo]

Me, dammit.

She's not fooling me.

I've been wondering for days as to why nobody looked at the neighborhood caller. I'd guarantee she used the phrase "those people" on a regular basis.

[earthbrown]

I've been wondering for days as to why nobody looked at the neighborhood caller. I'd guarantee she used the phrase "those people" on a regular basis.


Based on the national crime statistics, "those people", commit a disproportionate amount of crime.

Would she have called the police if there was a white guy shouldering the door?? I bet she would have. The suspision of a break-in was not based on color, it was based on the fact that the person was "shouldering" the door.

Your argument that this woman is a racist, may be true, but it was not like she called the cops after observing Gates stand on the porch.



K

[Zorro]

I've been wondering for days as to why nobody looked at the neighborhood caller. I'd guarantee she used the phrase "those people" on a regular basis.

Wow...when did it become "cool" to slam the people you don't like? You have no idea about this woman yet, you are ready to slime her with a "those people" comment. Good work.

[TjM]

Based on the national crime statistics, "those people", commit a disproportionate amount of crime.

Would she have called the police if there was a white guy shouldering the door?? I bet she would have. The suspicion of a break-in was not based on color, it was based on the fact that the person was "shouldering" the door.

Your argument that this woman is a racist, may be true, but it was not like she called the cops after observing Gates stand on the porch.



K

I think he was being sarcastic

[underdog]

Wow...when did it become "cool" to slam the people you don't like? You have no idea about this woman yet, you are ready to slime her with a "those people" comment. Good work.

She's an older white chick from Cambridge. She's definitely got her share of closeted racism.

[TripleSkeet]

Your argument that this woman is a racist, may be true, but it was not like she called the cops after observing Gates stand on the porch.



K

Whys it gotta be a PORCH??? RACIST!!!!!!

[TheMojoPin]

Based on the national crime statistics, "those people", commit a disproportionate amount of crime.

Which means, what? That even though blacks make up approximately 13-15% of the population they make up approximately 28% of the arrests in the country? Well, d'uh, that mostly stems out of economics. You're still far more likely to have a crime committed against you by another white person, expecially if you're talking burglary.

What skews that stats even more is that most crime by any race is typically perpetrated most often against other people of their own race, so your attempt at fearmongering "those people" is right in line with the other garbage you've dropped here.

[TjM]

Yet the fucking Dutch continue to slide by under the radar. Fucking ponderous! :furious:

[Dude!]

Yet the fucking Dutch continue to slide by under the radar. Fucking ponderous! :furious:

watch out cause elisnow
will criticize your use of
the word ponderous

[earthbrown]

Whys it gotta be a PORCH??? RACIST!!!!!!

Cause thats where "those people" tend to congregate.


K

[TjM]

watch out cause elisnow
will criticize your use of
the word ponderous

I don't care if I used it wrong it sounded cool

[CurseoftheBambi]

Cause thats where "those people" tend to congregate

home owners?

[HBox]

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Video/__NEW/Web%20Extras/n_walen_911caller_090729.300w.jpg

Lucia Whalen, the supposed old white racist lady, claims she never told the cop there were "two men with backpacks" at any time. Why the officer put that in his report remains a mystery. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32203737/ns/us_news-race_and_ethnicity/)

[epo]

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Video/__NEW/Web%20Extras/n_walen_911caller_090729.300w.jpg

Lucia Whalen, the supposed old white racist lady, claims she never told the cop there were "two men with backpacks" at any time. Why the officer put that in his report remains a mystery. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32203737/ns/us_news-race_and_ethnicity/)

I heard the released call last night, and from what I could tell she didn't live in the neighborhood, but rather called it in for someone who did.

I can totally see the situation where a younger person has a cell phone and is alerted to something by someone who doesn't. And she told the cops that the men had suitcases and might have lived there.

This is the weirdest f-ing story...

[TheMojoPin]

They were carrying big bags of contraband farts.

[epo]

They were carrying big bags of contraband farts.

They probably stole whoopie cushions. THOSE SOMBITCHES!

[underdog]

Officer suspended for Gates slur in e-mail (http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/07/officer_suspend.html)

Are there non-jungle monkeys?

[TooLowBrow]

Officer suspended for Gates slur in e-mail (http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/07/officer_suspend.html)

Are there non-jungle monkeys?

there are porch monkeys

[Fallon]

Officer suspended for Gates slur in e-mail (http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/07/officer_suspend.html)

Are there non-jungle monkeys?

That cop is a fucking retard. This story was almost winding down.

[badmonkey]

The story was only winding down because it turned out that the only racist asshole involved was Gates and the only person doing any kind of profiling was President Obama. The police officer that made the 'jungle monkey' comment here is an entirely different racist asshole from an entirely different police department in an entirely different city than the one that arrested Gates.

[TheMojoPin]

Gates was an asshole, but it's pretty impressive to spin him as being "racist."

Doesn't quite work that way, you silly goose.

That's just a big ol...

http://covers.openlibrary.org/b/olid/OL8429303M-M.jpg

[~Katja~]

there are porch monkeys
and brass monkeys

[TooLowBrow]

and brass monkeys
that funky monkey

[Dude!]

chunky monkey
yum

[ChrisTheCop]

Gates was an asshole, but it's pretty impressive to spin him as being "racist."

Doesn't quite work that way, you silly goose.



Oh. No. He IS a racist. An elitist. And a bigot.

God, he's so many things.

[TheMojoPin]

Oh. No. He IS a racist. An elitist. And a bigot.

God, he's so many things.

Bad day?

Someone fart all up in your grill?

[Dude!]

Bad day?

Someone fart all up in your grill?

ok that gimmick is played

[TheMojoPin]

ok that gimmick is played

Freedom is a gimmick?

GO BACK TO RUSSIA.

[GreatAmericanZero]

i'm watching last nights conan and rachel maddow is a guest and she said something so weird

she is talking about the police officer is going to have a blue moon for a beer and says "its apparently a heifenweizen that is served with an orange, so this guy who tries to pass himself off as a joe 6pack is drinking a hefienweizen with a slice of orange.."

yeah...right. Mr. Fancyman drinking a bluemoon with a slice of orange? The biggest dive bar in my area will have blue moon on tap with orange slices these days...way to sound like an old out-of-touch lady ms. maddow!


if i ever get to have beer with the president, im going for a "Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout" cuz thats how i roll

[Aggie]

They all have it wrong. This should be the official beer:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_03vePPOQ59Q/Reh4YGs0IxI/AAAAAAAAAEw/_bQ6PUx2OAA/s320/sam+jackson.jpg

http://www.hairweb.org/images-stars/samuel-l-jackson.jpg

[Furtherman]

i'm watching last nights conan and rachel maddow is a guest and she said something so weird

she is talking about the police officer is going to have a blue moon for a beer and says "its apparently a heifenweizen that is served with an orange, so this guy who tries to pass himself off as a joe 6pack is drinking a hefienweizen with a slice of orange.."

yeah...right. Mr. Fancyman drinking a bluemoon with a slice of orange? The biggest dive bar in my area will have blue moon on tap with orange slices these days...way to sound like an old out-of-touch lady ms. maddow!

Only fruits drink beer with fruit.

[underdog]

i'm watching last nights conan and rachel maddow is a guest and she said something so weird

she is talking about the police officer is going to have a blue moon for a beer and says "its apparently a heifenweizen that is served with an orange, so this guy who tries to pass himself off as a joe 6pack is drinking a hefienweizen with a slice of orange.."

yeah...right. Mr. Fancyman drinking a bluemoon with a slice of orange? The biggest dive bar in my area will have blue moon on tap with orange slices these days...way to sound like an old out-of-touch lady ms. maddow!


if i ever get to have beer with the president, im going for a "Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout" cuz thats how i roll

Blue Moon is owned by Coors. I got called a "yuppie" by someone in western NY because I was drinking one. I bought it at Walmart.

[underdog]

Only fruits drink beer with fruit.

You're ruining my image of you today.

[epo]

i'm watching last nights conan and rachel maddow is a guest and she said something so weird

she is talking about the police officer is going to have a blue moon for a beer and says "its apparently a heifenweizen that is served with an orange, so this guy who tries to pass himself off as a joe 6pack is drinking a hefienweizen with a slice of orange.."

yeah...right. Mr. Fancyman drinking a bluemoon with a slice of orange? The biggest dive bar in my area will have blue moon on tap with orange slices these days...way to sound like an old out-of-touch lady ms. maddow!

if i ever get to have beer with the president, im going for a "Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout" cuz thats how i roll

Actually, I've seen that Rhodes Scholar drink before and she ain't old or out of touch.

[TheMojoPin]

Colbert stole our bit!

<table style='font:11px arial; color:#333; background-color:#f5f5f5' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' width='360' height='353'><tbody><tr style='background-color:#e5e5e5' valign='middle'><td style='padding:2px 1px 0px 5px;'><a target='_blank' style='color:#333; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com'>The Colbert Report</a></td><td style='padding:2px 5px 0px 5px; text-align:right; font-weight:bold;'>Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c</td></tr><tr style='height:14px;' valign='middle'><td style='padding:2px 1px 0px 5px;' colspan='2'<a target='_blank' style='color:#333; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/240127/july-29-2009/the-word---he-who-smelt-it--dealt-it'>The Word - He Who Smelt It, Dealt It<a></td></tr><tr style='height:14px; background-color:#353535' valign='middle'><td colspan='2' style='padding:2px 5px 0px 5px; width:360px; overflow:hidden; text-align:right'><a target='_blank' style='color:#96deff; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com/'>www.colbertnation.com</a></td></tr><tr valign='middle'><td style='padding:0px;' colspan='2'><embed style='display:block' src='http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:240127' width='360' height='301' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='window' allowFullscreen='true' flashvars='autoPlay=false' allowscriptaccess='always' allownetworking='all' bgcolor='#000000'></embed></td></tr><tr style='height:18px;' valign='middle'><td style='padding:0px;' colspan='2'><table style='margin:0px; text-align:center' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' width='100%' height='100%'><tr valign='middle'><td style='padding:3px; width:33%;'><a target='_blank' style='font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;' href='http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/full-episodes'>Colbert Report Full Episodes</a></td><td style='padding:3px; width:33%;'><a target='_blank' style='font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;' href='http://www.indecisionforever.com'>Political Humor</a></td><td style='padding:3px; width:33%;'><a target='_blank' style='font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/239942/july-27-2009/current-events---tasers'>Tasers</a></td></tr></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

[Ogre]

I watched this last night and immediately concluded that Colbert or one of his writers is a lurker.

[TheMojoPin]

I watched this last night and immediately concluded that Colbert or one of his writers is a lurker.

I was a little creeped out.

I demand writing credits for us all.

[keithy_19]

Oh. No. He IS a racist. An elitist. And a bigot.

God, he's so many things.

He is.

[TheMojoPin]

Explain.

[epo]

Also Professor Gates had a Samuel Adams Light, not a Red Stripe as the media earlier reported. Why did they do that?

THEY ARE RACIST!

Or just lazy....

[Furtherman]

Explain.

Give him a few days to get Beck's transcripts.