Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr arrest thread

**OG Grenadier** · July 24, 2009, 02:45 PM

I find it quite astounding that given the airtime this incident is receiving , including the fact that POTUS weighed in (purportedly a friend of Gates) in his defense, had not made a single mention on this forum!?

For the benefit of our overseas friends who probably have no clue on what is going on, please read this brief synopsis.

"HENRY LOUIS GATES ARREST: Mr. Obama's comments that the Cambridge police acted "stupidly" in the arrest of Harvard professor and prominent African-American scholar Henry Louis Gates not only stepped on his push for health care reform Thursday, it wound up creating a firestorm around the country.

"Obama's comments about Officer James Crowley, who arrested Obama friend and prominent black Harvard University scholar Henry Louis Gates for not producing identification after breaking into his own locked home, drew the ire of Republicans, a major police officers' union and the officer himself on Thursday," writes The Hill's Sam Youngman. "In an interview with ABC News on Thursday, Obama stood by his comments even though he said he understands Crowley is an 'outstanding police officer.'

"'I have to say I am surprised by the controversy surrounding my statement because I think it was a pretty straightforward commentary that you probably don't need to handcuff a guy, a middle-aged man who uses a cane, who's in his own home,' the president said."

The Boston Herald's Laura Crimaldi and Marie Szanislo report, "Police nationwide are reeling from President Obama's televised reprimand of Cambridge cops for "acting stupidly" in the arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.

"'My response is that this department is deeply pained,' said Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas yesterday. 'It deeply hurts the pride of this agency.'

"Local union officials representing Cambridge Sgt. James Crowley, 42, would not rule out taking their outrage over Obama's remarks to the picket line next month when the first family lands on Martha's Vineyard for a vacation."

A quick Google will reveal much more up to date info than the above.

Personally I don't think the Officer acted stupidly, I do think the situation was poorly handled.

**Gauvin** · July 24, 2009, 02:58 PM

Arrest them all!!!

Harvard professors.... not black people.

**~~removeduser_426582376423734~~** · July 24, 2009, 03:01 PM

US President Barack Obama has told reporters he should not have described the arrest of a black Harvard professor as "stupid".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8168313.stm

**Darth Red** · July 24, 2009, 03:02 PM

There is already another thread .... Obamas foot must be delocious...

**nopasties** · July 24, 2009, 03:08 PM

This is why I hate this country sometimes, instead of having a discussion on the Healthcare bill which seems to be a freakin abomination we will talk about a story like this.

IDIOTS. ALL OF US

**Darth Red** · July 24, 2009, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by nopasties

This is why I hate this country sometimes, instead of having a discussion on the Healthcare bill which seems to be a freakin abomination we will talk about a story like this.

IDIOTS. ALL OF US

Or brilliant smoke screen by Obama

**Kjertesvein** · July 24, 2009, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by nopasties

This is why I hate this country sometimes, instead of having a discussion on the Healthcare bill which seems to be a freakin abomination we will talk about a story like this.

IDIOTS. ALL OF US

No no, american press is occupied with Mr. hotdog and MJ funural. "Shhhh" and keep watching. You can use your dry and uptight brain on J. Stewards show.

As a serious note, (most) politicains and the mainstream american media is the most bought and sold media, specially from big company's and their lobby groups.

**nopasties** · July 24, 2009, 03:38 PM

daily show take on the gates incident, Obama's comment and how the media talked about the gates incident

http://www.hulu.com/watch/85222/the-...white-house-md

We are gonna be screwed with another decade or more of bad healthcare and waste a $trillion or more.

**Erik** · July 24, 2009, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by OG Grenadier

I find it quite astounding that given the airtime this incident is receiving , including the fact that POTUS weighed in (purportedly a friend of Gates) in his defense, had not made a single mention on this forum!?

lurk more.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=280293

**OG Grenadier** · July 24, 2009, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Erik

lurk more.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=280293

Well that's a rather absurd title for the thread. Dear oh dear.

Oh well close this one down.

**King of Axum** · July 24, 2009, 07:00 PM

Personally i see nothing wrong in regards to the remark the President made. It is clear that the police over used their authority to arrest a man whom was charged with disorderly conduct.

**nopasties** · July 24, 2009, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by King of Axum

Personally i see nothing wrong in regards to the remark the President made. It is clear that the police over used their authority to arrest a man whom was charged with disorderly conduct.

What is wrong with Obama saying something is it became a news item. The story should never have become racialized because that brings out all the same old idiots. We talk around things like a bunch of gossipy morons. This could turn into that stupid pastor of Obama type story where Obama really does nothing but the guy keeps playing these old and tired and abused racial arguements. It is an issue because now it became politicized. Obama should know better.