Last night, Obama's news conference was little more than free TV time to take his case on health care reform to the American people.
Overall, the questions were poor and Obama's answers were worse. Obama refused to give direct, succinct answers. He dodged the questions. He blathered on and on. He lied and the press didn't press him.
All the questions were about health care except one, only one, the final one.
He didn't dodge and weave when he responded.
Transcript
LYNN SWEET: Thank you, Mr. President. Recently, Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. was arrested at his home in Cambridge. What does that incident say to you? And what does it say about race relations in America?
OBAMA: Well, I -- I should say at the outset that Skip Gates is a friend, so I may be a little biased here.
I don't know all the facts. What's been reported, though, is that the guy forgot his keys, jimmied his way to get into the house; there was a report called into the police station that there might be a burglary taking place.
So far, so good, right? I mean, if I was trying to jigger into -- well, I guess this is my house now, so -- (laughter) -- it probably wouldn't happen.
(Chuckling.) But let's say my old house in Chicago -- (laughter) -- here I'd get shot. (Laughter.) But so far, so good. They're -- they're -- they're reporting. The police are doing what they should. There's a call. They go investigate. What happens?
My understanding is, at that point, Professor Gates is already in his house. The police officer comes in. I'm sure there's some exchange of words. But my understanding is -- is that Professor Gates then shows his ID to show that this is his house, and at that point he gets arrested for disorderly conduct, charges which are later dropped.
Now, I've -- I don't know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts, what role race played in that. But I think it's fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry; number two, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home.
And number three, what I think we know separate and apart from this incident is that there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcing disproportionately. That's just a fact.
As you know, Lynn, when I was in the state legislature in Illinois, we worked on a racial profiling bill because there was indisputable evidence that blacks and Hispanics were being stopped disproportionately. And that is a sign, an example of how, you know, race remains a factor in the society.
That doesn't lessen the incredible progress that has been made. I am standing here as testimony to the progress that's been made. And yet the fact of the matter is, is that, you know, this still haunts us.
And even when there are honest misunderstandings, the fact that blacks and Hispanics are picked up more frequently, and oftentime for no cause, casts suspicion even when there is good cause. And that's why I think the more that we're working with local law enforcement to improve policing techniques so that we're eliminating potential bias, the safer everybody's going to be.
Obama admits that he doesn't know all the facts. So how can he be so sure that the "Cambridge police acted stupidly"? Obviously, he's not giving the police any benefit of the doubt.
In fact, Obama chose to criticize law enforcement across-the-board. I don't know if making such a general statement of condemnation helps bridge the divides between police and the citizens in the communities they serve.
I think Obama sent out the wrong message -- very counterproductive, very divisive.
NATICK, Mass. (AP) -- A white police sergeant who arrested renowned black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. at his home says he followed procedure and is disappointed by the national debate triggered by the incident, which has drawn criticism from the president on down to local sports radio hosts.
Gates has demanded an apology from Sgt. James Crowley, who had responded to the home near Harvard University last week to investigate a report of a burglary and demanded the scholar show him identification. Police say Gates at first refused and then accused the officer of racism.
Gates said Crowley walked into his home without his permission and only arrested him as the professor followed him to the porch, repeatedly demanding the sergeant's name and badge number because he was unhappy over his treatment.
Crowley said Wednesday that he won't apologize. The charge of disorderly conduct against Gates was dropped Tuesday.
President Barack Obama, during a prime-time news conference Wednesday, said he didn't know what role race played in the incident but added that police in Cambridge, a city outside Boston, "acted stupidly" in arresting Gates even after he offered proof that he was in his own home.
He said federal officials need to continue working with local law enforcement "to improve policing techniques so that we're eliminating potential bias."
I think it's out of line for Obama to condemn Sgt. Crowley and side with Gates without knowing the complete story.
The charges of disorderly conduct were dropped but that may be because Gates played the race card. It may be that dropping the charges was determined to be the best way to handle the matter, to end it.
Of course, that didn't put an end to the discussion.
Crowley said he's grateful he has the support of his police force. He said he's not worried about any possible disciplinary action.
"There will be no apology," he said outside his home Wednesday.
It sounds like Crowley is quite confident that he performed his duties appropriately.
...Gov. Deval Patrick, who is black, said he was troubled and upset over the incident. Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons, who also is black, has said she spoke with Gates and apologized on behalf of the city, and a statement from the city called the July 16 incident "regrettable and unfortunate."
Gates said he was "outraged" by the arrest.
"This isn't about me; this is about the vulnerability of black men in America," Gates said.
He said the incident made him realize how vulnerable poor people and minorities are "to capricious forces like a rogue policeman, and this man clearly was a rogue policeman."
Police supporters charge that Gates, director of Harvard's W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research, was responsible for his own arrest by overreacting.
Both Obama and Gates say, "This isn't about me." Interesting.
This is a "he said, he said" thing.
I can't assume that Gates overreacted. I can't assume that Crowley overreacted. I won't pass judgment.
However, I can say with certainty that Obama, even after admitting that he didn't know the facts, gave an inappropriate response. He's not remaining neutral. He is definitely not supporting the police. He's siding with Gates.
Obama was confident enough to call out the Cambridge police for acting stupidly.
Should the president of the United States assume that Crowley was in the wrong just because of that "long history" of discrimination in this country? Is that being fair to Crowley?
In effect, Obama called Crowley a bad police officer. He called him a racist.
He told the world.
That was wrong of him to do, though completely in character for Obama.
Rather than remaining neutral, as he should have done since he doesn't know all the details of the matter, Obama saw an opportunity to score political points. He grabbed it like the opportunist that he is.
That answer was all about Obama. He's a politician first and foremost, not a leader.
He's definitely not post-racial.
Bottom line: Obama is a divider, not a uniter.
"This isn't about me."
Sure.
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Here's the full video of the news conference.
Notice, Obama didn't use his usual two teleprompters. He used the giant one, located at the back of the room and centered at the podium.
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UPDATE: The Police Report
I think Obama might want to "clarify" his remarks on the Cambridge police acting stupidly.
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Related Posts:
Gibbs: Obama Didn't Call Police Officer 'Stupid'
Obama Acting Stupidly, Crowley May Sue
Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Martha's Vineyard
Obama and Crowley: Apology? (Video)
40 comments:
Great post Mary.
I agree. He should have remained neutral until he knew all the facts. He is showing his true colors.
Why should that cop get the benefit of the doubt, look how he is acting, even experts have said he should have taken the high road. With all the crime in Boston our tax dollars are wasted on arresting an honorable man like Mr. Gates. Befor this is over I am hoping this renegade cop will resign over all of the pressure. He we know one thing for sure about officer Crowley, He is truly an egotistical racist. A better man would take the high road and appologize.
You are really okay with racial profilers with egos policing our streets. Give me a break and if the charges were valid then they should not have dropped them. The race card give me a break. The guy posting this blog must have had his hood one on while posting.
I still believe from what I am reading that 'Gates the scholar' showed his behind and ego in assuming EVERYBODY is supposed to know who he is, and I do not believe he showed his ID when asked, like a regular Joe with some sense. Apologize? Gates is too egotistical for that,and next time somebody is fiddling with his doors or windows,neighbor should probably let 'em go ahead. He likely hasn't lived in a 'bad neighborhood' in quite some time, where you call a cab or the police and they might not show up!
this is one of those frustrating moments where people who are looking for an opportunity to raise their voices do so at the expense of another. Mr. Gates misses the fact that if Officer Crowley had come upon a black or white man breaking into Mr. Gates' home while he was inside, Officer Crowley would have risked his own life and confronted the actual burglers. Instead, we have another fired up man (black or white doesn't matter) who would rather get all fired up because an officer who risks his own life is doing his job. Where is grace in this country?? Why do so many who feel oppressed insist on attacking those who actually are trying to protect them?? Mr.Gates could have easily given his information to the officer then thanked him for doing his job and for caring for the safety of his community.
Now the most upsetting of all of this is our President. He used a nationally forum to call down judgement on not just a community's police department, but even more shamefully, called down judgement on an individual of America. Officer Crowley must now be distracted by the down pour media frenzy that our President has catalysted. Mr. President...you are wrong to use the highest platform in our 'free' land to call down judgement on someone and something you know little about. It is embarrasing to me and I hope to all Americans not that a black man was arrested for disobeying a police officer, but that our President is causing more division in our country.
Yes, America has its history of racial tensions. Any place you allow for a 'melting pot' will be filled with tensions. However, I ask that those who still cry out foul play to remember that during the civil war there were several million people of all races (no need to site colors if its a 'race' issue) who fought in that war and hundreds of thousands who died trying to break the race barrier.
I hope Officer Crowley can lead a normal life from here on out now that our President has chosen to put him at the forefront of an issue created by a man who screams "victim" rather than "thanks"
PJ
to the poster that said, "why should the cop get the benefit of the doubt"...your missing the point. This officer was doing his job in helping secure a neighborhood and at a home where there had been a previous breakin (read Mr. Gates own comments about the door). Our PRESIDENT, get it, the highest in our land, the leader of America, the PRESIDENT condemned a whole department and even more sadly, an individual, without knowing what happened. To me that is both sad and embarassing. Our leader acted stupidly.
I do think it's awful that Obama would trash Crowley after he admits to not knowing the facts and admits to being a friend of "Skip" Gates.
Condemning racial profiling is legitimate.
Saying that the "Cambridge police acted stupidly" is very, very revealing.
If the police came to my house and I had broken in because I'd locked myself out 1) I would be happy my neighbors were looking out for me while I was at work 2) Be thankful the local police was doing a good job 3) I would not have a problem identifying myself, what is up with that? Mr. Gates is an educator and should not have a chip on his shoulder if asked to ID himself and 4) the policeman should have had his visable name badge and number on so why all the shouting? My question is,if this had been a black police officer would this be a story ? or a hispanic police officer that was the first to arrive at the scene? If they had not arrived and it was a true burglary would Mr. Gates be complaining that the white police force do not police black neighborhoods the same? I know that other people all over the country have been arrested for being
beligerent to police officers. It was not a race deal in my opinion and I'm very sad President Obama, took that question, commented on it not knowing all the facts, and did not stick up for our police departments but instead trashed them.
i am a retired law enforcement officer and every time something went wrong the race card went up.i r'cd a call of a man with a gun in my sector i responded and waited for backup i took cover and engaged him.his mother flew into a tirade about white police killing our children she filed a complaint it turned out he had what appeared from where i was standing to be a machine pistol it wound up being a toy realistic machine pistol never the less she would not let go of the racial integrity control officers conducted an in vestigation result unsubstantiated.at the end the investigator told her for whats its worth the officer involved is hispanic
It never ceases to amaze me that when a b/m in this country cries racism, everyone condemns the accused. As for "racial Profiling", there is no such thing. It is just a political football. It is called "statistics'. Furthermore, unless you have ever been a police officer, blck or white, and have been accosted (verbally) by someone of the opposite race, often very vile comments, too, then you don't know what the police have to put up with. Just because you are a scholar doesn't give you the right to fail to give your information to a police officer. And, by the way, whenever there is a call for a burglary, police officers have to go into the residence to "clear" it and make sure no one is hiding inside. Mr. Gates should have identified himself, instead of playing a victim, as if the officer had no right to ask him who he was, and thanked the officer for the quick response time. Talk about taking the higher ground! This is what you get from an elitist academic zealot!! He should apologize to the officer. There may just be a slow response time next time there is a call to that particular residence. Let's hope not.
I think the whole racist issue here is on the shoulders of Gates. He could have ended the situation by immediately showing his I.D. card, the police officer could have then apologized for disturbing him while performing his duty.
The problem is not that black people and hispanics are targeted, it is that they in fact commit more crimes. Gates has a giant chip on his shoulder thinking that everyone should recognize him and that he is beyond the law, instead of showing his cooperation with the local law and leading his ethnic group by setting positive examples.
Had Gates been white he'd still be in jail. Had Gates' house truly been broken into he would have been whining about police not protecting his home because he's black. Not everything is about white and black..... grow up and get over your own insecurities.
And Obama belittling a police officer without any facts.....nice. It was just a matter of time before your true identity was revealed. Now I wish I would have voted for Palin……she’s slow enough not to have commented one way or the other.
I wonder about the neighbor who called in the complaint. If the neighbor on one side of me was trying to get in his house, I'd recognize him, and maybe offer my help. But the neighbor on the other side? I'd call the cops. Something tells me that Gates might not be the easiest guy to live next to.
Anyone who has done any policing would realize that the officer was required to request ID. He would have requested an ID of any call of this nature. This is what you are trained to do. Regarding the president making his remarks, he should not have. People have a tendency to forget that there are wolves and sheep in this world. You need a sheepdog to guard the sheep from the wolves. Your military and law enforcement are those sheepdogs.
I think everyone knows that Obama is really a racist himself and as President , he of all people should have set an example of getting all the facts before he shot his mouth off. I think this makes the final determination for me of who Obama is and what he is like behind the curtain. Take note all you liberals who think he can do no wrong. If you are white, believe me he hates you as much as any other black in the country.
And especially as a friend of Mr. Gates, Mr. Obama should have opted out of this discussion. He is not only showing his "true colors" but his true feelings about "color". As President of a nation of many colors, his remarks seemed particularly biased, especially since he himself admitted he did not know the whole story.
Let the President walk in their shoes or go on a "ride along" with our Police. His comment showed his prejudice and here I laugh...um, how "transparent" he is. Gates was wrong, pure and simple! It is he and Obama that owe Sgt Crowley an aplogy as well as the entire police force across our land. Let Freedon Ring! No one is above the Law, Mr. President!
The Officer in question may teach a racial profiling class, but he seems not to have learned from his own teachings. How can he have worked in that area for the time that he has and not know of who Mr. Gates is, the same for whoever reported the suspected break-in. If it's a black man it must be a break-in, right!The Boston area is what it is and that all that it is! President Obama lived in the Boston area while attending school and I'm sure he has seen his share of the police and racial profiling.
LEGAL DEFINITION OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT:
http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Disorderly+Conduct
PUBLIC, PUBLIC, PUBLIC... Not on private property. Case closed. Officer Pigglywiggly is guilty and should be placed on a week's suspension without pay, then receive mandatory retraining because he obviously makes up the law as he goes along.
I agree that Sgt. Crowley is owed an apology. I am a woman and if I saw someone trying to get into a home by force whether black, white, yellow, or red, I would call the law and I hope someone would do the same if it was my home. Thank you to all the men and women in the police force for risking your lives daily for "all" of us living in this wonderful country!!!
I agree race is still a problem in the U.S.A. But Sgt. Crowley had a duty to respond and protect the property of a person he doesn't know. When he arrived and encountered a subject matching the discription given to him by the caller. He has a duty to identify the subject. Mr. Gates should have complied and showed I.D. then he wouldn't have been walked out of his home with handcuffs on.
Obama should have not commented until he knows the facts. But I guess when you live in upper class Amercia and have never been a victim it's easy to point fingers.
For those of you who keep screaming racial profiling, what would you have a police officer do when somone calls reporting a break in? Not respond, not ask for identification? I keep hearing the officer should have taken the high ground! What the heck are you talking about? How do you call someone a respected scholar when he cannot even answer a police officer without flying off the handle like some thug on the street.
Gates, you have embarrassed yourself. Maybe you were tired from you long flight and responded in a way you normally wouldn't have. In that case own up to your mistake, appoligize to the officer and move on.
As for Obama, I never understood why anyone voted for you in the first place. Most likely because they were afraid to be labled a racist. However you have shown you sever lack of judgement. You only seem to respond correctly when you have a scripted response prepared for you. You have embarresed the office of President of the USA.
I believe Gates, the Harvard educated man CHOSE to make a RACIAL issue of a policeman performing his job - requesting an ID - which is a common practice among police officers to acquire someone's true identity.
We had a incident in our community where a lady called police that something was happening to her neighbor who she had seen being forced into her front door by two men and a woman. When the police showed up, one of the home invaders posed as a resident of the house, stating to the police that she was too busy, and spoke to the police while removing groceries from the victim's car. If the polce would have demanded an ID from this perpetrator, their crime would have been thwarted and the criminals caught in the process - carjacking, kidnapping and robbery. But because racial profiling is always used by pathetic cowards to subgvert being held accountable for their misdeeds, the police accepted the home invader's comments - because she was taking groceries out of the car - and appeared to be the resident of the house. The police officers involved in these matters were disciplined for not doing their job - not asking for an ID and not going into the house to make sure everything was alright.
Gates should be ashamed of himself - along with Obama for not knowing all the facts before speaking about the incident.
It may be that all involved overacted but there is one fact I can't get past, he was in his home. He provided proof maybe after an unnecessary show of power by the policeman that would have infuriated any law abiding homeowner. I don't believe this man who is known around the world and who has worked in the highest circles just blew his stack because the meek mild mannered officer approached him in an authoritative but respectful manner. How is his arrest justified when he established his identity and lack of a crime. Why was he tricked into stepping outside to be arrrested? It was simply a show of power. How dare he raise his voice to the lawman. This show of power is very clear to those of us who have to bite our tongues when confronted by policemen or run the risk of being shot. The professor may need to be grateful he was only arrested instead of being eulogized. Any man reading this needs to step back and honestly admit how he would react in the same situation. It's just gosh darn wrong when a Black man stands up to a blatant misuse of power. We've come a long way baby but we have farther to go, so much farther........
Why would a black man with a good standing in a good neighborhood verbally assault a police officer who is investigating a break-in at his home? Does not make any since. The police reports show no evidence for the mans outrage toward the police office and actually shows how understanding the police officer was to the outrage.
Now we add Obama's commits and it becomes a political race issue. Note also the man was a friend of Obama. This sounds a little fishy and sends up a lot of red flags. Currently Obama needs media attention off the health care issues and some other not so main stream issues that the media has started to highlight concerning Obama policies. There are real questions that need to be asked and nobody as asked them yet.
I have to believe Obama is smarter than what he is being perceived to be by the media and he is about to pull a fast one on Congress and the general public by using the media (ABC, NBC, CBS). (smoke and mirrors)
Obama pays parking tickets from Harvard 17 years late. LOL Yeah, he knows all about "racial profiling".
Secondly, what's with his use of the word "jigger"? I thought he was all "articulate" and ejumacated, unlike Bush? Another in a loooong line of lies.
Third, Obama is racist and he clearly, yes CLEARLY showed it again. I don't know who I am more pissed at? The charlatan or the MSM who forced this POS on us.
It is certainly not the president's place to get involved in a local issue like this, and even more inappropriate for the president to comment on sensitive issues without knowing the whole story, even if one of the people involved was an old friend. And I believe this is more of an issue of the professor's ego being bruised, yelling at the police who are investigating a local break-in without showing them your ID and insisting you rascist is simply not a good idea. Bad judgement there. Maybe the police shouldn't have sunk to the professor's level to get even with the being yelled at and insulted part. But, this should never have gotten the attention it did, with Obama making an inappropriate statement on national TV. If he can't be impartial or feels the need to defend old friends by making uneducated remarks, then he's lost my vote for 2012.
One last thing, I went onto the link to read the police report. I was particularly shocked that a Harvard Professor, would say and I quote, "ya, I'll speak with your mama outside." when asked to come out to the porch to talk. And a bit of advice for you Mr. Gates, when a police officer asks you to do something, take it up later, file a complaint or something, but you do not insult his mother. That is simply childish. And if the police officer gives you a warning to stop yelling, IN PUBLIC, when he's outside, then you simply shut up and stop letting your ego get to you.
does The President have so much time on his hands that he has to get involved in an incident of which type there are many throughout the country that are not covered by the news when the problems facing the presidency now could bring down the nation, the fact that both men involved may have acted out of character in the situation does not warrent the time or publicity or the fall out of racial predujice it may now cause Mr Obama "get on with your own job not that of others"
In his presumption of prejudice even after admitting he did not know the facts, our president has revealed that he is willing to forgo the constitutionally guaranteed right to the presumption of innocence. He has shown that his black skin is very thin. If you are now wondering about my skin color, you are proving this point. Shame on us for electing a racist.
It's not really any surprise. We have a very irresponsible president. Without the aid of his teleprompter. He rarely makes any sensible statements.
Gates is the one who brought race into the situation. He is the real racist. Along with Obama. Both owe Crowley an apology.
Crowley is a true American hero (as are all other officers, firemen, and military who risk their lives for the rest of us. Gates' and Obama's behaviors are both shameful
I am neither WHITE nor BLACK, im BROWN. So I guess you folks can get a neutral view from my side.
Firstly isn't an officer supposed to investigate if there is a break-in to a house? And that was exactly what Sgt. Crowley was doing. For a second just assume the officer was black, would all this mess have cropped up? NO!
Gates, who is head of the African American dept at Harvard, teaches about black history and race related violence in the past. He might have a certain mindset towards all Whites in America. He still feels that there is racial injustice happening in America. He being a respectable person should've had the courtesy and decency to behave properly with a police officer. Would he have behaved the same way with a Black officer? Then isn't he using the race card to his advantage and making a hue and cry about something which is clear case of misunderstanding.
Gates should not have made this a "All black men" issue. Now everyone is going to use this as an excuse and behave in a violent fashion, like he did, with police officers.
Of all the things, I was most surprised and concerned about the statement from the President of the free world! He being a close friend of Gates, should've tried to intervene and calm the situation instead of accusing the police dept! This will now lead to unnecessary tensions between police and civilians.
I can understand why Blacks are so sensitive to such things. My country was ruled by the British for 200 years. So now does that mean we still hate and disrespect the British? Please get over all this. As long as the race card is misused, this huge gap will remain.
Cheers.
Ps: I have lived in the US for 4 years and have been subjected to racial slur once by a White lady, which I feel is not a bad ratio compared to the number of people I have met in these years. But on the other hand, I have had to listen to abuses and constant humiliation at my earlier work place by many black women. So who in this case is a real racist?
I voted for Obama in the presidential election, but I shall not do so again. His remark about Officer Crowley acting "stupidly," was an example of bias, racism and ultimately "classism."
Whatever one's race -- black, caucasian, asian -- one knows NOT to yell at a police officer. What for? They are there to protect. Officer Crowley was doing his job, and Gates's response was arrogant and disrespectful -- why isn't his response being evaluated more thoroughly?
I certainly don't see any evidence that Gates has been at a disadvantage because of his race. Actually, probably the reverse is the case.
I am disappointed by the inherent bias of President Obama, appalled by Gates's bad manners, and wish Officer Crowley the very best of luck.
Everyone keeps talking about protocols and SOP's. Can you explain the police protocol for a reported break in by the owner of the property? Crowley, by his own admission arrested Mr. Gates after he yelled and made derogatory comments about his mother. Sounds like "sticks and stones" to me. Because Crowley teachs classes about racial profiling doesn't mean he doesn't do it. Pick up any newspaper and you will find a story about a cop who has been arrested for sexual assult, pornography, theft, murder and God knows what else. Are they exempt from the law, yes, until their caught. A bigger man would have admitted the situation got out of control and an error on the side of caution was made and then apologize. No foul, no error. Instead Cambridge is on the map for something no one is going to forget. BTW, I understand Mr. Gates showed not only his drivers license but his Harvard ID also. Should have been enough.
To Mr. Gates, big deal, you were charged with a misdemenor disorderly conduct. That's comparable to an infraction for not obeying a "Don't Walk On The Grass" sign! When the officer was walking away, why didn't you just go into your home and be thankful that it was secure, thanks to your neighbor and the police? I am concerned that the real "racial profiling" is actually the accusation or assumption that color even enters the equation here, that because the officers actions are in protest, it must be that he acted in such a manner because of Gate's race? If Gates is so very learned, perhaps he should reflect on something I learned in Sociolgy 101...that is, things are not always as they seem!!!
Just read the police report. Wow. Looks like Crowley clearly was baiting Mr. Gates. Gates was not disorderly in his home. Only when he stepped outside, as asked by Crowley, who wrote in his report that he would talk with Gates there. Real Cute.
This case this week reminds me of the 1993 "water buffalo" case. This proves again how overly sensitive people can be, and this really is unwarranted because there is no slavery today. In both these cases, the "victim" acted out their feelings because 1) they made a mental decision to do so (based on feelings), and 2) they did it based on thoughts of slavery/injustice even when there is none. The Sgt acted properly, not because of "racial profiling," but because of police procedures. If the prof were white, there'd be no difference in the results except one: there'd be no such racial outcries of "racial profiling."
Racial profiling? By a police officer? Sgt. Crowley didn't even initiate this investigation- a neighbor called in the report! It appears Sgt. Crowley was following procedure and Mr. Gates assumed racism and became disorderly as a result. Personally, as a former white police officer, I'm tired of the race card! I was constantly accused of racism and there's not anyone less racist than I am. It appears that to the black community everything is about race even when it clearly isn't! Enough with the race card already! Who really are the racists here?
Mr.President, please make sure you have all the facts before taking sides- friend or not. Anyone and everyone, no matter how educated they are, can make mistakes and be in the wrong!
If Sgt. Crowley did anything wrong, which I'm not seeing, then he should apologize. If Mr. Gates became upset because he felt he was the target of racial profiling, but wasn't, then he should apologize.
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