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Obama says Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting black scholar
Call him crazy, but President Barack Obama thinks it is wrong to have arrested someone for disorderly conduct after accusing them of breaking into their own house.
Obama responded Wednesday, July 22, to the Cambridge, Mass. police’s arrest last week of Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.
“Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof he was in own home,” Obama said during a prime-time news conference that otherwise focused on the health care debate.
Read Associated Press story here.
Gates’ arrest followed a report of a possible burglary. A woman apparently saw Gates force the front door and called police. Police came and demanded that Gates show identification.
Gates was arrested shortly afterward for alleged disorderly conduct, a charge that was dropped Tuesday.
Obama acknowledged that he and Gates are friends and that he doesn’t know every detail of the case.
He said police acted correctly in confronting Gates - the professor apparently forgot his keys and was jimmying his door. But the president, who joked that even he’d get shot if caught trying to force his way into the White House, said the arrest seemed an example of a larger racial problem.
“There is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionally,” he said during the conference. “That’s just a fact.”
The police have apologized, calling the whole thing “regrettable and unfortunate.”
In a column written by his daughter, Gates, one of the nation’s most well-known African American scholars, calls the account of his arrest in the police report ‘pure fabrication.’
In the report, Gates, a PBS regular, is described as “loud and tumultuous,” according to the posting “My Daddy, the Jailbird” on The Daily Beast by Elizabeth Gates.
Gates said there are both good and bad police officers.
” We depend on the police—I’m glad that this lady called 911. I hope right now if someone is breaking into my house she’s calling 911 and the police will come! I just don’t want to be arrested for being black at home! I think this was a bit of an extreme reaction,” he said in the posting.
What do you think?
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Comments
By j newman
July 23, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this
I seems to me that the police acting stupidly is the kind of remark that would open so many old racial wounds it is sad when people choose to be black first and citizens later.By Jim 5
July 23, 2009 9:41 AM | Link to this
Obama supports legal in-equality by nominating an affirmative action supporter for the Court, then fans the flames of phony in-equality to cover his tracks with this crybaby professor’s “story”. Is it 2012 yet?By drunken orangetree
July 23, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
The cop arrested that utterly terrifying elderly black man. Why? Because he was in HIS OWN HOUSE. And yet people come on here and cry about “in-equality.” Grow up.By Rick
July 23, 2009 10:40 AM | Link to this
Now I have no doubt whatsoever that Obama is a racist. The man would not ID himself, the police axcted correctlyBy Jim 5
July 23, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this
He was not “in HIS OWN HOUSE”, but was trying to break “in HIS OWN HOUSE”. The nutty professor chose – for some reason — not to tell the cops it was “HIS OWN HOUSE”. I guess his “street cred” went up by being arrested, kind of the same way rappers gain notoriety by shooting people. Where is Obama when it comes to supporting Black small-business owners? Teachers? Scientists? Why choose to publicize the case of this idiot instead of working for good people?By Real Black
July 23, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this
Jim 5, I can’t wait for 2012 so you can have your 1(one) Republican vote and watch the celebration of Obama’s second term in office.By drunken orangetree
July 23, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this
I’ve tried to post the link to the police report twice. It’s available on the boston channel dot net. He was IN his house, and he showed his ID. Deal with it.By Bad Cops
July 23, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this
These police were complete idiots. Just another example of police thinking they can do whatever they want, whenever they want and wherever they want.By Stephen Mann
July 23, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this
As usual, Obama has either lied or does not know the facts of the case. When the cops arrived, they knocked and asked the occupant to come out, HE REFUSED to come out and REFUSED to present ID. No one ACCUSED him of trying to break into the house. A neighbor called the cops when she saw someone attempting to break into the house. She obviously didn’t recognize him, or she wouldn’t have called. The man was arrested for disorderly conduct for refusing to obey a police officers request. It had NOTHING to do with whether it was his house or not. Wanna stop getting arrested for “nothing”, DO WHAT THE COP TELLS YOU.By M
July 23, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this
The man was arrested for DISORDERLY CONDUCT. OBVIOUSLY, he was being disorderly. That’s why he was arrested. Not because he was BLACK. Why does it have to be turned into a racial matter??? This is bull and I’m disappointed in Obama for sticking his nose where it has no place.By drunken orangetree
July 23, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
Yea, I’d say “stupid” pretty much covers it.By Anne
July 23, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this
A “drunken orangetree” is smarter than so many ppl who comment on here…scary. lolBy LizardKingLives
July 23, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
drunken orangetree Mr Gates was arrested because he initially refused to show id and then only after the threat of arrest did he provide official id. He then continued to belittle and have a tantrum…accusing the responding officers of harassing him because he was black and being acting in an overall disorderly fashion. It is appropriate for the police to require some form of official documentation to prove your id when you are caught breaking into a house…a faculty id is not an official id. Not to mention, none of this would have occurred had Mr Gates simply complied with the officers first request which was a reasonable request to provide govt id. The pres himself said it was appropriate to request id under that circumstance…in fact, the pres was in the wrong by commenting on the arrest without knowing the details (which he admittedly stated he did not know). As a result he made a stupid comment. The arresting officers responded appropriately in the situation and arrested a belligerent RACIST moron for disorderly conduct. Mr Gates was only later released and charges dropped because of his obvious political connections. RACE IS NOT ALWAYS THE ISSUE SOMETIMES STUPIDITY IS THE ISSUE.By drunken orangetree
July 23, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this
Yes, stupidity is the issue. The Cambridge police realized that the cop did something stupid, and they dropped the charges.By GOD
July 23, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
The charges were dropped because of Mr Gates status in the community and his obvious political connections. It had nothing to do with any mistake being made by the arresting officer. Understand the reality.By Colonel
July 23, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this
Drunken orangetree is an obvious racist and bigot and is it is people like him that continue to make race an issue and is why we continue to have issues of race in our society. I guess the race card is easier to play than being accountable for your actionsBy Becky
July 23, 2009 1:29 PM | Link to this
None of you were there. If the man wants to break into his own house, it’s his. You that call Obama a racist have some nerve. This Country is racist. Get it right.By albert einstein
July 23, 2009 1:41 PM | Link to this
FYI- Gates initially refused to give id – reason why? He felt he was only asked to provide id because he was black…how about it was because you were breaking into a house. FYI-Gates was not arrested in his home, but outside of his home. In fact, he followed the officer outside yelling, insulting and belittling the officer as the officer was leaving…can you say “Please arrest me, I am stupid”.By Debbie
July 23, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this
So now we are not supposed to look out for our neighbors homes? The only reason the police were there in the first place is because his neighbors thought someone was trying to break in. I guess they should just might their own business and let what will be, be!! Secondly this guy is a big cry baby!! Just tell them who you are and that this is your house. Obviously we don’t have the whole story. Obama i can’t wait for 2012!!You are a prejudiced president.By Commander in Chief
July 23, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this
Becky I am sorry I did not see where someone called obama a racist…what I did read is that people seem to agree that if you are the president of the united states…then before you speak about a situation (especially one concerning a sensitive topic like race relations) then you should know some details and he admittedly said he did not know the details. His comments about the situation were prejudice in favor of his friend and they were inappropriate…given he knew little of the details or facts surrounding the case.By drunken orangetree
July 23, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this
No. I’m sorry. Why would I distrust the cops? I must be the racist. After all, we’re living in a post-racial society. No one is upset that a black man is now running the country. No African Americans were forced to take ARMs when they qualified for fixed-rate mortgages. The suburbs around Dayton aren’t lily-white.By Former LEO
July 23, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
Lets take a look at the facts (I know that is going to be hard for some) Call came in to police saying someone was breaking into a house. Police respond. Disorderly male at the door refuses to open door and ID self. the man is so disorderly is causes concern for neighbors. the man refuses to ID self and is arrested THEN produces ID. Too late. He should have just coughed up the ID and the PD would be gone. Now he wants to make it a racial situation when it wasnt. He was wrong. Prez Obama is acting stupidly, once again talking out his butt without knowing all the facts. Is there racism here? Yup, but not on the side of the cops. The racism is by the Prof and Obama…Oh and by the way, I am black…..By Barack Hitler
July 23, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this
The police were called because it was reported the house was being broken into. He refused to identify himself and it appeared he was an intruder, Gated, Sharpton, and Obama you are all stupid.By Whitey
July 23, 2009 2:14 PM | Link to this
Drunken…first off, I don’t care what color the guy running the country is…as long as he/she is doing the right thing for the country. 2nd-I forgot about how bankers are now allowed to force “African Americans” to sign mortgages at gun point. 3rd – I also forgot about the secret pack by “whitey” not to allow “African Americans” to move to the suburbs. I would like to apologize now for those atrocities and will bring it up at the next “secret whitey” meeting being held out in the lily-white burbs. Here is reality…there is no conspiracy by “whitey” to force “Blacks” into taking out ARMs or to keep them out of the suburbs. Plenty of those lily-white people you mentioned have ARMs and are losing their homes. You are right that the recession is about color…from where I sit everyone under the red white and blue banner have been hit by it.By Me
July 23, 2009 2:35 PM | Link to this
The person who acted stupidly here was Mr. President by speaking out on the matter before (admittedly not) knowing the facts. Has Gates called that neighbor to THANK him or her for looking out for his property? This entire story makes me ill… especially the racial profiling aspect of it. He was not stopped nor pulled over because he was “black.” He just happened to be a black man who broke into a home who initially refused to show ID that proved the home was his. I had a similar incident at my home a few years back when my son lost his key and broke into the house. The police were called and they entered my home and demanded ID from my son who was sitting on the toilet at the time. With guns drawn, they allowed him to dig into his pants to pull out his ID. All was groovy, they went on their way, and we laugh about it now. I called the neighbor and thanked him for looking out for me and mine. End of story.By Tina
July 23, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this
I think Obama needs to realize he’s the one being stupid here, along with his friend Mr. Gates! This is not a race issue at all! You would think the president would know about the patroit act, if a police officer asks you for identification and you do not show it they are alloud to arrest you for that! But this was a disorderly conduct charge and he’s lucky that’s all he got! Blacks and whites are arrested everyday for disorderly conduct, I should know my husband is arrested about once a year for disorderly conduct and he’s not black so wtf?!?! Just because this man thinks he’s someone he gets out of this that’s bull! You do the crime you do the time and he clearly did the crime!By Dork
July 23, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this
Tina I am sorry but the statement…”my husband is arrested about once a year for disorderly conduct” is just to funny LOL. The rest of you comment I completely agree with.By Tyrone
July 23, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this
Mr. Gates was arrested because he was black. The system is inherently biased against African-Americans. That is the reason more African Americans are incarcerated compared to other races. I am tired of this crap. Its high time the US state government apologize and pay reparations for the suffering of African Americans.By Village Idiot
July 23, 2009 3:10 PM | Link to this
Tyrone…who do I make the check out to? I think it is time for someone to start taking their meds again…pay reparations when the country is already having a hard time paying the light bill. The recession must have really hit Tyrone hard if he thinks he is owed another check this month.By drunken orangetree
July 23, 2009 3:10 PM | Link to this
Whitey, No birthers in the USA? Google “wells fargo african americans subprime loans” Secret pact? LOL. Like there’s any secret at all.By Tina
July 23, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this
Thanks Dork! Think that’s funny, one of the disorderly conduct charges was for calling the cops “stupid pigs”. Yes you can get arrested for calling cops stupid pigs! Well Urbana PD anyways! But here’s a question if this world is so racist and PD is so racist how can a black man get away with threatening my family, harrassing us, recording us, forcing us to move and yeah this world is so racist the police let him get away with it!By Whitey
July 23, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this
First off you read the entire story you find that the loan officers involved were actually black. The story mentions that these loan officers falsified applications and coached applicants to lie…where is the sense of right or wrong…if my loan officer says in order for me to get this loan I need to lie about something I am going to say F-U. I definitely not going to agree to it (WTH). So you black loan officers taking advantage of black customers. Also, when does the consumer have to take responsibility? Even if the loan officer falsified docs…you should know what your signing and understand it…you should have the appropriate down payment…you should also understand that if you are making $30-40k yr then a $500k house is not affordable for you. My point is people of all color allowed themselves to get fooled into ARMs and are now paying the price for their ignorance…before you blame others blame yourself. For example, I was criticized by everyone around me because I decided I would not buy a house because I could not afford to put 20% down…one person even called me a fool…now many of those same people are losing their homes…who was the fool. Being a smart consumer has nothing to do with race.By Stephen Mann
July 23, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this
Racial profiling IS a big problem in the USA. TRUE STORY: Many years back my brother asked me to drive him to auto parts store. I went to pick him up, we are white, he is married to a black girl, they lived in a mostly black part of town. When I got there, he was in the alley by his car, and as we drove off, a police cruiser started following. Me brother said they would pull us over, and they did. Never said why, just checked my license and let us go. Why did they pull us over? We were white in a black part of town, they thought we were buying drugs. I coulda been a prick and got arrested, but I cooperated and everything was fine. Where is Sharpton and Jackson to to complain about this obvious case of racial profiling?By Stephen Mann
July 23, 2009 4:23 PM | Link to this
The “racist” arresting officer is the same man who administered CPR to former Celtics player Reggie Lewis (black) when he collapsed during a workout. Oh wait, maybe he was actually trying to suffocate Lewis since he was black. The “racist” arresting officer has taught a class about racial profiling at the police academy for the last 5 years. He was given the task by a former BLACK police commissioner. Oh wait, maybe the class was about how TO BETTER profile by race. Gimmie a break, the only racist in this situation is Gates.By Tyrone
July 23, 2009 4:53 PM | Link to this
Yeah, of course this guy is an expert at racial profiling. He is so good at it, he can teach new recruits how to racial profile effectively.By David
July 23, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
When I lived in Belmont I was leaving my house when two Dayton police cruisers pulled and confronted me asking who are you? Where are you going? They were there for business. I said why do you want to know? The cops said they got a 911 hang up call from the house. They see me leaving and are wonder what are they walking into. I identified myself, I did not act out, yell or scream at the officer. I did not accuse them of anything,or claim they made it up. Once the officers ID me and I did not act like an a*****e it was determines that one of my twins who were barely old enough to peer over the back window had been playing on the phone and hit 911. The professor is full of hot air, his neighbor thought a crime was taking place, called the cops, the cops come and he acts like an idiot instead of explaining what was happening. It is profiling to respond to a call. President Obama who I voted for becasue I was very tired of Bush and the republicans said he did not have all the facts then went off shot off his mouth anyways. I was very disappointed in our President. The officer was doing his job, he could have walked into a situation with a bad guy and been shot. A couple of years ago a cop was shot in Fairborn doing routine work delivery paper work to a person house. What if the house was broken into and the cops walked away or did not respond? It was a no win. Sometimes it is racist and sometime it isn’t. And sometimes it isn’t racist the way people claim. I thought we were past all this crap. The homeowner should thank the cops for responding and take a chill pill. The President lost some luster from his halo with me last night when he said what he said. Besides when you loose a key why not call a lock smith instead of tearing down a door. What a goof ball.By DMK
July 23, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this
The president had no right to speak on behalf of his friend to belittle the police when he had not got the facts of the case. He is the one trying to start a race issue. Would he open his mouth if it was a white man arrested for breaking into his own house??? Would the charges get dropped if it was the white man??? All his friend had to do is show proof of who he is and not start the attitude of “do you know who I am” or what color he happens to be. Anybody that refuses to obey the orders from police should be arrested no matter what color he or she is. The police are not the ones with the race issues.By okayokay
July 23, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this
from what I understand his neighbor called because of a possible break in and police responded to the home. When the Prof. answered the door he was asked to show ID. Is that unreasonable? He then started the racial bit himself by asking -why because I am a black man… he was not arrested because he was a black man in a nice house. He was arrested because he went out after the police officer wanting his name and badge number and being a JERK!!! What if his house had been broken into while he was away. Does he not want the police to respond. Give me a break. I think there is racial profiling but I don’t think that it was an issue for the police in this instance. Just for the angry guy who answered the door and assumed he was being attacked for being black. The police were trying to protect him and his property and HE racially attacked THEM for it.By chandler
July 23, 2009 5:24 PM | Link to this
I am white and I am proud and it is time for white America to stop apologizing for black ignorance. This professor and our foolish uninformed socialist President are wrong this is clearly not based on race but it is a lost cause because the brothers will always seek to place blame on the white man.By chandler
July 23, 2009 5:27 PM | Link to this
Thank god for ignorant white women though huh brothers? Keep ur pimp hand strong dawgs!!!!!!!By chandler
July 23, 2009 5:30 PM | Link to this
I was thinking of moving to the west side of dayton could anyone tell me what the crime rate is over there? Oh it’s that bad huh..must be whiteys fault!!!!By Amazed
July 23, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this
I think someone else wrote something similar. It is amazing how many people here take some or none of the facts and twist them. It would appear all three of the people, Gates, the officer and Obama have had pretty good records and none are prone to call racism at the drop of the hat. I would suggest everyone reading up on Gates. He is a class act. Did he get obnoxious. Most likely. The officer has an impeccable record, including teaching classes against racial profiling. Did he overreact? Most likely. But it probably had nothing to do with black vs white, but rather policeman vs civilian. Has Obama stayed away from race baiting in the past? Yes As a black man is he sensitive to the fact there is such a thing. Yes and rightfully so. But he is president and this particular case is not one a president should be talking on even though they are close friends. Obama is going to end up being most wrong and because he didn’t use good common sense. So Gates and the officer should get together privately off the record, drop their egos, shake hands and go to a Red Sox or Celtics game and have a beer. That is how dignified people act.By sassy
July 23, 2009 6:53 PM | Link to this
The officer asked Gates to step outside, so he said for safety measure. He claims Gates made a commit regarding his mother. That is when he arrested him.By Thomas A. Peters
July 23, 2009 7:04 PM | Link to this
As a White Middle Aged Republican, all I have to say is ‘Bravo’ to President Obama. It is my belief that this ‘Officer of the Law’ overstepped his authority. If this had been me (a White Male) in his own home, no arrest would have been made. Because the officer would have felt more “protective” of me. Because it was a Black male the officer automatically went into ‘Suspect’ mode, instead of ‘Victim’ mode for Mr. Gates. I’m not saying this officer is a racist, but I am saying that he did profile the victim, and thus made him a suspect instead.By Cliff Elliott
July 23, 2009 7:34 PM | Link to this
What a bunch of media CRAP. If this was a white college professor, not one word would have been said. The Police Officer was doing his job. Stop using the R-Card BLACK AMERICA CJEBy sassy
July 23, 2009 7:42 PM | Link to this
Listen up folks…the cop was interviewed on CBS News. He asked Gates to come outside, as a safety measure and then claims Gates made a reference to the cop’s mother, so then he arrested him. This was from the cops mouth and he said he will not apology to Gates. Gates showed the cop his id and still the cop said Gates needs to step outside, for safety measure so say the cop.By thatwasntfunny
July 23, 2009 7:50 PM | Link to this
The police in have a “Special Responsibility” because of the “Special Powers” that they have been given. They have the legal power to Kill a person as “Judge Jury and Executioner”, therefore they have “Special Duty” to be correct and concise. When you hear stories like this one you might think … He could have shot the man in his own house and got… Read More away with it….By thatwasntfunny
July 23, 2009 7:52 PM | Link to this
The officer clearly arrested the man to prove he has power over him….. He might have preferred to shoot him had it was on a dark street.By thatwasntfunny
July 23, 2009 7:59 PM | Link to this
Just like when the deputies threw the guy into the elevator doors at the Clark County Jail… The idea that anything and everything goes is a bad Policy…By Cliff
July 23, 2009 7:59 PM | Link to this
Maybe we should of had Mr Rodney King as our President.As he would say,Can’t we just get along! REALLYBy John
July 23, 2009 8:35 PM | Link to this
I expect more out of the office of the president. Barack Obama did nothing but show his true colors. Not only did he insult the officers there that day; after they made a good lawful arrest, but he insulted every man and woman in uniform across the country. Is it common practice for Hussein Obama to speak without knowing all the facts? Was his teleprompter not working? Everytime that idiot says something that is not rehearsed he ends up saying something stupid. I hope all of you people who voted for that idiot are happy.By rj
July 23, 2009 8:45 PM | Link to this
If ChairmanMaoBama says dem PO-leese is stoopid, den stoopid they is.By John
July 23, 2009 8:46 PM | Link to this
Oh and Orangetree, way to be a race baiter. My “lily white” suburban neighborhood of $200,000 homes has at least three black families within walking distance of my home. They are good hard working people whom I have never heard them say that the white man is keeping them down.By jk
July 23, 2009 9:25 PM | Link to this
The Cambridge police department dropped all charges against Mr. Gates. Can someone please explain to me if this man was SO dangerous, why on earth did they drop the charges? This leads me to believe one of the following: They realized how ridiculous it is to arrest a man for breaking into his house. Even though he hurt that poor wittle cop’s feelings by insulting his mother, we do have something called the 1st Amendment in this country. This Gates character is a raving lunatic and the Cambridge police department is a bunch of f’n morons for letting him loose on society to insult people’s mothers and teach. The Cambridge PD caved to “outside pressure,” thus proving they have no principles and no desire to protect their own community. I fail to see how anyone could praise the individual cop’s actions.By drunken orangetree
July 24, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this
John says some of his best friends are black. And they’ve never told him that whitey is keeping them down. Case closed.By Pete
July 26, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this
Becky, you’re absolutely correct. This country is racist & it’s ALWAYS led by blacks.By 1 of 4
July 29, 2009 11:59 PM | Link to this
I just love these completely ignorant “arm-chair” quarterbacks, such as our president. He has never served a single day in the shoes of a cop, yet he feels compelled to comment on the actions of the officer. Much like the rest of the morons in this country.