Henry Louis Gates arrested when trying to force open door of his own home

[Anonymous]

It may be unwise to respond indignantly to police officers, but it should not be criminal unless the citizen's behavior is physically threatening. It is not part of the deal that we have to mount a show of deference to flatter police officers or they'll make us regret it. When they're out of line, citizens need to be able to call them on it.

[Anonymous]

I think it all depends on what Gates yelled at the police officers. Apparently there were witnesses, but in the latest reports, Gates says the police are lying about everything.

I think Skip Gates is one of the most brilliant (and sophisticated) men in this country - it's scary how something like this can happen to him, no matter how you look at it. One minute you lose your key and lock yourself out, the next thing, you're wearing handcuffs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Charges have been dropped:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/07/charges_to_be_d.html

Curiously, I believe there is an AA police officer involved here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It may be unwise to respond indignantly to police officers, but it should not be criminal unless the citizen's behavior is physically threatening. It is not part of the deal that we have to mount a show of deference to flatter police officers or they'll make us regret it. When they're out of line, citizens need to be able to call them on it.

What is out of line about the police responding to a report of a B&E in progress, and asking the person in the house to identify themselves? Or for that matter, what is racist about that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would bet my house that a white upper-middle-class, middle-aged professional man who was just as loud would never have been arrested for disorderly conduct.

I think there are conflicting and inconsistent descriptions of what really happened, and I'm not ready to accept either side at face value. However, I don't think it's accurate to claim that white citizens are protected from mistreatment by the police. Here are a couple examples:

http://clicked.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/11/26/480453.aspx
http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=66686

Note however that I'm definitely not trying to suggest that there aren't plenty of examples of AA citizens being mistreated by the police, probably many more than for non-AA citizens. I'm also not suggesting that all police mistreat citizens, although it definitely happens sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Anybody out there an officer? And can you advise: when, if ever, is it standard procedure to arrest someone for being simply rude, indignant or belligerent?

It doesn't sound like there were other family members at home; it wasn't a domestic dispute.

The only reason I can think of that would have justified the arrest would be if the home owner REFUSED to produce ID. Gates says he produced it. What does the officer say?

[Anonymous]

14:37 here, How about the tasered grandma? http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7799290&page=1

It's hard to believe the officer really felt he was in danger. The reason for tasering grandma is "non-compliance".

[Anonymous]

In every report I've read, it's said Gates produced two forms of identification - his driver's license and Harvard ID. He was asked for identification and he complied. At that point, the situation is done. A woman in the neighborhood reported seeing two men entering this house, the police arrived, the homeowner explained that it was he (and his driver), that should have been the end of it. That he grew angry and frustrated with his treatment by the police is irrelevant and NOT a crime.

[Anonymous]

I think some of you are forgetting that police officers are human beings that lose their cool like the rest of us. He didn't brandish a weapon, beat him, tase him or something like that. He arrested him. Should he have? Probably not. But, the accounts that I have read indicate that he was really acting out: screaming and carrying on. He chose to role the dice by acting like he did instead of just shutting his mouth and filing a complaint later. And, he lost.

He's not the first and won't be the last. I can tell you I've been in cars with white people -I'm white- where the cops said something along the lines of "I'm going to give you a warning but if you don't shut your mouth I'll give you a ticket." Did I like it? Hell no. But I shut my mouth and didn't get a ticket. And no I didn't file a complaint b/c frankly I forgot about it almost as soon as the cop let us go. Not everything needs to be a federal case.

[Anonymous]

I see your point, pp, and it's a good one but it only goes so far. Had the white drivers actually broken the law but were hoping to get away with only a warning? Getting a ticket in a car for a presumed traffic violation that most likely occurred is not the same as being handcuffed and taken away from your own home -- when the original complaint turned out to be completely wrong. There was no one breaking into the home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think some of you are forgetting that police officers are human beings that lose their cool like the rest of us. .

And countless people of color have lost their lives when police "lose their cool". Gates should not have been arrested. Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think some of you are forgetting that police officers are human beings that lose their cool like the rest of us. .

Police officers are only human, and being a police officer is a VERY tough job, no one would dispute that.

But indeed they cannot lose their cool like the rest of us. They must meet a higher standard of behavior. "To protect and serve". And to use that gun they are issued with public dollars appropriately. Just like the other power over us they yield.

We simply cannot afford to have officers who lose their cool. They cannot take behavior personally. They cannot let their emotions get involved. They have to rely on their training and their professionalism. Our lives depend on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think some of you are forgetting that police officers are human beings that lose their cool like the rest of us. .

Police officers are only human, and being a police officer is a VERY tough job, no one would dispute that.

But indeed they cannot lose their cool like the rest of us. They must meet a higher standard of behavior. "To protect and serve". And to use that gun they are issued with public dollars appropriately. Just like the other power over us they yield.

We simply cannot afford to have officers who lose their cool. They cannot take behavior personally. They cannot let their emotions get involved. They have to rely on their training and their professionalism. Our lives depend on it.

I meant, "power over us they wield"

[Anonymous]

It seems to me like the officer was doing a grate job! If we could get a hole load more of these commie profesors arrested we could start to take back this once grate country from the MSM, socialists, and atheists!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think some of you are forgetting that police officers are human beings that lose their cool like the rest of us. He didn't brandish a weapon, beat him, tase him or something like that. He arrested him. Should he have? Probably not. But, the accounts that I have read indicate that he was really acting out: screaming and carrying on. He chose to role the dice by acting like he did instead of just shutting his mouth and filing a complaint later. And, he lost.

He's not the first and won't be the last. I can tell you I've been in cars with white people -I'm white- where the cops said something along the lines of "I'm going to give you a warning but if you don't shut your mouth I'll give you a ticket." Did I like it? Hell no. But I shut my mouth and didn't get a ticket. And no I didn't file a complaint b/c frankly I forgot about it almost as soon as the cop let us go. Not everything needs to be a federal case.

Police officers behave like this because too many people do just take it. It is highly inappropriate. They should be held to a higher standard of behavior instead of bending penalties to flatter their egos and behaving as if they're above the law.