Gates Sends 911 Caller Flowers

Isn't this special.

He wanted to show her his "appreciation".

This poor woman is one of two victims of Gates and the President's racial profiling. Flowers aren't necessary - admissions about their conduct and apologies are what is called for here.

Further, I'm less than enchanted with Gates new spin on the web:

“Sergeant Crowley and I, through an accident of time and place, have been cast together, inextricably, as characters - as metaphors, really - in a thousand narratives about race over which he and I have absolutely no control,” Gates wrote late Thursday on theroot.com, the Web site of which he is editor in chief. “It is incumbent upon. . . (us) . . .to utilize the great opportunity that fate has given us to foster greater sympathy among the American public for the daily perils of policing on the one hand, and for the genuine fears of racial profiling on the other hand.”

Gates added he thanks God that he lives “in a country in which police officers put their lives at risk to protect us every day, and, more than ever, I’ve come to understand and appreciate their daily sacrifices on our behalf.”

This is like a man who beats his wife, gets caught at it, blames it on his upbringing, a tough day on the job - claims that she provoked him and then sends flowers and wants sympathy without saying he's sorry and realizes the errors of his ways.

Of course Gates had control. All he had to do, when he was breaking into his own home, was show his identification, express his appreciation for the neighborhood watch and the 911 caller.

Until Gates and the President admit that police reacting to a beligerant, out of control individual, scaring neighbors into thinking they may be retaliated against and/or unjustly slandered as a bigot - and the arrest was righteous, his dog and pony show is worthless.

Out of control rage is an arrestable offense. Black, white, hispanic, asian - whatever. Own up to it dude.

Obama's Brewsky Hour with Gates and Crowley

Well, that was quite the publicity stunt.

I don't think the President has any idea what the teachable moment actually was or what the consequences of his (and Gates) refusal to apologize will be going forward.

Let's review the lessons, shall we?

When you see something suspicious or are a victim of a crime, if the perpetrator isn't white, refuse to answer the 911 operator's questions about the color of their skin and hair.

It's every blackman's nightmare when he's breaking down a door or picking a lock to be accosted by a policeman and asked for identification.

When police ask for identification, refuse to give it, get caustic and accuse the incident of being racially motivated.

When the 911 caller gets frightened by the out of control abusive behavior and projects she will be a target, when the abusive man continues, police act stupidly when they arrest him.

When it turns out the policeman the President has accused of racial profiling is a false assertion, don't apologize, set up a publicity stunt on your lawn to make it look like it's all blown over - without apologizing.

Good luck with that.

After the stunt, Crowley continued to show he has the class the others so desperately desire but will never possess until they toss the chip on their shoulders weighing them down into the gutter. Crowley indicated that the "talks" would continue,the press asked whether they'd be meeting for another "beer". Crowley said he thought meeting for another "beer" would send the wrong message, perhaps they'll meet next time over Koolaid or ice tea. He's a class act.

Perhaps too, they'll invite the woman who dialed the police who has repeatedly said Gates' behavior was a justifiable offense for an arrest and affirms that arrest? She's got the piece of the puzzle that ends Gates and the President's charades.

There's a political price to pay for not admitting it's Crowley and the 911 caller who were victimized and making gentlemanly apology. I suspect the teachable moment has passed them by - crown them with dunce caps and off they'll go to an elite vacation on Martha's Vineyard. Crowley will return to patrolling the streets.

The President's Support and Participation in a Racially-Motivated Attack upon White People and Law Enforcement

Until Barack Obama says he's sorry and stops implying the arrest of the abusive little man proves America is racist, he's going to continue to politicaly unravel.

Obama and his administration seems to be woefully underestimating his support and personal participation of a racially motivated attack against white persons and law enforcement.

Even yesterday, after talking to Crowley by phone and emphasizing what an "outstanding police officer he is," Obama couldn't bring himself to concede the full extent of his error. He suggested both men were equally to blame, and cited "the fact that it has garnered so much attention" as proof racial issues "are still very sensitive here in America."

Baloney. The case got so much attention only because a reporter asked Obama about it on national television and he foolishly took the bait to give a long, somewhat angry answer.

Until then, the case was a mild curiosity largely because Gates, whom I know and admire, is a celebrity academic.

Obama's second mistake yesterday was insisting that weighing in is part of his "portfolio." Nonsense. Stripped of Gates' status, the case would never rise to White House comment.

In fact, there is no evidence of a racial component other than that Gates is black and Crowley is white. Not every mixed-race argument, even one involving the police, automatically qualifies as a racial incident.

Obama, by linking the case to the historically legitimate issue of police abuse of minorities, gave it a gravity it doesn't deserve. Even worse, making that linkage suggests he buys Gates' unsupported claim that Crowley's actions were racist. On what evidence?

Obama said yesterday the incident was a "teachable moment." It could be if the President sets the right example on how to clean up a mistake.

He should just admit he was wrong to get involved in the first place.

Nobody is living in this world without large groups of people in America (and throughout the world) hating them for one reason or another in an undertow. Pretending America is still a place where there is a conspiracy to oppress blacks as part of the President's "portfolio" is malignant and unjust. Especially when it is coming from two highly succesful and elite black people throwing daggers at a 40 thousand dollar a year cop.

I have fought for civil rights against the oppressed all my life. Upon inspection, I have solid credentials for fighting for a better life for people who are economically and socially disadvantaged - of all colors, shapes and sizes. Though my work on this blog is solely about the civil rights of the unborn - I am highly involved in other things. Therefore, I can confidently speak out when injustice and prejudice happens to white people -and give courage for others to do so.

Unless the President clarifies that calling the police is justified when we see somebody busting down the doors to their homes and picking locks, regardless of color and creed - and until he clarifies that police who arrive on the scene are justified to arrest a caustic individual who refuses to identify himself while making salacious allegations and threats motivated by the color of the policeman's skin - this incident is going to be catastrophic to his career.

Obama Can't Bring Himself to Apologize for Playing the Race Card

President Obama's arrogance is breathtaking - says he should have "calibrated comments".

A little more "calibration" is in order.

A policeman responding to a breaking and entering call from a concerned neighbor was met by a man who not only refused to produce his identification, he became combative and abusive and accused the officer's investigation of the complaint as being racially motivated.

Gates assumed that the officer approached him because he observed him. Gates was unaware that a neighbor called in the complaint and the officer was responding a 911 call. Even when this was calmly explained to Gates, his irrational and abusive behavior continued.

Everyone abusing a police officer while refusing to produce identification stands a fairly good chance of winding up in jail.

The President is refusing to apologize for calling the police department "stupid" for responding to an abusive individual with an arrest, for his conclusions that the policeman was a racist, and for making sleazy and obnoxious remarks about breaking and entering into the White House.

He in fact, still refuses to quantify a policeman's response to an abusive individual as righteous. It's news to the police and to world at large that it's every black man's nightmare to be approached a policeman while he is picking locks, breaking doors down and abusing people inside of his home.

We beg your pardon.

I'm not impressed with the invitation for a beer and I don't think the police are impressed either. What we were looking for was a statement that said I spoke without really knowing that Gates was arrested for not producing his identification and being abusive. I spoke without knowing that there every witness who observed Gates labeled his conduct as outrageous. I spoke without knowing Officer Crowley was an exemplary policeman with many years experience working to advance racial harmony and is well-respected by his fellow officers of every race and creed. I apologize to the Cambridge police for calling them stupid and I apologize for making this issue about race. That's what we are looking for.

Instead, Obama continues to twist the situation - and exaggerate by now claiming that the Officer "pulled Gates out of his house".

"I told this to Sergeant Crowley. I continue to believe that there was an overreaction in pulling professor Gates out of his home and to the station.

Obama is in deep doo-doo and has made matters worse with his arrogance. He had an opportunity to be honest and humble and garner support and respect.

Instead, we got a half-assed invitation for a brewskey and more condemnation about police arresting abusive men. One can only imagine the frightening conduct Gates executes upon people behind closed doors when cameras aren't rolling.

Cambridge Professor and the Race Card

I've been watching the story of the Cambridge professor who was breaking into his own house and was arrested for a few days. The professor became combative and was arrested for disorderly conduct, just like everyone else who acts like a jerk.

This appears to be a good cop who is being maligned.

But people who know Crowley were skeptical or outright dismissive of allegations of racism. A prominent defense lawyer, a neighbor of Crowley’s, his union, and fellow officers described him yesterday as a respected, and respectful, officer who performs his job well and has led his colleagues in diversity training.

“He’s evenhanded and, in the cases I’ve had with him, he’s been very much in control and very professional,’’ said Joseph W. Monahan III, a criminal defense lawyer in Cambridge and former Middlesex County prosecutor. Monahan has represented several defendants arrested by Crowley for domestic assaults and for drunken driving....

Crowley’s police union issued a statement saying it had reviewed the arrest of Gates and expressed “full and unqualified support’’ for his actions.

“Sergeant Crowley is a highly respected veteran supervisor with a distinguished record in the Cambridge Police Department,’’ said the Cambridge Police Superior Officers Association. “His actions at the scene of this matter were consistent with his training, with the informed policies and practices of the Department, and with applicable legal standards.’’

The irresponsible President has added his own measure of maligning - though he freely admits he doesn't know anything about the facts.

***UPDATE***

Gate's neighbors and fellow police officers who responded to the call, all say that Gates was abusive and out of control. There are witnesses to Gates outrageous conduct.

The reaction through the country has been outrage.

Obama is saying he is "surprised" at the reaction to his irresponsible remarks.

Really?

Let's review what he said:

“I think it’s fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry;

No actually. If I made a stupid mistake and had to pick the locks of my house or car and a policeman responded to a call about somebody breaking and entering, anyone sane would be extremely grateful - a bit embarrassed but relieved that if it were a real robber, this man would have been there to stop the thief. It would be an opportunity to express your gratitude. That's how normal people react who are not basing their reactions upon the color of people's skin.

Somebody was looking at the color of somebody's skin and being abusive in the situation and every witness has thus far said the bigot is Gates.

I don't get what the President is insinuating here.

Is it bigotry calling the police if we see somebody of color breaking and entering into a home or car? Can we still call the police if the person is white or when police respond to somebody picking locks on people's houses its now something Americans are "angry" about as a matter of law across the board?

Eighteen other front-door burglaries have happened in the last two months in Gates' neighborhood. In fact, Gates' house had a front-door break-in within the last few months.

number two, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home;

Gates was arrested for disorderly conduct --not breaking and entering. The President seems to be twisting the facts.

Obama’s account of the incident did not precisely mirror what Gates and police have said. Gates was arrested for disorderly conduct after he forced open the jammed front door to his home, and a neighbor reported it as a break-in. Gates said the police handcuffed and booked him even though he showed his driver’s license and Harvard ID to prove that he lived in the house, but the arresting officer said the professor was loud and abusive.

In fact, details are just starting to emerge about Gates irrational and abusive behavior - including the fact that he came out of the house to continue his abusive behavior and made derogatory remarks about the policeman's mother. ( Police Report )

Obama admitted he didn't know the facts so he therefore has to admit to deliberately twisting the facts to make the judgment he made and calling the police stupid. Not very wise or prudent. It's petty and immature - not to mention sleazy and small.

The officer being attacked by Gates and Obama and wrongfully accused of being a "racist" declined today to go into the gutter with them.

Speaking at length this morning on the Dennis & Callahan show on WEEI radio in Boston, Crowley maintained that "I know what I did was right." When the hosts asserted, however, that "professor Gates and the president of the United States owe you an apology," Crowley refused to bite.

"The president has a lot of other daunting tasks ahead of him," Crowley said. "I wish for the good of the whole country that he is successful in efforts to do the many things that he has to."

The radio show hosts persisted: "Well, hopefully on those other tasks he actually gets his facts straight, because clearly he didn't know what he was talking about when he addressed your little issue."

Crowley said: "I think it is regrettable that anybody on either side of this issue would make comments -- and you know I saw some of them, but I think it's regrettable that anybody, either somebody who supports me or somebody who thinks I acted inappropriately -- without knowing the whole story, without talking to those who were there who have firsthand knowledge of the events and who saw themselves the way in which professor Gates acted and what led to his arrest."...

In an interview today with WBZ radio, Crowley said that while he "didn't vote for" Obama, he supports "the president of the United States 110 percent." But that does not mean he agreed with Obama's comment that Cambridge police "acted stupidly."

"I think he is way off base wading into a local issue before knowing all the facts," Crowley said.

This morning on WEEI, Crowley spoke for 22 minutes and offered his most detailed public explanation of why he handcuffed the renowned professor of African-American studies.

"He was arrested after following me outside the house, continuing the tirade, even after being warned multiple times, probably a few more times than the average person would have gotten," Crowley said.

The hosts asked: "How many times?

"He was cautioned in the house, meaning calm down, lower your voice," Crowley said. "Once we got outside in front of the general public and the police officers that were assembled there, two warnings, the second warning with me holding a set of handcuffs in my hand. It was something I really didn't want to do, but the professor at any point in time could have resolved the issue by quieting down and/or going back in his house."

Crowley continued, "There are so many things in this incident that keep me scratching my head wondering. I apologize, I was not aware who professor Gates was. And when I read the name off the card, it wasn't like I said, 'Oh, wow, that's professor Gates.' I'm still just amazed that somebody of his level of intelligence could stoop to such a level and berate me, accuse me of being a racist, of racial profiling, and speaking about my mother. It's just beyond words."

During the interview, the radio hosts made it clear how they felt about the arrest of Gates, telling Crowley that he did not "have to defend your character here because there is no reason to, you didn't do anything wrong."

"God knows the public is supporting you," one of the hosts said. "Maybe not the elites, maybe not the president of the United States, but the reaction on message boards, the reaction on talk shows, and just people on the street -- they are on your side, officer, you can be sure of that.

It turns out the sergeant has been teaching classes for five years at the police academy on racial profiling.

His academy class, which he teaches with a black police officer, instructs about 60 police cadets per year who spend 12 hours in the classroom, said Lowell Police Academy Director Thomas Fleming.

“He’s a very professional police officer and he’s a good role model,” Fleming said. “Former police commissioner Ronny Watson, who is a person of color, hand-picked Sgt. Crowley. ... I presume because he would be the most qualified and most professional. He’s a very good instructor. He gets very high reviews by the students.”

Watson, who is black, is the former Cambridge police commissioner

Lawrence Hickman, a black Boston police officer who also teaches at the academy, said he’s worked alongside Crowley for years now and has nothing but the highest respect for him.

“He’s well versed in the subject matter he taught,” Hickman said. “He is the right instructor for the subject material ... I’m an African-American police officer, If there were any issues or if I thought he was biased, I would have addressed that. We all do the same job and we all know how things get spun out.

The police union is saying the Obama will regret his remarks. We have a duty to make him regret his remarks.

McDonald, the lawyer for the 50-member police union, says he knows Crowley personally and considers him a topnotch officer who behaved appropriately in the Gates arrest.

He said he and members of the union "were disappointed" in Obama's remarks. "I think perhaps the president might have second thoughts about shooting from the hip."

The White House today, meanwhile, backed away slightly from President Obama's remark.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters traveling on Air Force One that Obama did not regret the remark during his primetime news conference Wednesday night, but wanted to clarify that he was not calling the arresting officer stupid.

Obama felt "cooler heads on all sides should have prevailed" once the officer realized Gates was in his own home, Gibbs said, according to the Associated Press.

Obama's response to this, now that the fact are out, is beneath contempt. Obama needs to be a man, own up to his mistake and apologist. If he doesn't, this is something that he is not going to recover from. I've yet to meet anyone who isn't digusted by the President's conduct - including people who voted for him.

US President Barack Obama joked that even he would get shot if he lost his keys and tried to break into the White House.

He was answering a question about the arrest of his friend, prominent African-American Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, who was hand-cuffed and detained after having to break into his home in the Massachusetts town of Cambridge.

"I guess this is my house now. So it probably wouldn't happen," Obama said, looking around the ornate East Room and trying to put himself into a similar situation. "But let's say my old house in Chicago," he continued.

"Here, I'd get shot," he quipped, to laughs from the gathered press corps.

What a jerk.

The White House is not Barack Obama's house. That house belongs to the American people and he is our guest. I have a feeling it's going to be a short stay.

Gates needs to be fired. He's a racial profiler, a bigot, a hothead and a tiny little man. His conduct is unacceptable and we need to hold Harvard accountable.