How not to win support from police unions; Update: Obama retreats; Update: Bill Cosby “shocked” by Obama’s remarks

posted at 1:17 pm on July 23, 2009 by Ed Morrissey

Police in Cambridge have reacted predictably to having the President call them stupid, as ABC reports today.  Their union lashed out at Obama for commenting without having the facts on hand, and witnesses dispute Obama’s recounting of the event:

The Cambridge, Mass., police officer who arrested Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. and his union are slamming President Obama for saying they reacted “stupidly” to the incident at Gates house last week.

Obama was “was dead wrong to malign this police officer specifically and the department in general,” Alan McDonald, the lawyer for the Cambridge Police Superior Officers Association, told ABC News today.

Sgt. James Crowley, who arrested Gates for disorderly conduct also chimed in today, saying Obama’s characterization was “way off base… I acted appropriately,” Crowley told WBZ Radio in Boston Thursday.

“There was a lot of yelling, there was references to my mother,” he added, “something you wouldn’t expect from anybody that should be grateful that you were there investigating a report of a crime in progress, let alone a Harvard University professor.”

The police have at least one witness to back their account of the incident:

Police disputed the extent of Gates’ cooperation, saying he didn’t initially provide identification when asked, and berated the police.

One of Crowley’s neighbors supported the sergeant’s story, saying that the police report that said Gates was belligerent was not completely off the mark.

As I twittered last night, any statement from a politician about an incident under dispute that begins, ” I don’t know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts,” should end with, “I have nothing to say until all the facts are known.”  Instead, Obama took the moment immediately after acknowledging his incomplete knowledge of the incident to declare that law enforcement had acted “stupidly,” which doesn’t fit the facts as they’re unfolding now.  I understand the impulse to defend a friend in a dispute, but as President and as the head of law enforcement in the nation, Obama should have given enough benefit of the doubt to the police to at least withhold judgment until he did get all the facts.

As it happens, I have also encountered hostile police responding to a house, many years ago when I was in college, at a party that drew noise complaints.  Someone mouthed off about a warrant, which provoked the officer to charge into the house without permission, thump his finger repeatedly into the smart-alec’s chest, and threaten to arrest everyone at the house.  His partner, obviously the wiser of the two, pulled him out of the house by the arm and asked us to reduce the noise — which we had already agreed to do.  Both the smart-alec and the officer were white.

Do a few officers have judgment problems about “disorderly conduct” and are too thin-skinned about getting challenged?  Sure, and if the evidence supports that conclusion in this case, it would call for some retraining and at least an apology.  Jumping to a conclusion that it’s about race when there appears to be no evidence except by inference is bad enough from the media (although perhaps understandable from Gates himself), let alone from the President of the United States. Sometimes it pays to keep quiet before having all the facts.

Update: Tommy Christopher reports that the White House may soon retreat from Obama’s comments, but he thinks they were justified.

Update II: Robert Gibbs signals retreat:

The White House says President Barack Obama was not calling a Cambridge, Mass., police officer stupid when he criticized last week’s arrest of black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. …

On Wednesday Obama said the police “acted stupidly” when they arrested Gates even after it was clear that he was not a burglary suspect. Gibbs said that Obama did not regret the remark, but wanted to clarify that he was not calling the arresting officer stupid.

How could we have assumed that when Obama accused the cops of acting stupidly that we thought he meant they were stupid?  And Eastasia has always been at war with Oceania, Winston.

Update III: Bill Cosby didn’t care for Obama’s intervention either:

“I’ve heard about five different reports [on the details of the arrest],” Cosby said on Boston’s WZLX. “If I’m the president of the United States, I don’t care how much pressure people want to put on it about race, I’m keeping my mouth shut.”

“I was shocked to hear the president making this kind of statement,” Cosby said referring to the president’s remarks during last night’s press conference.

Later, Cosby softened a little bit, noting that Obama lived in Cambridge and has some first-hand knowledge of the community, but still said that people should have waited to get the facts before opining.

Blowback

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Son of Sam Kinison on July 23, 2009 at 7:35 PM

Good luck.

Scrappy on July 23, 2009 at 7:37 PM

Gates has his mouth open screeching and looks like a child having a temper tantrum. You’ll notice the guy to the right of the picture has his hand up in a calming gesture and all the others are just quietly standing. Gates is the only one gone nuts!!

jeanie on July 23, 2009 at 7:39 PM

Rockronnie doesn’t answer much nor do the other folks who don’t like the police hanging around protecting their property. They live in an idealistic world where crimes always happen to others and the police are just bullies pushing folks around. If you don’t believe me just ask them.

garydt on July 23, 2009 at 7:45 PM

Probably been said before:

“The administration is acting stupidly…”

“Of course, we’re not talking about any one individual in the administration…”

john1schn on July 23, 2009 at 7:48 PM

It’s interesting how the usual suspects, HotAir readers who are LEO’s eager to defend the honor of all cops, everywhere, are avoiding the issue that Crowley baited Gates to come out of the house where he could be arrested.

Are you saying that cops are stupid? That they don’t know how to get perps to incriminate themselves? That they aren’t clever enough to show a belligerent know-it-all just who is the authority?

Tis a pity but the truth is that when they’re knocking back some free beers at the local pub, or stuffing their faces with free donuts at Dunkin’, they’re telling stories about how they really showed some big mouth how much they can mess up his life.

The rabbis of the Talmud teach that you can tell a man’s character by how he acts with his money, how he handles his anger, and how he acts when inebriated. There’s ample video evidence of cops acting badly, losing their temper and threatening people with all the ways they can make trouble for them.

That’s the real cop mindset. Not the pretty PR all the LEOs here want us to believe.

They disrespect us and expect us to kiss their asses.

To quote e.e. cummings, there is some shit I will not eat.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 7:49 PM

To quote e.e. cummings, there is some shit I will not eat.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 7:49 PM

And obviously there is some you will.

atheling on July 23, 2009 at 7:51 PM

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 7:49 PM

Endless posting, without replying to others who directed either comments or questions at you, is rude.

This is a dialogue, not a pulpit.

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 7:52 PM

Perhaps you misunderstand who was being impolite in this situation. Or you have a twisted view of good manners.

Scrappy

I expect my employees to treat me respect even if I’m impolite to them. It’s called being a boss. If cops don’t want me to be their boss, go work in the private sector.

Cops expect us to give them respect even when they are giving us a hard time and trying to take away our liberty.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 7:52 PM

Cops expect us to give them respect even when they are giving us a hard time and trying to take away our liberty.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 7:52 PM

Cite specific example.

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 7:53 PM

Probably already said, but…
LYING, STUPID, LIAR.

redwhiteblue on July 23, 2009 at 7:56 PM

Rokeronnie can you arrange to send these police people my way since you don’t seem to appreciate them? Please try and answer and be accountable on these blogs and you remind me of the way Kerry was asked how he would handle Iraq and never seemed to have an answer except gripe about the current policy. Remember I have been broken into four times and we appreciate those who help and protect us.

garydt on July 23, 2009 at 7:56 PM

While on patrol last night, I heard his comment live on the air. It made me nauseous.
In the days following the election, several people who I arrested said that Pres. Obama would keep them from going to jail and that I would be in trouble. I took it as defiant BS that arrestees usually spout after they have been arrested.
Now we have the President basically stating that cops are inherently racist. Thanks for making my job easier…

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 2:46 PM

yep

funky chicken on July 23, 2009 at 8:01 PM

It still doesn’t change anything – if it didnt involve Obama – you would feel differently.

AprilOrit on July 23, 2009 at 5:12 PM
If Obama were to come out in a few days and condemn Mr. Gates…they would change their position and start a petition to get him to sue the President. :D

beekiller on July 23, 2009 at 5:28 PM

Dayam, that’s gotta be some killer sh*t you two are smoking. Lemme guess: Maui Wowee?

Sweet_Thang on July 23, 2009 at 8:01 PM

I expect my employees to treat me respect even if I’m impolite to them. It’s called being a boss. If cops don’t want me to be their boss, go work in the private sector.

Cops expect us to give them respect even when they are giving us a hard time and trying to take away our liberty.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 7:52 PM

I hate to break it to you buddy, but you’r not their boss. Not unless you’re the police chief, but with your anti-police hate spewing here I doubt that’s the case.

Scrappy on July 23, 2009 at 8:02 PM

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 7:52 PM

And a bit of advice…

If you think that being rude and obnoxious to your employees is the best way the get the best work from them, then I hope for your sake that you’re not a small business owner.

Scrappy on July 23, 2009 at 8:06 PM

Scrappy, could you remind Rokeronnie to try and answer and tell him my questions are not all that difficult.

garydt on July 23, 2009 at 8:10 PM

Both Gates and Obama have massive ego problems.

The former, an overcompensating inferiority complex; the later a case of rampant megalomania.

Both need observation.

profitsbeard on July 23, 2009 at 8:10 PM

Both Gates and Obama have massive ego problems.

The former, an overcompensating inferiority complex; the later a case of rampant megalomania.

Both need observation incarceration.

profitsbeard on July 23, 2009 at 8:10 PM

there, fify!

Sweet_Thang on July 23, 2009 at 8:14 PM

Those “facts” are absent from the police report.

So tell us oh brave and noble suckler from the taxpayers’ teat, why do police departments have internal affairs bureaus?

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM

Huh? Please attempt to keep a coherent debate.

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 8:15 PM

It’s in the report. Second page fourth paragraph. Go read it.

There was no warning that he could be arrested until the cuffs came out.

At best you’re dissembling. He warned him about being disorderly once without using the word arrest. At the second warning about his behavior the cuffs came out.

Now I realize that two times isn’t a singular example, but I’m pretty sure you’re giving an exaggerated impression by using the word “multiple”.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:17 PM

I expect my employees to treat me respect even if I’m impolite to them. It’s called being a boss.

So much for liberty, equality and justice. Only a jerk expects undeserved respect.

Cops expect us to give them respect even when they are giving us a hard time and trying to take away our liberty.

Your notions of “liberty” are quite odd. In the Good Old Days an American who acted as obscenely quarrelsome as you claim to applaud would not have been issued a summons by some constable. He’d have been beaten bloody by cheering bystanders. I speak of course of the urbane citadels such as Boston and Philadelphia. West of the Mississippi you’d have been pistol-whipped and left to come to in a cell. A free people, united under freely chosen laws, can get pretty damn vicious. Alleluia.

Chris_Balsz on July 23, 2009 at 8:18 PM

Both Gates and Obama have massive ego problems.

The former, an overcompensating inferiority complex; the later a case of rampant megalomania.

Both need observation.

profitsbeard on July 23, 2009 at 8:10 PM

Both Gates and Obama have massive ego problems.

The former, an overcompensating inferiority complex; the later a case of rampant megalomania.

Both need observation incarceration.

profitsbeard on July 23, 2009 at 8:10 PMthere, fify!

Sweet_Thang on July 23, 2009 at 8:14 PM

Best Edit Evah!

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 8:22 PM

Imagine that, a cop not wanting to give a speeding or DUI ticket to a fellow LEO, so as to protect his fellow cop’s career. Of course corruption plays no part in that.

Have you ever given a fellow LEO “professional courtesy” on a traffic stop?

Don’t bother with the canned response that you use discretion with civilians too. You’re not allowed to use discretion with fellow LEO’s. Giving them a break will necessarily be corrupt because in the back of you’re mind you’re thinking about him possibly having your back.

I wonder how you and your buddies would treat a fellow LEO who tried to get your union decertified.

I’m willing to bet that you see nothing wrong with the suburban Detroit police department that took issue with the mayor, put up their own handpicked candidate to run against him, and then illegally used public facilities to campaign against him. When investigative reporters queried the lazy public employee who’s the union president, the guy smirked and said, “prove it”.

So much respect for the law.

Public employees should not be allowed to organize unions. I’m not even sure if they should be allowed to vote while they’re on the public payroll.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 6:29 PM

So you ask why the charges were dropped, I give you a possible reason, and then you launch into a tirade about something that has nothing to do with the discussion at hand.

But as long as you feel that public employees should have no rights, do you feel that should extend to members of the military?

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 8:22 PM

Ronnie

You’ve been asked nicely multiple times to please include the posters name and time stamp that your are partially quoting so that others may view the whole post in question.

Your refusual to extend such a simple common courtesy to a simple request that everyone else (even April & orange) follows leads one to believe that you are afraid that others may find you are just cherry picking a sentence to frame your argument.

Show some class, play by the rules, and dont be afraid to let others judge for themselves whether your responses are legit

Excuse me, but I don’t recall a single time that I got that request, let alone “multiple” nice requests. Perhaps I missed those comments. If you could point me to some of them, I’d appreciate it. I’ve been online since before the web existed, since 1988 at least and this is the first time someone has complained about not quoting a time stamp or accused me of cherry picking.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:22 PM

Speaking of facts and data w.r.t. the Gates arrest, just how much more evidence does Obama need to convince Americans that what WE need is…(that’s right, you guessed it)…a POLICE Czar. And Rahm has JUST the right man picked out for this vital new position, viz… (that’s right, you guessed it again)…Rodney King.

Presuming, of course, that our old friend Rodney has recovered sufficiently from his wounds — one of his pals shot him in the face with a shotgun not too long ago. I’m sure that Dick Cheney feels his pain, if you know what I mean.

/sarcasm off

My collie says:

Can’t we all just get along?

CyberCipher on July 23, 2009 at 8:23 PM

When he’s implied that I’m the robber, hell yes.

It’s just normal polite behavior to apologize for inconveniencing people. I expect public employees to be polite to the public. I apologize when I inconvenience people, why should cops be any different?

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 6:34 PM

Should he have done that right after he called him a racist?

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 8:24 PM

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:22 PM

Now, your task is to look up thread, for comments that reference you, and make those requests.

They are there.
More than one = multiple.
Go and look.

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 8:25 PM

So tell us oh brave and noble suckler from the taxpayers’ teat, why do police departments have internal affairs bureaus?

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM

Huh? Please attempt to keep a coherent debate.

ajsleepy

We’re talking about cop misconduct. The fact that all police departments must have some kind of oversight in the form of BIAs shows that a significant number of cops are criminals.

It’s telling that cops regard the officers who police them to be the “rat” squad.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:26 PM

ajsleepy,

Are you a public servant? Who do you work for, the people of your municipality or your police chief?

Do you have a legal obligation to protect people and their property?

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 6:56 PM

rokemronnie,

Yes. I am employed by the city. I am not legally required to protect people according to state statute. Point being?

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 8:29 PM

Excuse me, but I don’t recall a single time that I got that request, let alone “multiple” nice requests. Perhaps I missed those comments. If you could point me to some of them, I’d appreciate it. I’ve been online since before the web existed, since 1988 at least and this is the first time someone has complained about not quoting a time stamp or accused me of cherry picking.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:22 PM

Who cares how long you have been online? Just read this thread, the requests are there.

OmahaConservative on July 23, 2009 at 8:32 PM

But as long as you feel that public employees should have no rights, do you feel that should extend to members of the military?

ajsleepy

Members of the military are expected to go into harms way. Cops go to court to insist that they are not obligated to do so.

But I was very specific about which “rights” I would restrict for non-military public employees. Sorry, but this country got along just fine before public employees were legally allowed to be unionized and thereby buy politicians and extort the public. Air traffic controllers sure don’t have the right to organize. Anyone remember PATCO?

I note that it’s against the law in many places for police unions to strike, but that doesn’t stop them from refusing to work by calling in sick.

Public employee unions, by virtue of political contributions and political activity are inherently corrupt. If a corporation gave political contributions to a candidate who had some level of authority over contracts with that company, the corruption would be prima facie. The same should be true with public employee unions.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:34 PM

ajsleepy,

How many cops do you know who have retired on disability pensions?

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 6:57 PM

One. And she wasn’t very popular while she was employed.

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 8:34 PM

Again, the post racial President Dumbo is so very dumb. The only ones dumber are the ones who voted for him.

bayview on July 23, 2009 at 8:37 PM

Does your union only defend officers falsely accused of misconduct, or do they defend all officers accused of misconduct? If so, have you ever said even the least negative thing about a criminal defense attorney?

Your union is there to rape the public treasury and keep your fat pension, fatter than my daughter will get from the Navy.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 7:10 PM

All accused officers. Of course, we’ve all said something negative about a defense attorney. Your point is?

I left the Army after four years. Of course, while I was in the Army I had free housing and food. If your daughter is worried about what pension she will receive, then she should finish her contract and leave.

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 8:39 PM

Endless posting, without replying to others who directed either comments or questions at you, is rude.

This is a dialogue, not a pulpit.

massrighty

And calling people idiots, felons, druggies and racists isn’t rude?

Worry about the beams on your side of the debate before you quibble with my motes.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:40 PM

So much for liberty, equality and justice. Only a jerk expects undeserved respect.

Chris_Balsz on July 23, 2009 at 8:18 PM

Citizens deserve respect because cops work for them. Pretty sure that on most jobs, if I disrespect my boss I can get fired, even if he’s a jerk.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:43 PM

I think we know who is “stupid,” and it’s NOT the Cambridge Police Department.

Stepan on July 23, 2009 at 8:44 PM

Now, your task is to look up thread, for comments that reference you, and make those requests.
massrighty

Sorry but unless you pay my salary you don’t get to say what my task is.

Don’t start thinking you’re a cop and you can just tell me what to do.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:44 PM

Blacks are running America into the gutter.To bad Crowley
did not put his boot up Gates but.Scholarly Black

Denniscat on July 23, 2009 at 8:47 PM

And calling people idiots, felons, druggies and racists isn’t rude?

Worry about the beams on your side of the debate before you quibble with my motes.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:40 PM

Or, specks and planks, if you prefer.

Interesting biblical reference aside, your answer is non-responsive.
See, I was calling you out for the one-sidedness of your posting style.

And, you answered with a non-sequitur.
Awesome. You prove my point.

Find the multiple requests yet?

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 8:47 PM

And calling people idiots, felons, druggies and racists isn’t rude?

Worry about the beams on your side of the debate before you quibble with my motes.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:40 PM

State specifically where I have ever done any name-calling.

You won’t find a single example.
There aren’t any.

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 8:49 PM

Should he have done that right after he called him a racist?

ajsleepy

A more professional cop would have realized that defusing the situation was more important than his own ego.

Is it too much to ask that an officer say the following?:

“Sir, I’m sorry that you feel that way and I’m asking you to calm down before this escalates into something we both don’t want to happen. I can assure you I had no idea of your race when I answered a burglary report. As a matter of fact, I’m a diversity trainer with my department. I’m Sgt. Crowley of the CPD and my badge number is XXX. As soon as we verify that you’re the legal resident here we’ll be on our way.”

It seems, however, that many cops are more intent on exercising authority than restraint. More intent on showing a big mouth who is boss than in deescalating a situation.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:55 PM

And obviously there is some you will.

atheling on July 23, 2009 at 7:51 PM

But it’s my choice, not some cop’s.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:57 PM

We’re talking about cop misconduct. The fact that all police departments must have some kind of oversight in the form of BIAs shows that a significant number of cops are criminals.

It’s telling that cops regard the officers who police them to be the “rat” squad.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:26 PM

HAHAHAHA…oh sorry, you were serious.

Because of the fact that law enforcement has the ability to take someone’s rights from them, there is always a possibility that it could be done in error or with malicious intent. So because police departments devote employees to making sure that doesn’t happen means that shows that a “significant” number of cops are criminals? And you complained of the word “multiple” being used for effect?

By the way, if you’re going to reference NYPD Blue (when referring to the “rat” squad), then at least give credit. I’ve never heard anyone use that term outside of television.

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 8:57 PM

This is a dialogue, not a pulpit.

massrighty

If AP doesn’t like my behavior here, he’s welcome to ban me.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:00 PM

Members of the military are expected to go into harms way. Cops go to court to insist that they are not obligated to do so.

But I was very specific about which “rights” I would restrict for non-military public employees. Sorry, but this country got along just fine before public employees were legally allowed to be unionized and thereby buy politicians and extort the public. Air traffic controllers sure don’t have the right to organize. Anyone remember PATCO?

I note that it’s against the law in many places for police unions to strike, but that doesn’t stop them from refusing to work by calling in sick.

Public employee unions, by virtue of political contributions and political activity are inherently corrupt. If a corporation gave political contributions to a candidate who had some level of authority over contracts with that company, the corruption would be prima facie. The same should be true with public employee unions.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:34 PM

Ummm…so you do want the military to be able to vote, but not public officials? Pretty sure that was what I was asking, but I couldn’t find it in your reply.

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 9:00 PM

We’re talking about cop misconduct. The fact that all police departments must have some kind of oversight in the form of BIAs shows that a significant number of cops are criminals.
It’s telling that cops regard the officers who police them to be the “rat” squad.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:26 PM

What a complete load of BS! You’ve obviously been watching far too many Hollywood fairytale movies.

Police have a difficult enough job to do, and it’s attitudes like yours that adds to the difficulty. What would you like, no police? Go to Zimbabwe or Somalia, or some other 3rd world country. Or just stay here with that attitude and if Obama is left unchecked, the USA will soon enough be turned into a 3rd world banana republic, with no police budget. It’ll be utopia!

Sheesh!

Sweet_Thang on July 23, 2009 at 9:03 PM

Anyone have a link to the audio from the police mike? That might settle a whole lot of this.

trollkiller on July 23, 2009 at 9:04 PM

If AP doesn’t like my behavior here, he’s welcome to ban me.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:00 PM

Well this, finally, is at least a true statement.

But, your lack of responsiveness to many posters (dare I say multiple posters?) proves my point. You aren’t respecting the conventions of this blog. Just because you are staying narrowly within the terms of service doesn’t mean you’re doing it right.

Each non-responsive answer, each invective filled screed, moves people further away from whatever point you are weakly trying to make.

Good luck, though.

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 9:05 PM

Citizens deserve respect because cops work for them. Pretty sure that on most jobs, if I disrespect my boss I can get fired, even if he’s a jerk.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:43 PM

So should I only respect the citizens of the city I work for since, technically, they are the only ones I work for?

Officers follow and enforce the law, not the commands of citizens.

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 9:06 PM

Well, I’m late to the party, but Oh, Joy! it looks like we have a newbie to play with. You guys are being awfully patient, but on the other hand, rokemronnie really has that Haughty thing goin’, doesn’t he?

JackOkie on July 23, 2009 at 9:07 PM

Oops meant to write mic not mike — Video of the incident would be great too.

I guess the Hispanic, the female and th

trollkiller on July 23, 2009 at 9:08 PM

Harvard lost it’s credibility when it fired it’s President for suggesting there may be gender differences in learning.

It appears there’s a bunch of nitwits running around there as this Professor shows.

scotash on July 23, 2009 at 9:09 PM

trollkiller on July 23, 2009 at 9:08 PM

Oops! Your post got cut off.

Before you had a chance to fin

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM

The fact that all police departments must have some kind of oversight in the form of BIAs shows that a significant number of cops are criminals.

And since every city of any size DEMANDS cops, what does that tell you about the mass of citizens?

This country has not been run as an anarchy. Never has been. Never will be. You can shout yourself blue about your right to raise cain on the streets, there will be ten citizens calling for a cop to shut you up.

Chris_Balsz on July 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM

Oops again! I guess the Hispanic, female and African American officers from multiple departments, uniformed and plain clothes, were all racists too!

trollkiller on July 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM

A more professional cop would have realized that defusing the situation was more important than his own ego.

Is it too much to ask that an officer say the following?:

“Sir, I’m sorry that you feel that way and I’m asking you to calm down before this escalates into something we both don’t want to happen. I can assure you I had no idea of your race when I answered a burglary report. As a matter of fact, I’m a diversity trainer with my department. I’m Sgt. Crowley of the CPD and my badge number is XXX. As soon as we verify that you’re the legal resident here we’ll be on our way.”

It seems, however, that many cops are more intent on exercising authority than restraint. More intent on showing a big mouth who is boss than in deescalating a situation.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:55 PM</blockquote

So let’s say he says exactly that and then leaves the house and Gates continues his tantrum outside as he did. Should he be arrested then?

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM

Is it too much to ask that an officer say the following?:

“Sir, I’m sorry that you feel that way and I’m asking you to calm down before this escalates into something we both don’t want to happen. I can assure you I had no idea of your race when I answered a burglary report. As a matter of fact, I’m a diversity trainer with my department. I’m Sgt. Crowley of the CPD and my badge number is XXX. As soon as we verify that you’re the legal resident here we’ll be on our way.”

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 8:55 PM

Yes.

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 9:14 PM

Lol, and I lost mine too “its” not “it’s”.

scotash on July 23, 2009 at 9:16 PM

Lol, and I lost mine too “its” not “it’s”.

scotash on July 23, 2009 at 9:16 PM

Few would notice.

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 9:20 PM

As far as Obama’s remarks, why was it hard to come out with a real condemnation of the beatings and killings of Iranian protestors, but yet so easy to call the entire police department’s actions stupid?

Kinda telling, no?

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 9:26 PM

Blacks are running America into the gutter.To bad Crowley
did not put his boot up Gates but.Scholarly Black

Denniscat

But orange and I are racists. Yep. Sure.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:33 PM

So let’s say he says exactly that and then leaves the house and Gates continues his tantrum outside as he did. Should he be arrested then?

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM

Certainly the cop’s actions would have been more defensible and less prone to the interpretation that he was being vindictive to someone who disrespected him.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:35 PM

Gates threatened him, Do you know who I am? When the tirade continued then Crowley had no choice. He had to protect himself from this self-serving mental case. Gates was threatening to sue, and now he says, “let’s move along.”
I think there may be audio of Gates.

tessa on July 23, 2009 at 9:37 PM

By the way, if you’re going to reference NYPD Blue (when referring to the “rat” squad), then at least give credit. I’ve never heard anyone use that term outside of television.

ajsleepy

So what’s your nickname for BIA?

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:37 PM

Come to think of it, in that screencap he looks like he could be some wino, or crack-head (Marion Barry). I know he thinks his patrician mien should be good enough for any police officer anywhere, but if he’s going to degenerate into the street patois at the drop of a hat, someone close to him should tell him that when that kind of language comes out of his mouth, he looks as un-patrician as he sounds.

smellthecoffee on July 23, 2009 at 9:39 PM

Find the multiple requests yet?

massrighty

I’ll be happy to look for them for $50/hr or any fraction thereof. Otherwise kish mir in tuchas.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:40 PM

Ummm…so you do want the military to be able to vote, but not public officials? Pretty sure that was what I was asking, but I couldn’t find it in your reply.

ajsleepy

I never said I didn’t want public employees to be disenfranchised, I said I wasn’t sure they should be allowed to vote.

They absolutely should not be allowed to organize labor unions and should never be allowed to make political contributions. The potential for corruption and denial of vital services to the public is too great, so there’s a compelling interest to control such activity.

You think public employee unions should be able to give money to politicians who negotiate their contracts?

How is that not corrupt?

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:45 PM

Gates threatened him, Do you know who I am? When the tirade continued then Crowley had no choice. He had to protect himself from this self-serving mental case. Gates was threatening to sue, and now he says, “let’s move along.”
I think there may be audio of Gates.

tessa

So now a threat to pursue legal action is a criminal act?

Actually, a cop arresting someone to prevent or forestall a lawsuit against that same cop is exactly an abuse of power.

I’m sure you wouldn’t like it if you had a financial dispute with a neighbor and his brother the cop arrests you to make sure you don’t sue him.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:50 PM

rokeman

This guy was a belligerant mental case threatening and slandering a man doing his job. I can’t wait for the tapes to come out. Keep burying your head in the sand, your president is a racist and his friends are racist, too.

tessa on July 23, 2009 at 9:53 PM

Kind of funny that Gates wants to move along, NOW. Few days ago he was demanding an apology and contemplating whether he would accept it if it was given. I smell a smoking gun, tapes.

tessa on July 23, 2009 at 9:55 PM

Officers follow and enforce the law, not the commands of citizens.

ajsleepy

The law is the command of citizens.

In any case, cops follow and enforce the laws they feel like enforcing or the laws their superiors tell them to enforce.

Everyone has seen cops routinely break the law and then use the police officer in the performance of my duty omnibus excuse for breaking the law.

When a cop acts badly, there’s always a good excuse.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:57 PM

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009

Unbelievable.

OmahaConservative on July 23, 2009 at 10:00 PM

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:57 PM

OmahaConservative on July 23, 2009 at 10:02 PM

This guy was a belligerant mental case threatening and slandering a man doing his job. I can’t wait for the tapes to come out. Keep burying your head in the sand, your president is a racist and his friends are racist, too.

tessa

Slander is not a criminal offense, though I’m sure the cops posting here won’t tell you that.

He’s your president too (well if you’re a US citizen). I didn’t vote for him, but he’s the lawful chief executive.

Tell me, what part of me saying that the cop wasn’t racist and Gates was a race pimp who unnecessarily played the race card, puts me in the Obama camp?

I don’t like abuse of authority, not by Obama ripping off Chrysler’s debt holders, and not by cops with bruised egos.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 10:03 PM

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009

You new to the troll biz?

CWforFreedom on July 23, 2009 at 10:05 PM

One would think someone as learned as the esteemed professor would have acted more maturely but I see the troll gives him a pass and like our President prefers to attack a man who puts his life on the line everyday.

CWforFreedom on July 23, 2009 at 10:06 PM

Certainly the cop’s actions would have been more defensible and less prone to the interpretation that he was being vindictive to someone who disrespected him.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:35 PM

So your answer is…..?

Yes or no, should he be arrested then?

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 10:11 PM

AprilOrit has been busted in so many lies on so many topics, I don’t know why any of you bother to argue with her anymore. She needs prayer–and as for earthly help, a psychiatrist.

baldilocks on July 23, 2009 at 10:11 PM

So what’s your nickname for BIA?

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:37 PM

Well they call themselves Professional Standards Division, but we usually just say IA…don’t really need a nickname for them. They have a job to do, I hope not to have to call them anything. Like I said, that’s more of a media exaggeration.

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 10:15 PM

Maybe this has been posted?

BL@KBIRD on July 23, 2009 at 10:15 PM

Blacks are running America into the gutter.To bad Crowley
did not put his boot up Gates but.Scholarly Black

Denniscat on July 23, 2009 at 8:47 PM

Yeah okay, moby.

baldilocks on July 23, 2009 at 10:18 PM

I never said I didn’t want public employees to be disenfranchised, I said I wasn’t sure they should be allowed to vote.

They absolutely should not be allowed to organize labor unions and should never be allowed to make political contributions. The potential for corruption and denial of vital services to the public is too great, so there’s a compelling interest to control such activity.

You think public employee unions should be able to give money to politicians who negotiate their contracts?

How is that not corrupt?

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:45 PM

Well if you have money trails you want to investigate indicating corruption, by all means, go for it. Our union will put its public support behind a candidate.
No financial donations.
I honestly could care less. I just want representation when someone tries to sue me over alleged misconduct. If I can do it without the union, so be it. But why condemn all officers because of your feelings toward unions?
I’m not a big fan of unions, but does that mean I shouldn’t be an officer because of that?
By the way, not all officers are members of unions. There is no requirement to be a union member in order to keep your job.

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 10:24 PM

She needs prayer–and as for earthly help, a psychiatrist.

baldilocks on July 23, 2009 at 10:11 PM

AMEN, dear sister.

OmahaConservative on July 23, 2009 at 10:27 PM

The law is the command of citizens.

In any case, cops follow and enforce the laws they feel like enforcing or the laws their superiors tell them to enforce.

Everyone has seen cops routinely break the law and then use the police officer in the performance of my duty omnibus excuse for breaking the law.

When a cop acts badly, there’s always a good excuse.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:57 PM

“The law is the command of citizens”? Is this your own definition or do you have a citation for it? I stated “commands of citizens” and I don’t think you are so obtuse as to confuse it for anything else than an order from a citizen.

I am impressed you can speak on behalf of “everyone”, but may be better served speaking from your own experiences instead.

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 10:33 PM

People arrest themselves in situations like this. You can behave civilized and walk away, or behave like a savage and walk away in cuffs. These were cops responding to a burg, which is a felony. But Gates wanted to test the Sgt. and that’s that. He wanted to punk the little public servant, because he gets paid big bucks to teach rich white kids why they should hate themselves.

ac1 on July 23, 2009 at 10:33 PM

“The law is the command of citizens”? Is this your own definition or do you have a citation for it?

The law is the result of the democratic and legislative process so ideally it reflects the will of the citizens and their “command”.

I apologize if I was too epigrammatic.

Also, I apologize for the use of the term “holster sniffer”. I have discovered that the correct term is “badge bunny”.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 10:41 PM

I never said I didn’t want public employees to be disenfranchised, I said I wasn’t sure they should be allowed to vote.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 9:45 PM

How is not being allowed to vote different from being disenfranchised?

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 10:41 PM

I have discovered that the correct term is “badge bunny”.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 10:41 PM

Forgive me but you make me think of a term…mmmmm

a-hole

CWforFreedom on July 23, 2009 at 10:42 PM

The law is the result of the democratic and legislative process so ideally it reflects the will of the citizens and their “command”.

I apologize if I was too epigrammatic.

Also, I apologize for the use of the term “holster sniffer”. I have discovered that the correct term is “badge bunny”.

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 10:41 PM

Oh, I know what you were doing. Dodging the issue by playing with words. You know what was meant and you evaded addressing it. Again.

ajsleepy on July 23, 2009 at 10:44 PM

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009

No one is suggesting you’re stupid.
But you are acting stupidly.

/gibbs mode

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 10:45 PM

Time to hunt down another Cosby mistress………or at least a woman who is willing to say she is.

Bill is off the plantation again.

David2.0 on July 23, 2009 at 11:00 PM

massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 10:41 PM

What part of “not sure” do you not get?

rokemronnie on July 23, 2009 at 11:09 PM

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