Obama-"Cambridge Police acted stupid"

[chiefcop]

It would appear from headlines that the president did not think his statment was a big deal. This is SPIN YET AGAIN.

From Fox News
In Thursday's interview with ABC, Obama said he had "extraordinary respect for the difficulties of the job that police officers do."

I call BS on that and I beleive many of you would also do the same. He said those words yesterday and meant every bit he put out there. He took the side of his friend WITHOUT KNOWING THE FACTS in a clear attempt to sway people's opinions with his position!!! This is unacceptable.

If that is not enough then insults the police as he states the Cambridge Police acted stupidly. He stands in front of he nation INSULTING the entire police department!!

Here is my largest point:

Fox News
"And my suspicion is that words were exchanged between the police officer and Mr. Gates and that everybody should have just settled down and cooler heads should have prevailed," he said.

So why did you pin the stupidity on the actions of the police in front of the nation? Never ONCE did he state that Gates may have made the situation worse or been a party to it.



If that is a copy of the actual report on line, then I would say that Mr Gates created this issue BY HIS OWN ACTIONS. I also looked at the Mass Disorderly Conduct Law---------looks as if there was probable cause and the incident was in front of an officer.

I am not shocked by this from our leader, but it CLEARLY represents that we have a person in office that is not known for integrity and common sense.

[Mike 842]

I read the report obtained by the Globe. I don't know why the Sgt. was handling, his role should have been back-up. This was apparent in his narrative as he stated "several Officers including university units gathered outside the residence". I wasn't there, but if I had been, Gates would've went for Obstruction. He clearly interfered with an investigation and refused to comply.

The only ones that "acted stupidly" are the ones that
voted for the present administration.


It's unacceptable that the Sgt.'s privacy and personal safety of himself and his family was compromised.

[PtlCop]

Too bad for him. I've made numerous arrests in such cases. Won them as well, jury and bench trials. Why does the officer work as a security guard now? Get sued individually? Didn't get qualified immunity? Agency didn't defend him?

He was ordered to go through remedial criminal law training as a result of the investigation, he refused and said "if you try to fire me I'll own this place." He got fired, he does not own the place.

He was a marginal officer anyway, his replacement is quite good.

[NY Troop]

OK, I guess I'm a racist, I get a radio call for a burglary in progress, I arrive and see a black man at the front door. From now on I only stop to investigate if I see a white man at the door, to avoid all the crap going on. For our President to comment on this is a bunch of BS.
When is the last time a POTUS had time to comment on a local ,minor crime? Glad I only have 13 months to go. It's all about race with this guy. It's sad and I'm worried.

[mikeycoyote]

What happened to Gates' driver, who also happened to be BLACK? I didn't read anything about him getting arrested or saying anything to the police.

[Nightshift va]

Nobama

I totally agree the President should never had spouted off like he did especially not being there just as many of us here were not there. I do not know what the law is where it happened but Ive had very similar cases like that exactly where I need to verify the homeowner is who he or she says they are and they have gone on about race this and that and even after I explained to them "hey pretend you are a Police Officer" I was called here" Im obligated to make sure you live here and you should be happy im keepin your home secure" and they kept on and after I confirmed who they were with ID while they still went on I said "have a nice day" and drove off then later they would call and apologize. In most cases the offended party stops once I tell them "Pretend they are a Police Officer called to a burglary" unlike this guy that just went on. I do know that if they failed to produce I.D and continued the verbal mess It would be "obstruction" not "disorderly". Only because disorderly in my state there has to be some type of "violence" threatened or appartent like an inprogress fight or "fighting words" and for disorderly there is a greater allowance atleast by our judges for people to show their butts on their own property vs in a public place and my understanding was the only reason the snooty professor came out in public view was because he was ordered out, so it would not fly here. Obstruction probably would. As for Obama I can't see why anyone would realistically be suprised at his comments at all. I feel for the Sgt having to deal with all this crude for doing his job.

[Nightshift va]

I read the report obtained by the Globe. I don't know why the Sgt. was handling, his role should have been back-up. This was apparent in his narrative as he stated "several Officers including university units gathered outside the residence". I wasn't there, but if I had been, Gates would've went for Obstruction. He clearly interfered with an investigation and refused to comply.

The only ones that "acted stupidly" are the ones that
voted for the present administration.


It's unacceptable that the Sgt.'s privacy and personal safety of himself and his family was compromised.

well stated..agree 100%

[BrickCop]

The sergeant handled the call because he happened to be in the immediate vicinity when it was dispatched.

[Bull3340]

The only problem with your observastion is that Gates was arrested when he stepped outside and began/continued raving like a lunatic.




The sergeant's report indicates that he furnished the info twice but Gates continued to rant and demand he produce an ID. Maybe I'm like Obama in that I'm biased- I choose to believe the cop.



I take it you don't work in a large city PD. The fact that the city made that statement has more do to with politics than anything. In legal terms regrettable and unfortunate does not equate to an apology- those words were carefully chosen for a reason.



Yes, the cop should've slinked back to his crusier with a bowed head and profusely apologized for responding to the B&E call as the Harvard Professor berated him outside and drew a crowd.

Well said and I second that. This is the final straw for me. I was surprised when he did not show to the dedication, but to go on to national television and to blindly make this commit. I think it is safe to say Obma acted stupidly.

[10-97UPD]

If Gates was a Janitor at the Holiday Inn and not a Harvard Professor would this have become what it became? Of course not!!! He would have a court date just like everyone else. Using his title and race as an excuse is BS! Police investigate criminal activity and have similar encounters day in and day out. I read the report and assuming what I read is an official document Id have to say that Gates should be ashamed of himself. This guy being a professor at Harvard. What exactly is it that this guy is teaching in the classroom? I hope this incident has no reflection of it. As for Obama's involvement....looks we we have seen Obama's first Presidential Pardon. I wish there was more of an investigation into this situation and not all charges are suddenly dropped and City Officials are quickly apologizing. Gates, being a friend of Obama....you do the math. Gates is now immune and untouchable. Next time he has law enforcement contact is this going to replay itself? A scholar at Harvard needs to lead by example. This is a poor one.

[Bull3340]

I say we demand that Gates be fired or go through remedial training!

[winq]

Just wondering, why was the disorderly conduct charge dropped. A little political pressure for a friend?

[Magic Matt]

I swear Obama is the Manchurian Candidate looking to destroy the US, what else makes sense…

He can’t be this stupid, it has to be planned.

[10-97UPD]

Just wondering, why was the disorderly conduct charge dropped. A little political pressure for a friend?

The Police report mentioned comments Gates made like "you dont know who you are messing with". IMO, The average Joe Schmoe citizen would never get this much press unless they claiming police brutality or misconduct and sought out the media on their own... got Lawyers involved..ect....that takes A LOT of work to make a stink big enough where it gets National attention. Not to mention, Joe Schmoe getting a response from the President and a Public apology from the City? Thats Unheard of. No Doubt Political Pressure solved this one.

[KenW.]

One of my first arrests was of a minority member, inside his own home, for utttering a threat in a domestic. The first "black" president, Bill Clinton, didn't come to his rescue. Maybe I was just lucky.