Obama says the Cambridge police acted ' stupidly '

Should he have said that ?

Interesting arrest.

Professor Gates ( a 58 year old well respected black scholar ) comes home after a vacation and finds his front door jammed. He enters from the back door and together he and the other black man force open the front door. A neighbor calls police about a possible break in and when they arrive the professor produces his ID to prove its his house. Outraged he accuses the officers of racial profiling and begins to shout to the neighbors gathering in the street that this is the reality of being a black man in America. The officers arrest him for disorderly conduct and take him from his porch in handcuffs.

President Obama makes a statement that the man is his friend and that he doesnt know all the facts. He then goes on to say that the Cambridge police acted ' stupidly'.


So, lots to discuss here.

Did the police act inappropriately because of race ?
Should Pres. Obama have added his comments without knowing all the facts. Should he have commented at all ?

Chime in . . . this is fascinating. What do you think ?

Such a weird case.

Re: Obama's comment. I think it's important that you hear it in the context that he said it. Yes, he used the word "stupidly" - but when I heard it in his conversation, it made a lot of sense. To me.


This prof is evidently a friend of Obama. What perhaps could become a bigger thing here is that Obama suggested this could be a result of "racism". I will have to read more on it to comment on that.

Well from what I've read I think the incident is ALL about racism on many levels but heres the surpise for you. . . every level but the police department.

say what ??? lol

Of course I dont know any of this for sure but this is what I see from what I've read.

My guess is the neighbor was most probably white and reacted to two black men trying to force a door. If it was two white men they would probably go ask if they could help. The neighbor showed racial profiling.

The police arrive and see the door has been forced and a man is inside. Does it matter what color he is ? I say no. Someone just broke into this house. If its yours, ok, lets see some proof.

Now racism rears is ugly head in reverse. A man who has lived his life feeling singled out because of his color balks at the simple request to prove its his house.
His thoughts go something along this line . . . Of course its my house you idiot = what, you think a black man can't own this big house and live in this neighborhood ? You think because I'm black I'm a criminal ????

(No, sir we think someone just forced this door and we'd like to make sure a crime hasn't been committed.)

So as he's showing his ID to the officer he starts throwing accusations. He shouts to the crowd in front of the house " This is what happens to a black man in America "

(well, no sir, this is what happens when we try to protect your house from burglary or worse )

He becomes so loud and tries so hard to incite a riot among his neighbors that the police feel a need to arrest him.

Because he's black ? Maybe . . . but here's the interesting part. The officer that arrested him runs the racial profiling program for the city. He actually teachs other officers to not allow race to dictate thier actions and was hand picked for that assignment because of his ability to ignore color. Not only that but there is a black officer present also assisting with the arrest.

Was this about race. You betcha. But by the police ? No, sorry just don't see it. I do however see where the police should have found a better option than arrest to diffuse the situation when a man is plainly in his own home no matter how angry he gets. No real crime was committed here and I do think the police went to far. Within thier rights, yes but well as the president said . . . stupidly.

As for the President. Heres my advice to him. If the first words of the sentence are " I dont have all the facts " then the only end to that sentence is a big fat period.


Very interesting indeed.

I agree with you Morgan.......so sad we even have to worry about this in 2009.......

Lessons learned

Not everything in the world happens because you are ‘ ____”
(fill in the blank with your own personal baggage)

“Respect My A thor i tee” only works in cartoons and is not a good reason to arrest a man in the sanctity of his own home. ( even if he’s obnoxious amd you are within your rights )

A sentence beginning ” I don’t have all the facts ” should end with a big PERIOD right after the word facts. . . . especially if you are the President of the United States.

Don't get me started on this matter! LOL

1. I was highly offended by Obama saying the police acted "stupidly." How can a policeman, who was merely answering a call about a break-in and DOING HIS JOB be called stupid?

2. Obama allowed his friendship with Gates color his speaking out against the police department.

3. If I was breaking into my own house, I would EXPECT that maybe the cops would show up if a neighbor called, so I would attempt to prove I live here WITHOUT yelling about race, etc. (yes, I know I'm not black).

4. Gates fueled the problems because he acted irrationally and was belligerent with the police. Had he acted responsibly and stayed calm, this wouldn't be all over the news for several days now.

5. It wasn't like Gates was dragged out of his car and beaten with billy clubs.

6. Gates should have been grateful he has a neighbor who cared enough to call the cops so that anyone breaking into his house wouldn't have stolen anything or caused destruction.

7. The officer in question is an upstanding member of that police dept. He is an expert in race relations and teaches the subject for the police department (and other police depts., I believe). He did nothing wrong. He did his job. This man being so badly maligned and labeled a racist is disgusting. Again, he didn't do anything wrong.

8. Obama should NEVER speak out like that WITHOUT THE FACTS, which he clearly did not have. By doing so, he is the one who "acted stupidly." I hope he continues to take heat for this.

9. Wonder what would have happened had it been a burglar breaking into Gates' house? What would he have said had the police arrested a thief and his home was spared damage and theft? Also, the 911 call says nothing about the race of the person breaking in.

10. Lastly, I am sick and tired of people making mountains out of molehills, and some black people think they are owed something because of what has happened to others in the past. That is definitely racism.

I agree with Joe 100%.

Yep Joe I have to agree.

Obama is still more than a bit wet behind the ears in matters of this type. I am disappointed he defended his friend. That's weilding power in a personal way - baaadddd ~

I'm disappointed he'd say anything without all the facts and I'm disappointed he'd diss the police who carry out the laws of the land. He's the authority and he should side with the credibility of the authority until he knows for a fact otherwise.

I'm also sorry to hear him side with his loud mouthed friend that this was racial profiling. The only racist action in the whole thing appears to be Professor Gates overreaction.

Its a sad sad situation.

But I've always said if you let your baggage walk in the room ahead of you, people will notice. That baggage can be color, religion, origin, sexual orientation or simply stupidity. But if you put it out first its what people will see.