Bill Cosby comments on Obama’s statement on Harvard prof’s arrest

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Bill Cosby ’shocked’ at Obama’s statement on Harvard prof’s arrest

On a Boston radio program this morning, Bill Cosby suggested that President Obama spoke too soon on the controversial arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates.

“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.

The comedian appeared to have dialed his comments back a bit in a later interview on Boston’s FOX 25 television station. Cosby cautioned those from coming up with their own conclusions, but gave the president some leeway.

“People who have not been there, people who don’t know are beginning to have their own personal feelings, but they weren’t there,” Cosby said.

“Does this include the president?” asked the FOX25 reporter.

“It includes everybody,” Cosby said. “[but] I would have to take into consideration that he lived in Cambridge for some time so he may know more than he’s saying about situations of that sort,” Cosby said.

http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/200...d-profs-arrest/

[Peikko 1,575]

I don't like Cosby (well, as a comedian), but I thought much the same thing.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I have always liked Cosby. He was spot on. Obama doesnt know all the facts, he said he didnt and then he goes on ahead and makes that comment. Unbelievable

Here is a video for those who havent heard the comments he made - http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracke...ia-outlets.html

Edited July 23, 2009 by looking_up

[justashooter 430]

cosby is one of the few well known black public figures who has no teloerance for those that play the race card. he has been of this mind for many years, and has been willing to go on record about the issue on many occasions.

he seems like a decent guy who just doesn't tolerate bull$hit.

[GaryC 7]

Cop who arrested black scholar is profiling expert

By DENISE LAVOIE, Associated Press Writer Denise Lavoie, Associated Press Writer – 28 mins ago

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The white police sergeant criticized by President Barack Obama for arresting black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. in his Massachusetts home is a police academy expert on understanding racial profiling.

Cambridge Sgt. James Crowley has taught a class about racial profiling for five years at the Lowell Police Academy after being hand-picked for the job by former police Commissioner Ronny Watson, who is black, said Academy Director Thomas Fleming.

"I have nothing but the highest respect for him as a police officer. He is very professional and he is a good role model for the young recruits in the police academy," Fleming told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The course, called "Racial Profiling," teaches about different cultures that officers could encounter in their community "and how you don't want to single people out because of their ethnic background or the culture they come from," Fleming said.

Obama has said the Cambridge officers "acted stupidly" in arresting Gates last week when they responded to his house after a woman reported a suspected break-in.

Crowley, 42, has maintained he did nothing wrong and has refused to apologize, as Gates has demanded.

Crowley responded to Gates' home near Harvard University last week to investigate a report of a burglary and demanded Gates show him identification. Police say Gates at first refused, flew into a rage and accused the officer of racism.

Gates was charged with disorderly conduct. The charge was dropped Tuesday.

Gates' supporters maintain his arrest was a case of racial profiling. Officers were called to the home by a woman who said she saw "two black males with backpacks" trying to break in the front door. Gates has said he arrived home from an overseas trip and the door was jammed.

Obama was asked about the arrest of Gates, who is his friend, at the end of a nationally televised news conference on health care Wednesday night.

"I think it's fair to say, No. 1, any of us would be pretty angry," Obama said. "No. 2, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home. And No. 3 — what I think we know separate and apart from this incident — is that there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately, and that's just a fact."

In radio interviews Thursday morning, Crowley maintained he followed procedure.

"I support the president of the United States 110 percent. I think he was way off base wading into a local issue without knowing all the facts as he himself stated before he made that comment," Crowley told WBZ-AM. "I guess a friend of mine would support my position, too."

Crowley did not immediately respond to messages left Thursday by the AP. The Cambridge police department scheduled a news conference for later Thursday.

Gates has said he was "outraged" by the arrest. He said the white officer walked into his home without his permission and only arrested him as the professor followed him to the porch, repeatedly demanding the sergeant's name and badge number because he was unhappy over his treatment.

"This isn't about me; this is about the vulnerability of black men in America," Gates said.

He said the incident made him realize how vulnerable poor people and minorities are "to capricious forces like a rogue policeman, and this man clearly was a rogue policeman."

The president said federal officials need to continue working with local law enforcement "to improve policing techniques so that we're eliminating potential bias."

Fellow officers, black and white, say Crowley is well-liked and respected on the force. Crowley was a campus police officer at Brandeis University in July 1993 when he administered CPR trying to save the life of former Boston Celtics player Reggie Lewis. Lewis, who was black, collapsed and died during an off-season workout.

Gov. Deval Patrick, who is black, said he was troubled and upset over the incident. Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons, who also is black, has said she spoke with Gates and apologized on behalf of the city, and a statement from the city called the July 16 incident "regrettable and unfortunate."

The mayor refused Thursday to comment on the president's remarks.

Police supporters charge that Gates, director of Harvard's W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research, was responsible for his own arrest by overreacting.

Black students and professors at Harvard have complained for years about racial profiling by Cambridge and campus police. Harvard commissioned an independent committee last year to examine the university's race relations after campus police confronted a young black man who was using tools to remove a bike lock. The man worked at Harvard and owned the bike.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090723/ap_on_...olar_disorderly

[Ban Hammer 12,837]

cop is guilty of aww - arresting while white.

[^KK^ 3]

Here are my thoughts and noted they are only my thoughts -

I think the arrest was probably uncalled for period. Do I think it was racial profiling? Hmmm it could be. But then again, if I see two people, black, white or purple, appearing to break in my neighbors house I would call the police. If I was the officer, whether I'm black, white, or purple, if I'm responding to a 911 call I would be leary of who is at the house.

Now to my point, It was his home and he may have said some mean things but all the police needed to do was leave. You check out the place and noted it was not a break in. Case done..let the man talk and leave.

Now my theory...it's publicity for Gate's new project. kikikikikikikikikikikiki

[Chica Yeyé 41]

police academy expert on profiling..... full tenured Harvard scholar.... let me get back to you all on who I find more credible. The decision might take me some time

[HAL 9000 96]

I give this news story another 15 minutes of fame.

[_Simpson_ 250]

police academy expert on profiling..... full tenured Harvard scholar.... let me get back to you all on who I find more credible. The decision might take me some time

How does him being a Harvard professor make him more creditable?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

police academy expert on profiling..... full tenured Harvard scholar.... let me get back to you all on who I find more credible. The decision might take me some time

How does him being a Harvard professor make him more creditable?

To me, absolutely.

[Jenn! 918]

I find it a little bit strange that Bill Cosby only and always seems to speak up against black people with claims of racism/discrimination.

[HAL 9000 96]

I find it a little bit strange that Bill Cosby only and always seems to speak up against black people with claims of racism/discrimination.

He's got his points regarding the issue. Some of the stuff he says is plain old common sense. Regarding this incident- I am sure the President has received more information than Mr Cosby.

[_Simpson_ 250]

police academy expert on profiling..... full tenured Harvard scholar.... let me get back to you all on who I find more credible. The decision might take me some time

How does him being a Harvard professor make him more creditable?

To me, absolutely.

Yes to you but I am curious to why you think that him being a Harvard professor makes him more creditable.

I find it a little bit strange that Bill Cosby only and always seems to speak up against black people with claims of racism/discrimination.

Regardless to what you find strange or how you feel about Cosby you have to agree he was right. Obama shouldnt have made such a strong statement without knowning all the facts.

[SMOKE 1,426]

police academy expert on profiling..... full tenured Harvard scholar.... let me get back to you all on who I find more credible. The decision might take me some time

How does him being a Harvard professor make him more creditable?

To me, absolutely.

why?

Edited July 23, 2009 by SMOKE