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

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Who do I look like, Mr. Rogers?

If you lived in a state as sparsely populated as Kansas, you'd be friends with your neighbors too. After all, they would be the only human beings in a 25 mile radius.

In the NE, we get to pick our own friends.

If you live in an area with a lot of renters (such as Cambridge with its student population) chances are your neighbors are changing all of the time

drifter liberals!

[HAL 9000 96]

The correct action for the police, *IMMEDIATELY* after they learn the occupant is the lawful occupant, is to apologize and back off. That didn't happen in Gates's case, and it didn't happen to me and my wife, either. Instead, harassment continued.

I'm a 50-something white guy and probably "don't get it" when it comes to abuse people of color have. But this may not have been all about race. Far too many cops have this notion that the public, even the law-abiding public, are there to be pushed around.

At least, that's what I experienced and that colors what I read as a pretty analogous situation.

Indeed.

[HAL 9000 96]

In my opinion it hard to make judgements or comments about racial profiling unless you have experienced it for yourself first hand. It is interesting to me that so many people have an opinion about something that they may never experience in their lives. I have been a firsthand witness to racial profiling with my husband.

When this is happening to you, you seriously think that this type of thing is impossible, people have rights...

This happens far more in this country than anyone is willing to admit. It is humiliating and degrading. It is an outrage that this continues to happen.

Please step back put yourself in the situation and ask yourself, how would you react? Feel? What would you do?

How would you like to come home from a long trip, and then have a run in with the police in your own home? What would you do? How would you react?

When our situation happened to us (it has also happened to my husband when I have not been with him as well)I was horrified, I felt helpless, I felt violated. I was in utter disbelief that this was happening to us. I replayed the senario over and over in my head...how could things have gone differently??

As long as we as a country continue to let this behavior pass, as long as we as a country continue to look the other way, it will continue to happen.

Maybe if it were to come so close to your own lives you would see it in from a different view.

maybe it's just me, but i let my neighbors know when i'm leaving on a trip and when i expect to be back - plus stop over to let them know i'm back.

Not just you. I put a neighbor on my souvenir list. Its the minimum one can do for having the cats looked after and the plants watered.

The correct action for the police, *IMMEDIATELY* after they learn the occupant is the lawful occupant, is to apologize and back off. That didn't happen in Gates's case, and it didn't happen to me and my wife, either. Instead, harassment continued.

I'm a 50-something white guy and probably "don't get it" when it comes to abuse people of color have. But this may not have been all about race. Far too many cops have this notion that the public, even the law-abiding public, are there to be pushed around.

At least, that's what I experienced and that colors what I read as a pretty analogous situation.

Yep. Power corrupts and some cops (not all) are on a big power trip. In their mind, you're suppose to respect their authority....and they have absolutely no people skills. They probably kick their dog when they get home and feed him gun powder.

But so true.

[HAL 9000 96]

not everyone has that type of relationship with their neighbors.

Especially not here in the Boston area, I'd have to say.

maybe boston ain't that great, eh?

Depends on what you like. I don't really care to know my neighbors. Nosy bastards would probably call the cops on me.

don't sound too friendly there in any event.

It's not for everybody, especially those not raised here. For me it's normal. I have friends to be friendly with. I don't really care to make small talk with strangers, call it what you like.

I'd be glad to not have you move here since you wouldn't like it.

so you're not friends with your neighbors?

and it's a given i wouldn't like it - too crowded.

Who do I look like, Mr. Rogers?

Some people are friends with their neighbors, but Boston is kind of known for that. It's definitely not like living in the south (the only comparison I have). People are very private here and do not open up. In fact, I used to live in Cambridge, probably not far from Gates, not that I would have known it.

Do you check your back when walking on the street and someone says good morning/afternoon?

Did you also know Boston gets more wind than Chicago?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Do you check your back when walking on the street and someone says good morning/afternoon?

Around here, strangers saying hello or asking for the time is how many muggings start.

eta: although i should add, there is an additional 'risk factor' involved, which i won't get into

Edited July 24, 2009 by w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Did you also know Boston gets more wind than Chicago?

I've lived in both cities so I can believe that, although I never experienced in Boston the bone-chilling artic blasts that you get in Chicago.

[William33 110]

Obama's comment was wrong, given his limited understanding of the facts.

The police received a call about a potential burglary, they confronted the "suspect" who refused to cooperate by supplying ID and then he played the race card. Had he cooperated like a good citizen, this would not be news.

The now "victim" is an arrogant jackazz, who feels he is above the law. The cops were trying to protect his property for cripes sake....They were not aware that he was the homeowner at the time of the incident.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Had he cooperated like a good citizen, this would not be news.

the fascist speaks.

[HAL 9000 96]

Do you check your back when walking on the street and someone says good morning/afternoon?

Around here, strangers saying hello or asking for the time is how many muggings start.

eta: although i should add, there is an additional 'risk factor' involved, which i won't get into

lol

You mean a profile.

Yeah there are things called common sense that are not exercised some times with some folks.

Watch out for those little old Greek and Italian ladies. Those greetings are almost always an excuse to get your wallet.

j/k

Did you also know Boston gets more wind than Chicago?

I've lived in both cities so I can believe that, although I never experienced in Boston the bone-chilling artic blasts that you get in Chicago.

What doesn't destroy you makes you stronger.

[William33 110]

Had he cooperated like a good citizen, this would not be news.

the fascist speaks.

Any cogent thoughts on the topic?

[HAL 9000 96]

Obama's comment was wrong, given his limited understanding of the facts.

The police received a call about a potential burglary, they confronted the "suspect" who refused to cooperate by supplying ID and then he played the race card. Had he cooperated like a good citizen, this would not be news.

The now "victim" is an arrogant jackazz, who feels he is above the law. The cops were trying to protect his property for cripes sake....They were not aware that he was the homeowner at the time of the incident.

And yet he was arrested posterior to producing satisfactory verification of identity. No arrest, no news.

The incident is not the call. Its the attitude beyond the call and most certainly the attitude that became an unbookable offense. Anyway that's been covered repeatedly in the multiple Gates threads.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Had he cooperated like a good citizen, this would not be news.

the fascist speaks.

Any cogent thoughts on the topic?

Yes. Anyone who thinks cops (and other authority figures) automatically deserve respect by virtue of their position and condone acts of violence (example, handcuffing) against those who do not give them that respect, is a fascist.

And yet he was arrested posterior to producing satisfactory verification of identity. No arrest, no news.

I don't call them rethugs cuz I think it's funny, you know. That's what these people are. They're thugs. Fascist thugs. Nothing more.

[William33 110]

Obama's comment was wrong, given his limited understanding of the facts.

The police received a call about a potential burglary, they confronted the "suspect" who refused to cooperate by supplying ID and then he played the race card. Had he cooperated like a good citizen, this would not be news.

The now "victim" is an arrogant jackazz, who feels he is above the law. The cops were trying to protect his property for cripes sake....They were not aware that he was the homeowner at the time of the incident.

And yet he was arrested posterior to producing satisfactory verification of identity. No arrest, no news.

The incident is not the call. Its the attitude beyond the call and most certainly the attitude that became an unbookable offense. Anyway that's been covered repeatedly in the multiple Gates threads.

Yelling at a Police Officer and not cooperating during the conduct of an investigation is a bookable offense. In this instance, disorderly conduct.

Given the media coverage and Executive level attention, the cops are backing down....Not a good move.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Yelling at a police officer Oh my god the insecure little babies. They don't like being yelled at!

Most cops are fascist pigs with a diva complex.

[HAL 9000 96]

It sucks. I am sure Officer Crawley has a decent enough record as an officer of the law. At what point do we allow personal attitudes, whether it be racial or not... influence how the law is executed on the street on old men with canes that are irate over being questioned after providing satisfactory proof that satisfies beyond a reasonable doubt the reason for the breaking and entry report.

I am amazed people that favor less government involvement in our lives are siding with the obvious intrusion into bully tactics once the logical steps have been likely met to eliminate the potential criminal complaint. It really does say something about the hypocrisy of politics.