Cambridge Police Unit Demands Apology From Obama

[Danno 1,228]

Should Obama give an apology for speaking against the Police action before knowing the facts?

Cambridge Police Unit Demands Apology From Obama for 'Stupidly' Remark

The Cambridge and area police unions voiced their support Friday for Sgt. James Crowley and demanded an apology from President Obama for saying officers "acted stupidly" for arresting black Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. at his home.

The Cambridge and area police unions voiced their support Friday for Sgt. James Crowley and called for an apology from President Obama for saying officers "acted stupidly" for arresting black Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. at his home.

"His remarks were obviously misdirected but made it worse yet by suggesting somehow this case should remind us of a history of racial abuse by law enforcement," Dennis O'Connor, president of the Cambridge Police Superior Officers Association, said at a news conference.

O'Connor also referred to statements made by Governor Deval Patrick -- the state's first black governor -- who called the arrest "every black man's nightmare."

"Whatever may be the history, we deeply resent the implications and reject any suggestion that in this case or any other case that they've allowed a person's race to direct their activities. However we hope they will reflect upon their past comments and apologize to the men and women of the Cambridge Police Department," O'Connor said.

Obama has said he was surprised by the controversy sparked by his comments. White House spokesman Roberts Gibbs said Friday that the President regrets that the media have gotten all worked up over the controversy and been distracted from other more substantive issues such as health care.

Obama's remarks sparked outrage among many police officers who say the criticism could make it harder for police to work with people of color and set back the progress of race relations that helped Obama become the nation's first black president.

Gates was arrested July 16 by Sgt. James Crowley, who was first to respond to the home the renowned black scholar rents from Harvard, after a woman reported seeing two black men trying to force open the front door. Gates said he had to shove the door open because it was jammed.

He was charged with disorderly conduct after police said he yelled at the white officer, accused him of racial bias and refused to calm down after Crowley demanded Gates show him identification to prove he lived in the home. The charge was dropped Tuesday, but Gates has demanded an apology, calling his arrest a case of racial profiling.

Obama was asked about Gates' arrest at the end of a nationally televised news conference on health care Wednesday night and began his response by saying Gates was a friend and he didn't have all the facts.

"But 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."

[familyguy 2]

So whilst in a hole the CPD have decided that rather than stop digging they should hire a JCB to excavate an even larger one for themselves. I am guessing they only saw Harvard rather than attended it

Edited July 24, 2009 by familyguy

[HAL 9000 96]

Oh Noes!

[Lansbury 19]

Good bet he doesn't have the balls to do so for his racially offensive remark assuming because someone is white they will act in a certain way.

[HAL 9000 96]

Arresting someone without a legal reason to do so is pretty stupid in any logical book.

[Danno 1,228]

Oh Noes!

You can dream if you like but IT IS FRONT PAGE AT MOST NEWS SITES.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Oh Noes!

You can dream if you like but IT IS FRONT PAGE AT MOST NEWS SITES.

Which is why the country is effed up. Too many people overly concerned with irrelevant shite.

[HAL 9000 96]

Oh Noes!

You can dream if you like but IT IS FRONT PAGE AT MOST NEWS SITES.

Which is why the country is effed up. Too many people overly concerned with irrelevant shite.

I blame Obama.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Oh Noes!

You can dream if you like but IT IS FRONT PAGE AT MOST NEWS SITES.

Which is why the country is effed up. Too many people overly concerned with irrelevant shite.

I blame Obama.

I blame the people on social security.

[Danno 1,228]

So whilst in a hole the CPD have decided that rather than stop digging they should hire a JCB to excavate an even larger one for themselves. I am guessing they only saw Harvard rather than attended it

Suggesting what?

HAving attended Harvard they would have the social graces or intelligence of the Professor?

Don't make me laugh.

[Peikko 1,575]

I blame the education system.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I blame union leaders.

[HAL 9000 96]

Oh Noes!

You can dream if you like but IT IS FRONT PAGE AT MOST NEWS SITES.

Which is why the country is effed up. Too many people overly concerned with irrelevant shite.

I blame Obama.

I blame the people on social security.

Oh for those we must send Iñigo Montoya to dispatch them as quickly as possible.

[nowhereman 1]

President Obama jumped the gun (IMO) when he made the comment that the police officer "acted stupidly". At the same time based on what I know of the incident the police officer certainly could have handled the situation better... I do not believe he is rascist but at the same time I would be willing to bet he arrested the professor because the professor's comments made him lose his temper.

Should Obama apologize? IMO no... he made a second statement later that was much more balanced than the first (I do wish he never made the first statement & I imagine so does Obama). As I said in a related thread it is an unfortunate incident that appears to have been blown out of proportion by BOTH the professor and the arresting officer.

[Peikko 1,575]

I blame snickers.