Thread: Obama, Gates, and Cambridge police

I rarely write to the White House, and I'm pretty sure that nothing I've written has made it within 6 levels of the President, but occasionally I send something just to declare my contribution to the general sentiment of the public. Anyway, this is what I wrote this time...

I am extremely disappointed in the statement made by the President regarding the Cambridge police officer. That officer was responding to a burglary report. He was obligated, FOR THE SAFETY OF THE HOMEOWNER, to investigate that report. Upon finding ANYONE in that house, it was prudent of him to ask for identification. If Dr. Gates had simply THANKED the officer, the issue would have been over peacefully and amicably. This was NOT RACIAL profiling as alluded to by the President. This was a response to a specific report of a possible burglary.

The statement made by the President was both stupid and irresponsible.


I just find it very disconcerting that the President, friend of Dr. Gates or not, would choose to step into the middle of this with such an insensitive statement. The whole issue would not have escalated if Dr. Gates had simply been cooperative and cognizant of the fact that the cop was trying to protect him and his property. I wonder how he would feel if, while he had been gone in China, his home HAD BEEN burglarized. I wonder how he would react if he found out that a burglary had been reported, the police came to investigate, a black man opened the door to tell the cop that it was his house, and the cop politely walked away to let the guy continue to clean out the entire house.

Whatever happened between Gates and the cop, it would not have escalated to arrest if Gates had simply cooperated. I consider it unfortunate that the charges were dropped and more unfortunate that the Cambridge police are being insulted by our president.

Dr. Gates needs to watch this THIS