Because sometimes you have to laugh about it. (via)
Breaking News
Oprah Quitting TV Show In 2011
Dave Chapelle Predicts The Henry Louis Gates Jr. Incident
July 23rd, 2009
73 Comments
You mean a guy started talking trash to the police..and they arrested him? The horror!
Yes, because “trash talking the police in your own fucking home” is an arrestible offense….
Uhh yeah…it is.
Police officers put up with a lot of bullshit. This guy had a severe chip on his shoulder.
Hey let’s be beligerent to the police..real smart.
You mean a guy started talking trash to the police..and they arrested him? The horror!
Oh, I’m sorry, I thought this was s’posed to be America. Are you fucking serious? First Amendment. Look it up, asshole.
You mean a guy started talking trash to the police..and they arrested him? The horror!
Is Gabriel McKee one of those 14 year old privileged white boys who pretends to be a libertarian but in reality says dumbfuck anti-libertarian shit like this? Jeezus what a stupid bitch.
Uhh yeah…it is.
Uh, no it isn’t. In fact, it’s quite possible the arrest itself was a crime.
Um… anyone noticed that the arresting officer not only says he’s an Obama supporter, but spent FIVE YEARS teaching a class on how to avoid racial profiling at a police academy? That he’s an acknowledged expert on NOT being a racist cop?
Nah… he’s a white cop. So he’s automatically guilty.
J.
And some of Jay Tea’s best friends are black! So there.
Free clue #1: the fact that Sgt. Crowley abused his discretion- and he did- is a problem regardless of what his motive is. Free clue #2: Gates may not have been correct in this instance about whether race was a factor, nevertheless he’s not just pulling that idea out of his ass because it does happen. A LOT. And people who look like me or Jay Tea of necessity don’t ever get on the receiving end of that, so we don’t have a free pass to lecture people about it when they’ve had experiences we’ll never have.
Nah… he’s a white cop. So he’s automatically guilty.
I’m confused. Are you saying it’s totally cool to arrest someone in their own home for gittin’ all uppity?
Gabriel McKee: Uhh yeah…it is.
Uh, no, it is not. According to the police officer’s report, the officer told Gates that he would speak to him outside. It was only once he was outside and yelling could one construe that Gates was committing a crime, a situation which the officer helped create.
For the record, I think it’s unlikely that Officer Crowley was acting with racial prejudice. But I think he felt his ego threatened, and so he let himself abuse his power. It was, as Obama said, a stupid thing to do.
You mean a guy started talking trash to the police..and they arrested him? The horror!
Where was this guy when David Koresh needed him?
Maybe Gates should have holed up in his house with a stash of automatic weapons and declared himself a Branch Davidian. That might have earned the sympathy of the shiftless fucksticks who think Gates is in the wrong.
Police officers put up with a lot of bullshit. This guy had a severe chip on his shoulder.
Just what society needs, a cop with a severe chip on his shoulder.
Gabriel McKee might be the most ignorant poster on this blog. That’s saying a fucking lot.
Great. I’ve spent the last seven years teaching my son that ‘the police are your friends’, and something like THIS happens.
Another rare comment……
Why isn’t anyone calling out the neighbor?
none of it would have happened if they weren’t a complete and total dumbass.
Free clue #1: the fact that Sgt. Crowley abused his discretion- and he did- is a problem regardless of what his motive is.
Actually, Sgt. Crowley was well within his discretion. People everywhere, every day are arrested for disorderly conduct. The people here acting as if this is some kind of special circumstance are either incredibly naive, stupid or outright liars. All one needs to do is watch one episode of Cops to see people getting arrested for disorderly conduct. Screaming at a cop that he’s a racist amongst other rhetoric and continuing to do so after the cop warns you not once, but TWICE that you’re behaving in a disorderly fashion is not very bright.
Free clue #2: Gates may not have been correct in this instance about whether race was a factor, nevertheless he’s not just pulling that idea out of his ass because it does happen. A LOT.
Oh so accusing Sgt. Crowley of being a racist and a “rogue cop” is ok because race happens to be factor at other times? That makes a whole hell of a lot of sense.
While Sgt. Crowley was within his discretion, I would say he overreacted. But so did Professor Gates. Funny how certain people are too intellectually dishonest to say that.
While Sgt. Crowley was within his discretion, I would say he overreacted.
Uh, you only get one.
Amazing. You contradict yourself before the end of the sentence.
Being disrespectful to police officers is not illegal and is therefore not an arrestable offense-Crowley was way out of line and should be disciplined (or fired) accordingly.
It’s funny how nearly every conservative commenter here feels the need to mention that berating a cop is a stupid thing to do. You don’t say!
None of us were there. The stories from each side do not match each other. There isn’t much we can say.
Maybe Gabe would like to explain why he supports illegal arrests(Contempt of cop), kidnapping (took him against his will without probably cause or a writ), assault(Forcibly handcuffing an indivual), (Disturbing/Breach) of peace (Threatening a home owner in their own home) and the rest of the crimes that this police officer clearly comitted under the law.
Yet the dude who didn’t break any laws is in the wrong. Cuz he is black and dared disrespect a cop. Because everyone knows that cops are upstanding citizens. They never shot unarmed men in the back. they never rape prostitutes. They never sodomize suspects in their custody with plungers. Complete professionals!
Texan, spare us your bullshit. Even if everything the police officer said is true, he STILL illegally arrested gates. He had no cause, whatsoever. But hey, you’re a fucking texan. That’s one step above a retard.
Jay, no. People are acting like were sick and fucking tired of these scumbag cops breaking the law and getting away with it. Yes. This DOES happen every day. And every fucking time it’s illegal, yet judges and cops cover for each other. Then, pieces of shit like you come in here and use this blatant illegality and our out of control police state to justify itself
Go eat a bullet, and make the world a better place.
Jay Tea: Um… anyone noticed that the arresting officer not only says he’s an Obama supporter?
Crowley on Obama: “I didn’t vote for him.”
I love Chris’ White Guy voice.
Uh, you only get one.
Amazing. You contradict yourself before the end of the sentence.
Wrong, ‘Sing Us A Song You’re The Piano Man.’ Being within your discretion and overreacting are not mutually exclusive.
Then, pieces of shit like you come in here and use this blatant illegality and our out of control police state to justify itself
Go eat a bullet, and make the world a better place.
Soullite you should open up a little more. Don’t be shy and tell people how you really feel. It’s good to see the liberals in here have such fun loving representation.
1) It wasn’t an illegal arrest. Gates created a disturbance, a dozen or so people were on the sidewalk watching his antics by that time, and it was about 1am. That is disorderly conduct. Contrary to what some here seem to think, you CAN be arrested on your property if you are disturbing the public.
2) The entire incident didn’t have to happen. All this Gates guy had to do was show his id, say thank you, and it would have been over. Instead, he cops an attitude, pulls out the “persecuted black man act,” and look where this has led us.
3) Important lesson for naive young idiots that post here: Don’t be an asshole to cops. You have absolutely nothing to gain by doing so.
Here is what I’ve gathered thus far…..
The facts of this case seem to be cut and dry now. First, this cop was not in the wrong by showing up there. It was a 911 call. Second, he followed procedure, which is to ask for id. On a burglary call, this HAS TO BE DONE, and then the info is relayed to dispatch to officially resolve the incident. At this point, Gates made his first wrong choice. Instead of just doing what was asked of him, he behaved like an arrogant asshole, as if he was above being questioned by some “dumb white cop.” So the situation escalates. After finally giving his id, he requested the cops badge,name, etc. The officer offered to go outside and exchange info, Mr Gates refuses, and continues to yell, belittle, and berate this guy for doing his job. This was Gates’ second bad decision. By this time a crowd is gathering, and people are being disturbed. It’s 1 in the morning. Mr Gates continue to scream, yell, etc, demanding the officers badge. Because of the acoustics, the officer can not hear him clearly, and asks him to step outside to give him the info. Again, Gates refuses. At this time, the crowd has gathered, people have been woken up, disturbed, and Mr. Gates is still screaming bloody murder. Standard procedure would allow for the arrest of anyone that has created such a scene in a quiet neighborhood.
It is of my opinion that some here have no concern for fairness or facts, but instead are more concerned with using the “persecuted black man claim” for political purposes. After all, it’s easier to keep entitlements in place for blacks if you can still convince everyone that this is AmeriKKKa, hence the doubling down on stupid by Mr. Willis in making this post. This officer would have had to ask for the ID of anyone in this situation, regardless of race, to resolve this. On a 911 burglary call, paperwork is involved, not only by the officer but by the dispatcher. I suspect many here, including Mr. Willis, already know this, but choose to be intellectually dishonest in their comments/posts.
Hopefully, this post was made just to be funny, because well, Chappelle is funny. If not, it reflects poorly on the character of Mr. Willis, who appears to be a few things; a racial loyalist rather than a fair person, blatantly dishonest, an opportunist that will smear a person’s character for political gain. None of these are good qualities in any decent human being. Some of the comments I’ve read are no better.
Actually, Sgt. Crowley was well within his discretion. People everywhere, every day are arrested for disorderly conduct. The people here acting as if this is some kind of special circumstance are either incredibly naive, stupid or outright liars. All one needs to do is watch one episode of Cops to see people getting arrested for disorderly conduct. Screaming at a cop that he’s a racist amongst other rhetoric and continuing to do so after the cop warns you not once, but TWICE that you’re behaving in a disorderly fashion is not very bright.
Disorderly conduct requires that you are likely to incite a riot. It’s in the statute. Prof. Gates was in his home, and was not legally capable of disorderly conduct. What he was guilty of was contempt of cop, which is not a crime. In fact, it’s a responsibility of informed citizenship.
Being within your discretion and overreacting are not mutually exclusive.
Why don’t you elaborate on that then? And then while you’re at it, tell me what you do for a living, so I can mock it.
Do you think you could do my job? I would buy a ticket to watch you try.
The Cambridge Police Department reports, authored by Sergeant James Crowley and Officer James Figueroa, quote an incensed Gates yelling, “This is what happens to black men in America!,” and, when asked by Crowley to speak with him outside the residence, Gates replied, “ya, I’ll speak with your mama outside.”
Wow! That is one classy guy.
When I mentioned “successful Negro outrage” the other day, I did not know that this had been written.
‘Uhh yeah…it is.’
Uhhhh, no it isn’t.
‘That he’s an acknowledged expert on NOT being a racist cop?’
Apparently he’s also an expert on false arrests as well.
‘All one needs to do is watch one episode of Cops to see people getting arrested for disorderly conduct.’
Wow, ‘COPS,’ the last word in professional police conduct.
‘While Sgt. Crowley was within his discretion, I would say he overreacted. But so did Professor Gates. Funny how certain people are too intellectually dishonest to say that.’
Funny how all Crowley’s defenders omit the fact he was twice asked for his name and badge number, and refused to provide either.
Disorderly conduct requires that you are likely to incite a riot.
No, it does not.
Why don’t you elaborate on that then?
Don’t need to. People with some common sense can figure it out on their own. You can’t. Not my problem.
And then while you’re at it, tell me what you do for a living, so I can mock it.
I’m an IT Director. Have at it.
Do you think you could do my job? I would buy a ticket to watch you try.
What is this, the second grade? I bet you can’t do my job either so nyahh! Lighten up Liberace.
Gates replied, “ya, I’ll speak with your mama outside.”
Wow! That is one classy guy.
According to a hearsay claim by the cop who was clearly wrong in arresting him. Would that claim be admissible in court? I think not.
But even if Professor Gates had said something to that effect, and I believe it was made up to justify the officer’s actions, would it justify the officer’s actions?
Is saying “yo mama” a crime in your part of the country?
Do you think you could do my job?
No, I do not think I could work a self-righteous, self-aggrandizing, disingenuous, misinformed right wing doofus. But thanks for asking.
According to a hearsay claim by the cop who was clearly wrong in arresting him.
Here we go again. How was it “clearly wrong.”? It’s amazing how people can say with such authority how wrong this was or that what the officer did was illegal but actually can’t explain it.
But even if Professor Gates had said something to that effect, and I believe it was made up to justify the officer’s actions, would it justify the officer’s actions?
Actually, he didn’t arrest Gates based on that statement because it was made inside the house (and SURPRISE SURPRISE you think the cop is lying. What does one expect from a rabid left wing ideologue?). It appears the the 911 call and radio transmissions are going to be released to the public. The cops are actually pushing for it which means there is probably strong evidence that when Crowley said Gates was being “very uncooperative” he was right.
This is important because:
A. Gates has denied yelling AT ALL. He claims he was too sick to yell at anybody. So if the transmission tapes catch him yelling in the background that would prove he was lying.
B. He claims he was arrested the moment he walked outside his door. That can easily be contradicted by other police officers and witnesses that were there. Sgt. Crowley claims Gates continued to yell and scream at which point Crowley warned him multiple times that he was engaging in disorderly conduct before he placed him under arrest.
If point A proves that Dr. Gates was being dishonest, then it safe to say that he was also being dishonest about the moment he was arrested.
I’m an IT Director. Have at it.
I thought Clara Bow was the IT girl.
I’ll confess, I didn’t know what an IT Director did, so I Googled it. Apparently I am also the IT director for my own company. Who knew I had so many talents, and thanks for pointing out another one.
“IT” must not be that difficult if a piano mover can do it. Piano moving, on the other hand, can often be a challenge, and I would buy a ticket to watch you try, while I’m sure you would buy a ticket to watch me try to use a computer and make phone calls.
jay doesn’t know or understand the legal definition of disorderly conduct. Don’t bother arguing with him about it, i’ve been through this over the word loophole. With jay, the definition of a word is whatever he wants it to be, fuck the dictionary.
jay doesn’t know or understand the legal definition of disorderly conduct.
Actually I do. Anybody who says that to engage in disorderly conduct you have to be likely to start a riot doesn’t know what they hell they are talking about. The Massachusetts statute regarding disorderly conduct falls under four different categories. A disorderly person is defined as one who:
A. creates a hazard or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose or
B. engages in fighting or threatening, violent or tumultuous behavior, or
C. with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or
D. recklessly creates a risk thereof
It’s not hard to see that Gates behavior outside the home as Sgt. Crowley was leaving could easily fall under C.
So yes Brif, I do understand the legal definition of disorderly conduct.
i’ve been through this over the word loophole.
Not my fault you don’t know what a loophole in the law is.
You people seem to miss one simple thing from the get-go: The cop was within his rights to be there and to ask for ID. Gates started this whole thing, completely un-necessarily might I add. That much is indisputable. He’s the original asshole here in my eyes. Oh, and I don’t know who it was that said you have to potentially start a riot to be charged with disorderly conduct, but whoever it was is horribly ignorant. That is not the case. You can be charged with disorderly conduct for simple things; throwing a fit in a restaurant, being obnoxiously drunk at a bar, etc. It has nothing to do with “starting a riot.” How far up your ass did you have to reach to pull that one out.
And, Officer Crowley is considering a defamation suit against Gates. And right now, it looks like he may have a damn good case. But don’t let that stop you from doubling down on stupid or anything.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=8163051&page=1
Gorgon: It’s 1 in the morning.
False. It was the middle of the day.
At this time, the crowd has gathered, people have been woken up, disturbed, and Mr. Gates is still screaming bloody murder. Standard procedure would allow for the arrest of anyone that has created such a scene in a quiet neighborhood.
So you’re saying if it was a “noisy neighborhood,” the police wouldn’t bother arresting someone for being tumultuous? I wonder why you’d say that.
It is of my opinion that some here have no concern for fairness or facts…
Yourself included, I suppose.
limulus…..
doesn’t really matter what time it was, but I do admit, I was mistaken. Either way, he’s makin a scene which falls under disorderly conduct………
……none of which would have been necessary had the dick just show the cop his id.
jay doesn’t know or understand the legal definition of disorderly conduct.
But he damn well knows Uppity when he hears about it third hand. That’s for sure.
Either way, he’s makin a scene which falls under disorderly conduct………
For some totally weird, inexplicable reason, charges were dropped.
For some totally weird, inexplicable reason, charges were dropped.
Yes and we know that this was the first time in history when charges were dropped against somebody after an arrest.
Um… anyone noticed that the arresting officer not only says he’s an Obama supporter,
That’s funny. I saw him on the TEEvEE saying he didn’t vote for him.
Do any of you people *not* think that Gates started this whole thing by acting like a dick from the outset?
Just wondering.
Do any of you people *not* think that Gates started this whole thing by acting like a dick from the outset?
Shorter Gorgon: Uppity! Uppity!! Uppity!!!
Somewhere from the deepest pit of Hell, Lee Atwater is grinning to himself.
And right now, it looks like he may have a damn good case.
Where do you get that from?
“It’s not hard to see that Gates behavior outside the home as Sgt. Crowley was leaving could easily fall under C.”
Gates was still on private property and by your logic anyone who ever yells or shouts while outdoors is engaging is disorderly conduct.
“Not my fault you don’t know what a loophole in the law is.”
Neither does webster’s dictionary according to you.
“soullite the stupid: Texan, spare us your bullshit. Even if everything the police officer said is true, he STILL illegally arrested gates. He had no cause, whatsoever. But hey, you’re a fucking texan. That’s one step above a retard.”
Excuse me? Cops often arrest people for disorderly conduct when you talk back to them. Most officers I’ve met are not inclined to tolerate you raising your voice and confronting them, even if it is deserved. If you don’t believe me, try running your sorry mouth like that to a cop next time you get pulled over.
In this case, his lawyer portrayed him as very calm, whereas the police said he was very belligerent. How can YOU be sure of how it went down if you weren’t there?
Gorgon, is your argument really “Gates started it!” That’s pretty lame.
No matter who “started it,” the cop certainly finished it by arresting Gates on charges that later had to be dropped — thus opening up the police department to a potentially costly lawsuit. What a waste of taxpayers’ money.
Frankly if I were Crowley, I would have arrested Gates for hindering a police investigation.
In a neighborhood around Cambridge I assume there are noise ordinances, and if Gates was yelling loud enough to make a scene, I think it’s fair that Crowley should have at very least cited him for that. Being too loud is against the law pretty much everywhere in residential areas.
LOL! Go to drudge and look at some of the headlines. Gates might get sued, and people around said Gates acted strangely and support the arrest, including a black officer on site.
Y’all are gonna eat a shit sandwich on this one. Keep doubling down on stupid though. It’ll be that much funnier when you have to wolf it down.
This site has to be full of the most stubborn people I’ve ever seen on any blog. LOL! Holy shit.
For what it’s worth, Gorgon, I pretty much agree with Jay’s assessment above. Sgt. Crowley acted within his discretion, but not with discretion.
Here’s a question. Do you know anything about Prof. Gates, other than how he acted on this one day? I admit I was pretty ignorant about who he is, and I still don’t know that much about him. But I don’t call a person a dick just because they once had an altercation with the police. That’s just stupid.
Crowley acted within his discretion, but not with discretion.
Considering Crowley’s exemplary history with the department and wtih race relations, maybe he was pretty pissed at being accused of something as heinous as racism. I hope he sues for defamation and I hope he wins. Gate’s false accusations of racism are not just childish, they are hurtful not just to the police but to his neighborhood. When the cops decide they’d rather just avoid going over there altogether lest they be accused of racism, their absense just allows more crime to happen.
If I were a burglar, I’d hit Gates’s house right about now. No cop on the Cambridge PD is gonna wanna go there!
A., I’m sure Crowley didn’t like being called a racist. It’s a pretty potent insult.
But conservatives here seem to think that “fighting words” give the police an excuse to arrest a crotchety old man.
Correction, “fighting words” actually are grounds for an arrest. I doubt Gates’ rose to that level.
Know we know why Prof.Gates couldn’t convince Prof. Cornel West to stay at Harvard.
Maybe Gates overreacted because stuff like THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al4w7YKHfms) happens and the popular media seems not to notice…
There were reports that the officer said he “supported” Obama; if inclined, I’ll dig ‘em up.
As for as to why Crowley is taking this so seriously, here’s a notion: an un-challenged charge of racism is quite often a death penalty for a cop’s career. He’s specialized in helping cops avoid situations just like this.
A commenter over at Ann Althouse’s blog had a very interesting observation:
Provocative sentiment, wouldn’t you say?
J.
Considering Crowley’s exemplary history with the department and wtih race relations, maybe he was pretty pissed at being accused of something as heinous as racism.
And a cop arresting someone because he was personally offended “and pretty pissed” by what that someone said to him doesn’t strike you as a problem?
A bit, fafaroo. But that’s hardly definitive proof of “racism” — and that’s the big gun being tossed around now. And I wasn’t referring to Crowley’s conduct at the time of the incident, but his staunch refusal to either apologize or admit “racism” after the fact. I was responding to A.’s comment:
I took it to mean A. was talking about Crowley’s statements about the incident, not the incident itself. Suing for defamation for what Gates said at the time would be pointless; suing for Gates’ statements about the incident would make a bit more sense.
J.
Gates has a case of racial paranoia. That’s what this pretty much boils down to. He’s an old black fart that sees the “racist white bogey man” behind every conflict that happens. Unfortunately, so many blacks are also racially paranoid, usually from a good lefty brainwashing, that they lack the ability to be objective on race issues. Mr. Willis is a prime example.
He’s an old black fart that sees the “racist white bogey man” behind every conflict that happens.
Well in his defense, his entire third grade class was lynched (apologies to Chris Rock).
I’m guessing Gorgon isn’t a doctoral candidate in American History.
Can’t We All Just Get Along?
I have a solution. Lets all chip in so we can pay our police officers more money.. They are vastly underpaid!!! For a position as important and vital as a public police officer, there needs to be a higher standard of qualification. If there was more money in becoming a police officer we would get our best and brightest applying for these jobs. I would love it if all police officers were required to have a masters degree covering various relevant subjects. Because I’m sorry, but right now we do have a lot (some not all) of police officers that act just like President Obama said the Cambridge police department acted. Stupid and often ignorant..
Brando: You are funny! Almost as funny as funny as Dave Chapelle. I am a white (?) [actually my Father is white and mother is half and half, mulata] and since I look more “latino” than white, I don’t call the cops for NOTHING! I had them break into my house, in an upscale neighborhood, and I used the hidden tapes, took them to my white lawyer’s office and had HIM talk to the cops. I went to my other home in Japan, while they sorted things out. It is amazing, but true. You become part of what you are around. If you surround yourself with criminals everyday, what do you expect you will become?
Leave that up to you to decide