Your attitude is the problem with today's political atmosphere. Obama pulled back from his "stupid" statement and called the police officer. He has tried to get all three men together to make peace.
Obama should have flat out apologized. He was wrong. He spoke on a matter in which he was not fully informed. His comments not only painted the Cambridge police in a questionable light, but police agencies across the country as well. He was wrong. If he can traipse around the globe apologizing for every mistake made by the United States, however well meaning they may have been, he can damn well man up and apologize for his comments regarding Officer Crowley.
Officer Crowley refuses to admit he did anything wrong, even though he did over react.
While I am certain that Crowley would have much rather resolved the situation in another manner
(he is, after all, the instructor for the racial profiling course for his police force, and that's not a how-to course), to say he over reacted would only be speculation. He was not the only officer on the scene, there were others. At least one was Black. He has voiced his absolute support for Crowley's actions, perhaps he is an "Uncle Tom?"
Lost in just about every discussion I have seen on the matter is, this was the second time police had been called to Gates' house to investigate a burglary in a very short period of time, say the last two weeks or so. Officer Crowley was perfectly justified in asking for identification.
What most people fail to realize is this: the police have quite a bit of latitude when it comes to making an arrest for disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and obstructing an investigation. You may not like it, but it is the truth.
Professor Gates refuses to admit he did anything wrong, even though he did over react.
You bet he did. My advice to anyone who may have dealings with law enforcement, especially in the field: answer their questions and don't be a dick. It's been my experience, through ride alongs, personal interaction, and numerous courses of study, that this is always the best course of action. I have never seen anyone arrested for taking this tact.
And let's not overlook the fact that identity politics is part of Gates' shtick. I hear he is even working a deal for a documentary about this incident, a mere eight days later.
Obama has shown more character than Gates or Crowley.
No, he really hasn't.
Sorry that is not good enough for you. I am guessing no matter what Obama does it will not be good enough for you.
Where I'm concerned, you'd be guessing wrong. It's not a matter of "good enough," it's a matter of doing what is right.
