happy hour at the white house today...

[dt3]

but donnie, the way he admitted it? come on! and the beer drinking is just for show

The way he admitted it? What are you talking about?

 

[Staci]

thank you.

look at obamas past, read his book, the church he and his wife attended for 20 years, he only disassociated himself from the preacher at that church for polital reasons.

look at the proffesors past , his teachings at the college, the speeches he's given to minority groups.

look at the officers past, has the backing of his co-workers who are black, performed cpr on a black pro athelete, was hand picked to lead a class on race relations.


like i said.........bullshit

:clap:clap:clap:clap

 

[Staci]

The way he admitted it? What are you talking about?

I continue to believe ... that there was an overreaction in pulling Prof. Gates out of his home to the station," Obama said. "I also continue to believe ... that Prof. Gates probably overreacted as well.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/07/24/2009-07-24_obama_calls_white_policeman_who_arrested_scholar_.html#ixzz0MmRT7qNf


#1 the sgt never pulled gates out of the house

 

[Staci]

The fact that this has become such a big issue ... is indicative of the fact that race is still a troubling aspect of our society," he said. "Whether I were black or white, I think that me commenting on this and hopefully [now] contributing to constructive - as opposed to negative - understandings about the issue, is part of my portfolio."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/07/24/2009-07-24_obama_calls_white_policeman_who_arrested_scholar_.html#ixzz0MmRkHLLD


and another donnie

 

[AUFred]

From what I have read and heard this was all a misunderstanding that was exacerbated by reaction of the professor and probably should not have been commented about by the prez.

 

[JScotty]

I hope that it was a misunderstanding. Regardless, I think that a happy hour is a good way to get people together and remind us of what is really important in life (the people around us).

 

[dt3]

I hope that it was a misunderstanding. Regardless, I think that a happy hour is a good way to get people together and remind us of what is really important in life (the people around us).

The people around us....and beer

 

[Tim]

and with this post i pop my cherry! :clap

i digress....

so someone explain to me why this has now become a race issue????? also why is obama not standing with his original comment? too much backlash? why cant you just say 'im sorry' and move on from there?

This has become a race issue because of the media.
And there was nothing wrong with him saying that the police acted stupidly, I don't care if everyone was white in this story. For an officer to let it escalate to the point it did was stupid. Once the officer saw that the 78 year old gentleman who walks with a cane WAS the actual owner of the home it should have ended there. I would be pissed as well if an officer just walked into my home and started questioning me like I was some criminal. Once I had the facts (someone reported a possible break in and they were doing their job investigating it) I would understand at that point why he did come in. But don't arrest me for getting pissed and telling you to get the fuck out of my house (which is not a crime)

If you are going to blame anyone for blowing this out of proportion, blame the 24/7 media which makes something out of nothing to fill their time slots.

 

[Tangerine]

This has become a race issue because of the media.
And there was nothing wrong with him saying that the police acted stupidly, I don't care if everyone was white in this story. For an officer to let it escalate to the point it did was stupid. Once the officer saw that the 78 year old gentleman who walks with a cane WAS the actual owner of the home it should have ended there. I would be pissed as well if an officer just walked into my home and started questioning me like I was some criminal. Once I had the facts (someone reported a possible break in and they were doing their job investigating it) I would understand at that point why he did come in. But don't arrest me for getting pissed and telling you to get the fuck out of my house (which is not a crime)

If you are going to blame anyone for blowing this out of proportion, blame the 24/7 media which makes something out of nothing to fill their time slots.

The police report and witness versions don't back up the idea that the cop "let it escalate." He was calm and collected, and left the house when the man became irate. It was GATES who escalated the situation by following him outside and continuing his tirade.

While it's never a good idea for anyone to get into a shouting match with a guy with a badge and gun, it's sheer stupidity to not take advantage of the officer WALKING AWAY.

I'm pretty sick and tired of the idea that a grown intelligent man can act like a 5-yr-old and not expect any repercussions for his actions. How about some accountability in our society? Act like an asshole, expect something unpleasant in return.

 

[Tim]

The police report and witness versions don't back up the idea that the cop "let it escalate." He was calm and collected, and left the house when the man became irate. It was GATES who escalated the situation by following him outside and continuing his tirade.

While it's never a good idea for anyone to get into a shouting match with a guy with a badge and gun, it's sheer stupidity to not take advantage of the officer WALKING AWAY.

I'm pretty sick and tired of the idea that a grown intelligent man can act like a 5-yr-old and not expect any repercussions for his actions. How about some accountability in our society? Act like an asshole, expect something unpleasant in return.

Acting like a 5 year old is not a crime in this country and you should not expect to face repercussions for doing so. As a matter of fact, it's not a crime to act like an asshole either.

Read the account again, he was told to come out of the house because the officer wasn't sure if he was alone in their and feared for his own safety. That was the account given on the news by the officer himself. So Gates was told to come out.

 

[Tangerine]

Acting like a 5 year old is not a crime in this country and you should not expect to face repercussions for doing so. As a matter of fact, it's not a crime to act like an asshole either.

Read the account again, he was told to come out of the house because the officer wasn't sure if he was alone in their and feared for his own safety. That was the account given on the news by the officer himself. So Gates was told to come out.

In fact, is IS a crime if you act like an asshole to a police officer and they decide, in their judgement, to arrest you. It happens all the time.

 

[Tim]

In fact, is IS a crime if you act like an asshole to a police officer and they decide, in their judgement, to arrest you. It happens all the time.

It happens, but that doesn't mean it's illegal. Just because a cop decided to arrest me for something doesn't mean I was actually breaking a law, that's why you get to talk to a judge and he determines if you actually broke any laws. That's why Gates had all charges dropped, because according to the law in his area, he was NOT breaking any laws.

 

[ssl]

so, whats all the hoopla about then?

 

[Alien Allen]

It happens, but that doesn't mean it's illegal. Just because a cop decided to arrest me for something doesn't mean I was actually breaking a law, that's why you get to talk to a judge and he determines if you actually broke any laws. That's why Gates had all charges dropped, because according to the law in his area, he was NOT breaking any laws.

They dropped the charges because the Prosecutor knew there was no chance of winning over a jury and the histrionics from those who support Gates proved that to be a wise decision. Just because the charges were dropped does not mean Gates was innocent. This kind of stuff happens all the time. And people get smacked around in court for it too. But if you have a white cop and a black person who yells racism that is a big man on campus and a friend of the President this gets treated differently.

 

[Staci]

tim if you read the reports they show that the officer never raised his voice to anyone, figured out that the house in fact did belong to gates and walked outside. gates followed him out yelling and screaming and was warned several times to cool it and he refused to

 

[Alien Allen]

The cop asked Gates to come outside. He claims he did that as he had difficulty hearing in the vestibule. Frankly I think that is bullshit. He wanted Gates outside so he could then arrest him if Gates continued with the rant.

This was a cop that was pissed off at being verbally assaulted by Gates. The cop should have left a card and said all the info Gates wanted as far as the cops identity was on it and then walked out.

You don't verbally abuse a cop though. You never win that argument. Kind of like complaining to an umpire about a bad call. Go ahead and vent but you will face the consequences.

 

[teh_fuzz]

no tittays, no care... its only apublicity stunt and a bad one at that.

 

[Tim]

tim if you read the reports they show that the officer never raised his voice to anyone, figured out that the house in fact did belong to gates and walked outside. gates followed him out yelling and screaming and was warned several times to cool it and he refused to

First, I find it highly improbable that the officer did not raise his voice. Second, Gates was asked/told to step outside. Third, yelling and screaming at the police because you are pissed off is not against the law.

Arrested in Massachusetts for Disorderly Conduct or Disturbing the Peace?

Under Massachusetts law, if you cause a disturbance which creates a public hazard, and serves no legitimate purpose, you can be charged with a disorderly person offense, also known as disorderly conduct.​

A "disorderly person" is defined as one who:​

• with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or
• recklessly creates a risk thereof
• engages in fighting or threatening, violent or tumultuous behavior, or
• creates a hazard or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.

If you are convicted of disorderly conduct in MA, it is punishable by up to 6 months in jail.​

Disturbing the peace also falls under Chapter 272, with similar penalties. Some Massachusetts towns also have specific ordinances relating to disturbing the peace.​

Disorderly Conduct Legal Defense Strategies

A disorderly conduct arrest is usually a discretionary decision by a police officer. If we can show that the officer may have been mistaken and overestimated any potential disorder created, we can get the case dismissed. The prosecution must establish beyond a reasonable doubt that your action created a dangerous situation, and served no legitimate purpose.​

Being angry and yelling at someone, even if that person is a police officer, is not sufficient cause to sustain a disorderly conduct charge. You are absolutely permitted to express yourself and your first amendment rights to free speech.​

The simple fact is that you are probably more likely to be arrested for a disorderly conduct offense if you personally annoy a police officer. But that doesn't mean that you are guilty by any means.​

Please contact me for details and help on your specific case if you've been arrested for disorderly conduct in Massachusetts.​

The law in Massachusetts is pretty clear on what defines disorderly conduct.

 

[Alien Allen]

That was not law. That was somebodys interpretation.



If this is part of the statute it is very broad and would give Gates discretion to act upon

with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or

 

[Tim]

That was not law. That was somebodys interpretation.



If this is part of the statute it is very broad and would give Gates discretion to act upon

You still wouldn't be able to find a jury that would convict him of disorderly conduct... and I don't care if he was black, white or Asian...

Massachusetts law used to provide that "unreasonable noise or offensively coarse utterance, gesture or display," or to address "abusive language to any person present" was disorderly conduct. The courts, however have said that violates the Massachusetts Constitution's guarantee of freedom of speech.

There are two recent appeals court decisions on this matter in Massachusetts that specifically address the issue of whether verbal outbursts against police officers consitutes disorderly conduct -- Commonwealth v. Lopiano, (2004), which held that it was not disorderly conduct when a person yelled at an officer that his civil rights were being violated; and, Commonwealth v. Mallahan (2008), where the court held that a person who engaged in a profanity-laced tirade against a police officer in front of spectators could not be convicted of disorderly conduct.