Posted on 07/24/2009 1:39:38 AM PDT by RobinMasters
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The top police official here defended the officer who arrested Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., and said his department was "deeply pained" by President Barack Obama's remark that Cambridge police "acted stupidly" in the case.
Commissioner Robert Haas called Sgt. James Crowley "a stellar member of this department" who properly followed police procedure and had no racial motivation in arresting the 58-year-old African-American scholar at his home last week. Authorities dropped the disorderly conduct charge this week.
But Mr. Haas said he would convene a panel to examine the incident and ways to avoid such incidents, which he said "we deeply regret."
The arrest and President Obama's remarks have sparked a widening national debate, with police groups rallying to the officer's defense while other people say Mr. Gates was arrested because of his race. In answering a question at a press conference Wednesday night, Mr. Obama made his critical comment about the Cambridge police, noting he was a friend of Mr. Gates and acknowledging that he didn't know all the facts.
Pressed on the matter Thursday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president "was not calling the officers stupid," but he declined repeatedly to say the president regretted his words. Later, in an interview with ABC News, Mr. Obama said: "I have to say I am surprised by the controversy surrounding my statement, because I think it was a pretty straightforward commentary that you probably don't need to handcuff a guy, a middle-aged man who uses a cane, who's in his own home."
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
As I remarked on another thread, I would have had my @ss arrested in a heartbeat if I were screaming “I’ll meet your mama outside! This is what it’s like in Black America!” and calling a good officer a racist.
This is what it’s like in WHITE America!
Later, in an interview with ABC News, Mr. Obama said: “I have to say I am surprised by the controversy surrounding my statement, because I think it was a pretty straightforward commentary that you probably don’t need to handcuff a guy, a MIDDLE-AGED MAN WHO USES A CANE, who’s in his own home.”
Our Great Enabler in the White House. obama is a pathological liar and a disgrace to our country.
Sounds like gates was gettin kind of UPPIDITY.
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