“The biggest and most obvious difference is that Gates’s outburst was caused by the police presence in the first place.”
Which they had a RIGHT to be there due to a reported crime. More importantly they were REQUIRED to be there - it is a condition of their employment!
So, when the police arrive on your property to investigate a crime you want them to simply walk away when you scream and yell at them! No questions asked from the police - from the police point of view: does this seem like “normal” behavior from someone whom you are trying to assist?!? I, having been in that type situation, can tell you that you have a tendency to hang around to ensure there is no other ongoing problem.
The police, in trying to do their job, did in deed find a man who was exhibiting “disorderly conduct” and he was arrested for that conduct.
Replace “Gates” with “Rush Limbaugh.” Re-run thread. Watch in amazement.
To begin with, yes. The fact that police had reason to be there at one time does not justify their indefinite continued presence. The investigation of the reported crime ended BEFORE the arrest. If Crowley had arrested Gates for failing to identify himself in the first place, I wouldn't have any problem with it.
So, when the police arrive on your property to investigate a crime you want them to simply walk away when you scream and yell at them!
No, I want them to walk away as soon as they realize no crime occurred.
No questions asked from the police - from the police point of view: does this seem like normal behavior from someone whom you are trying to assist?!?
Of course not. So far as I'm aware, there is not yet any law requiring people to be "normal," even in a craphole like Massachusetts.
I, having been in that type situation, can tell you that you have a tendency to hang around to ensure there is no other ongoing problem.
"Other ongoing problem"? With no evidence? Sounds like a fishing expedition. In this case, it is clear to me that de-escalation would have been best accomplished by police departure.
The police, in trying to do their job, did in deed find a man who was exhibiting disorderly conduct and he was arrested for that conduct.
Where "disorderly conduct" again means loudly expressing a disapproved opinion of the police.