I like the choise of beer that gate's and Mr Obama
are drinking, But I can not say any thing about
the Blue moon,
I do feel Mr Obama, and the little gate's guy are
wrong. Every time a black boy gets in a problem
with a white man, they want to call it raceism,
when are they going to grow up and act like men?

he was being disorderly and was locked up for it like he should have. if u act like an ass you get treated like one. Gates thought that since he's educated he doesn't have to abide by society rules and laws. I guess he's used to white people patting him on the back so much and kissing his butt and at his school for a good grade. Im sorry Mr Gates we are cops we dont get paid to kiss your butt. We are paid to be colorblind and enforce the law. Go into the ghetto of any city and see how your people treat one another. Thats racism against their own.

he was being disorderly and was locked up for it like he should have. if u act like an ass you get treated like one. Gates thought that since he's educated he doesn't have to abide by society rules and laws. I guess he's used to white people patting him on the back so much and kissing his butt and at his school for a good grade. Im sorry Mr Gates we are cops we dont get paid to kiss your butt. We are paid to be colorblind and enforce the law. Go into the ghetto of any city and see how your people treat one another. Thats racism against their own.

Gary in your comments you say,"Every time a black BOY gets in a problem with a white MAN, they call it raceism ..." I think both President Obama and Mr. Gates are men and older than the cop. Why are you calling Mr. Obama and Mr. Gates boys but you call the young cop a man. This may not have been raceism but the arrest was not right. Gary are your comments raceism, old sterotypes are just by wording, you make the call?

Just goes to show you once again that Obamas boys hates the white man...>>>
Im sorry brothers but Im a first generation born in America.
My parents were both immigrants from European countries. They worked 2 jobs each, didnt waste their money on cigarettes and booze. My father didnt cheat on my mom and stick it in every woman, thus having many children that he would never support.
So get over your slavery excuses, and get a job and dont waste your money on spinning rims on your car and put some money into your house. Oh wait, why would u do that we are now paying your home loans also.
Give me a break, I work four jobs so i can have nice things.
Go work for it! LOSERS

Cop stops me or tells me to calm down, I comply. The key word here is COMPLIANCE. Gates didn't comply he was DEFIANT. The race card is pulled all the time and it's getting old. Second generation Italian here and some whites don't think I'm white enough. So when the race card gets called, I call it back. Gates showed his true colors. When someone doesn't have a leg to stand on they pull the 'peg leg' or the false sympathy card. Give me a break Gates. And Obama, don't you have work to do besides stirring the pot (which he does in every other aspect of the GAME). PFFT!

Cop stops me or tells me to calm down, I comply. The key word here is COMPLIANCE. Gates didn't comply he was DEFIANT. The race card is pulled all the time and it's getting old. Second generation Italian here and some whites don't think I'm white enough. So when the race card gets called, I call it back. Gates showed his true colors. When someone doesn't have a leg to stand on they pull the 'peg leg' or the false sympathy card. Give me a break Gates. And Obama, don't you have work to do besides stirring the pot (which he does in every other aspect of the GAME). PFFT!

j.b. I work with cops every day and there are some great cops out there working to protect us. But you also have some cops that let emotions and the need for power get in the way of them doing a good job. I agree that Mr Gates over reacted, rude, arrogant, pompous and a jerk but that is not a reason to arrest a man in his home. I also feel officer Crowley is a very good cop but he is wrong on this one.

Will white people ever be able to deal with blacks, in any fashion, without having to constantly "walk on egg shells"? They (blacks) can pretty much do anything they want, say anything they want, act anyway they want, ... and nothing is said. No big deal for them. But, the white person is always walking on egg shells worried if what they say, what they do, or how they act will be met with severe repercussions!!

Gates got what he deserved and should apologize for the offensive remarks he made to a cop. Obama was trying to get brownie points and took his nose in a place where it shouldn't have been and commended on something when he didn't know the facts. He came out looking like the stupid one and he is supposed to be the leader of our country. The police man was doing his job so don't make a race issue out of it. If a white man, Muslin, or anyone had done this, arrest his butt.

Anonymous, you're the LOSER. That was a load of stereotypical bullcrap. Please climb back under your rock and try to think of something constructive to say, next time...

J.B. I respect police officers who use the law as it's written. The last time I looked, it's not against the law to be an ass; especially when you're in your own home. The arrest was falsely made, and that's why it was dropped. Imagine how many people would be behind bars for being an ass....

I agree with you regarding some urban neighborhoods though: Not that it's racism, but that it's terrorism. And there are plenty of white gangs out there killing eachother also; it's just not reported so the facade remains in-tact.

Of course, if you go into any corporate boardroom today, you'll see 'white collar' terrorism. That's pretty color-blind; everyone below the glass ceiling is robbed of their retirements, and raped of their dignity when they end up at Wal-Mart instead of retiring.

And talk about being asses... Let's see a police officer try to arrest Mr. white CEO of any corp. in his own home. I wonder if he'd be an ass too. Of course, we know if Prof Gates had been white, it wouldn't have happened. Crowley would have apologized for the intrusion and left his property. Sure, he'd be angry, but he wouldn't have arrested him either.

i woulda expected a 40oz. come on people !

As a white officer, I see first hand the animosity between many black men and white cops. Bottom line is, if there wasn't a history of abuse by officers, there wouldn't be an assumption of racial injustice. There is no reason to walk on egg-shells, but there IS a responsibility to make sure your actions are justified. Arrests are for criminal violations, not personal attacks. If you're that sensitive, get another job. When we stop looking the other way when a cop gets abusive, we will begin to earn the community's respect.

Let them have their beer... I , personally, however, was offended by what has taken place and expect an invitation to the White House for a "beer" as well. OR a public appology from both Obama and Gates. I hope Obama is paying for this beer fest out of his own pocket. I, for one, don't want him paying for airfare or beer or ? out of the taxpayer's coffer. I hope someone in Washington is checking in on who is paying for this! Seriously... I can't believe Obama thinks this can go away over a beer! Now let's look at who is acting "stupidly"!!!

Irregardless of what took place at the professors front door our President should not be saying a Police Department or an officer acted stupidly. "Stupid" is a word my mother didn't allow me to say after elementary school but I think it is the perfect word to describe this whole incident including the President's involment with beer for reconciliation.

Irregardless of what took place at the professors front door our President should not be saying a Police Department or an officer acted stupidly. "Stupid" is a word my mother didn't allow me to say after elementary school but I think it is the perfect word to describe this whole incident including the President's involment with beer for reconciliation.

Americans you need to change this stupid mentality pretending that you are the best in the world and your actions acting as a full.White and black doesn't mean nothing just a color folks you are angry through each other. If a black person changes his life and becomes a better person the white people disagree because of that you need to shut up and focusing on something that can help your country lead in bette way

Was Mr Gates insulting "Jim" or was he insulting a Police Officer? If Officer Crowley was personally offended, he probably doesn't belong on the job. How do you view authority? If Mr Gates was attacking a symbol of authority, then he was attacking the authority and not the individual. James Crowley's career is upholding the rules of society. Professor Gates' career is focused on uncovering the abuse of power. Your perspective makes the difference. It is a perfect storm for people to disagree based on their feelings and it makes good theatre for politicians who are in need of a distraction from health care.

I'm hoping these guys saying that Blacks are being over sensitive are joking. Look at the past 200 years and tell me Blacks are being over sensitive. That's like a German person telling a Jewish person not to be so sensitive. I laugh when I read the comments, but I realize that we will never be a color-blind society even with a multi-racial President. Joyce, great comments!!! Dick, you're a Dick.

C'mon people. This story is as old as time itself. People of all color, white included, have been stereotyped in some form or another for all types of reasons, (color, rich, poor, young, old, whatever). This is truly about learning how to behave like a normal, intelligent, rational human being. From no matter what walk of life you came, there is a proper way to conduct yourself at all times and in any number of situations. Having a police officer come to your home when you know you just had to break into it not having a key, would simply call for a gracious "thank you for your prompt response, I appreciate your professionalism." NOT, berrating that officer for doing his job. If you've done nothing wrong, one has nothing to fear. When asked for ID, present it immediately. This is all so simple and has nothing to do with race, just acting like an upstanding citizen.

It is very interesting to hear a white man call a black man a boy. Now if that's not racist I don't know what is. Also Mr. Loser you speak on your parent immigrating to this country, well our parents came to America as slaves and weren't free to pursue the same path your parents were fortunate to travel. In addition to your stereotypical comments about a blacke male with money, booze, and women, you need to really get out your country shack and realize their are millions of black males who are successful business men, fathers to their children, husbands to their wives and they don't have to work 4 jobs, because they have an education with multiple degrees. So the next time stick to the facts about the topic and before you call someone a loser, look at yourself.

The cop was wrong: HE WOULD NOT HAVE ARRESTED AND HUMILIATED A WHITE PROFESSOR!
Mr. Gates was wrong: HE LOST HIS COOL BY CUSSING OUT A COP!
The common denominator in these pages is that we Americans are idiots. I read the entire thing...one person said that he is second generation American, and that both his parents worked 2 jobs and so does he. He went on to spew racist crap about Blacks and our work ethic..Sir, if your parents were more educated you would have more reverence for other people and cultures. One person of Italian descent talks crap about our President stirring stuff up...I call that by definition: LEADERSHIP! Someone made a comment about our ghettos and the fact that we're killing ourselves...look at every city in the U.S., ghettos are being replaced by over-priced condos...c'mon people..use common sense!

I personally cannot believe that a president of the United States has time for a beer with two people that have a personal conflict. The next time I see two guys in an argument, I'm going to suggest they go straight to The Whitehouse for a "teaching experience" and a beer! That'll show 'em.

Although I agree Mr. Gates acted inappropriately, I have to wonder why it was so important for the President of the United States to intervene. These things happen every day to all races and sexes but don't rate the personal action of the President. Come on, Obama, don't you have more important business to take care of?

Personally I think all of this is taking too much time and effort....WHO CARES!!!The President has too many other things he needs to be concerned with to waste his time on this. It's over....forget it and go on. And this part about discussion over a beer totally disgusts me. That's just what our children need to hear is that the President is drinking beer. We're having a hard enough time trying to teach our children respect for the leader of our country without this.

Black boy? Mr. Obama? White man? And what the heck is raceism? White boy, learn how to spell and use your manners. It is black man or men, President Obama (ha ha) and I dare you to say that to a black person in they face. You wont because technology has made you all jelly back and you know that you wont have a face left if you said that out loud in the right company. Punk boy!

Dear Mr. Hawkins, You are oh so correct about Mr. Gates and that he lost his cool. It's not wise for anyone white, black or pink, to cuss out a police officer; however, you absolutely don't know that he would not have arrested or humiliated a white man if the white man's actions were the same as Mr. Gates. Wrong is wrong and right is right. Mr. Gates was totally in the wrong here and no amount of black racial excuses is going to fly on this one. Mr. Obama is totally in the wrong as well. Doesn't he have better things to do? He is the most racial of all.

How can you say that race did not play a factor? Of course it did. It is playing a factor in how some of you portray Professor Gates. Gary Damon referred to the professor as a boy. That's the type of talk is reminiscent of the worst racist ideas of black men.

Even if you do not agree with me on the idea of racism the fact that a cop can arrest a man just for being rude is wrong. What happens next? Cops arresting people because they remind them of their ex?

Both of them were wrong in that calmer heads should have prevailed...the cop was responding to what was called an attempted breakin and the professor acted like an ass instead of remaining calm and letting the situation play out quietly. The officer DID ask him 3 times to calm down before putting the cuffs on and did so as per procedure to help keep the situation under control. I think the officer acted ultimately because he was getting pissed at the professor's actions. All that anyone had to do it that situation was knock on a neighbors door and say "do you know this man to live here" ...once that was done...leave and tell everyone to have a nice day...we came and did our job

This same experience in Britain would have happened this way. Firstly, officer Crowley would have never enter someone's private property uninvited.Secondly, he would have never felt personally offended for being abused,that part of being professional and performing the role of a police, teachers get abused by pupils but we learn to put up with it and use those experience as teachable moment, not reason to abuse our role or power,if so he is performing the wrong job, you earn respect in the community by acting within the rules of laws. Thirdly, Mr Gates should learn to repect authority, people are not paid to be abused, especially when an officer is trying to support you even though he failed to follow proper procedures, this would have been enough " Here my ID, thanks for calling and bye guys for checking out for my safety and the safety of my property ..." Fourthly, respect to eldery people on a cane should be a factor to just back off.\
Finally, President Obama, needs to less on TV making school mboys mistakes, get the fact first before taking a plung. Regretting and apologising the next day did not look great for him. He will learn next time, I understand his emotional reaction based on his frienship with Professor Gates. You cannot side with someone who insult authority. Regrettably he is the president of the USA serving a diverse community any bias can make things much worst and reignite the fragile racial peace America.
Please move forward in peace,America you want to solve the problems of 21st century and the world when you are perceived not to get on in your own communities.
We live in the 21st century and let's cross the racial line and move on as communities of diverse people serving the United states of America in peace and respect: only then you can assume LEADERSHIP.

It seems, more and more every day, our American culture is developing into the philosophy that we should not have any laws and people can think and do according to their thoughts and emotions at the moment. College students have learned to laugh at adults and reject authority, and do not care to hear historical stories about their predecessors. Celebrities of all types, especially the hollywood, sports, and political varieties seem to think they can do whatever, then if caught or arrested, they can simply have their publicity agent apologize for them, regardless of their offenses, repetitive behavior, sexual excursions, etc. What the President has said about the Gates-Police issue only added fuel to the eternal flame of humanity; and while he tends to minimize his inadequate decisions by fostering the "beer" meeting, as a "man to man" experience only dictates the visions of the continued cave man style of handling matters. Perhaps the policeman could have exercised some better judgement, but what would have happened had he been killed? Perhaps the Professor was offended because he was a leading professor at Harvard, but how did his demeanor help matters or worsen them? How does the President, black or white, in Obama's case both black and white, justify referring to the police actions as simply "stupid"? It is not a rush to justice concerning racism, but more one of a severe lack of intelligence, still!

Mr. Gates was more, much more than rude. He was causing a public scene and was disorderly and abusively acting out. The police can never be sure when a person behaves in this manner just what this person will do next. He deserved to be reprimanded and was duely arrested. Upon calming down, was released. No one has the right to act out in this manner and for no reason. Mr. Gates was a "loose cannon." When you act like that, the police have no recourse but to assume you have a strange reason for behaving in such a manner. He could have subsequently hurt one of the officers, or himself. He was totally wrong in this incident and race had no bearing on it. The police have better things to do than to just sit around waiting for a person of color to misbehave to the point of arrest. You people need a job. . .

This just another way to divert the American public from what the real issues are!

The President is having a beer for only one reason, white america. Obama answered a question & now police union's are upset for what? Because a fellow officer chose to arrest a man at his own home. That is stupid, however the media has made this a circus and a great diversion from health care. The President should not have said it (stupid) only thought it. The officer clearly abused his power.

The real issues are the lack of leadership by a popular president (and who knows why). The worst radical ideas ever by a POTUS. Cannot understand for the life of me why we would elect a president with no experience. And, one with so much opaque background with a tendency toward corruptness. And we look to him for a beer and a lesson on racial tranquility. I'm so impressed. Can hardly wait till we can get this guy out of office and get a real president with some class.

Dear Peter, after all of the above comments, this is what you have to say?? What a crock!
And if you could vote, I'm sure you would have voted for Obama; that was perfectly clear.

My goodness U.S.AMERICANS.
Joyce, you probably made the most unbiased comment of all and i appriciate it- takes a woman all the time to smooth out conflict as men has a tendencay to let that "little Brain" between their legs get in the way, which is what really happened here on all levels.

The more I see the re-run the more it appears like a testoterone -mud slinging, little boy on the base-ball -field fight.

The argument of the GATES/Crowly(sp),Mr.Obama issue has gone too far- but in a dark way it has added some level of comic relieve as the whole thing has boiled down to a: My PENIS IS THE BIGGEST contest.

The idiot-oxymoran who stated he workes 4 jobs just to have things-when do you get to spend time to enjoy any of them- bone head-

The other idiot who spewed out "Blacks are Racist" against one another has really showed gross ignorance as it is more of what someone mentioned eearlier- a terrist act on that group.

Ann darling, last time I checked you could go into a liquor store, heck even a 7eleven in some states and purchase beer and don't have to hide it(if you are of legal age), but on the other hand the idiot who ran the country, oops my mistake who f--- up our country for the past eight years was a classic cocaine/crack head who also induldge in more alcohol consumption pass the legal limit or couldn't you tell.

Blackwoman, you are so right on with your comment concerning the coward who uses cyber space to continue his quest to keep his racist momma and daddy's core-belief-systems alive-what a waste.

Mr. Italian, the reason anglo-saxon whites don't except you is because you are 1.5 generation BLACK and that's what they know-don't you.

Mr. Obama seemed to have allowed himself to get caught up in the whole thing(im so glad to know he is human after all) and the beer invitation is his "agenda" and his "agenda alone"- he probably could care less about the whole thing but want the record reflect he did try to pacify the situation and last- for the individual who thinks Mr. Obama is wasting his time- its called "multitasking" sweetheart- because he is and always will be the BOMB and you and your constituents are haters and always will be so long as yous carry on the sick legacy of your parents and thier parents until one of your children ( and it is going to happen) date, marries and make sweetlove to the best lovers on earth a "BLACK MANNNNNN"and they can't and won't go back baby!!! peace out

Alright people, first of all if you are belligerent to a police officer, you will likely find yourself in handcuffs.....regardless of color....secondly, I think it's great that this happened because Obamas true colors slipped out in an unguarded, unscripted, untelepromted moment....without knowing all the facts, without any real information about this specific case, he ASSumed that this was a racially motivated arrest, his friend got arrested so it MUST be "stupid", racist cops, after all a well educated upper class black man couldn't possibly have done anything to prompt the arrest, right?!?!? .......one more thing, to the poster who was talking about having to 'walk on eggshells', yeah, anybody else tired of it??? I just saw an advertisement for blackjobs.com, a site specifically designed to help black people find jobs (oops, PC alert...we can't call it that, we'll have to change the name to africanamericanjobs.com, lol), can you just imagine the uproar if there was a site called whitejobs.com????? Give me a break!

They both acted stupidly, I say paint officer Crowley's face or entire body black so he can truly find out in a second how black people gets treated. Bottom line professor Gates shouln't have been arrested. Officers are full of egos. Obama was asked the question, he gave his honest, sincere opinion like any human being would, c'mon leave him alone. Like I am, his angry over the arrest, it should not have happened. People voted for him for they saw his intelligence shining through his color and that he could do something better for the country. In my opinion racism will never end. White people now they got it good because of their skin color that's a fact. Statics shows that Hispanic & blacks are profiled all the time, I see it in my own neighborhood. When black people gets educated, has a good job, we try to live in a better neighborhoods what whites do, they move. Live your life and let me live mines. I say fear is what makes white people act the way they do towards blacks. I too love to meet Mr. President the girls, & Michelle.

Police are called on a break in.Police arrive,Gates is asked the normal,show me Drivers License.He won't, he shows his job I.D. which means zero to the police. All of us have to show our Drivers License when police ask.Why should he be the exception.Gates is an arrogant idiot who thinks he is above the law.He needs to go back to school and learn how to be civilized.Charges should have never been dropped.Sad for Harvard to have people like Gates on staff.Gives the school a bad name and shows racism against whites. Gates is a racist,i'd like to know where he came from.

Yeah, I go for the red stripe or sagres, invite me so I can irriated the arrest was dum and immediately, take me to meet the Michelle.

He cames from Africa, hence the reason hes is called ans African-American. Hes from Africa fust.

If Prof Gates was a white CEO he most likely would not have been arrested -- the reason is THAT A WHITE CEO WOULD HAVE RESPECTED A POLICE OFFICER!!! That is what is missing here -- respect for the police officer. Prof. Gates was angry that he was not treated with respect, but he never looked at the other side. From the police officer's prospective, Prof. Gates was a possible intruder and was treated as such until proven otherwise. In the meantime, until that point, IT WAS PROF. GATE'S DUTY TO TREAT THE POLICE OFFICER WITH RESPECT. THAT RESPECT WOULD HAVE BEEN RETURNED ONCE PROF. GATES OFFERED IDENTIFICATION. I constantly hear blacks complaining about racial profiling. Police profile everyone according to what crime is committed. IT IS THEIR JOB!! Unfortunately, some people fall into these categories more often than others. My white teenage children were stopped on an average of twice a week when they first started driving a car--they didn't do anything wrong. The police would ask for license & registration and then let them go. It was inconvenient, but my children were taught to be respectful to the police officers, as are most white children. However, when one of their friends was stopped and he was not respectful, he was arrested. Blacks need to stop thinking that everything is racial. Learn to treat police with the respect they deserve and they won't be arrested. Lack of respect appears to be a big problem in the black community. Teachers in black neighborhoods are treated with so little respect that they cannot teach the class. Then the blacks complain that white schools are better. THE WHITE SCHOOLS HAVE THE SAME TEACHERS!!! ITS JUST THAT THE WHITE CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT TO RESPECT TEACHERS -- not because they are BETTER than them, but because they are the authority figure in the classroom. People in authority position should be treated with respect. That is a lesson everyone should learn and the world would be a better place.

Derinda Faye - you say your parents were brought over as slaves and were not free to pursue... Please remember, your parents were sold by their own people. Don't blame the white man for "owning your parents" blame your people for "selling your parents". So, heed your own advise, stick to the facts. Then decide whom you should be mad at.

Well, thank you Kay. I could not have said it better.

It is funny how Obama seems to have a bunch of Black buddies who seem to be race baiters who always toss the race card when ever something happens or when they have a chance to speak in public, always have to prove they are biased.

Obama is always appologizing for someone.

Now we have to believe that Obama is being sincere in trying to quell this situation? I have to believe that he is only concerend with his image because he was completely wrong with his comments and I am sure he is blind(as are most blacks) to the proof that shows the cop is not a racist.

Ofcourse they, like others will say there is past proof that cops have been hard on blacks , so now they have to instantly feel like they are always being mistreated by cops and are victims of a white hate group. Even going as far as calling a black cop who may arrest them or has in this case backed up the white cop an Uncle Tom or a pawn of the white regime.It is true that there are bad white cops, there are also bad blacks and whites and hispanics and Asians and such.

It to me is just like me saying that Blacks are lazy criminals who do not support their kids and sell drugs and kill each other all the time. This is ofcourse not true of all Blacks, but nor is it true that every white cop is a racist just because he arrested a Black guy at one point in his career.

When will some Black guy (besides Cosby) come out and say what needs to be said, tell blacks to stop being victims of their own prejudices?It would be very refreshing to feel as a white guy in America that not all blacks feel that same way guys like Gates feels. Blacks should be simply appalled by what Gates did in record numbers, instead they feel it is time to teach all us whites how we need to handle blacks( with kid gloves).

Texas Mom, I am a white Texas MOM and Grandmother.
What are you talking about? You need to get your facts straight. My comments have been respectful of the Police officer and most specifically address Mr. Gates as out of line and racially driven to cause the police officer a problem, which he did. Now, Mr. Obama is causing another racially driven situation which has caused this whole thing to be blown out of proportion.

Great Idea: A lot more negotiations could be settled over a beer or cup of coffee. Let's do more of this..Way to go Obama!!!

I for one am glad to see Mr. Obama trying to smooth this over directly with the parties involved over a beer--like normal people--instead of political posturing or ordering a commission to be formed to investigate! Now that would be a waste of taxpayer money and the same type of silly stuff that goes on in Washington all the time. Kudos, Mr. President, for handling this with common sense!! If everyone gets together and talks it out as individuals, rather than cop vs. professor, black vs. white, they will probably all be able to move on.

Texas Mom, whose comments were you reading? By the way, I'm not mad at anyone, except you for being so stupid!

"It is very interesting to hear a white man call a black man a boy. Now if that's not racist I don't know what is. Also Mr. Loser you speak on your parent immigrating to this country, well our parents came to America as slaves and weren't free to pursue the same path your parents were fortunate to travel. In addition to your stereotypical comments about a blacke male with money, booze, and women, you need to really get out your country shack and realize their are millions of black males who are successful business men, fathers to their children, husbands to their wives and they don't have to work 4 jobs, because they have an education with multiple degrees. So the next time stick to the facts about the topic and before you call someone a loser, look at yourself"

THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

this is a complete waste of time, and a direct diversion from everything important in the world...when bush was in office every unemployment reading, every death in the war on terror, and anything else they could blame on bush was in the news....right now ,this past month has been the most deadly in afghanistan, the unemployment rate is the highest its ever been, and nobody has anything to blame obama about it..instead we are wasting time talking about him drinking a freakin beer with a racist harvard teacher and a cop who did his job.....you that keep saying he was arrested in his home...get your facts straight, the cops after getting the id, went out onto the porch...where gates followed them yelling and cursing at them....they could have left, but he kept on pushing the issue...that is a disturbance of the peace...which is rights to be arrested...

Shouldn't Mr. Obama have better things to do with his time than to get in the middle of a race dispute between two citizen's? I'm shocked at the lack of class shown by this president and the attitude he as taken on all this. Also, what type of role model is he for our young American's, to try and settle this over a beer @ the whitehouse. And, I'm sure the taxpayers will be paying for everything. . .

You are absultely correct, Mark.

You are absolutely correct, Mark.

the guy above hit it on the head....this is just another way for the "black" man to accuse the "white" man of racism...what a crock of shit...get over yourselves black america....slavery was how many years ago....i mean shit, how long does it take for a race to get it's act together...this country is completly catering to the black race and has for years...all to make up for stuff that ignorant people did in the past....blacks love to blame the white man..hell blacks sold the blacks into slavery, not the other way around...and now we have NAACP, national negro college funds, all black schools, black history month...BET....all of the above are cases of reverse racism..but its okay with all black america....what would happen if someone started a national white kids college fund, or an all white tv network, or all white schools...this would be an atrosity..but for the blacks it's okay...what a joke...racism will always be in the forefront of society and that is just something we all have to live with..but it doesnt give blacks..or whites...to act like complete idiots and then throw the race card out to cover their actions....period...and obama just showed how ignorant his ass is by making comments not knowing all the facts...

So if your IQ in knowing the law and your constitutional rights and freedoms more so than the average the average retard, and you stand up to being harrased by the police who are offended that you just don't cower down to them then you " deserve to be arrested"? Always question authority! ALWAYS! Wake up America!....Dummy up! And to all the honkys out there that expect us to fit into there little preconcieved notion of what is acceptable in there eyes....? well all I can say is kiss my ass. Inever met a Cop who ever admitted he was wrong! period. we are becoming a police fascist police state!

Mr. Gary Damon, I think you meant to say:
“I like the choice of beer that Professor Gate's and President Obama are drinking, but I cannot say anything about the Blue moon. I do feel President Obama, and Professor Gate's are wrong. Every time a black person gets into a problem with a white person, they want to call it racism, when are they going to grow up and act like men?”

Racism is very much alive. You people can't stand the fact that we have an intelligent African American/White president and black Harvard Professors. When are you going to learn to stop being a racist?

Evidently madmax has met a few police officers, and rightly so. He is the very reason we are having this discussion. This is the mentality of a large percentage of black America. So sad. Can you now understand, people, why the police are hopefully careful when dealing with the likes of this type of person.

Thank you, Mark! I couldn't agree more!
Get your shit together and quit blaming everyone else for being 'oppressed.' It's fucking 2009! Get a life, a life YOU earned. Not a scholarship handed to you based on race, or a job handed to you because there wasn't enough of your given race so that a more qualified individual didn't have a chance for, ETC... If you really want racial equality, give up the race cards and all the societal crutches. Stand on your own two feet and quit bitchin’ about how life really is!

Oh my gosh, Redpepa. Yes, racism is very much alive and your the reason why. And, whatever gave you the impression that our American President was intelligent? Inquiring minds want to know.

ddn TX, you have it wrong brotha! The police are "hopefull" that they can kick some black ass, throw them in jail "hopefull" that they can send them to prison for getting in there power hungry way! Remember the cops work for us not the other way around. And no, I am not an african american as you infer! go figure that one out!

I'd like to watch this conversation after about 5 beers

No, madmax. I did not infer you were black, I inferred you were the retard.

Dear hudsonval, I'm sure Mr. Obama will pay for your trip to the Whitehouse for beers too, just cause a little rucus with the police in your neighborhood. But, make sure it is racial or you probably won't hear from him.

What about "Free Speech"???

What about "Free Speech" are you talking about? The free speech Mr. Gates gave Mr. Crowley? I don't think you could call that free speech. You could call that Stupid Speech.

Every one say what you want, BUT it is the press that will not let racism go, they can't wait to blow it all up. Everyone needs to respect the lawmen who put their lives on the line for us everyday. I am white, but I am sure if I cussed a cop, my butt, even at my own home would be arrested. And I would deserve it. They earn their right for respect all of them regardless. And if I did do this and it was a black cop I would not say he did this because I was white, but because I was wrong and maybe just maybe because I was stupid.

Thank you overit. This is one of the best comments of the day.

Slavery is bad. It was bad when it existed in this country. It is bad where it exists in countries today. Slavery is not restricted to one color throughout the world. It is one group's way to use another group which is not in a position of power. It was used by Africans as a way of eliminating enemies. It was used by slave owners as a way of getting someone else to do the work without having to spend much money. It was used before the U.S. Civil War. It was used in World War II. It is still used today. My belief is simple. If you are as offended by the effects of slavery as many of of appear to be, you should be actively working to eliminate it everywhere in the world, not just waiting for someone to feel sorry for you because your ancestors, or the ancestors of someone you know, were victims of slavery. Action to correct problems, not words to escalate the hard feelings, seem to be the solution. I don't see many people here looking for a solution. Most of the people in this country who speak are just looking for an excuse to feel the way they do. What a sad commentary on our society when inflamatory words become more important than constructive action. There are many fine people of all colors, races, ethnicities, religions, social groups, educational levels, ages and physical features who go out every day determined to make their area, their country and their world a better place. When you look for good, you usually find it. I have spent my life expecting good from others. Have I always found it? No. Have I allowed a few bad experiences (and some of my experiences have been devastating) taint my experience with the next person? No. I don't want to spend my life focusing on people who would like me to be unhappy. I choose to be happy. I am not rich. I am descriminated against. I am sometimes punished for my good deeds. But, most of all, I feel good about myself, my life, and all those people who have said thanks for believing in them. You spread hate one person at a time. You spread peace and happiness the same way.

HERES WHAT I THINK: You people are CRAZY! First of all, since when is it ok to ENTER a person's home without an invitation?

He locked a man up, an almost elderly man with A WALKING CANE! for screaming. How could Mr. Cowley do that?

So what, he (Gates) yelled, he was probably scared. Did you all think about that?

You can yell at ANYBODY IN YOUR HOUSE.

HE WAS IN HIS OWN HOME! HE CAN YELL.

Mr. Crowley LOCKED HIM UP, finger printed, mug shot, put him in JAIL for yelling. yelling.

If the officer didn't like being yelled at, he should have LEFT. Walked out the door got in his car and drove away.

I have come across a lot of officers, I thank God that so far 99% have been extremely decent, calm and mature. I'm surprised Mr. Gates didn't sue.

This is absolutely ridiculous. If Gates's home would have been vandalized, burglarized or in any way destroyed, he would have been the first to cry racist because the police did not come on a activity report in the neighborhood. Obama showed that listening to his minister for 20+ years made an imprint. Beer...when the Obama's are serving plush dinners and programs at the White Hosue. This is a joke!

Wow, no respect at all, and it is human?is it? Human is a police officer coming to your home to protect you, instead of acting out, Mr. Gates should have told him thank you for coming so promptly and checking this matter out but this is my home here is my ID that is it. I think every other American would have been grateful. uuuummmm

Take a look at this and then talk to me.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOM89Qnsyak&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eyoutube%2Ecom%2Fuser%2Fhijackednation&feature=player_profilepage We dont have cops any more we have enforcers. It's not the same! Enforcers are by law legal bullies! (How do you make a bullie respect you? Break his legs)

Oh my gosh, another fine comment from madmax. What drug are you tripped out on? I need to know so I make sure I stay away from that stuff.

I think the whole thing has been blown WAY out
of proportion. Gates should never have been arrested-the neighbor who reported him was the one responsible for the whole problem. And Officer Crowley should have handled it differently, by trying to extinguish any anger in both men-he's supposed to be a professional. This is America-if we can't feel comfortable in our own homes-entering it because we forgot our keys, etc,look out! Obama is making America look like
a "school playground" during recess. With all
the problems America is facing right now, i.e.
so many people out of jobs, people losing their
homes,retirement nest eggs & having NO health
insurance or not being able to afford the one
they have-he should start acting like a leader
instead of trying to be everyone's buddy. He
is wasting too much of America's money on such
trivial things-dates w/his wife,"continent
hopping",settling personal squables with an
invite to the White House with a beer. How does
he think other countries view America?!?! Obama
is no "commander in Chief"-he's taken all the dignity away from that Title. If any action is "stupid", it's this one. Come on Mr Obama,
do your job and get us out of this economic
catastrophe-and let us Americans figure out
how to get along.

Ok, let's take this to the White House lawn and we all have a beer!!!!!! Mic. Ultra please. Do you think they would add mine to the list?

hey tex, im trippin out on reality, something you for sure know zero about. you can now retreat back into your shell as you have know concept of what exist beyond your pre white picket fence. comprende? welcome to AMERIKKKA

hey tex, im trippin out on reality, something you for sure know zero about. you can now retreat back into your shell as you have know concept of what exist beyond your white picket fence. comprende? welcome to AMERIKKKA

obama is a boy!
obama is a boy!
obama is a boy!
obama is a boy!
obama= Loser

Gates called white people "DEVILS" Need I say more?

Barack Hussein will invite a hate filled racist to the White House ( I guess the WHITE HOUSE is a home for the devil) for a beer! What a class act!

I would throw a beer in his face and his racist buddy!

Maybe Rev Hate Wright will come for a Colt45 !

The only missing

Overit, No, I don't think they would invite you to the Whitehouse; this is reserved for hatemongers and racially biased people. You speak with too much common sense for this Whitehouse.

Please, lets get this straight. None of us were there. We can't comment objectively on either side as to what, when ,where, or why. What we can all comment on were the Presidents remarks. He was not there, but commented nonetheless. It was HIS remarks that continue to bother me. He was elected President of the United States by Americans. Not just African-Americans, but French-
Americans, Russian-Americans, Japanese-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Canadian-Americans, and so on. If we continue to separate America by culture we will divide ourselves and our enemies will use it against us as well.
If the president, the police officer, and the professor can square themselves over a few beers, let it happen, and then, let it be.

Please, lets get this straight. None of us were there. We can't comment objectively on either side as to what, when ,where, or why. What we can all comment on were the Presidents remarks. He was not there, but commented nonetheless. It was HIS remarks that continue to bother me. He was elected President of the United States by Americans. Not just African-Americans, but French-
Americans, Russian-Americans, Japanese-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Canadian-Americans, and so on. If we continue to separate America by culture we will divide ourselves and our enemies will use it against us as well.
If the president, the police officer, and the professor can square themselves over a few beers, let it happen, and then, let it be.

It's unfortunant this happened but it looks as though Pres. Obama feels responsible so he's trying to make a mends of the whole thing. No one has a greater job or responsibility as running this country & it's ok for him to have a break once in a while just not let the thing get out of hand.

Joe, nice comments, but with all that's been said in this regard by the police officer and Mr. Gate's taped remarks, we all can make a hypothesis as to exactly what happened. One would have to live under a rock to not know what happened. However, you are right about all American's coming together for the good of the country. And, a child will lead us, not Mr. Obama. He has become part of the problem, not the leader of men and a nation.

It's unfortunate this happened. Pres. Obama has the most stressful job there is, running our country. He feels responsible for what happened & is trying to make a mends. It's ok for him to take a break once in a while just so it doesn't get out of hand.

Oh Kim, what a "bleeding heart" liberal you are.
I find your comment unfortunate that someone old enough to read & write can think the way you do.
Do you honestly think he's running this country, and if so, it's into the ground. Do you honestly think he's trying to make ammends, and if so, an extremely poor showing for the POTUS, and do you really think he needs a break, and if so, why; his successful accomplishments are so few and can't possibly erase the harm he has already done to this country. Wake up Kim and smell the crap.
Pretty words don't make it so. . . .

What happened was not good. My senior citizens & I will pray harder that Pres. Obama will be given godly wisdom to run this country because what he does concerns everyone of us as Americans. The last thing we need is for blacks & whites to get more anomosity going towards each other. In other words alot of these comments are adding more fuel to the fire.

I'm definantly not a liberal, didn't vote for Pres. Obama, nor do I agree with most of what he's done..but pray we will..got any other suggestions?

Stephanie...Obama is a boy?? Then we have the perfect right to call your daddy one?? It is time for us to individual decency and to move on. Gates overreacted--he should have known the boys in blue...Crowley did a powerplay whatever his motives were..I can only guess at. I personally wd. know better than to act up in certain situations w. police officers--that's causing problems. And yes, from a black experience, many times we have escorts through var. neighborhoods and been put through some stuff because of race and color. Those are the facts of life and high time for that type of thing to end!!! I have decent law-abiding young black males who will never see the inside of a jail because of the way they were raised. Thank God!! And I am teaching them to be careful in their demeanor when confronted w. certain situations. Just plain good advice. Prez. O. also needs to be more statesmanlike and not allow himself to speak too quickly--he's also on the learning curve. Yes, the problems in the US and the world will keep anyone awake 24 / 7, but this and most pres. are still working out solutions long after we are asleep anyway so noone should worry about his having better things to do. Live and let live! Those who are racists--watch out--hate will shorten your life span and I am not accepting any of your hate--enjoy it all for yourselves and don't get in my way. Remember that we are mere mortals. Watch yourselves! It was the same mentality that excused people like you in keeping my people oppressed. (yes, I know that some are now oppressing themselves on their own). Don't continue to have that kind of guilt on your hands. God is going to set everything straight real soon. In the meantime walk straight. God bless America--United we stand, divided we fall. And character is what life is all about!!

and ddnTX -- you have a LOT to say!!! nothing to study, do, no kids or anything?? Words are free, true, but give someone else a chance to be heard!

after all is said and done the problem is still there. i think you solve it one incident at a time it happened to me an elderly black business owner in my store in houston tx on 1960 white area my alarm went off when i put the keyin in the lock to open the door.i called the alarm company immediately and told them what happened and for them to call the police i opened all of the doors made sure i was standing at the front of the storethey jumred out with guns drawn and procededto yell at me to get my hands up and i did.what are you doing in here i own ihis store anyway it went downhill from there,i wasnt arested but they talked to me like i didn belong in that store i showed them my id and they looked at it until they ran out of questions they finally left Gates saga all over again we have a racial problem in houston with our fire dept do you think this should be swepted under the also

It seems that for the most part the comments made on this page by women seem to be the smartest comments.
Also why is it that when a person of color become rich or famous they atomatically get accussed of acting like Gods or think they are above the law,when they act out.
I am sure after all is said and done, the officer will get promoted and write a book, Mr. Gates will go on with his life and the rest of us who are making comments pro or con, hateful or not will continue to think and feel the same into the future. (Its too bad).
God Bless America and the Rest of the World.

Funny. If you would notice something about Mr. Crowley, he doesn't look completely caucasion. I doubt if he is.

His hair, bone structure and name... Native American, I think.

He is almost as dark as Mr.Obama. and Mr. Obama hails from Africa.

Guess it is not just the press. but eyeswideopen you are right if simple minded does not change neither will America, If we look at ourselves as Americans then that is all that needs to be said. one word not African-American, not Native American(but hey you do not hear about them) but just one American. Be proud don't try to set yourself out there like you are not the same or it may make people think you are not.

I know this is petty but I can't help it. The professor does not look like he would want a beer.

TEA! He looks like he would prefer tea, served in a teacup with a saucer.

i too have simmered down from the MJ saga- love him-so sorry what happened to him- devastated that he is gone so unnecessarily- will miss him and his planned and unplanned entertainment- ecentricism(sp)-

those of you who do not understand the "disease" of addiction-will never know the plite of those who go through that horrible darkness- it is usually preceeded by some childhood issue coupled with the lack of coping skill and the like.

earlier on"skippygirl"said it best"no one had the balls to do it" i have said a similar thing concerning all who was around MJ- they did not have the guts to defy his maddness earlier on in his youth- gladys knight said it best several times "we made MJ what he'd become"

every one in motown who walked aroung the "pink elephant" when they all saw this troubled child.

but than you had papa joe jackson who probably would have never allowed MJ to seek the proper counseling he needed earlier on.

its a saying that is the truth- if you DO NOT take care of the pieces that affect your life-it will get worse as time goes on and; what won't make you strong will eventually kill you- and it did on all levels for MJ.

i have known some troubled souls in my life time, but someone mentioned earlier that celebs have privy to high potenent drugs- and there are DR that are just as addicted to the power of serving these victims as the victim is of the addiction itself.

it has been said by recoverying individuals that once they picked up the substance and discovered the euphoria gave them a false sense of "having no care in the world"- this is what the chased for many years before getting the help and than you have those who will never recover-who will die in active addiction as MJ surely has demonstrated.

i don't know how many of you have come across the info that "jordan chandler" recanted his alledged molestation since the death of MJ)i never believed it any ways)but those of you who have spoken mean obsenities concerning MJ saying he should have died and all other stupid comments- whats in your closet-he was not only found NOT GUILTY, but he was also found innocent on 14 different occasions by the jury because there was NO supporting evidence.

It has been said what is in the dark will come to the light-so far this has not happened and if it were true-believe me it would have come out by now.-instead the opposite is true- jordan the dirt-ball has recanted his story and may he and his sorry father rot in h---.

it was and is a shame that MJ so called best friends never came to his defense such as quincy jones, diana ross, and the host of many others- they are all cowards- all i wanted was for someone to pay for his murder-not manslaughter because nothing about this is an accident- it was premeditated murder just like they did poor anna nichole smith- bring 'em all down to the gutter.

i can rest easier now knowing justice will be served over the next months; murry needs to go down for actually pulling the trigger, but many more DR need to go down for prescribing harmful drugs to MJ over the years. peace out

Some excellent dialogue but almost all of it racially biased in some manner. But most of it innocently so. However, what everybody misses is the major racial problem facing America today is NOT White and Black racism but rather Brown and White racism and especially Brown and Black racism. Just wait until the illegal immigrants from Central America take over the rest of the country like they have California. They carry no "slave guilt" from 4 generations in the past. They will treat my sorry white butt and your sorry black butts anyway they want and no amount of political correctness appeals or cries of racial profiling will even make a dent on their psyches. Those cries will be meaningless and therefore also powerless. Remember my words!

The Sage

Im sorry but I dont care about the racism card or anything. If someone is acting beligerant or out of hand, they dont prove their point by becoming more or calling the officer racist.
The officer still didnt even know about the other person supposedly at the location. There are plenty of instances where even the resident is guilty of some hanky panky in their own houses... The danger factor doesnt go away because someone proves they live there. A rowdy person even the resident, could be drunk or medicated or have a medical issue and be just as dangerous.

was hoping the policeman would refuse the invitation for a beer (where the WH is injecting the common touch for the benefit of him specifically) saying that this incident had already taken up too much of his time .........

Who is paying for the beer ?

I agree, i would have told the president " I have a job to do and drinking beer with you and this person who broke the law would be a waste of my time. " and another really stupid question?
Why would the president of the USA get involved with this kind of crap anyways. WHO THE F&^&* does this president of the USA think he is?

Correct me if I am wrong but the Pres job is not
be involved with police matters. We are sort of in a very bad spot right now with the economy and your job is not to help low lives out of jail. We have courts for that and cops and lawyers.

PPL.
Well if this is any indication of what is to come we in lots of trouble with this kind of idiotic s GOD save us.

just a little detail joyce, the officer was the one who suggested the beer! I guess he wants to extend his 15 min. of fame into a half-hour? Anyway there is much to be learned from all parties involved. And we CAN make the US of A a better place if we stop, listen, think and empathize a bit more.

Now lookit -- Gates did not break any laws. The man was in his own home -- he prob. overreacted--that was all that is evident in this case. Perhaps even if he showed all the id they could ever want...the police MAY have still given him the 3rd degree. Wd. you have liked to be in that position. Why is he a low-life. I wd. have been extremely ticked off in the situation Gates found himself in but I hope I wd. have kept my cool. The pres. can comment on various matters if he wants to. However, I hope in the future he will "pick his battles" and be judicious in his choice of words. Lighten up!! And move on!!

I can't believe Crowley is going to sit down and have a drink with these two racists. His command must be putting him up to it. There should be outrage that Gates is not being prosecuted. Change is really working out for us.

What a joke, the President of the United States surely has more important things to do than fool with a non-incident.

Also, regarding the President's initial comments - its pretty sad that both he, and apparently Mr. Gates assumed the officer was in the wrong because the officer was white. The President of the United States should be above this type of prejudicial thinking/assumptions. A pretty telling moment regarding this President's view of his fellow Americans.

dumb asses .the arrest was not lawful. im not concerned about the professor and the police officer passing 'words" there was no legal rights for an arrest. disorderly conduct?what is the orderly conduct in expressing your anger? you have the RIGHT to be angry> you cannot"disturb the peaceof a police officer. thats why the D A office dropped the charges immediately . soo this has been blown up beyond control. after there was no signs of a break in and ownership was established, it was over! no harm no foul .fuck you too! so all you arm chair quarter backs... sit down and shut the hell up.learn and know the law.

President Obama should take care of the load on his desk and stay out of the business of small town city police work; thats what the people of that community are paying their police chief to do. Very tired of racist call, if Prof Gates had used his head he could have answered the officer's questions and resolved the issue right away.

I have to agree that Gates behaved very poorly. It would seem that we are all products of our conditioning. Even a Harvard Professor.

Racial profiling as just another form of conditioning.

I think it is great that they sit down for a beer. It was after all Sgt. Crowley's idea.

Sam Adams makes a great Summer Ale. Plus it's patriotic.