Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
My vote goes to Professor Gates who immediately accused a police officer of racial profiling when that police officer responded to a report of a break-in of his own house. Was it really too much to ask that Prof. Gates provide identification and cooperate with the investigation when the officer was there TO PROTECT PROFESSOR GATES AND HIS BELONGINGS? GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
Anytime I have an incident with my rentals or when the alarm goes off at my home, I am very appreciative to have the police show up and investigate. It shows that they are trying to do their job and are trying to protect my family and my belongings. Needless to say, I don't harass the police and call them names when they are trying to help me!!! I guess the professor just isn't that smart! You can read Professor Gates Racist Rant on www.theroot.com - in his own words.
My runner-up vote goes to President Obama, who immediately assumed that this police officer was a racist, even when he admittedly didn't know the facts!
Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
17y
Here's the thing that should bother everyone who claims to love living under the freedoms this country provides -- regardless of your views on race, and regardless of what happened in this specific case, citizens have every right to yell at police officers, to insult police officers, have every right to call an officer racist, have every right to ask for police identification, and have every right to threaten legal action against the officer and the department -- and according to our Constitution and the laws of the Massachusetts, the police DO NOT HAVE ANY right to arrest citizens for those things.
(Go Google it...I'll wait)
This officer already made it clear that Gates did not threaten with his words and did not make any threatening motions. Additionally, Gates was still on private property, and no warrant was being executed.
Therefore, there was no grounds for the arrest of Gates. Yet, the police felt the need to overstep their authority and arrest him (and subsequently release him without charge).
It seems that most of the people on this thread have spent many other posts in this forum complaining about the loss of their rights to our government -- let's see those same people will complain about how Gates' rights were taken away from him when he was arrested for insulting officers.
While I'm all for respecting police officers, the fact is that we don't live in a police state, and I have NO REQUIREMENT to respect police officers. They work for me, and they are not above the law. Arresting someone for no reason is an abuse of authority, and any police officer that does it should be held accountable.
Obama was correct that officers acted stupidly, but not for the reason he thought he was saying it. Officers acted stupidly because they overstepped their bounds and arrested someone who was simply asserting his Constitutional rights (and I think we all know that Gates knows the laws well enough to know that he wasn't doing anything illegal).
I'm just curious if people really care about the Constitution (and about this country turning into a police state) the way they claim. If so, let's hear some outrage about that.
Btw, I'm sure there are people who will say, "The police have a tough job and they need to do what they need to do to avoid getting hurt," but remember that the Constitution of this great country doesn't distinguish between someone who has a dangerous job and someone who doesn't.
When our Constitutional rights are infringed, we should be outraged, regardless of whether it's done by a cop, a legislator, or the President.
Real Estate Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2008 · 456 posts · 42 votes
17y
Originally posted by MikeOH:
My runner-up vote goes to President Obama, who immediately assumed that this police officer was a racist, even when he admittedly didn't know the facts!
Mike
But he gets my vote for biggest hypocrite. Leading the American people to believe that he is without prejudice. As time goes on we see more and more what a charlatan he is.
Altus, OK · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 690 votes
17y
I agree. The officer had every right to ask for ID the fact that he was black is irrelevant he would have done it to a white person or any kind of person.
But the fact he's black it now becomes a race issue which pisses me off. I'm tired of minorities using their skin color for no reason.
And Obama that doesn't surprise me that ignorant idiot is racist. The fact he denounces his white heritage shows you what type of person he is.
Real Estate Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2008 · 456 posts · 42 votes
17y
Originally posted by Mr_Investor:
And Obama that doesn't surprise me that ignorant idiot is racist. The fact he denounces his white heritage shows you what type of person he is.
Yeah, why is it we never hear anything about the white side of his family? Is he ashamed of it?
The affirmative action BS hasn't made anything equal in this country. It has only served to discriminate against others was proven by Sotomayor; my 3rd runner up for biggest racist in this country.
Investor · Mableton, GA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
17y
I would suggest that since none of us know exactly what happened there and that would include you guys and the president of the United States as well, let reserve judgment on this one until all the facts are known . With all I know it seems that both sides reacted hastingly and the distinguished professor was over sensitive. However, he came from a long flight from China, found out that he couldn't get to his own house. Tired and frustrated he was obviously antsy but again, this is my impression with knowing only what was in the news.
Attorney · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
17y
Originally posted by Eddie Ziv:
I would suggest that since none of us know exactly what happened there and that would include you guys and the president of the United States as well, let reserve judgment on this one until all the facts are known.
I know exactly what President Obama said. The indictment of him I agree with. We know the facts there.
Real Estate Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2008 · 456 posts · 42 votes
17y
Originally posted by Eddie Ziv:
I would suggest that since none of us know exactly what happened there and that would include you guys and the president of the United States as well, let reserve judgment on this one until all the facts are known . With all I know it seems that both sides reacted hastingly and the distinguished professor was over sensitive. However, he came from a long flight from China, found out that he couldn't get to his own house. Tired and frustrated he was obviously antsy but again, this is my impression with knowing only what was in the news.
It seems from what I read on the Associated Press (heaven forbid let me give a reputable source here) that the black officer who accompanied him states he acted appropriately in his actions. The accompanying officer stated that this upstanding scholar became belligerent and and abusive to the officer.
Investor · Mableton, GA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
17y
Originally posted by Tim Wieneke:
Originally posted by Eddie Ziv:
I would suggest that since none of us know exactly what happened there and that would include you guys and the president of the United States as well, let reserve judgment on this one until all the facts are known.
I know exactly what President Obama said. The indictment is of him. We know the facts there.
I have no argument about that with you Tim . As I mentioned. The judgment should be and have been reserved. The president started by saying that he is a close friend of Mr. Gates, that he doesn't know all the details and that he is biased because of his friendship with Mr. Gates and then he continue saying that the police acted stupidly, which is a judgment that contradict what he said seconds earlier.
Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
17y
Eddie,
The facts ARE known, except for the release of the 911 tapes and radio calls. The news is reporting that the officer keyed his mic and this entire racist rant was captured on tape.
Furthermore, if you read the Professor's rant on www.theroot.com - you can see what a racist he is IN HIS OWN WORDS!
Real Estate Investor · North Carolina · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 483 votes
17y
I am so tired of the race card and the profiling card being played.
It happens to me once in a while at my low-income minority rentals. There I'll be, Mr. White Bread sitting in his beater waiting to show a rental and the cops will roll up and want to know WHO I am and WHY i'm here. You know what I say?
Residential Real Estate Agent · New Orleans, LA · Member since 2009 · 8 posts · 1 vote
17y
It’s frustrates me when I hear the majority complaining that minorities are wrong for using their race to advance their careers, when we constantly see it happening for majorities. The minorities are only mimicking what they see the majority do or have done in the past. I'm sure that both the professor and the police officer could have handled themselves in a better manner but for people to say that either party is a racist is absurd.
One more thing.... Racism still exists. Affirmative Action was put in place to level the playing field and give minorities the same chances that the majorities already have. I hope people out there don't think that minorities are given a fair chance. This rosy picture the majorities have about race is a joke. :D
Investor · Mableton, GA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
17y
What's interesting to me here is that all the respondents in this thread are White. I wonder why I don't see a reaction from any Black folks here? I guess they don't want to touch that issue with the 10' pole. "Survivor of the fetus" if you will. Not so good for business I presume...
Well being a White man myself, all I can say is that until you have the experience of a Black man in America, you have a limited power of judgment.
That said, I do agree with you regarding the Jesse Jacksons and the Al sharptons of this country. They made a career out of it.
Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
17y
At least for Gates and Obama!!!
RIDICULOUS! You don't have to be black to know that you don't harass the police when they come to help you! Calling the police officer a racist and accusing the officer of racial profiling him was inexcusable!
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
17y
I'm tired of any group claiming racism. GET OVER IT!!! I've seen prejudice in my life and in my history, but MOST don't keep bringing it up like Gates did.
1. First- Obama is approx 25% African-American-(oops, we're not sure about the American part since there are questions about his actual birth certificate. double oops-he is only 25% African or black and 75% UNBLACK!!
2. Second- Obama is 75% Muslim heritage(check out relatives). Should we start calling him the first Muslim pres since he has a higher % of that?
3. I attended a forecclosure sale in So. Texas where Acorn showed up to demonstrate against the sale. They claimed it was prejudice toward Hispanics. BS- it was only prejudice against those that DIDN't make their payments. I was even filmed on TV arguing with the Acorn a-_____!
4. I weighed 362 pounds 15 years ago. I was treated prejudicially because of my weight. It never stopped me from being successful in business, and life. I heard the comments, accusations and derision about it, but didn't use it as a crutch.
5. The Japanese were rounded up during WW2 and put in detention camps. They hadn't yelled at the police, performed thefts, etc. Just the color of their skin and slant of their eyes. They seemed to come back from that pretty well. Unlike the Blacks, who as a whole, have not overcome their "injustices". They want someone else to do it for them, imo.
6.I'm a member of the Mormon Church. There is also prejudicial treatment against us, but not nearly as bad as it was previously. Did you know that in the early days of my church(founded in 1830) there was actually an EXTERMINATION ORDER issued against members of my church? I had relatives that were killed in raids led by the politicians in charge. Governor Boggs of the state of Missouri issued the Executive Order # 44 on 10-27-1838. This order was not formally resinded until 1976!!! Not to brag, but the Mormon Church has seemed to overcome that also, instead of just asking the Govt to take care of them. They have a tremendous following worldwide, leaders in both parties of the Congress, a man who would've been a great president(Romney) and many leaders that have overcome their mistreatment in history.
There are many other groups that have also suffered injustices or prejudice, but you don't hear them using it as an excuse for their behavior generally.
My point is not that Blacks or Hispanics or others haven't received a short stick , but so have others. GET OVER IT and quit using it as a crutch . I'm generalizing, but overall, you keep hearing it as an excuse by some groups and I'm tired of it. Gates was in the wrong. Obama acted "stupidly" with his comments without knowing the facts.
If you think otherwise, so be it. Rich.
Attorney · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
17y
"It’s frustrates me when I hear the majority complaining that minorities are wrong for using their race to advance their careers, when we constantly see it happening for majorities."
What's "the majority"? Investors and businesses owners are clearly amongst the minority in this country - or is your method of classifying people based on skin color alone?
I worked for an asian indian entrepreneur. The asian indian community rarely complains about racism. If they do, they never pay much attention to it and focus on improving themselves. 82% of them have college degrees and are, in general, quite successful.
Maybe it's time to stop blaming skin color and start looking at mindsets. There is a majority and a minority of mindsets.
Residential Real Estate Agent · New Orleans, LA · Member since 2009 · 8 posts · 1 vote
17y
MikeOH,
I don’t think Obama or Gates is racist, at least not publicly.
I also think Prof. Gates was wrong for disrespecting the police officer. I’m sure he would like to go back in time undue or handle the situation better but I’m sure all of us wish we could press the DO OVER button.
Rich Weese,
You are delusional!
Are you comparing African American struggles to someone with excess body fat?
REALLY – Excess body fat is control disease and whose fault is that you didn’t have the self control to stop King or Super sizing all your value meals. I don’t know if you know this but you are born into a RACE. You can’t change it or buy another one. You are stuck the way you are born. I know some people believe the obesity is a disease but you have to look at the FACTS. America is the fattest country in the world but the only one that classifies being overweight as a disease.
Are you comparing African American struggles to Japanese descendants, survivors, or casualties of WW2?
REALLY –You may not be aware of this FACT but that event took place in another country and. What’s going on with African Americans is happening in America. We can’t possible control what other nations or doing to their own people or even people surrounding them but we can control how we treat fellow American citizens.
Are you comparing African American struggles to the EXTERMINATION ORDER of the Mormon Church?
REALLY – Last I checked when someone asked the question “What religion are you practicing?†I had time to change my answer. To reiterate my point earlier, people are born a certain RACE. You can’t change it on a moments notice. As awful as your Mormon story sounds I’m sure you weren’t counted as less the a person for voting purposes or couldn’t attend a certain school because of your skin color and the government used purposely entered drugs into communities and that’s just the tip of the Iceberg. One more comment about being Mormon in America, many Mormons didn’t believe black people did not possess souls (Google it if you don’t believe me).
Another FACT, African Americans are AMERICANS. I am an AMERICAN 1st and African last. I have no intentions of going to Africa. As far as I am concerned you can only call me an AMERICAN. I think it’s absurd that people really think that African Americans are really given a fair shot.
Rich I don’t think that African Americans are considering any event as a crutch but a hurdle that we will jump over, just like we’ve done and will always do. AWI :D
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
17y
Abraham,
I respect your reply, but I'm certainly not delusional. You seem to have missed the point. I compared the African American struggles to struggles of other peoples, for whatever reason. There is prejudice EVERYWHERE in every facet of life. Women feel not treated fairly in the work place or in voting being disallowed. They got over it!
The Japanese THROWN into concentration camps for no reason other than the way they looked, seem to have gotten over it also.( check your facts on this - concentration camps were HERE in this country)
A couple corrections also on Mormonism- I'll put their treatment up against treatment of any other people. Extermination is pretty strong. They were forced to leave their homes and cities at gunpoint several times in their history, and start all over again. Missouri, Illinois and finally to Utah- now a thriving religion all over the World.. To them, their beliefs were as important as ethnicity is to others. They would sacrifice their lives in many instances rather than deny their faith. ( one other correction- African Americans are welcomed into the Mormon Church in full fellowship with all opportunities available to them, the same as any other people on the face of the Earth)
I'm not trying to categorize different prejudices, just stating they exist and MOST groups get over it.
Voting- Yes, Mormons weren't allowed to vote, and neither were Women. THEY got over it.
I don't think I made any reference to you as American or African American. This thread started because Gates used the race card in his griping. To me, that is ridiculous, as it seems to have been shown since his outburst. Sure, we'd like to have a do-over button, but for Gates to INSTANTLY assert he was a target because of his race shows his inner feelings. That is crap. That was not the reason police came to his house. That was not the reason they told him to calm down. That is not the reason for threat of arrest. He was wrong in his assertion.
Abraham, all I'm saying is I'm very tired of anyone using their treatment as reason for their position in life. They should take some responsibility and do for themselves what is necessary.. You seem to have done that well, as have I. I hear to much crap of race, or gender, or religion as reason someone fails or is treated a certain way. That really is a crutch in my opinion. To verify that, just look around and see those that have suceeded in spite of their treatment due to race, gender, religion etc.
I'm not the one that started this thread. I have stated my thoughts on the subject and you may have the last word if interested. This country would be much better and stronger if ALL peoples and groups would do what you suggested in your last sentence. Unfortunately, we seem to be a long way from that, imo. Good luck always. Rich
Investor · Mableton, GA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
17y
Originally posted by Matthew Gil:
Originally posted by Eddie Ziv:
What's interesting to me here is that all the respondents in this thread are White.
Oh, really? You have never met me. You don't know what my race is.
I just relied on your earlier quote:
"There I'll be, Mr. White Bread sitting in his beater waiting to show a rental and the cops will roll up and want to know WHO I am and WHY i'm here. You know what I say?"
Investor · Mableton, GA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
17y
Originally posted by Tim Wieneke:
"It’s frustrates me when I hear the majority complaining that minorities are wrong for using their race to advance their careers, when we constantly see it happening for majorities."
What's "the majority"? Investors and businesses owners are clearly amongst the minority in this country - or is your method of classifying people based on skin color alone?
I worked for an asian indian entrepreneur. The asian indian community rarely complains about racism. If they do, they never pay much attention to it and focus on improving themselves. 82% of them have college degrees and are, in general, quite successful.
Maybe it's time to stop blaming skin color and start looking at mindsets. There is a majority and a minority of mindsets.
BIG different Tim, No other race came to this country on the slave boat. The scares are deeper then you think. While may not be an excuse not to succeed in life, but the obstacles are plenty.
Real Estate Broker · Fort Myers, FL · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 323 votes
17y
I think this thread is great, until we talk about this stuff and understand each other better, we will never make in roads into solving this issue. In the USMC , we were quite harsh with each other, there was no racial issues there.
When my oldest son came home from kindergarten and thought it was cool his friend Juan spoke Spanish, it never dawned on him that the kid was Latin. If we could just have one generation where we do not revisit our sins upon our children, this problem would be fixed.......
I am an American of Irish descent not an Irish American.....