Quote:
Originally Posted by Willravel
What if your neighbor walked with a cane? And had luggage? And was with a man in a tux? Do you think the safest assumption is that this is a break in?
No, Pan, you certainly would not have called the cops.
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I wouldn't answer for me Will, if I were you. As much as I respect you you are dead wrong. If I knew a house was having problems and I saw 2 men of ANY race trying to push the door in, I'd have called the cops, regardless of what they were wearing or walking with.
Looking at as much of the news clipping I can, I would be interested in seeing a link that describes the man with him (or Professor Gates) wearing a tux. The man with him according to all news sources I have seen mentioning him was a cab driver. The picture of Professor Gates exiting, while handcuffed shows him wearing a Polo type shirt and jeans. Now unless the police were very slow in responding and a man who walks with a cane and states he cannot yell because of a bronchial infection can change clothes extremely well and fast.... I don't see any tuxedo being worn by anyone.
According to the articles I see, "Supporters say Gates was immediately considered a suspect because officers were summoned by a female caller who said she saw "two black males with backpacks on the porch," one of whom was "wedging his shoulder into the door as if he was trying to force entry," according to a police report."
Gates himself stated, "that he doesn't know the woman who called police, Lucia Whalen, and that "she was probably doing the right thing." Whalen didn't respond to Associated Press requests for comment."
Henry Louis Gates Jr. Arrest: Police Drop Charge
So I would again most definitely appreciate your links and sources to "suitcases and a tuxedo being worn"..... I would also appreciate it if you do not tell me how I would react, do not assume you know how I would react or what I would or would not do. It shows no respect.
Edit I did find this:
Quote:
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Gates, 58 and gray-haired, says he was dressed in a blazer and walking with a cane. He says his driver was wearing a black suit jacket and matching pants. After they forced open the door, Gates says, the driver carried Gates' luggage into the house, then drove off in the vehicle.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090727/...ong_analysis_2
But a black "suit" with black pants is hardly a "tux" and could be anything. AFTER the door was forced open (and presumably AFTER the call) luggage was carried in.
BUT according to the Huffington Post article Gates himself admits entering through the back door so luggage may not have been clearly seen, especially if it's still in the car.
There are far too many unknowns and guesses and people adding what they want now, to truly make a call as to what happened.
The president should never have made any comment on this, it's not a NATIONAL ISSUE and again there are far too many unknowns for him to have made any comments on a LOCAL ISSUE, friend or not.