>>>>>One thing I wonder is what is the deal with this neighbor? She lives within eyesight of a world famous scholar, a Harvard professor, and doesn't recognize him? He's just "a black man"? OTOH, that definitely sounds like Boston.
>>>>
>>>>Where did the "He's just "a black man" come from? Did I miss something somewhere? She saw two men leaning over a door attempting to get in and it looked like they were breaking and entering. With their backs turned to her, she may not have recognized him - especially if the 2nd gentleman was blocking her view. Gates admitted that he forgot his keys and jimmied his way into the house, correct? That is what the neighbor witnessed. It looked suspicious and if it had been anyone but Gates himself (and whomever was with him), then I'm sure Gates would have appreciated the police being called.
>>>>
>>>>I think Gates should have been polite, cooperated, and not cried racism off the bat.
>>>>I think Gates should have shown the police his identification (regardless of whether he thought racism was involved)
>>>>I think Gates should have thanked his neighbor.
>>>>I think the police should NOT have arrested Gates, UNLESS they still had no verification as to who he was.
>>>
>>>How an officer should respond to verbal abuse is the heart of the matter IMO. When is it appropriate to put someone in handcuffs and lock them up? Even among policemen there is wide disagreement. Good article on the subject in today's paper --
>>>
>>>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/us/25cop.html?_r=1&hp
>>>
>>>As I have been saying, I don't think the Gates incident is cut and dried. Even the open minded, i.e. not making a snap judgment based on preconceptions, may be conflicted in this case. That may be why it has generated such debate.
>>>
>>>On the bright side, it has inspired me to rewatch "Rashomon" ;-)
>>
>>It wasn't just the verbal abuse, it was also the fact that he refused to provide identification to verify his identity to the officer.
>
>He did. He showed his Harvard ID, which I am guessing (only) has his picture on it. The part that's at issue is how quickly he did so.

Interesting that he showed his harvard id, and not his drivers license for identification.

Regardless, he behaved ridiculously and as a prima donna and once the police realized he was the homeowner they should have left and not arrested him (unless there is more to his behavior than is being reported so far).