Gatesgate

When I heard that Obama bit into the arrest-of-Henry-Gates imbroglio, the first thought that struck me was, "this guy still doesn't get the job description." When I saw that he cracked a joke about how he'd probably get shot if he tried the same thing, I just shook my head.

If the arrest report on the Smoking Gun is reasonably close to reality, then Gates is a stark raving asshole. I don't know if a white man would be cuffed-and-stuffed in the same situation, but I would not be particularly troubled if he was. I think it's unfortunate that there is no intermediate path of escalation between talking-to and arrest--perhaps such people could be issued summons for an annual dunk-tanking out on the village green? Back in my father's day, it was known that being drunk and disorderly in public would invite a roughing-up from the boys in blue--being arrested, dragged to court, and getting a misdemeanor conviction on your record would have seemed far more egregious.

Likewise, I fully recognize that police reports are wont to involve a fair share of selective reporting, and that may yet prove to be the case. There are plenty of witnesses so we should find out, if anyone actually wants to find out. Either way, it's a matter that Obama should wave his hand and dismiss as a local matter. When the king involves himself in puny things, it serves only to diminish his own authority.