Did Professor Gates have his keys, or not?

[goodhue]

Its a pretty small point, but now I'm confused about it. I thought Gates had keys and let himself in the back door. The front door was stuck and needed to be forced open, but a lack of keys wasn't the issue. But the President just said Gates didn't have keys, so had to jimmy into his own house.

[bdamomma]

1. no he got back from a trip and he did not have his keys.

I also heard this from WHDH News.

[blogslut]

2. Yes, he had his keys

Obama got that part wrong. Gates had his keys but the front door was stuck so he went around to the back and unlocked that door. Then he went to the front and he and/or the driver shouldered the front door open.

[babylonsister]

3. This article says he did but the door was jammed...

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/07/harvard.html

[goodhue]

4. That's what I previously read, but other news sources & now the President continue to say otherwise

eom

[azmouse]

5. I think it's ok for the President to not know every detail of this story.

He's got a lot on his plate.

[goodhue]

6. I don't fault the President, I fault the media continuing to report as break-in

When in fact Gates entered his own house by unlocking his back door.

[babylonsister]

7. The prez also said he wasn't totally familiar with the situation, so he

did well in relating most of the story.

Why is this now a big deal? There's lots of sources @ google, including one from his lawyer, that will answer your questions.

[blogslut]

9. Don'tcha know?

It's the BIG BIG story from tonight's presser! The teevee talky talks sed so! </sarcasm>

[goodhue]

10. To me it makes the officers actions even more absurd, as there was no forced entry whatsoever

Gates did have his keys and he did not break into his own house. Most of the media is still reporting otherwise. I guess I'm overly obsessed with accuracy, in what will be cast as he said, he said.

[geckosfeet]

8. Had keys. Door was jammed. Went in back. Then came back to force open front.

Check this statement from his lawyer.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6116202

[goodhue]

16. Thanks for this link, lots of good facts for Gates which the media ignore . . .

[EmeraldCityGrl]

11. Gates had his ID which presumable had his address on it.

End of story. This was a case of racial profiling and intimidation and I hope he sues their asses off.

[goodhue]

13. Indeed, I agree wholeheartedly

The fact that he in fact had his keys and let himself in with his keys will be most helpful in lawsuit.

[glinda]

12. Obama prefaced the whole thing with "he didn't know all the facts".

[Maru Kitteh]

14. Who fucking cares? He was on his own porch, his own property, he showed ID to prove it.

Jesus

H

Christ

[goodhue]

15. I think its relevant fact in cementing the racism of police

eom

[Maru Kitteh]

19. How? For the love of God, HOW?

[goodhue]

21. He should not have had to show ID, as there was no forced entry

eom

[Maru Kitteh]

22. Actually, if some white girl that looks just like me is breaking into my front door

I hope the police politely ask her for her ID.

[goodhue]

23. They were not breaking into the front door.

eom

[Maru Kitteh]

24. OK. If anyone is breaking into my house, I hope any police on the scene will politely ask for ID.

Asking for ID was not what made this an incident.

[goodhue]

25. It was racist for the caller and the police to presume a break-in, when there was none

eom

[inna]

17. i had no idea Obama even said anything on this!

how did that issue come up, was it a question in a press conference?

what did Obama have to say about this?

[blogslut]

18. Yes

Lynne Sweet ask him about it at the end of the presser.

As for what he said, don't worry. President Obama's response to the question will be the subject of many outrages in tomorrow's worthless media stories.

[inna]

20. "many outrages"?? wow. ok, i guess now i'll have to google this all! nt :)