I thought the term Jungle Monkey was pretty universally seen as a racial epithet, but I’m guessing that Michelle Malkin and Glenn Beck will find some way to spin this away as less offensive that calling an Indian-American ‘macaca.’ I also enjoyed reading a Boston police officer explain how a suspect has no rights and that they must make it a priority to comply with police officers who enter their property without a warrant. Dr. Gates, apparently, is still a suspect and will always remain one. Not only that, but he isn’t famous because he has never done anything to reduce or limit Officer Barrett’s income tax.
I’m not surprised that a member of the Boston police force is a racist, but I’m a little surprised that one of them could think it is okay to write emails comparing black people to gnats.
Yeah I want to comply with an officer who thinks I’m a suspect therefore I have no rights, think his body language telegraphs that when he’s on scene?
One of the things I take great appreciation in (and I’m gonna say this wrong) is Obama’s filling his cabinet, his surroundings with people other than good old white men.
The resulting talent that has arrived at the White House, talent that has never seen the inner sanctum of power before, is so rich in thought and purpose I wonder how we ever did without it.
Whatever happens with Obama’s administration, I will always be thankful he brought diversity squarely into our govt.
As Pam Spaulding said (as this piece of work sent that letter to the Boston Globe):
Sometimes the idiots remove themselves from the field of play.
Dipshit. Anyway…
And he’s a former teacher?!! < gasp >
An English teacher, yet. That’s even scarier than his being a cop. Even a bad, dumb cop sometimes does some good. A bad, dumb teacher, never.
Well, like so many people we all know, officer Barrett thought he was in the “Bigot Safe Zone” and was free to spout off in this manner. As we watch more and more of this kind of stuff bubble to the surface from politicians and others in positions of authority, not to mention a wide number of our pundits and opiners, you just have to wonder; “How long until the seething rage that is coming more and more to the surface among a fairly large minority of white, middle America becomes actions and not just words.
There is a pattern to all of this kind of thing. And you can look back historically and see where this is headed. Dave Neiwert has endlessly chronicled the life cycle of this behavior. And history proves that it is only a matter of time until we start to see people acting on their feelings.
It is often easy to look on something like this as just another isolated incident, another “bad apple” who needs to be purged from the pack. But it is representative of something much bigger and more pervasive which is slowly infecting us on a national level. This racial din is to the point that it is now undeniable. It is a movement and I just fear that it is unstoppable until it has run through its inevitably violent course. It has developed too much momentum in our media and in those who drive the narrative in this country. The fear that is driving this is everywhere now. It is in almost every corner of this country. I see it. And I’m sure many others of you do also, in your daily lives. I can’t see over the horizon. And I don’t have a crystal ball. But the sound that is coming from over that horizon is scary. Very scary. And it seems that all we can do is wait for it. And deal with it when it comes. Because, without a doubt, it is coming.
I agree that it is pesent and insidious. I just got back from my 50th high school reunion, and was chatting with an old friend who was a Democratic appointed USAG back in the 70s. I couldn’t believe how racist he was with respect to Muslims. Old age, I guess. But if people like him are spouting that crap, you know it is spread wide and deep.
This guy is a cop? Somehow, I am not overwhelmed by someone like him protecting my rights and I am a white, middle class man living in a high rise apartment building. The way he throws words like “jungle bunny” shows his real attitude towards minorities. He should be disciplined immediately, His kind has no place in law enforcement unless you are talking about Nazi Germany say about 1933.
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(Boston Herald) – A Boston police officer allegedly sent a mass e-mail using a disgraceful racial slur in referring to Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., prompting the commissioner to move immediately to fire the cop.
Officer Justin Barrett, 36, a two-year veteran assigned to District B-3, was placed on administrative leave pending a termination hearing yesterday afternoon.
Police Commissioner Edward Davis immediately stripped the cop of his gun and badge, according to officials. Barrett, who could not immediately be reached, has no prior disciplinary history.
Barrett is also a member of the National Guard, a source said, and the e-mail was sent anonymously to his fellow guard members and the Boston Globe. It was unclear whether the scurrilous missive was sent to members of Boston police as well.
“There is no room on the department for someone who uses those words,” said Boston police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll, who declined to provide the specific text of the letter.
Full email sent by Justin Barrett
PS Also suspended as captain by the National Guard!
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."Thanks, Oui, once again you are so helpful.
Everytime someone does some blatant racist crap they say “I am not a racist.” If you read this guys e-mail wow is he a racist. I advise his non-white friends to keep an eye on him.
I just wish that someone in the press would go in a major way about Crowley LYING in his police report. Even with reporting Whalen no one in the media seems to be putting the elements together.
Crowley invented the whole “two black men with backpacks” story.
He invented talking to Whalen before he knocks on the door.
The driver’s license that Gates says he handed over to Crowley Crowley ignores in his police report.
The guy who just had a beer with Obama lied in his police report, violated Mass. state law by not providing his badge number, and arrested a man in his own home on trumped up charges.
Jeez, if Crowley had shot Gates between the eyes would he have gotten to sleep in the Lincoln bedroom?
it’s pretty obvious the tape of their altercation holds the truth, why is it taking so long to come out?
Two comments-
American cops-
If they wear the uniform, pin on the badge, and take the oath-they are not blind to the expectations of their job-are they?
They do know-and understand-what is required of them-correct?
They also understand the risks-do they not?
Cops are supposed to protect citizens, at risk or sacrifice of their own lives, if necessary-aren’t they?
Isn’t that why they wear a badge-and carry a gun?
If their own lives are not supposed to be at risk to protect us-then-basically-they’re just making “on the spot” judgement calls-and shooting, tasering, or beating anyone who looks suspicious-aren’t they?
That would also make them-on the scene-spur-of-the-moment-judge-jury-and executioner-wouldn’t it?
Here’s a real quick list-off the top of my head-of people who have been the victims of judgement calls by police officers:
Sean Bell
Andrew Meyer
Brett Elder
Amadou “Ahmed” Diallo
Parnell Smith
Bernard Monroe
Antonio Love
Emily Delafield
The list is pretty long-actually.
One man’s “judgement call” denies another man the justice-to which he is entitled?
Denies him his life-and/or his health-as well?
No trial-just a coffin-or a lifetime of disability caused by a beating or a tasering?
Many innocent people have been shot and killed, tasered, and/or severely beaten-because cops consider themselves to be at risk.
If their “fear level” is this high-should they be “on the job?”
How many times have their victims proven to be “unarmed?”
Or-in the use of tasers-how many times have their victims proven to be mentally or physicaly disabled-or has there proven to be a language barrier?
Cops have tasered handicapped children, people in wheelchairs-some of whom who have proven to be mentally ill-as well as physically disabled-haven’t they?
“Shoot, taser, or beat first-ask questions later?”
Happens all the time-doesn’t it?
When did their lives-or their health and well-being become more valuable than ours?
Is’t it their job to protect us-at sacrifice of their own lives if necessary?
Now, their lives are so much more valuable than ours, that they shoot, taser, or beat first-then justify the act?
This should strike people as a very poor mentality-to say the least-and a downright dangerous one for the public-whom they are duty sworn to protect.
Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to speak to a member of the ACLU, regarding police brutality.
What they told me was this-
(I’m paraphrasing) “There is no job or profession in the US that automatically entitles you to “respect.”
US citizens sign no oath-or take no oath-requiring them to respect members of law enforecement. It’s not a legal requirement for anyone in the US. Nothing “binds” us-legally.
If a cop does feel that he or she is entitled to respect, based on the fact that they carry a badge, that may be a cop who MAY cross the line at some future point. MAY.
It was further stated that “as an ACLU attorney-the speaker did not feel that HE was (particularly) entitled to any level of respect-that is-it wasn’t HIS, by virtue of his chosen profession.”
It’s not a “given” for anyone in the US, by virtue of what they do for a living.
No job or profession in this country, automatically entitles anyone to respect.
American citizens have no such legal requirment they must satisfy. No one takes any oaths along these lines.
No one is “required” to respect the members of any profession-in other words-based on that particular profession.
Also, the ACLU attorney stated further that “he was completely-STILL-capable of doing his job-whether the general public gave him “respect” or not.”
Everyone should be-since US citizens “sign” or “swear to” no oaths stipulating to anything else.
If it is not a legal requirement-no one is required to demonstrate it.
Law enforcement should still be capable of doing their jobs-even if they are not given the respect which they may feel they’re entitled to; but for which there is no legal requirement-that is binding on US citizens.
that is really surprising situation from police officers they should be example for other people one of my friend who is doing business of jsp hosting services and now going to start free web hosting services for his clients face the same situation as you are sharing. I think police need more training. i have seen many stupid police offices that do outrageous things too.