Officer Suspended for Calling Henry Louis Gates a 'Jungle Monkey'

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Wineplanning of 7:49PM December 26, 2009

I am disgusted; but not suprised at the comments in regard to this issue while reading over this section; as well as the section on "racial tensions stirred by Henry Louis Gates arrest could grow."
The last time that I checked, it is grounds for termination; or a very serious reprimand, at the very least, to exercise your Constitutional right to freedom of speech, while in and authoritative position, such as a police officer, to "state an opinion" and call a black man a"jungle monkey." If a police officer feels that way, he CLEARLY is a racist. I am a white woman and I have many black friends; and three half-black children; and have NEVER called anyone a "jungle monkey", a "coon", or the worst one of all, a "NI****". I am not a racist. I am sickened by the following comments that have been posted on here.
"No we dominate because of character and education!" courtesy of stanley stewart feingold of NY
Really, Stan? I guess it is the "character" that I have a problem with. Character menas that you have a high level of integrity and have respect for all people. Character is the centerpiece of the heart; and is displayed in a person who is NOT a racist by any shape, size, or form.
Yet another ignorant comment,
"He's not a monkey, but a beneficiary of Affirmative African-American Action.
The vast majority of AAAA's would never have received their jobs if it wasn't for the miracle of Affirmative African-American Action." courtesy of Larry from MO
Really, Larry? So, what you are REALLY saying is that the majority of black people did not get their jobs on their own merit; they got them because of affirmative action, right? What a laugh! I guess Micheal Jordon, Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce Knowles, Deon Sanders, Micheal Jackson (God rest his soul), Sean Combs, & Angela Bassett (just to name a few)...all were "given" their careers as a "handout" of affirmative action?
And, last, but certainly not least, is the most illiterate, laughable comment of all.
"The police, just like anyone else, should be permitted to express their opinions, especially anonymously regarding a national issue.
The person should be forgiven is Mr. Justin Barrett, who actually did not violate any of the rights of Prof. Gates. The person more worthy of drinking beer at the White House with the President and Prof. Gates is Police Officer Justin Barrett." courtesy of ludvikus of NY
Grab your hoods and crosses and lynch ropes; it's time to "get get 'dem boys rounded up!"
Pathetic, truly frightning. There are still VERY RACIST white people alive and breathing all over this great country. Comments of the latter prove this beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Here's my solution:
The police officer should be FIRED IMMEDIATELY. He clearly does not have good character and sound judgement to work in a large, diverse city such as Boston; or anywhere for that matter. Police officers have to maintain a neutral stance AT ALL TIMES. Racism IS NOT AN OPTION!

Angela B of KS 1:52PM August 06, 2009

I am disgusted; but not suprised at the comments in regard to this issue while reading over this section; as well as the section on "racial tensions stirred by Henry Louis Gates arrest could grow."
The last time that I checked, it is grounds for termination; or a very serious reprimand, at the very least, to exercise your Constitutional right to freedom of speech, while in and authoritative position, such as a police officer, to "state an opinion" and call a black man a"jungle monkey." If a police officer feels that way, he CLEARLY is a racist. I am a white woman and I have many black friends; and three half-black children; and have NEVER called anyone a "jungle monkey", a "coon", or the worst one of all, a "NI****". I am not a racist. I am sickened by the following comments that have been posted on here.
"No we dominate because of character and education!" courtesy of stanley stewart feingold of NY
Really, Stan? I guess it is the "character" that I have a problem with. Character menas that you have a high level of integrity and have respect for all people. Character is the centerpiece of the heart; and is displayed in a person who is NOT a racist by any shape, size, or form.
Yet another ignorant comment,
"He's not a monkey, but a beneficiary of Affirmative African-American Action.
The vast majority of AAAA's would never have received their jobs if it wasn't for the miracle of Affirmative African-American Action." courtesy of Larry from MO
Really, Larry? So, what you are REALLY saying is that the majority of black people did not get their jobs on their own merit; they got them because of affirmative action, right? What a laugh! I guess Micheal Jordon, Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce Knowles, Deon Sanders, Micheal Jackson (God rest his soul), Sean Combs, & Angela Bassett (just to name a few)...all were "given" their careers as a "handout" of affirmative action?
And, last, but certainly not least, is the most illiterate, laughable comment of all.
"The police, just like anyone else, should be permitted to express their opinions, especially anonymously regarding a national issue.
The person should be forgiven is Mr. Justin Barrett, who actually did not violate any of the rights of Prof. Gates. The person more worthy of drinking beer at the White House with the President and Prof. Gates is Police Officer Justin Barrett." courtesy of ludvikus of NY
Grab your hoods and crosses and lynch ropes; it's time to "get get 'dem boys rounded up!"
Pathetic, truly frightning. There are still VERY RACIST white people alive and breathing all over this great country. Comments of the latter prove this beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Here's my solution:
The police officer should be FIRED IMMEDIATELY. He clearly does not have good character and sound judgement to work in a large, diverse city such as Boston; or anywhere for that matter. Police officers have to maintain a neutral stance AT ALL TIMES. Racism IS NOT AN OPTION!

Angela B of KS 1:47PM August 06, 2009

The Boston Police stupidly revealed the anonymous ranting person responding to a Boston Globe by reporter Abraham article which favored Prof. Gates. Recommending that the proper title of Abraham's article include the slur "Jungle monkey" because the report was allegedly, inter alia, written out of ignorance of proper police procedure nothing less than violation of a person's Constitutional rights.
In the rant, the author of the rent explicitly sates that "he's not a racist."
The anonymous person, whose identity was revealed to the public by the Boston police recklessly, has even thereafter made an apology for his poor choice of words, but he is not permitted the opportunity to re-calibrate his language. In fact, he's been placed on administrative leave.
The police, just like anyone else, should be permitted to express their opinions, especially anonymously regarding a national issue.
The person should be forgiven is Mr. Justin Barrett, who actually did not violate any of the rights of Prof. Gates. The person more worthy of drinking beer at the White House with the President and Prof. Gates is Police Officer Justin Barrett.

Ludvikus of NY 2:51PM August 03, 2009

This behavior would not be tolerated in any corporation. It is grounds for dismissal.
Such a person should not be walking our streets with a gun, showing such lousy judgment. Allowing this sort of talk sets an atmosphere within the police which makes on the job prejudicial behavior more acceptable.
People who are allowed to carry guns should demonstrate that they have greater control over these throwback primitive emotional reactions than does the rest of the public.
We want to be able to respect our police. It is this sort of clown who ruins it for the rest of them. I'm glad his own fellow police turned him in. I would have.

Joan Dalton of AL 9:28PM July 31, 2009

Is this real? Am I supposed to spout the liberal mantra that, although I disagree, I will defend with my life his right to say it?
Give me a break - and a beer.

Morion Kurzweil of FL 3:25PM July 31, 2009

That Boston cop needs a stern lesson in NOT sending out emails with any thing but love and kindness.
He needs some real training, but if he has been a good cop, don't fire him over this.

ted of MN 2:10PM July 31, 2009

This calls for a beer summit if any thing does.
Come Obama, get everyone together again for another learing experience.
How can this poor cop be singled out for punishment if he hasn't been "taught" [by Obama of course].
I just loved the last beer summit -- boy was that funny watching them all sit around the table looking like somebody "cut one"!

njguardian of NJ 1:35PM July 31, 2009

If the glove fits wear it! The name fit, just needed the word D U M B first!
The name calling double standard must end!
The sympathy is pathetic, as is Affirmative action!
That was a loving word, He didn't even use their favorite.
You can hear that word on any black stand up on H B O television, but thats O K A Y !
Double Standards are why we are still in this discussion after 100 plus years.
If name calling hurt, White America wouldn't have survived!
No we dominate because of character and education!

Stanley Stuart feingold of NY 12:27PM July 31, 2009

I suppose it is only law enforcement that is deprived of free speech. Isn't it ironic that a country that would never dream of restricting hateful comments by minorities of whites can come together in a outrage of a white police officer. Where is the outrage relative to Gates racial comment's, where is Obama's "Gates was stupid" assessment. You have no right too say anything inflammatory or hateful, America had no problem in turning a blind eye to Obama's preacher. But with Obama in office he may have made the best assessment of our nation to date"I say God #$%^ America" may well come to pass.

John Miller of CA 9:05AM July 31, 2009