# Race-baiting police officer sues, claims rights violation **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 6, 2009, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511 "2009-08-06T05:55:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/21 "2009-08-06T15:40:48Z")
> [@The World's Least Convincing Lawyer](#): > > “The choice of words were poor; but they weren’t meant to characterize professor Gates as a banana-eating jungle monkey,” attorney Peter Marano said. “They were meant in a response to behavior and characterizing the behavior. Not the person as a whole.” “Now, ma’am, I did _not_ call your son a nigger. I said he was _acting_ like a nigger by disrupting my class. So again, if you’d _please_ put down that broken bottle…” ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/22 "2009-08-06T16:07:09Z")
I know the whole thing has been sent in a tizzy over the racial aspect, and I’m outraged at that too, but also demonstrating that this man should not be on any police force is this: > [@Officer Barrett](#): > > assuming he has rights when considered a suspect. Of course suspects have rights! Hasn’t he ever heard of this whole thing about courts and lawyers and proof? Being a suspect doesn’t eliminate rights! And of course, to pile onto the heap o’stupid: > [@Officer Barrett](#): > > and thus he forever remains amid this nation’s great racial/social divide that makes it a free and great nation mixed with crazy and awkward differences. What kind of racist ass describes the social and racial divide as a ‘great’ thing? Does he really think that if movement between social classes were not impeded by race this country would be less free? This kind of attitude is inimical to equitable provision of public service, BPD should say goodbye to him. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/23 "2009-08-06T16:10:27Z")
> [@](#): > > “The choice of words were poor; but they weren’t meant to characterize professor Gates as a banana-eating jungle monkey,” attorney Peter Marano said. “They were meant in a response to behavior and characterizing the behavior. Not the person as a whole.” Here’s a question for you, sir: if, in fact, your client had wanted to characterize Professor Gates as a banana-eating jungle monkey, how should he have phrased his email differently so as to make that distinction? ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/24 "2009-08-06T16:22:34Z")
> [@MagicXylophone](#): > > What I’ve been wondering all along is why, oh why, did he send this email to the Boston Globe? I understand he was pissed off about this uppity _black woman_ writing a column (how dare they?), but what the hell did he think was going to happen? The Boston Globe responds and says “oh, shit, you’re totally right - we should fire this columnist right away!” I think racists are often casually enabled by their friends and environment, so they often don’t have any idea how completely inappropriate or unpopular their sentiments really are–until they have access to a wider public forum and feel the enormous backlash that (it would seem, inexplicably) blindsides them. How much you want to bet that he thought his letter would be a rallying point for the “myriad” of others who felt the same way? > [@](#): > > Fucking idiot. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/25 "2009-08-06T16:42:36Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > The sender did mention in his text that he was a police officer, but where does he identify himself as a member of BPD? Sent the e-mail from his department e-mail account, possibly. Good question, though. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/26 "2009-08-06T16:44:05Z")
> [@Johnny\_Angel](#): > > First of all, everyone has a god-given right not to be called a ‘racist’ no matter what they do or say. You’re kidding, right? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/27 "2009-08-06T16:52:49Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > You’re kidding, right? In the GD thread, there were people suggesting that Gates’ claims of racism were significant justification for his arrest. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/28 "2009-08-06T17:14:25Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > You’re kidding, right? It’s true. Nowadays you have to actually say in front of witnesses “I’m a racist” and show your hands so everyone can see you’re not crossing your fingers. Then you’re an ‘alleged racist.’ ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/29 "2009-08-06T17:44:32Z")
> [@wevets](#): > > And of course, to pile onto the heap o’stupid: > > [Quote=Officer Barrett] > and thus he forever remains amid this nation’s great racial/social divide that makes it a free and great nation mixed with crazy and awkward differences. What kind of racist ass describes the social and racial divide as a ‘great’ thing? Does he really think that if movement between social classes were not impeded by race this country would be less free? This kind of attitude is inimical to equitable provision of public service, BPD should say goodbye to him. [/QUOTE] I parsed this sentence differently. I don’t think that Officer Dumbass was saying the racial/social divide makes this country great, but rather it contributes to its “crazy and awkward differences.” ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/30 "2009-08-06T18:15:14Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Sent the e-mail from his department e-mail account, possibly. Good question, though. According to this [article](http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/31/racist_e_mail_sparks_questions_on_free_speech_police_image/), he was off duty and sent it from his personal account. Otherwise they’d be able to bring up “inappropriate use of employers equipment” to his disciplinary/firing hearing. He did send it to fellow cops and National Guardsmen, and apparently they’re the ones who reported it to the police dept. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/31 "2009-08-06T18:29:21Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Sent the e-mail from his department e-mail account, possibly. Good question, though. The .pdf that someone posted suggests that it was sent from a Yahoo! account. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/32 "2009-08-06T18:33:27Z")
Maybe he can pretend that he got it as an email forward from his wacko racist grandmother or somesuch, and that he just passed it along. And removed all of the identifying header information, because that shit is just obnoxious. It’s just common courtesy to delete that. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/33 "2009-08-06T18:33:55Z")
The man is a racist moron and not only is he unfit to be a LEO but I find it disturbing that he managed to become one in the first place. It would be nice if he got an African American defence lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/34 "2009-08-06T18:36:26Z")
> [@Officer Jusitn Barret](#): > > My last point counters your final 2 paragraphs in which you state Gates is “this immensely famous expert on race” - you really have to be kidding me? Famous for what? Expert why and says who? What has he done for me and my family? What has he done for the law enforcement community or military veterans or to secure freedoms and our borders in this country? What has he done to help limit and reduce my income tax? He has proven to work to get himself attention and become a wealthy lecturer. He lectures students on the subject of racial ethics and profiling. Jee whiz. I must attend that lecture lest I lose my identity and right to free speech and the right to celebrate God and beliefs as I see fit. I am not a racist, but I am predjudice towards people who are stupid and pretend to stand up and preach for something they claim is freedom when it is merely attention because you do not receive enough of it in your little fear-dwelling circle of on-the-bandwagon followers. That’s just a chunk out of the middle. Barret is no friend to Mr. Paragraph. One suspects his coworkers have been panting for an opportunity to sack this cretin. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/35 "2009-08-06T18:43:55Z")
If only so they didn’t have to read any more of his written crime scene reports. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/36 "2009-08-06T19:02:47Z")
People, people! You are not seeing the silver lining here, not only is this cretin going to end up without a job, he’ll also have some legal bills to pay. I find that a just desert, not because of his racism, but his terminal idiocy. If the BPD leaves him employed, this email is going to come up as evidence in the trial of the next minority person this guy arrests. Is there a chance they’ll only demote him to lollipop “lady”? ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/37 "2009-08-06T19:08:57Z")
In what universe is not saying that someone _is_ but rather _acted like_ a “banana eating jungle monkey” not racist? 😕 I mean, are there people who really think that way? ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/38 "2009-08-06T19:20:01Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I parsed this sentence differently. I don’t think that Officer Dumbass was saying the racial/social divide makes this country great, but rather it contributes to its “crazy and awkward differences.” I see what you mean, but he uses “great” twice there - once before “country,” which I understand, and once before “racial/social divide,” which I think is a sign of douchebaggery. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/39 "2009-08-06T19:24:53Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > He can say anything he wants; that’s free speech. The public can hire anyone it wants. > > If he wants to say things that bring discredit upon his employer, he can be fired. You are _correct_, Sir. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511/40 "2009-08-06T19:28:42Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > People, people! You are not seeing the silver lining here, not only is this cretin going to end up without a job, he’ll also have some legal bills to pay. I find that a just desert, not because of his racism, but his terminal idiocy. I’ll bet dollars to donuts that the BPD settles and he gets a nice chunk of change. Well, nuisance value, at any rate. Say $5k after legal fees. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-baiting-police-officer-sues-claims-rights-violation/505511.md?page=3)