Crowley: Gates and I "Agreed To Disagree"

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: In The News

(CBS)

Cambridge police sergeant James Crowley told reporters following his White House meeting with Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Thursday that he and Gates had a "cordial and productive discussion" in which they "agreed to disagree."

Crowley, the officer whose arrest of Gates in his own home set off a racial uproar stoked when President Obama suggested his department had acted "stupidly," said he and the professor had "agreed to move forward."

Crowley said no apologies were offered at the meeting. He described it as "a positive step" and said the two men did not spend time "reliving the events of the past few weeks."

Photos: White House Brew Crew
Read more about Gates' Reaction
Read more about the meeting

He said the two men "have agreed that both perspectives should be addressed" in efforts to turn the incident into a constructive one – a "teachable moment," as the president put it.

(CBS)

"We spent a lot of time discussing the future," he said.

Asked what President Obama brought to the discussion, Crowley deadpanned, "he provided the beer." He added that the president "contributed in a small part, but he wanted to bring two people together."

Crowley said there was "no tension" at the meeting, and that the two men and their families toured the White House together before sitting down for beers.

He told reporters that he and Gates had agreed to meet again, though he did not disclose the location of that meeting. The sergeant signaled that he had become wary of all the attention: Asked what he had learned from the affair, he said he "learned that the media can find you no matter where you live."

Crowley also said he might take a few days off to digest the events of the last few days.

"I'm not really sure this is really happening," he said.

(CBS)

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by truth-b-toll August 2, 2009 12:48 PM EDT: Once it was established that he was the owner Crowley should have left the mans home, but he arrested THE HOMEOWNER basically because he got UPPITY! So what if the owner was indignant? He had a right to be, IT'S HIS HOUSE! nuff said...; Reply to this comment


by pointofnoreturn August 1, 2009 6:37 AM EDT: i think both mr gates and mr crowley should do some introspection, mr gates should imagine if the cop had been a african american, what he would have said and mr crowley should imagine if mr gates had been white, what he would have said and done. would they have acted the same way?

at the same time, i will always wonder, if mr gates was already confirmed as being the owner of the house, what were the grounds for his arrest, being rude to a cop? and if this is an offence for which one can be arrested, even at discretionary powers of the cop, the law should do some serious rethink.

apologies are in order, after both men get their facts in order, its just who should apologise for what.

to agree to disagree says nothing about two grown men trying to rationalise what went wrong.; Reply to this comment


by jenkins501 July 31, 2009 3:02 PM EDT: I was extremly impressed with Officer Crowley at the press interview. Very poised and professional. The department has a lot to be proud of today. I had mixed emotions on this "incident" but now I have made a decision. It is in favor of the officer. I do relialize Prof. Gates was very tired after being in China then stopping in NY, but.............; Reply to this comment

by jayrod0224 July 31, 2009 2:29 PM EDT

by the_majesty July 30, 2009 11:04 PM EDT
I'm very disappointed that Gates didn't apologize to Officer Crowley.
I'm also disappointed that Obama didn't apologize to Officer Crowley and the Nation. It just proves how small Gates and Obama are.

_________________________________________________________________

Listen, the_Majesty, No one cares or gives a sh*t what you say! I have noticed that you have no life. First you are a republican and second you have nothing better to do than post your ignorant, meaningless post over every political subject. Go Away!!!!

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by pasmalltown August 1, 2009 7:19 AM EDT: Although I agree with very little the_Majesty has to say, he/she has the right to voice an opinion. Just agree to disagree, move on and learn to live with people that do not share your views.

by Krissy77 July 31, 2009 1:02 PM EDT

geecee827

So.... if you don't like Obama's Administration it's because you're a racist? Okay--you really seem like a rational person right now.

Oh....and -- 71/2 more years?? Not if his ratings continue to decline the way are now.... Oops--I expressed disdain against a liberal....I must be a racist!

Oh wait, I can't be....I'm hispanic!

Reply to this comment


by pasmalltown July 31, 2009 9:47 PM EDT: Let me remind you that hispanics are not immune from being racists, just as whites can be, and blacks and asians. By simply being in the minority does not mean you're NOT a racist, just as being in the majority does not mean you ARE racist. While in the Peace Corps, Black American volunteers could not serve in Western Samoa (a predomintantly polynesian island in the South Pacific) because of the racism they experienced, yet whites were readily accepted.

by credibility2 July 31, 2009 12:10 PM EDT

Gates made this an issue about race and bigotry, even referring to Crowley as a racist. Obama has also. Gates was attitudinal, belligerent, mouthy, argumentative, aggressive, arrogant and non-compliant. The only teachable thing in all of this is that many blacks like Gates continue to have no respect for law enforcement, especially when an officer is white. The cop did his job, period and owes no one any type of apology, especially the offending Gates. Gates needs in-depth psychological counseling for his irrational fears, and paranoia and for his contempt, racism, bigotry and hatred of those who are non-black and especially in position of authority. Those like Gates, are the ones guilty of perpetuating racial divide because of their ignorance and backward-thinking; until they accept that fact that they are wrong, nothing will ever be accomplished. It's not always the white folk's fault. If it were, Gates wouldn't be where he's at today.

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by truth-b-toll August 2, 2009 12:43 PM EDT: entonces nomas eres una pendeja?


by aubfmet July 31, 2009 12:02 PM EDT: I believe that this case involves elements that are far ends of the
spectrum, but have a great chance of coming together.; Reply to this comment


by sddemocrat July 31, 2009 11:36 AM EDT: President Obama is half white-half black. His mother was white and his father was black. He should tend to the business of the United States of America. We are American people no matter what race, religion, sex, married, single etc. The constitution of the United States provides for ALL people.; Reply to this comment


by pensacola8-2009 July 31, 2009 11:14 AM EDT: Most police are not like Crowley. Most would not have arrested Gates in the first place. Of those who would have, most would have apologized and not been stubborn or arrogant about their error.

Crowley is incorrigable and needs to find another line of work. I can believe this after watching him and his department exhibit their reprehensible arrogance and stubborness in front of President Obama.; Reply to this comment

by mattcat25 July 31, 2009 11:10 AM EDT

I wonder (because it hasn't been reported) if, or when Professor Gates will have appear before Magistrate on this matter. And, if the Cambridge District Attorney will proceed with prosecution based on the arrest by Sgt. Crowley for the offense.

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by Questionews July 31, 2009 11:33 AM EDT: Haven't thought about that!
I imagine that if he does go to court the next panty wad party will be all about what race the judge is. (I hope not, but you know it will be)