Henry Louis Gates Jr. Contraversy

I am a pretty simple person and try to keep many of my views to myself. I don't speak politics or religion with others. I try to see both sides to every story so that I may form an honest opinion on my own. I read both MSN and Fox news so that I may try to dissect the real news story (isn't that sad there doesn't seem to be any news anymore that doesn't either lean to the left or to the right?). All in all I feel that I am a very fair person. The story of Sgt. Crowley and Professor Gates is just one that has sent me over the edge. To be fair, I may be biased since I come from a huge family of police officers. That being said, I find it disheartening that the media would play this out as a racist issue. It is totally ridiculous that Sgt. Crowley is being vilified for this arrest. Here are some facts:
1. He was responding to a call.
He did not pull him over or stop him on the street. He did not even make the phone call. He was responding to a potentially life threatening call. He was by himself. He has a right to be a little confrontational (I get jumpy when the doorbell rings, let alone try to figure out what I would do if confronting a possible burglar)
2. Professor Gates began speaking disrespectfully immediately
When did it become OK to speak harshly to police officers. I raise my kids the way that I was raised and the way almost everybody I know was raised. You respect the people that risk their lives for you. That includes anybody in the military, the police, firefighters, people in the medical profession, etc. You know what, no, that is not accurate. I raise my children to respect everybody. I totally understand sticking up for yourself if you are continually being disrespected, but I have yet to see or hear any evidence stating that he was calmly trying to explain to the officer the misunderstanding. Treat others as you would like to be treated. I find this to be very helpful in all aspects of life. Maybe Professor Gates should go back to preschool to remember some important life lessons.
3. The 911 caller is getting none of the blame.
I don't blame the 911 caller either. I know Prof. Gates had been gone for a long time, but if you got to know your neighbors, this situation would never had happened. Furthermore, if there is a case for "racial profiling" it is not against the Cambridge Police Department but for the caller. However, I do not feel that this is a case of racial profiling. I honestly feel that your average citizen would call the police if somebody was trying to break a door down, whether it be teenagers, men, women, etc. I truly, honestly believe this.

Here is the police report if you would like to read the submitted report
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0723092gates1.html
Here is a great article written by an African American male on his point of view:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32085686

Now that I got that off my chest I am now going to check in with all of my neighbors:)