Mystery Solved!

Now that Ø has attempted to defuse Gatesgate (albeit after throwing fuel on the fire at his presser on Wednesday) by inviting both parties in the incident to the White House for a handshake and a beer*, I did a little investigation into the roots of Skippy’s reaction. And, lo and behold, racism is a factor after all.

It’s simple really. The arresting officer is named James Crowley. Seem familiar? No? Okay, how is the man most likely known to friends and family? Right, as “Jim.” So his name is Jim Crowley. Seeing it yet? Still no? Okay, let’s try striking through part of his last name: Crowley.

And what are you left with? Why, Jim Crow! Case closed!

Of course, Skippy had no idea what the officer’s name was when the incident started out. He may have noticed from the name plate on the officer’s uniform that his last name was “Crowley,” but that’s hardly unusual or a cause for alarm in and around Beantown.

Meantime, the Cambridge Police Department has circled the wagons in defense of one of their own, and by most reckoning a fine policeman. Will Ø’s silly attempt at reconciliation work?

* A word of advice to Officer Crowley: Neat as it might be to visit the White House, my advice is to pass on the invitation. Our beloved prex is doing this to save his own bacon, not yours. Besides, you’ve already been in the company of Skippy and know what an insufferable clod he is. What’s more, he and the prex are close buds. They’ll probably sit around and share private jokes, while you’re left to nurse a beer, that probably won’t be that cold to start with. Remember, President Bozo is the type who knows no better than to give an Ipod to a queen. What makes you think he’s going to be a more charitable host to you?

Comments 7

  1. fuster wrote:

    Howard, a hate to go all funny on you, but is there any word that Gates is going to man up enough to accept the invite and raise a glass?
    Or is he likely to remain with you as a devotee of the Officer John Bolton School of Diplomacy?

    July 24th, 2009 at 7:07 pm

  2. nokarmahere wrote:

    I wonder if Skippy would be a team player and subject himself to more Jim Crow –if only for a short period of time — even if it benefits Ø.

    July 24th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

  3. Bruce NV wrote:

    Since gates is on the Vineyard, and Ø.will soon be, they should put Officer Crowley on a ferry and by him a beer there.

    July 24th, 2009 at 7:17 pm

  4. Howard Portnoy wrote:

    fuster: In answer to your question, dunno. John Bolton School of Diplomacy? ‘Splain?

    nkh: We’ll see, I guess.

    Bruce: Capital idea. Suggest it to Ø.

    July 24th, 2009 at 8:47 pm

  5. fuster wrote:

    Howard, if you ever saw the first terminator movie, picture Arnold in the police station.
    That’s about the Bolton approach to diplomacy.

    July 24th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

  6. fuster wrote:

    Bull/china shop

    July 24th, 2009 at 10:59 pm

  7. aelfheld wrote:

    Fuster, your analogy is flawed.

    A bull in a china shop is both upsetting and destructive.

    John Bolton was upsetting and constructive.

    In diplomacy there is a time for soothing platitudes and a time for plain, honest speaking. Bolton’s sin was in preferring the latter to the fomer and thereby restoring some balance to our diplomacy.

    July 25th, 2009 at 2:50 am

Trackbacks & Pingbacks 4

  1. From Beer Won’t Solve It: Obama’s Lack of Leadership & Mistakes in Not Apologizing for His Controversial Gates Comments (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone on 28 Jul 2009 at 5:47 am

    [...] outside,” Harvard prof told Cambridge cops Zombie Contentions: Civil Rights, Then and Now and Mystery Solved! Mary Katharine Hamm, Weekly Standard: In Which We Gather Facts About the Gates Arrest Before [...]

  2. From Police Tapes Released of Prof. Henry Gates’ Arrest, Police Commissioner Says Sgt. Crowley Did Nothing Wrong (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone on 28 Jul 2009 at 6:16 am

    [...] Gates Says Yes to Beer With Sergeant Crowley Zombie Contentions: Civil Rights, Then and Now and Mystery Solved! Goodtimepolitics: Police officers across the country have a message for Obama Wake Up Black [...]

  3. From Black Cambridge Cops Back Crowley’s Actions - Kelly King: “Charges Are Bogus, I Won’t Vote for Obama Again” (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone on 28 Jul 2009 at 11:40 am

    [...] Gates Says Yes to Beer With Sergeant Crowley Zombie Contentions: Civil Rights, Then and Now and Mystery Solved! Goodtimepolitics: Police officers across the country have a message for Obama Wake Up Black [...]

  4. From The Professor Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks… Prof. Henry Gates and His Tax-Exempt Charity Improprieties « Frugal Café Blog Zone on 28 Jul 2009 at 4:00 pm

    [...] Gates Says Yes to Beer With Sergeant Crowley Zombie Contentions: Civil Rights, Then and Now and Mystery Solved! Goodtimepolitics: Police officers across the country have a message for Obama Wake Up Black [...]

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