If anything, the only one that seems to have acted "stupidly" was Henry Gates as witnessed not only by the police report, but by his own recollection of the events.

yeah, if you only measure the comments made to the press by Gates, he was an asshole to the cop and brought HIS perceptions of racial persecution to the situation and created the problem.

Apparently Gates was so load that the officer couldn't adequately communicate via radio with his station. The cops are considering releasing those tapes.

Know the president? Tough shit, the law still applies to you.

Rule: If an officer asks you to comply, comply. If you know the president, then you REALLY should comply instead of showing attitude. What is the worst that will happen?

No, really, what an asshat. I think they should not have dropped the charges.