Christopher Hitchens is a jerk who makes life miserable for innocent strangers because of issues that no doubt stretch back to his childhood, which sounds as if it were none-too-happy. He should get himself a good therapist, or drink himself insensible, or throw himself under the wheels on a subway train. Or some combination of all three . . .

Henry Louis Gates is normally a sane, polite man who got an attitude after (a) having to all but break into his own house after a trip and (b) suddenly find himself having to prove he had the right to be in his own house. His behavior after that was obnoxious and unwise, but not inexplicable. When you have a limp and are several inches shorter than the cop who's confronting you, your mouth is probably the only weapon you have. As for all of the people who have derided Gates as a professional player of the race card, I suggest that they actually read what he's written. He is far more intelligent and nuanced than right-wing hacks would lead you to believe.

Most cops do difficult jobs very well (and the fact that none of them have used their night sticks to beat HItchens' head down between his shoulders is proof of the fact), but there are bad apples in the barrel. and they will not hesitate to use the very real power they have to harass, intimidate, and generally make miserable the lives of those who annoy them. I've had enough experience with the cops, thanks to a relative with mental-health issues to see officers both good and bad, and the bad ones can be very nasty indeed. The officer in this case, Crowley, apparently has a good record, but he did behave stupidly in this case. As my father used to say about kids who tease and harrass you--consider the source. It's good advice for cops as well. Especially when dealing with Christopher Hitchens . . .