Poker Perambulation

No, not Bill.  We're talking Henry Louis.  He is almost as interesting as Grump.  Although, his record in documentary production is superior.  But, he shares a Grump propensity.  No, not playing 4-2 offsuit.  It is the getting arrested and matters of principle.

 Over at Grump's joint,  he detailed getting arrested for taking pictures.  Gates got arrested for being home.   His nemesis was Boston's Finest and not a casino rent-a-cop.  

Neither man did anything wrong when you compare it to today's headlines.  In Grump's case, the rent-a-cop was overreaching from the git-go.   In Gates situation, he'd done no wrong but there was a police report about a potential break-in.   Circumstances are  different here.

Gates took umbrage to being questioned and asked for identification.  After all, they were doing it in his own home.  But, instead of clearing the problem like a man who'd made it through Philosophy and all those course that promote deeper thinking, he lost it and called it stereotyping.   I can understand that.   Stereotyping happens not only at the conscious level.

We expect equal protection and a host of services to society and depend on peace officers. Most of the time that gets covered more on the 6 o'clock than in our life experiences.  When we bump headlong into it, we are hardly prepared.  OK, we watched Cops but that's all about the other guy. 

Mr. Gates  (and the Grump) are men of stature.  Gates may carry that a bit farther but they both normally engender respect.  Thats an awareness that peace officers don't normally grok.  We pay them to be Doubting Thomas.  Context is everything.

Grump says he was courteous and maybe he was.  Gates was irate and seems to admit to that. The courts are set up for our being innocent until proven guilty.  Police investigation is the exact opposite.  Those contrary beliefs often clash and the courts get seniority in a democracy. District Attorneys regularly act as intermediaries and sweep a lot under the carpet.

So, was Mr. Gates expectations rational.   In his day to day world he engenders automatic respect.  Normally, when he climbs on his high horse he gets respect.  That doesn't cut it with a badge who doesn't watch that much PBS.   He is in a situation where his reputation hadn't proceeded him and when he demanded – long and loud evidently – that he get that respect.  It was denied him.  He didn't bother to reconsider.  After all, this was a matter of principle.  Had he been doing 10 over, he' likely have found the proper path.

We are similar beasts at the poker tables.  We get a read and follow it to our supposed logical conclusion.  If we're any good, most of the time that works.   When the logic gets a bit flawed, the results aren't as satisfactory.  Bad read Mr. Gates.  Nothing diabolical about this.   Next hand.

ADDENDUM:
As I wait for my 30-day ineligibility  for a redeposit bonus to expire.  I've continued to play that chump change left on UB.  It is there only because I can't add/subtract properly.  But, it is whats available.  Of course, that bit of coins has killed.  Every session has been a masterpiece. My one losing session was modest.  My last one was a 'move back up' to .25-.50 Stud and was a monster.  I showed nuts more than the guy in a trench coat. It got so when I played a hand most ran for the hills.  It is working out to be my Lincoln penny heater.  I'm winning and there is an annoying strain present.

Related posts:

1. Grump and Grump