Jul 26 2009
BEER DIPLOMACY
Well, Mr. President has continued his campaigning well into his Presidency. How slick can he be? Let’s give him some credit for this one. Instead of him coming right out and apologizing for his own stupidity he is turning this into an opportunity to gain more support. How can he be doing that you ask. We’re talking, of course, about the Professor and the President. The President, as so many of you have pointed out, put his foot squarely in his mouth by entering the fray and saying the police acted stupidly. He then backtracked and called the policeman involved and the Professor. He did not apologize for his mistake but extended an invitation to both to visit the White House for a beer.
Here is how Obama hopes this will play out. He hopes, without digging his grave further, this will bring together two persons of now national prominence with strongly differing opinions to shake hands in front of the media. His personal friend, the Professor, whom was little known before this incident can now go out into the community to prove the President is his friend and run his mouth of how he personally assisted the President in bringing racial profiling to the forefront once again. The Professor gains more national prominence on the speakers circuit and television coverage, especially when he releases his book about the incident.
The police sergeant involved, the President hopes, will leave the beer diplomacy gathering, cameras popping, with a renewed sense that our leader is doing all he can to correct the wrongs of our country. The President is hopeful the entire incident will ultimately lead to his popularity ratings and smooth the way for him to take more control of our country. In the meantime, the media is really playing the hell out of this by now discussing the all important issue of what beer will be served. Really.
Bottom line; cops respond to a B&E and handle the situation according to the rules. Person involved becomes agitated and shoots off mouth - gets arrested for disturbing the peace. One white, one black, race enters the picture. President puts foot in mouth by voicing his opinion based upon the fact that one is his personal friend. Media becomes involved and the circus is on.
What should take place. The President needs to bow out by apologizing and suggesting the two individuals involved settle the matter between them. The Professor must apologize to the police for causing the entire incident. Harvard should dismiss the Professor.
