Benjamin Franklin once said that beer is proof that God loves us. If we think about the recent White House meeting between President Obama, Harvard Prof. Henry Gates, and Cambridge Police Sargent James Crowley, it seems clear enough that Obama thinks beer is a good drink to have a conversation over, but I wonder what message something like this sends to everybody and if it is a positive one.
We know that beer is the fuel of sports here in the United States, mostly because the beverage companies sponsor all sorts of sporting events. If you look around at the sights in any major league ballpark, chances are you’re going to see a sign advertising beer. Beer is ubiquitous at games in all sports, as a beverage that is quaffed with snacks while watching the event, as well as an advertised product.
While I have nothing against old Ben Franklin, or beer for that matter, I wonder if everybody in the world feels the same way. Certain religions call for their members to abstain from alcohol; many other people must refrain from drinking for health reasons. Besides those considerations, the biggest segment of the population that concerns me are the young people who are not yet allowed to legally drink. Did they really need a presidential meeting to occur over beer, solidifying an already subliminal imagery of something that is cool?
I think Obama meant well when he set up this meeting, but let’s make no mistake that there was a great deal of calculation here. How does a man who seems aloof and above the common folk send a message that he is just one of us? Well, he doesn’t go up to Cambridge and have a snifter of cognac in one of the university lounges, that’s for sure. Gates and Crowley were all business in their suits and ties, but Obama rolled up his sleeves, grabbed a few snacks from the bowl on the table, and presto-change-o he becomes a man of the people, drinking a beer after work with the guys like the rest of us working stiffs.
Article comments
1 - Arch Conservative
With more and more citizens turning on this punkass wannabe Chavez every day he's going to need to get drunk more often.
2 - Joanne Huspek
I know this is politically incorrect, but I almost spewed (beer) from Arch's comment.
The real question is that had there been no scene and no arrest, would these two guys have shared a beer? at, let's say, Cheers? (Conveniently in Boston.) My heart wants to say yes but my head keeps telling me NO.
3 - Victor Lana
I'd like to think, "Yes," Joanne, but in reality there was no common ground for a Harvard professor and a Cambridge police officer, but fate brought them together.
Now, we'll have to see what happens at their next meeting to see if something substantial can come from this.
4 - roger nowosielski
Where did you get the impression, Victor, of Obama being so elitist and aloof? Just wonder.
5 - DJ Murphy
After Obama said that the Cambridge police "acted stupidly" he needed to do something to get his foot out of his mouth. What he did actually made a lot of sense. Inviting both Gates and Crowley to the White House to join him for a beer was a good move, not only by giving Gates and Crowley and chance to talk in a calm atmosphere and then to move on, but by defusing the media hype which often just polarizes the response of the public.
6 - Jim Vivanco
Well said, Vic!