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Friday, July 31, 2009 | 11:19am
Image of the Day: Obama’s Beer Summit
Is the this productive actions leading towards progression or just posturing?
Unless you’ve been under a rock or as former president George Bush Jr. called it “Vacation” for the last couple of weeks, you’re well aware of the situation that produced the image above. Harvard proffessor Henry Louis Gates was arrested in his home by Cambridge Police officer Sgt. Joseph Crowley after a 911 call was made about someone attempting to break into the home. Gates got beligerent with the officers , Crowley had to flex his cop muscles and it became a national incident dragging the president into to a debate on racial issues in this country as opposed to a debate on his healthcare policy.
In an effort to put an end to the hoopla President Obama Invited Gates and Crowley to the White House for what was dubbed the “Beer Summit”. The two men sat w/the President and Vice President over a beer (Since Obama is Black I’m guessing it was Heineken) to discuss the incident and how then can better race relations not only in Cambridge Mass. but throughout the nation. Reports are the men wanted to move forward and not re-hash the incident, and the president just acted as a facilitator and didn’t really interfere in the conversation.
I’m interested to know nation are you feeling this move by Obama or is it just Grand standing that really has nothing solid behind it? If so how would have you handled it better?
FILED IN News
I think Obama did it for race relations. I think he’s trying to demonstrate how racial tensions specifically the relationship between the hood and its law enforcement is supposed to be conducted. Instead of rioting or demonstrating all the time trying to sit down around a beer and try and understand each other.
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I understand the concept but its a little to kumbaya for me.
Yeah, I don’t think anyone sitting at that table was going to bitchslap anyone else, for any reason!
I never lol…but I just did.
Many years ago, there was a newsman named David Brinkley; who (as a commentator at the national political conventions) was well known for his sarcastic, cutting, and darn funny comments about the theater that politics had become. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Brinkley)
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Yesterday, I thought I heard the distant sound of Brinkley’s spirit laughing his ass off; and I could almost hear what he was saying…
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There was, of course, the quick switch to a round table; reminding us that when good friends gather in the back yard for a beer, all men are equal.
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There was the anticipation of the little details: would pretzels be served? Or would they go for some sort of chip derivative? Would they choose a domestic beer or an import?
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Would there be a handshake? Would the President put his arm lightly on their shoulders in a way that says “I have more power, but I am your friend”, or would he risk all and attempt a Begin-Sadat three-way handshake? (http://www.ynetnews.com/PicServer2/20122005/776483/Camp-David_wa.jpg )
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Political common sense tells us that at some point in the last few days, an unnamed minion inside of the white house was assigned the task analyzing the outcome of all of these decisions.
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CNN played its part, spending nearly a hour in the run-up to the event using their multi-million dollar video wall to show close-ups of the childrens’ swing set, other tables used in past white house events, and the door that they were expected to come out of; with not one but TWO different live angles.
Many years ago, there was a newsman named David Brinkley; who (as a commentator at the national political conventions) was well known for his sarcastic, cutting, and darn funny comments about the theater that politics had become. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Brinkley)
.
Yesterday, I thought I heard the distant sound of Brinkley’s spirit laughing his ass off; and I could almost hear what he was saying…
.
There was, of course, the quick switch to a round table; reminding us that when good friends gather in the back yard for a beer, all men are equal.
.
There was the anticipation of the little details: would pretzels be served? Or would they go for some sort of chip derivative? Would they choose a domestic beer or an import?
.
Would there be a handshake? Would the President put his arm lightly on their shoulders in a way that says “I have more power, but I am your friend”, or would he risk all and attempt a Begin-Sadat three-way handshake? (http://www.ynetnews.com/PicServer2/20122005/776483/Camp-David_wa.jpg)
.
Political common sense tells us that at some point in the last few days, an unnamed minion inside of the white house was assigned the task analyzing the outcome of all of these decisions.
.
CNN played its part, spending nearly a hour in the run-up to the event using their multi-million dollar video wall to show close-ups of the childrens’ swing set, other tables used in past white house events, and the door that they were expected to come out of; with not one but TWO different live angles.
I actually think that this “Beer Summit” is a big deal, a huge deal but not to us(present day). I think when Obama’s term(s) are over this is going to be looked upon as a huge moment and talked about in classrooms (probably minus the Beers)
what do you mean the way we look at the fireside chats? I doubt that. As you say below it was nothing but posturing.
***To answer the question straight out, I think it is posturing BUT it’s ok to do that sometimes when you are the President(a symbol) and not just a person. Obama for the most part has a great grip on what being the President means.
mmmm beer!http://www.hiphopheroin.com