This Bud's For Everyone

There are three people wrapped up in the Henry Louis Gates arrest and arguably they all acted sub-optimally. Gates should have cooperated with police and not raised his voice. The arresting officer should have concluded there was no crime and let Gates off with a reminder that he was there for Gate's protection. President Obama should have sensibly declined to comment on the issue.

So they're all getting together at the White House for a beer.

I see this as a business meeting. They go in, and before the mics and cameras are turned on, everyone agrees that unless they walk away saying nice things about each other, they're all going to look like jerks. Then, beer. Then conciliatory statements. Whatever happens, they better drink domestic.