Gates Accepts Obama's Invitation to the White House for Beer

Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has accepted President Obama's invitation to the White House to share a beer with Cambridge Police Sgt. James Crowley.

Somehow I don't think it would be the first time Obama and Gates have shared a brewski.

However, this puts Sgt. Crowley in a difficult position.

I personally think he should decline the invitation. Why be used as a prop in a photo op?

But if he does decline the invitation then the Gates camp and other African-American leaders will say that Crowley is part of "the nation of cowards" who are uninterested in a "conversation on race."

Sgt. Crowley could say that his family, vocational and community obligations render him unable to accept President Obama's invitation.

Now that Gates has accepted Obama's peace offering methinks Crowley will do the same. He doesn't strike me as a disagreeable sort.

Of course, my fear is that Crowley will be used not only to advance Obama's agenda but Gates' as well.

Gates said, "I am pleased that [Obama] is eager to use my experience as a teaching moment. And if meeting Sgt. Crowley for a beer with the President will further that end, then I would be happy to oblige."

Gates just doesn't get it.

Then again if Crowley can hold his own against President Obama he can certainly do so with Professor Gates.

If Crowley takes up Obama's offer it will be interesting to see if Gates will still sue the City of Cambridge. It will also be interesting to see if Gates still plans to make that PBS documentary about racial profiling with Crowley cast in the role of the villain.