How the Obama Beer Summit Could Have Been Avoided

As President Obama, Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Sgt. James Crowley are about to sit down for the Inaugural Obama Beer Summit, I am left to wonder if the most publicized beer in male bonding history could have been avoided.

All we really do know is that we don't know anything. We don't know what actually happened or what was actually said that resulted in the Harvard professor's arrest. We have two accounts of what took place. Henry Louis Gates' statement provide through his lawyer and Sgt. James Crowley's police report. And let me make clear, that I am not endorsing either of theses statements as the truth of what transpired.

However, what if both men acted differently then what has been reported? Would President Obama have ever made his "police acted stupidly" comment? Could the Obama Beer Summit have been avoided?

What if the entire incident went something like this?

[Sgt. James Crowley approaches the residence of Henry Louis Gates Jr. and knocks on the door.]

SGT. CROWLEY: Cambridge Police, is anybody home?

GATES: Who is it?

SGT. CROWLEY: Sir, I am Sgt. Crowley from the Cambridge Police Department. Could you please step outside?

GATES: What is it regarding?

SGT. CROWLEY: Sir, we received a 911 call of a reported break-in at this residence and we would like to speak with you.

GATES: I live here officer. My name is Henry Louis Gates and I am a professor at Harvard University.

SGT. CROWLEY: I understand sir but could please step outside the residence and speak with us until we can verify that information?

GATES: Yes, officer.

[Gates steps outside the residence to speak with Sgt. Crowley.]

SGT. CROWLEY: Sir, do you have any identification?

GATES: Yes. My wallet is in the kitchen? Do you mind if I go get it?

SGT. CROWLEY: Not at all. Is it ok if come with you?

GATES: That's fine.

[Gates and Sgt. Crowley enter the residence and walk to the kitchen.]

[Gates retrieves his wallet and hands Sgt. Crowley his driver's license and Harvard University ID.]

GATES: Here is my driver's license and my Harvard ID.

[Sgt. Crowley verifies that Gates, in fact, lives at the residence.]

SGT. CROWLEY: Mr. Gates, is there anybody else in the residence at this time?

GATES: No, why?

SGT. CROWLEY: As is said, we received a 911 regarding a break-in in progress. Would you like us to check the residence to see if someone is here that shouldn't be?

GATES: No officer, that's ok.

GATES: Officer, could I have your full name and badge number?

SGT. CROWLEY: Of course. It's Sgt. James Crowley and here is my badge number.

GATES: Is there anything else officer?

SGT. CROWLEY: No. Thank you for your cooperation Mr. Gates.

[Sgt. Crowley leaves the kitchen and exits the residence and Gates walks him to the front door.]

I know this fantasy transcript is incredibly over simplified and doesn't take into account true human emotion and circumstance. Nonetheless, is such a scenario really so hard to imagine. As the Inaugural Obama Beer Summit is about to kick off and sold as a "teachable moment" for all of us, I can't help but wonder if this really had to be this way?

What if cooler heads really did prevail as President Obama suggested? Well, they didn't and now all we can do is contemplate the "what ifs."

It seems the only cool heads that will prevail in this whole unfortunate episode will be the ones sitting atop the frosty mugs of beer at the Obama Beer Summit. Cheers, mate! Paaaaahleeeeze!

Written by Gabriel Dorman
gabedorman@gmail.com
www.criminaldefenseduilawyer.com/blog/