Beer Metaphor Becomes Frosty-Cold Reality
There's a relatively recent political metaphor that is about to become a reality, and become etched in the history books much like the ring left on a wooden table by a sweating cold glass. President Obama is about to become the ultimate president "you could sit down and have a beer with." What this means for the future of our great nation has yet to be determined, but it's worth a look as to how we got to this point.
By which, I mean a look into the concept of having a beer with the president, and not delving into the facts of the case. The Massachusetts police officer and Harvard professor who are about to travel to the White House for the privilege of tossing down a frosty-cold one with the president each have their own version of the incident (which provoked the president to say what he did at his press conference), and without all the facts, it is simply sheer speculation to paint what happened with any kind of broad brush. My suspicion is that race may have had less to do with the professor getting a ticket, and that it was more likely a case of what those in the legal business call an "attitude arrest" -- in other words, showing "attitude" to a police officer sometimes gets you arrested. This -- right or wrong -- is a fact of life in America (and, I strongly suspect, just about everywhere else), but those who have never had interactions with the police may not be aware of it. But even having said that is saying too much, because it is sheer speculation on my part since (as I said) I don't have all the facts. So in the case of the professor and the policeman, I simply cannot say who was in the right, and who was "acting stupidly" (as the president put it), so I choose not to interject myself into that particular debate.
But both men have apparently agreed to sit down with President Obama, quaff a sudsy brew, and talk it out. On one level, this is kind of silly, because it is so far outside of what the duties of the president are supposed to be that it could even be seen as cheapening the office itself. But on the other hand, Obama inserted himself rather forcefully into the debate (when he really should have stopped, right after he said Gates was a friend of his and that he didn't have all the facts). Which means it's now kind of Obama's problem to deal with, at least seen politically. And then there's all the "teaching moment" pop psychology over "racial relations in America," which the press (I can guarantee) will be all over like boll weevils on cotton. And then there's the entire politics of "sitting down and having a beer" itself, which is what I really wanted to talk about here.
A president is (at least sometimes) supposed to be "a man of the people." As a linguistic side note, if we ever do get Hillary Clinton or Sarah Palin or some other woman in the White House, that line is going to have to be edited. "A person of the people" or "a man or woman of the people" just doesn't have the same ring, but maybe we can alternate "a man of the people" and "a woman of the people," depending on who is in the White House at the time.
This man-of-the-people idea has actually been around a while. During the presidential campaign last year, I read a fascinating article about one aspect of this myth, that many presidents have used to show their common birth -- the "log cabin." Now, we all know that Honest Abe Lincoln was "born in a log cabin," but the use of this as political metaphor can be traced back further, to the original "man of the people" in the Oval Office: Andrew Jackson. For over a hundred years politicians strove mightily to prove their commonplace birth by claiming, if not a log cabin, than at least a very humble abode as their beginnings in life.
Of course, as modern life encroached, log cabin births became more rare, and it's hard to imagine anyone born in a log cabin becoming president today, merely because log cabins aren't as handy as they used to be. So the whole "man of the people" thing needed an update. After floundering around for a bit (such as Richard Nixon proclaiming his wife had an honest woman-of-the-people "Republican cloth coat," for instance), a new metaphor was born -- a man "you could have a beer with." And most definitely not "with whom you could have a beer," since we're talking about Average-Joe-ville here, where dangling prepositions are simply not a problem. As Winston Churchill was reported to have commented: "this is the sort of thing up with which we shall not put." Ahem.
But I digress. We're talking about American politicians here. And for the last few decades, the hallmark of man-of-the-people-ness among our politicians has been the beer. Previous to this time, history records plenty of interactions between politicians and alcohol, and not a few presidents who were, in essence, drunks. And not just presidents, either. Abraham Lincoln famously responded to slander about General Ulysses S. Grant's profligate drinking by asking what brand of whiskey the good general preferred, and stating that they should lay in a supply of it and send it on to him -- because he was doing such a bang-up job in the Civil War, unlike the other feckless Union generals he had to put up with. More recently, Lyndon Johnson used to terrify visitors to his ranch by knocking back Scotch from a paper cup while driving them around his ranch at high speeds.
But somewhere around the time of Reagan, the idea of an average citizen sitting down and having a beer with the president became desirable (one assumes, in this image, that you are not recklessly hurtling around the Texas countryside with him behind the wheel, of course). George H.W. Bush had problems in this regard, because no matter how his handlers tried to morph his upbringing and demeanor, they could not quite make him believable as a fellow beer-drinker to the American public. Or pork-rind-eater, for that matter. His son, however, more than made up for his father's failings in this regard.
Bill Clinton, of course, can easily be seen sitting next to you at the bar. So easily, in fact, that he could even be plausibly seen next to you drinking from a beer bong at a frat-house keg party. As could George W. Bush, at least before he swore off alcohol. Both Bush and Clinton were "men of the people" and passed the "having a beer" test easily. Their nicknames -- "Bubba" and "Dubya" -- both sound like guys you'd see down at your local watering hole. Even Clinton's wife Hillary looked pretty darn comfortable not just downing beers on the campaign trail, but knocking back shots of whiskey as well.
But Barack Obama is the first president to not just accept the premise of the "having a beer" test, but to embrace it and turn it into reality. After the storm of controversy over his "acting stupidly" remark, he has grasped this particular nettle and will be hosting the policeman and the professor for a few cold ones at the White House. The idea of this beer session may have even been suggested by the police officer himself (reports vary). Obama, to his credit, realized the political value of not just talking about having a beer with his fellow citizens, but actually doing it. This was (no doubt) due to the fact that the policeman said he was an Obama supporter, meaning the likelihood that the event would blow up in Obama's face somehow was lessened.
So we will have a photo op of the three men, cold glasses in hand (it's a bit of a stretch to picture them at the White House with bottles -- or even cans -- in hand, I have to admit), speaking together amicably. Behind closed doors, they may even work out their differences over what actually happened that day. Each may learn something from the other. Because it is already a media tempest, this may wind up as a political accomplishment for Obama. At the very least, it will provide newscasters everywhere a chance to repeat ad nauseum the phrase "teachable moment."
What will it all mean in the larger sense? I have no idea. Will it make an impact in the "national discussion" on race relations? Again, I have no idea. It could, but then again, it could not. Will it make policemen think twice if they find themselves in similar situations? Will it make anyone think twice about giving cops "attitude" in similar situations? I have no idea.
But, in the future, it may give all of us something to remember and point to whenever the phrase "sit down and have a beer" comes up when talking about politicians. Ten or twenty years from now, I can see political commentators saying things like "...when Barack Obama famously had a beer with the policeman and the professor..." when talking of more recent politicians measuring up to the "having a beer" standard.
After all is said and done, the only outcome I can accurately predict from the entire episode is that the "having a beer" metaphor will become stronger than ever. Everyone likes beer, it seems -- Democrats, Republicans, independents. Beer is non-partisan, and non-political (even after it is used as a political prop). Americans didn't invent beer, but we did invent the concept of serving it ice-cold (as anyone who has visited Britain will attest). To me, this seems such a valuable contribution to humanity that we should all be proud of it.
To paraphrase W.C. Fields: Every man needs to believe in something -- I believe I'll have another ice-cold beer.
[Note: I got that story about Johnson from a wonderful book titled "Secret Lives Of The U.S. Presidents" by Cormac O'Brien, which is chock full of amusing stories about all our presidents, and which I recommend highly to people who love both politics and trivia.]
Cross-posted at The Huffington Post
-- Chris Weigant
So, what do you suppose a person would have to do to get a ticket to the White House to down a couple of ginger ales with the VICE president, so to speak? Just wondering...
My suspicion is that race may have had less to do with the professor getting a ticket, and that it was more likely a case of what those in the legal business call an "attitude arrest" — in other words, showing "attitude" to a police officer sometimes gets you arrested.
In other words, things were exactly as I had said..
Gates was guilty of "Being An Asshole In A NO ASSHOLE Zone."
That is a charge that many MANY cops (myself included) have arrested people on..
As you imply, CW... It's failing the Attitude Test...
Would you like to know about the Screen Test?? It's a hoot.... :D
So in the case of the professor and the policeman, I simply cannot say who was in the right, and who was "acting stupidly" (as the president put it), so I choose not to interject myself into that particular debate.
Fortunately (or UNfortunately, depending on your point of view) I don't have an INJECTION problem.. :D
It's clear, from ALL available evidence, that the initial person making the report had absolutely NO racist tendencies whatsoever.
It's also clear that Sgt Crowley is the epitome of a GOOD Cop... He is Sgt Friday, Officer Malloy and Officer Reed all rolled up into one.. He TAUGHT against Racial Profiling in the Police Academy, for Chreest's Sake! At this point in time, if there was a body of water nearby, Sgt Crowley could probably walk across it..
It is also clear, again from all available evidence, that the ONLY people who attempted to interject race into this issue were Professor Gates and President Obama... Much to their (NOW) chagrin, I am certain...
a new metaphor was born — a man "you could have a beer with."
Now, give credit where credit is due.. WHO do we have to thank for that particular metaphor??
Will it make policemen think twice if they find themselves in similar situations?
Hopefully not... Such second thoughts is the leading cause of Officer deaths in the nation...
Will it make anyone think twice about giving cops "attitude" in similar situations?
Hopefully so....
The problem with the general public, as opitimized by Bashi here (no offense intended whatsoever, B) is the understanding of the Cop Mentality. When you are a police officer, it truly is an "Us vs Them" mentality. To quote James Woods, "It's not what we do, it's what we are."
That is a concept that the general public just cannot comprehend.. And, when confronted by the concept, the natural reaction from civilians is hostility...
To paraphrase W.C. Fields: Every man needs to believe in something — I believe I'll have another ice-cold beer.
Obviously a man I can have a beer with!! :D
But just remember...
24 hours in a day... 24 beers in a case... COINCIDENCE??? I don't think so!!! :D
Michale.....
Reports say that Obama will be drinking all-American
horse urineBudweiser while Crowley will have a Blue Moon -- a report that makes me like Crowley just a wee little bit more. (No confirmation yet on Gates's choice of brew.)What I love about this story is that Obama has successfully turned the uproar into positive media obsession. It's no longer a story about cops arresting Gates, or the president calling their behavior stupid; it's now about three guys having a beer. Talk about your framing!
Exactly, Matt...well, that and the fact that it takes a lot of the heat off of what's been going on with the healthcare reform debate...I don't think this one is going to end well.
It's no longer a story about cops arresting Gates, or the president calling their behavior stupid; it's now about three guys having a beer. Talk about your framing!
It simply shows who is the bigger person here... Sgt Crowley and the men and women of the Cambridge PD...
As I said before, if this HAD been a case of REAL racism, IE Gates was actually a victim of REAL racism and Crowley was one step away from being the KKK Grand Dragon, do you HONESTLY believe that the hysterical Left would have acquiesced as gentlemanly and maturely as those on the Right have done??
Of course not...
By taking the high road, Sgt Crowley and those of the C.P.D. have shown what TRUE maturity is all about..
The hysterical (and not so hysterical) Left should take note on how REAL adults act...
Michale.....
i love beer. in fact, i wrote a love song to beer. beer is love. i'd have a beer with anyone here. we're all just awesome that way.
I have just two comments. The first, from that well-known philosopher (and onetime Beer Baron) Homer Simpson:
"Here's to alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems!"
And the second comes via Canada, since a Canadian first told me this joke (also, because it has a canoe in it).
Q: "How is American beer like having sex in a canoe?"
A: "Because it's fucking close to water."
Ahem. Time for another round, anyone?
-CW
It's always time for another round, anyone.
Molson's, anyone?
heh.
-CW
Sorry, that's not my brand. But enough about beer! Did you see the Daily Show today - has it been on there, yet.
You have to see this one, Chris!
I can't help it...I have to give you a hint.
Bill Kristol self-destructs and, in the process, he destroys his primary talking point against a public option in healthcare reform. And, he throws any American not in the military under the bus...just for good measure!
Cheers!
Chris,
Do you know why American beer goes through you so fast?
Because it doesn't have to stop and change color...
http://www.instantrimshot.com
The problem here is that, by crying wolf and playing the Race Card, both Obama and Gates have made it harder on those who suffer from REAL racism to seek and get justice.
Both Obama and Gates have done a grave disservice to the fight against racism.
Michale
crossposted to Huffington Post
Liz,
And, he throws any American not in the military under the bus…
What's yer point?? :D
OsborneInk,
Do you know why American beer goes through you so fast?
Because it doesn't have to stop and change color…
It's a documented fact that NO ONE ever actually purchases beer. It's just rented for a while. And on the International Space Station, it's recycled.. :D
Michale....
Michale,
I wasn't trying to make any point, really...just to say that it was a very good interview with Bill Kristol...one that shouldn't be missed!
:D
Liz,
I know... I was going for the laugh... :D IE What's wrong with throwing any American who hasn't served in the military under the bus? :D
Little bit o humor there..
Yea, I know.. VERY little.. :D
Michale.....
These days, Michale, any little bit of humour is good. :)
"You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline." -Frank Zappa
Interesting anecdote here.. :D
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=8195564&page=1
Seems that Gates and Crowley are actually related...
It's also entirely possible that the lovely and talented Mrs CW is also a relative of the two.. :D
Michale.....
Today's "Beer Summit" is being billed as a "teachable moment" about Race.
Bullshit..
This incident has NOTHING to do with Race except that Gates and Obama tried to MAKE it about Race..
Courtesy of Tommy De Sono, here are the REAL moments that are "teachable" ones..
* It’s OK to call the police when you see people breaking into a neighbor’s house, no matter what color they are.
* If a neighbor calls the police about a burglary and it turns out it was just you breaking into your own home, thank the neighbor for watching out for your home.
* If a police officer arrives at your home because a neighbor saw you breaking in, offer him your identification with a smile. For all he knows you are a burglar and he won’t know differently until you show your ID.
* There are laws on the books against “tumultuous behavior†in public. They aren’t great laws because they are extremely vague. They are often used to quell a speaker who thinks he has the free speech right to yell in public, as Gates was doing. Once a police officer warns you about public disturbances, you should calm down, because you can be arrested if your free speech is done by public yelling.
* If ‘tumultuous behavior’ laws aren’t great laws because they are vague, that’s the fault of your legislators. Be sympathetic to the police officer who is charged with having to figure out what public behavior is or isn’t “tumultuous.â€
* If you really dislike ‘tumultuous behavior’ laws, elect a state legislator who promises to make it less vague.
* And finally, the obvious: If you start cracking on a police officer’s momma, then yeah, you’re going to get arrested for tumultuous behavior.
To these great teachable moments, I would add one more...
Those who try to make a racial incident out of something that clearly isn't are not allowed to play the Race Card ever again..
How kewl would THAT be!?? :D
Michale....