As Barack Obama, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates and Cambridge police officer James Crowley get ready to share a beer, the nation finally has an opportunity to discuss racial prejudice and its lasting impact on American society. Haha, just kidding.

For cable news, the mix of politics, race and beer is like catnip. There are so many issues to consider: Will this change the topic away from the controversy? (Yes, yes it will.) Is Bud Light an American beer? (Not any more.) Is a picnic table the proper forum for this occasion? (Just STFU.) And how long do we have to wait for this thing?



Thanks go to Mike Byhoff for the excellent video work.