A lot of ink and bytes have been consumed writing about the arrest of Professor Gates as he returned home from Japan and forced his own stuck front door open, attracting attention and a call to the police from a passer-by. A lot of name calling has followed. A lot of pompousness too. The best idea  I’ve heard so far in retrospect was President Obama’s invitation for all parties involved to have a beer with him. I’m guessing a European lager.

Professors and policemen have one thing in common — peer review. Professors who are published in distinguished journals have committees who referee their work and make sure all data and references are correct. Police departments have Internal Affairs divisions that review choices police persons make when carrying out their duties.