But apparently Gates still doesn’t get it. If he wants a New Yorker article and a PBS documentary out of this, he’s going to have to dig deep and challenge his own thinking on race relations. A simple misunderstanding and flared tempers lacks a little umph and isn’t going to cut it. Hard to get indignant about that. But I dunno, Professor Gates, there could be something in this idea that we are entering a new phase in race relations, some new ground you can chart out. Maybe we’re approaching a place in this country where no one can make immediate assumptions, throw around accusations, and make demands anymore. Where there has to be some room for nuance, understanding. And the recognition that racism is a two-way street. Think about it.

Obama, too, who also called this a “teachable moment.” Absolutely. If he’s willing to listen, and learn. Turns out this is not so much about race as it is about being civil. In the transcendant words of Rodney King, “Can’t we all just get along?"

Just as the clip says it will distract from Obama's other antics, nothing happens in the Whitehouse that isn't planned and you would be a fool to think otherwise.