Long Island Iced Tea Summit

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the news conference during which President Barack Obama said a Cambridge police officer had “acted stupidly” in arresting his friend, Harvard Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr.

The ensuing uproar led to the infamous “beer summit.”

Fast forward to, well, yesterday and another racially-charged incident is playing out on cable TV and dominating the headlines.

The White House provided a readout of Obama’s call with Shirley Sherrod:

The President reached Ms. Sherrod by telephone at about 12:35. They spoke for seven minutes.

The President expressed to Ms. Sherrod his regret about the events of the last several days. He emphasized that Secretary Vilsack was sincere in his apology yesterday, and in his work to rid USDA of discrimination.

The President told Ms. Sherrod that this misfortune can present an opportunity for her to continue her hard work on behalf of those in need, and he hopes that she will do so.

An invitation to the White House is not in the offing so I would like to propose a Long Island Iced Tea summit.

With race relations worsening, we all could use a drink (or two).