"It's a Wonderful Life" Redux

In case you haven't already seen it elsewhere, here's the must-watch video of CNN reporter Don Lemon interviewing three of Cambridge, Massachusetts Police Sgt. Michael Crowley's fellow officers. While Sgt. Crowley, choked with emotion, watches mutely, the CNN reporter speaks in turn with Sgt. Leon Lashley, an unidentified policeman, and Officer Kelly King. The reporter, Sgt. Lashley (who was on the scene at the Henry Louis Gates incident), and Officer King all happen to be black.

The interview brings to mind the climactic scene from It's a Wonderful Life, when George stands there speechless as his friends and family stream in with piles of money to save Bailey Building and Loan from the clutches of the venal Mr. Potter – it's actually that heartwarming. Sgt. Crowley, who, like George, seems like an idealistic individual who has always tried to treat others as he himself would like to be treated, stands there with tears welling up in his eyes as one after another, his fellow officers vouch for his character.

Officer Kelly King is particularly noteworthy. Most of us have never heard of her before. Undoubtedly, this is the first time in her life that she has ever addressed millions of people. She speaks straight from the heart, with no prepared script – and no teleprompter, yet she displays not a trace of nervousness. On the contrary, her eloquence and sincerity cause her words to have a far greater impact than those of any "hired gun" professional speechwriter. She even speaks in whole paragraphs, with nary an "umm" or an "uhh."

The eminent Henry Louis Gates would undoubtedly be Mr. Potter. However, we can take the "It's a Wonderful Life" parallel only so far. Despite his premeditated effort to inject himself into the controversy, there does not appear to be a meaningful role in this plot for our rookie President. His ill-considered remarks at his infamous press conference have boomeranged. The mud he aimed at Sgt. Crowley has somehow flown right back and splattered all over him. Now, in an attempt to extricate himself from his self-made mess as gracefully as possible, he has grasped gratefully at a lifeline thrown to him by the gentlemanly Sgt. Crowley. We are given to understand that the scheduled White House tête-à-tête over beers with His Eminence, Professor Henry Louis Gates, to be moderated (refereed?) by President Obama, was Sgt. Crowley's idea.

Watch – and be thankful that once in a while, just as in the movies, the good guys win at the end.