Very good column, Mark. I enjoyed reading it and agree with your thesis... for the most part. The Redskins were certainly a shared interest that made it easy to discuss shared interest with a range of politicos living and working in this town. And as you point out, sharing that interest on a regular basis with others of different political persuasions tended to minimize the political divisions. However, as we both know, there was also a time when Members and their top aides routinely looked for opportunities to work across the aisle to demonstrate that they were pragmatists who sought to get things done for the country. Now, that type of behavior is condemned more than it is condoned.
Like you, I hope the revamped Commanders will create some common ground that Rs and Ds can share that will promote constructive communications and lessen the instinct to brutally attack the other side without regard for future ramifications. However, it will take more than a transcendent quarterback and improved coaching staff to accomplish that loftier goal. Nonetheless, let's hope the Commanders' run continues so we can, once again, enjoy fall Sundays as well as hold some hope for the sanity of our country. Rick
Well, I didn’t think it would solve the whole problem, but it does point out, I think, that during those more bipartisan times, it was personal relationships that encouraged the right kind of legislation. We have to start somewhere. Maybe this is a good place to start.
Very nice. While I disagree that bipartisanship ended with a Redskins' championship (spoken as a lifelong and long-suffering Dallas Cowboys fan), this is a lovely sentimental post. Except for their stupid name change, I find myself cheering for good 'old DC's football team, given how badly they've suffered under Dan Snyder these many years (and my Cowboys genuinely suck). I wish them well, and I will happily sport burgundy and gold if/when they begin the playoffs. Two victories over the hapless Cowboys are all but assured.
When I went to American University in the early 1990s, I got talking to a DC cop one afternoon and he was talking about how popular the Redskins were. He said crime actually went down on Sunday afternoons because even the criminals were watching the football games.
Very good column, Mark. I enjoyed reading it and agree with your thesis... for the most part. The Redskins were certainly a shared interest that made it easy to discuss shared interest with a range of politicos living and working in this town. And as you point out, sharing that interest on a regular basis with others of different political persuasions tended to minimize the political divisions. However, as we both know, there was also a time when Members and their top aides routinely looked for opportunities to work across the aisle to demonstrate that they were pragmatists who sought to get things done for the country. Now, that type of behavior is condemned more than it is condoned.
Like you, I hope the revamped Commanders will create some common ground that Rs and Ds can share that will promote constructive communications and lessen the instinct to brutally attack the other side without regard for future ramifications. However, it will take more than a transcendent quarterback and improved coaching staff to accomplish that loftier goal. Nonetheless, let's hope the Commanders' run continues so we can, once again, enjoy fall Sundays as well as hold some hope for the sanity of our country. Rick
Well, I didn’t think it would solve the whole problem, but it does point out, I think, that during those more bipartisan times, it was personal relationships that encouraged the right kind of legislation. We have to start somewhere. Maybe this is a good place to start.
Very nice. While I disagree that bipartisanship ended with a Redskins' championship (spoken as a lifelong and long-suffering Dallas Cowboys fan), this is a lovely sentimental post. Except for their stupid name change, I find myself cheering for good 'old DC's football team, given how badly they've suffered under Dan Snyder these many years (and my Cowboys genuinely suck). I wish them well, and I will happily sport burgundy and gold if/when they begin the playoffs. Two victories over the hapless Cowboys are all but assured.
When I went to American University in the early 1990s, I got talking to a DC cop one afternoon and he was talking about how popular the Redskins were. He said crime actually went down on Sunday afternoons because even the criminals were watching the football games.
Love it! Finding those things that unite us makes all the difference.