Editorial

Political correctness bumps real issues

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

We may not find ourselves in the worst of times but it's far from the best of times as well. The IRS scandal, much to the administration's dismay, is not going away. The Democrats have decided to reluctantly participate in the long-overdue Benghazi probe. And the increasingly unraveling Obamacare disaster just won't go away.

So in the midst of a hibernating economy and a nonexistent foreign policy, the United States Senate has decided to take the bold step of tackling one of the more pressing issues of our time.

Fifty duly-elected Senators have signed a form letter calling for the Washington NFL franchise to change their hurtful Redskins name that apparently is tearing apart the very fabric of this great nation.

At long last, we finally have our priorities aligned!

Despite a growing personal concern over finances and the distinct possibility that our new health care mandate will leave me in need of medical services that are unavailable, I find myself sleepless over the offensive Redskins name and its impact on the American way of life.

Sure, like many of you perhaps, I know personally two brave young men - absolutely the finest this great nation can offer - who today put their lives at risk in Afghanistan to protect our freedoms.

But their sacrifice pales in comparison when I think of the damage done by calling a sports franchise the Redskins.

And sure, I worry about medical services that may not be available to my 88-year-old parents under the rule of Obama. But no worries occupy my tortured thoughts as much as the continued use of a highly politically incorrect Redskins moniker.

And now I fully understand why former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wondered publicly "what difference does it matter" when talking of the death of Chris Stevens in Benghazi because I can only assume she was focusing her priorities on the Redskins controversy.

Granted, the Veterans Affairs medical delivery system is in shambles but can you believe the NFL allows the Redskins name to still be in use?

But today, at long last, I can stand proud and confident in those 50 brave leaders who put aside their wasted time on these trivial matters to tackle the underlying foundational issue that threatens to tear this great nation apart.

As a good American, I wait anxiously for the politically correct police to remind me of those thoughts and words that are judged offensive. On my own, I find myself sinking slowly into the world of bigotry and disgusting stereotypes and I don't even realize the hurtful impact I bring on society.

But with the power of the 50 brave Senators behind me, I now can see the error of my ways and I am free to focus on the core issue that impacts this great nation.

And though I am not a rabid football fan, I can finally watch the beloved Washington NFL franchise dazzle on the gridiron without the overhanging repulsion of calling them by that offensive R-word.

Let's just hope they don't need a Hail Mary pass this coming season. I'm sure someone in the Muslim or atheist community may find that offense and then all hell would break loose!

Note to the United States Senate: Get another form letter ready and just leave blank that which you feel is politically incorrect. Without your bold guidance there's no telling what we might think.

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