The NFL was a distraction. Some might say it still is. Trump is dismantling the Obama administration’s work piece by piece, but most of the Anti-Trump TV time is focused on the NFL. Many Americans who never cared about politics before spent their Sunday afternoons and Monday nights absorbed in the NFL. It was a “bread and circuses” entertainment model that centered around shoving its head in the sand where politics were concerned. When the NFL allowed their rules and their players to get political, the business violated its DNA and it was only ever going downhill from there.
Since, Americans have gotten more involved. Some have gone more Left, some more Right, but more good people are getting involved. The problem now is anger.
The nation is run by demagoguery and populist fads. Few understand critical thinking. Every idea is presumed to be part of an agenda, even at the coffee shop. Anti-Trumpists are feeling what Trumpists have felt for a long time: They aren’t getting what they want. After a few years, they might realize how much they have in common with the “other guy”. Many do already.
In the short run, America will see more and more hissy fits. But, eventually, they will talk to each other, see the results of policy and the consequences of election, and get their facts sorted out.
Strange as it sounds, American politics owe a great deal of gratitude to the NFL after all.
Twitter shuts down Blackburn campaign announcement video | AP
Napa Valley Fire: California fires coverage | LA Times
Trump threatens to abandon Puerto Rico recovery effort | WA Post
Capital Hill
Trump and the dismantling of Obama’s legacy | Daily Mail
10 Bills Have Been Introduced | Data Lounge
1. HR 861 Terminate the Environmental Protection Agency
2. HR 610 Vouchers for Public Education
3. HR 899 Terminate the Department of Education
4. HJR 69 Repeal Rule Protecting Wildlife
5. HR 370 Repeal Affordable Care Act
6. HR 354 Defund Planned Parenthood
7. HR 785 National Right to Work (this one is devastating to the working class)
8. HR 83 Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Bill
9. HR 147 Criminalizing Abortion (“Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act”)
10. HR 808 Sanctions against Iran”
An old-school pharmacy hand-delivers drugs to Congress, a little-known perk for the powerful | Stat
Trump suggests challenging TV network licenses over ‘fake news’ | Yahoo – Reuters
NFL
ESPN Suspends Jemele Hill For Two Weeks | Daily Caller
Roger Goodell tells NFL owners ‘everyone should stand for the national anthem’ | KC Star
NFL Owners to Discuss Policy on Standing for Anthem | WSJ
‘Monday Night Football’ Ratings Hits Season Low As Vikings Win Tight G | Deadline
Colin Kaepernick Reportedly Files Grievance Against NFL Owners for Collusion | Bleacher Report