I was taught and came to respect a number of things about being a man. Principles matter, as does the willingness to be reasonable and fair, yet direct. When Obama was asked (asked) whether the Washington Redskins should change their name due to what seems to be a racist (or more reasonably stated, an antiquated) name for the team, he was well within his rights as a man to respond. As a thinking adult, he should have responded, and he did. There are wars going on, arguably started, but certainly engaged in significantly, by America. There is fractured government, economic instability that is likely to get worse before it gets better, and a growing chasm between rich and poor that is almost unparalleled. There is also, of course, very real racism with palpable and pervasive results that extend further forward and backward than this controversy ever could. Yet, he is still a man and should be permitted (without excoriation) to respond to a question only noteworthy in how unnoteworthy it is. 

The question itself at a time like this is more of a crime. The reporter asking the question should be flogged with a Redskins jersey, or at least be made to wear one. The President’s response could also hardly have been more neutral and canned. He did not exactly go out on a limb by suggesting that a change should be “considered” IF and apparently since, a group of people are offended by it. He could only have been more noncommittal by not answering the question at all. His response was not news worthy. It would behoove the news media to stop the incessant and exponential reporting on reactions to reactions and to limit coverage to the actual news. Naturally, “behooves” does not cover the financial windfalls from lowbrow coverage that rises to the level of lowest common denominator which seems to ensconce the majority of viewers (sadly). Those addicted to outrage for the sake of those empty emotional calories are a powerful source of income. Nevertheless, perhaps the media would agree to cover the reactions of people only to a minimal number of degrees removed from the story itself. Otherwise, they should simply adorn themselves with the scarlet letter of reality TV.