monday night football wake up

Has been updated: 7 minutes ago Release: twenty two minutes ago

This week has been difficult, but it has also been bright.

For the first time in 100 years, we saw a newly elected political party in Congress fail to elect a leader six times in a row. Today, representatives in Congress lack a leader and are unable to hold public office, much less address our country’s difficult needs. The current situation is the latest act in a long-running scenario of partisan primaries that forces candidates to respond to extreme ideologies. Should we expect consensus building, good governance, and a willingness to step back from the brink?

Capitol Hill’s reaction to this situation is predictably one of hostility. A vengeful expression of Democrats rejoicing at their inability to assume leadership, and Republicans torn apart by toxic internal divisions, malice, and blatant contempt for one another. It pretty much captures the spirit of the current Congress. And maybe our country.

But on January 2nd, I saw an entirely different spirit awaken during the NFL Monday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals. The game started with all the enthusiasm and competition expected of a partisan fan supporting their respective teams’ efforts to earn his place in the top-seeded playoffs. They each had his one concern of winning the team.

Then everything changed.

Young Bill’s security collapses on the field and Dumar Hamlin, a victim of cardiac arrest. The fighting scene soon fell silent, and within minutes it was a scene of prayers and an emergency medical response to save Dahmer Hamlin’s life. Fans and athletes were visibly shaken when an ambulance arrived on the field and first responders administered Hamlin his CPR. Tears flowed, we held each other’s hands, knelt down, and prayed together. A painting that combines humility with an interest in Dumar Hamlin’s life.

And the media reaction was no exception. ESPN analyst Dan Orlowski prayed on-air. impact. “The concerted response of support and prayers to Dumar Hamlin and his family continues to grow each day.

The awakening of MNF is that despite our many imperfections, America recognizes the fundamental and moral truths of each person’s unique worth, and how we treat each other. It is further proof of the enduring reality of having a deep meaning. We need love and care.

“OK, that’s sports, but politics is different. You can’t show sympathy or understanding to your political opponents.” I am a corrupt and flawed human being who does not always live up to that high standard.

Abraham Lincoln said that if our country were to perish, it would not be perished by foreign powers, but by suicides and factions. Who can deny that we are witnesses to this truth? increase. Our national motto is “In God We Trust”. are we? Interestingly, our motto has no word on trust in political parties. thank god.

There is a simple truth here. I hope it will be accepted. Free people cannot survive unless they prioritize commonality and flexibility in their governance processes. Neither side, left or right, can “overwhelm the other” in strength and numbers. Our election proves that we are evenly divided down the middle. And that middle line is becoming like an iron curtain, with those attempting to communicate or community with the other side being witnessed by the party’s border guards.

On January 2nd, Monday night football set off a wake-up call. Let us pray for such a transformative awakening in our own lives and in the lives of our elected and appointed leaders. There is no other way to build a true culture of peace.

chuck cop A lifelong Alaskan, a member of the Alaska House of Representatives and a policy consultant.

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