Forget the dysfunctional Congress and America's exploding wealth gap. Pay no attention to our ongoing wars in the Middle East, our sluggish economy and our widespread unemployment. Ignore the presidential race with its sparring rhetoric, mega slush funds and voter fraud campaigns. Don't fret about oil spills, global warming, environmental pollution or habitat loss.
Compared to our recent, most pressing problem, these political, financial, international and environmental threats to America were backpage issues, problems to be addressed in the future. Now, thanks to pressure from the media and an impassioned American public, the NFL has settled its dispute with the referees. No more blown calls! No more angry fans! No more stress for the billionaire owners and their millionaire players!
Yes, the NFL crisis was the major subject of conversation for many Americans over the past few months and it received plenty of airtime from our dominant news organizations. Social injustice, political turmoil, homelessness and the futile deaths of young soldiers in Afghanistan took a backseat to this vital American obsession. Now that the greatest threat to our country's welfare has been solved, we can focus on the less important matters.
