An Open Letter to Tom Brady

May 15, 2015

Dear Tom, as I write this letter I understand that you have assembled a dream team of legal experts that will file an appeal of the suspension you recently received from the NFL. Perhaps you should add a PR /crisis manager expert to your team. I recommend Olivia Pope. Admittedly she is a fictional character from a popular TV show but still she seems pretty good at what she does. Besides she refers to herself as a gladiator in a suit so it sounds like she might know a little about football too.  As a crisis management  expert she would review your case but ultimately advise you to withdraw your appeal. I think that would be excellent advice Tom. I am sure that you are aware that in the court of public opinion where NFL fans are the judge and jury you have been found guilty of the offenses and the consensus is that your 4 game suspension is more than fair. I understand that you have a reputation as a fierce competitor which is what helps to make you an outstanding QB. I am sure that like most athletes you abhor losing. Well Tom the play you've called is not going to work, call an audible! I hope you realize that if you win your appeal, you will actually lose in the long run. If this is about your legacy as some say Tom you will do further damage to it by continuing this appeals process. At some point Tom you must realize that every situation you encounter in life is not a competition nor is it a zero sum game where there is a clear winner and a clear loser. Although I am not Olivia Pope I do get paid for my PR counsel. Were I advising you, I would recommend that your best course of action  would be to hold a press conference today, where you would admit that you lied, apologize to the fans, your teammates, the ballboys, Ted Wells the NFL, and whomever you deem appropriate and withdraw your appeal. America will forgive you  because they really want to and you are still a likable guy.  However if you continue down this road with your appeal, which you might win considering that Roger Goodell,  a great friend of your team owner is going to make the final decision, you will paint yourself as a petulant, arrogant villain in the eyes of fans and the general public. So ask yourself Tom, which is worse, humbling yourself , being contrite, admitting you cheated and being forgiven or proceeding with an appeal that if you win might get you back on the field a couple of games sooner but will more than likely tarnish your image and legacy forever? At some point should you continue down this bumpy road, the sentiment will become ,to borrow a quote from the McCarthy hearings, "At long last sir have you no sense of decency?" Let it go Tom. End it today. Any argument about the penalty being too stiff or questions about proportionality are preposterous Tom, we are talking about the integrity of the game. If the Chicago Little League baseball team, a group of teens,  can accept its punishment for allegedly cheating, a punishment by the way that is way more severe than yours, ---being stripped of their title--you as an adult and professional athlete can certainly accept yours. As that football guru, Jon Gruden, often states, let's not make this too complicated Tom, you cheated, you were caught and now you are paying the price. Tom in every crisis there is an opportunity and this is your opportunity to turn a negative into a positive. Embrace it! Throw your self on the mercy of the court of public opinion and do it today. I know that there is little to no chance that you will ever read this letter but I hope you will. If not I hope that someone in your inner circle will express this point of view to you. I think it would be very helpful. All the best to Giselle, your kids and you. 

Sincerely,

Michael Nixon   

America it’s Time to Make Congress Work for us not the NRA

America it’s Time to Make Congress Work for us not the NRA

This Time has to be Different

This time it can’t be business as usual. This time the outcome has to be different. That seemed to be the prevailing sentiment throughout America following the tragic killing of 20 children and 6 adults in Newtown, Connecticut in December. The heinous nature and sheer brutality of the murders and the timing-right before Christmas- seemed to galvanize the nation to finally take meaningful action to curb the scourge of gun violence that has plagued our country for far too long. Although 34 Americans are killed by gun violence everyday which means over 11,000 die annually by someone wielding a deadly weapon, those sobering statistics never seemed to be enough to move the average American to demand action. After all, those individual murders could be dismissed as local urban violence, gang related, domestic violence, home invasions and somehow acceptable. But the Newtown incident in Connecticut was different. These were little children some as young as 5 years old gunned down and shot multiple times by a madman using an assault weapon. Surely this would be a watershed moment. President Obama convened a task force chaired by vice president Biden. The task force included police commissioners, gun rights advocates and even the National Rifle Association. Momentum and public opinion appeared to be favoring a major change in gun laws. Even the NRA membership favored a new direction. The membership understood that what was best for America was best for their organization. Following the recommendations of the task force, the president signed an unprecedented number of executive orders into law. However more meaningful action like an assault weapons ban would be left to Congress. Now truly meaningful change will be left to the same members of Congress whose deafening silence spoke volumes in the immediate aftermath of the killing of all of those little children. While there were several senators and representatives that spoke out in favor of stricter gun laws and background checks in the days following the murders, it is telling that those members of Congress cowed by the NRA remained silent. Members of Congress that crave any opportunity to seize the national spotlight were nowhere to be found on the Sunday morning news programs. But now a mere 4 weeks after the murders-roughly one day for each victim-the voices of opposition are emerging. Perhaps buoyed by the disgraceful NRA ad campaign that dragged the president’s daughters into the argument, members like Rand Paul have begun spewing rhetoric right out of the NRA’s playbook. Others dismiss the incident as a mental health issue and nothing more. Although assault weapons were used in most of the mass killings, there are those that argue that implementing an assault weapons ban won’t matter citing the fact that their use in murders is uncommon. I guess all of those people killed with assault weapons don’t matter.  A common sense measure like limiting the number of rounds that can be placed in a cartridge to 10 is nearly laughed off by the NRA as shortsighted because the NRA argues that even an amateur shooter could reload in about a second. The NRA and their representatives in Congress and yes I did say their representatives will argue that this is just another attack on their second Amendment rights. Of course to the NRA any attempt to implement common sense laws like stricter background checks is an attempt to restrict their rights. To them there cannot be any compromise on this issue. To some gun rights advocates, gun ownership will somehow provide protection against a tyrannical government. They believe that any compromise is a slippery slope toward the day when no American can own a gun. They make this argument despite the fact that there is no serious proposal or discussion to outlaw the ownership of guns. They use these talking points to energize their membership and to defeat any legislation with which they disagree. And I must say it appears that it is working again. The NRA is counting on time passing, the news media shifting its attention to other issues and the short attention span of Americans to win. But that formula which has worked so well in the past doesn’t have to work this time. The NRA can be defeated. Their greatest fear is that they will be exposed as weaker than the public believes they are. It is very analogous to the bully in the schoolyard. No one stands up to the bully because of his reputation. However once the bully is challenged and publicly defeated the perception of his invincibility is destroyed. America it is time to stand up to the bully. And if your congressional delegation doesn’t have the backbone to do it, we need to help them grow the backbone. Here is what you can do. It is time for all Americans that support stricter gun laws to stand up and let your voices be heard. You must call, write, visit or e-mail your senators and representatives and let them know that you will not stand for business as usual- Not this time. Their contact information can be found online. Take a page out of the Tea party playbook and protest at the offices of your elected officials. If you belong to an organization like a fraternity or sorority or a civic association focus your energy on this issue. Disrupt their events if you must. Do whatever you need to do to let them know that you want this time to be different. Remind them that they work for you- not the NRA. After all you are far more powerful than any lobbyist, organization, PAC or caucus. We must honor those children, teachers and all Americans that are killed by gun violence, including the 34 that you will hear about tonight on the newscasts throughout the country. We must do our part for them. We must reassure their families that they did not die in vain that their murders aren’t business as usual. Because given the circumstances of 20 children gunned down in a peaceful New England town 11 days before Christmas, if we can’t win this time when can we?

Michael S. Nixon      

Joe Takes Ryan to School

Vice President Joe Biden schooled Congressman Ryan during tonight's vice presidential debate. From the economy to foreign policy issues the vice president demonstrated a command and passion for the facts that the Wisconsin congressman lacked. The most damning exchange occurred during a domestic policy discussion when moderator Matha Raddatz and the vice president pressed Ryan for specifics on the Romney-Ryan tax cut plan. Once again Ryan like Romney offered no specifics. The foreign policy debate was completely dominated by Biden which should not be surprising given the vice-president's extensive experience in that realm. However give Ryan's position and experience with foreign policy issues in Congress it is somewhat disturbing that he did not fare better. Given that Biden clearly won the debate, the key question is did Biden disqualify Ryan as vice president. Better stated can you as a voter see Ryan as your president? My answer is a resounding no! Ryan while demonstrating an ability to carry the GOP's message failed to meet even the minimum threshold that voters need to be comfortable with him as vice president. In fact his responses on Iran, Afghanistan and Syria were both naive and bereft of a clear and even moderately sophisticated understanding of the issues. Clearly Ryan is not ready for prime time. Even on domestic issues like the economy where Ryan seemingly would have an advantage he fell short of even modest expectations. One suspects that if Ryan would have been able to present and debate his core conservative beliefs he may have fared better. Still after viewing the debate it is clear that congressman Ryan while he may have a bright future is not ready to be the second in command let alone the leader of the free world. In this match --point Obama-Biden.

Mike Nixon
Copyright 2012 PolitiComm
mike-nixon.blogspot.com

Style vs. Substance: Romney’s Reality TV Campaign is Emmy Worthy

Mitt Romney’s presidential debate performance last night in Denver was astounding! No doubt about it. It was truly a masterful performance. His performance was amazing in an X Factor, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars reality show kind of way. Based on his debate tactics, it appears Romney is treating this election like he is a contestant on Survivor. His campaign motto should be-Out Play, outwit, outlast. Say anything to win. Unfortunately we live in an era where style means everything but substance-not so much. When most Americans that will choose the leader of the free world in a few weeks know more about Snooki from Jersey Shore than Education Secretary Arne Duncan, it is not surprising that most viewers thought Romney won the debate. Damn the facts, Mitt was the aggressor, the energy that drove this made for television event . After all we tune in to reality TV to watch the compelling, conniving, crazy characters willing to deceive and do anything to win. We overlook their character flaws and even revel in them. They are our favorite characters so we give them a pass. But here is the reality America. This is not a TV program it is an important election. An election must be about substance. Facts and details matter regardless of what a candidate says in a debate. They owe you that. When style is more important than substance we get a performance not an honest discussion of the important issues facing our country today. Truth matters too.     

Certainly anyone that has been paying attention knows the overwhelming number of Romney’s responses strained credulity. His ever changing positions on taxes, deficit reduction, healthcare reform and the plight of the middle class are very telling. Unfortunately a significant percentage of the estimated 60 to 70 million people that watched the debate have no idea of the positions of either candidate. So last night was their first opportunity to meet Mitt. Unless you know better one could come away from the debate thinking that Romney is a champion of the middle class. So there is the problem, not for Romney, after all for him it is mission accomplished. He saved his floundering campaign well at least for a week or two. But a lot of voters have been deceived, misled and bamboozled. So if one wins a debate by being intentionally disingenuous and offering few details then Romney won hands down. If the idea is to just win baby then he may be  on the track toward doing that--But at what cost? If you believe as I do that at a minimum any person running for the presidency should be honest, consistent, share facts and provide details then if Romney’s performance propels him to victory we the American people may end up being the Biggest Loser. Not because of any policy disagreements but because style will have triumphed over substance. That is fine for X Factor but not for a presidential election. We need to raise our expectations of the candidates and demand answers. We need to be active participants throughout the election process and do our homework. Go to rallies or call campaign offices and ask questions. So the question becomes will the electorate reward Mitt Romney based on style points or research his real positions at www.MittRomney.com and vote him off the island?

Mike Nixon
Copyright 2012 Politicomm
All Rights Reserved

President Obama ‘s Open Support of Gay Marriage Helps America Take a Giant Step toward True Equality

America Coming of Age

President Obama ‘s Open Support of Gay Marriage Helps America Take a Giant Step toward True Equality

Michael S. Nixon

 “I support gay marriage.” President Obama’s historic utterance of those four words is a landmark moment in American history. Although purely symbolic since it has no direct legislative impact, such clear, unambiguous speech by a sitting president will give momentum to those that champion the cause of equal rights. More importantly it validates the millions and ever growing population of gay Americans that have been relegated to second class citizens when it comes to marriage.

It is refreshing to read opinion polls that indicate that the American people are beginning to support gay rights in ever increasing numbers. It is encouraging to witness the coming of age of our teens that look at their peers being gay the same way as they look at being left-handed. They don’t care.

Gay marriage is truly a matter of equal rights and equal protection under the law. A majority should never have the right to vote on the rights of any other American.  According to the Declaration of Independence, our rights are inalienable and the birthright of every American.  If the majority had the chance to vote on the rights of others many of the great social issues that have raged throughout history, America would be a vastly different place.  In 1920’s America would women have acquired the right to vote with an electorate made up entirely of men? Would the Civil Rights Act of 1964 been passed when those directly impacted had very little input on the decision? Would slavery have been abolished in 1865 when most African Americans were powerless? Clearly the answer in each of these cases is a resounding no. For those that may quarrel with equating women, ethnic minorities, the physically challenged and the mentally ill with gay Americans, I pose this question--Are we not all Americans? An affirmative answer to that question makes it crystal clear that gay Americans deserve the same rights as all Americans. That includes the right to marry whomever they wish. 

For those that argue gay marriage tears at the moral fiber of America, I respond, what tears at the moral fiber of America is not gay marriage, but rather any person, group, religious organization or political party that attempts to deny the rights of Americans.  Further it tears at the tenuous bonds of our democracy.

My fervent hope is to eventually live in an America where I will one day explain to my unborn children, as they stare in disbelief that once upon a time in America every citizen did not have healthcare; That there was once a time when soldiers and sailors that volunteered to defend our country during wartime could not disclose their sexual orientation lest they be discharged in disgrace; That women were paid less than men for doing the same work; That state governments passed laws that dictated to women what they could or could not do with their own bodies and that once upon a time in America  there were people that went hungry everyday despite the fact that they were citizens living in the wealthiest country in the  history of the world.

For me this is personal, although not for the reasons you may think. Although I should not have to disclose my background to make this point, I will. I am a heterosexual. African-American, Ivy League educated male. I was raised as a Catholic and served as an altar boy.  In fact at one point my parents were convinced that I would become a priest.  Based on demographic and statistics I should be opposed to gay marriage. Thankfully I am the product of my parents both of whom were born in the segregated South of the early 1930’s. Certainly one can imagine the struggles and hardships they must have endured. Yet following Mass at breakfast in the kitchen our small West Philadelphia row home on a sunny April day in 1966, the topic of dating was broached by my then 9 year old brother, I was 7 at the time. At some point during the family discussion that included my 8 year old sister and 5 year old brother, my father intoned, “It doesn’t matter if the person you date is black or white.” Then my mother immediately stated, “And It doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a woman.” While I didn’t fully appreciate the context of those statements at the time, as I look back on my life it is clear that they have had a profound impact on how I live my life.  As a result of that conversation, I feel that is my duty to speak out against injustice, to fight against discrimination and where I see unfairness to level the playing field. That is my solemn duty as an American. I believe that is what makes us a more perfect union. More importantly it is my duty to my parents. For it is clear to me now on that day in 1966 in that little kitchen, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, that despite all they had experienced they had a vision for what America would be for their children, an America where their children would be free to pursue their dreams unencumbered by discrimination or prejudice, an America where everyone is truly free, an America where everyone can indeed pursue their own version of happiness. Something they may have been prohibited from doing.  I owe the fight to them. So every step America takes in that direction honors them. I will stand side by side with whomever fights to advance the cause of equal rights in America.

So I say thank you Mr. President for understanding what America can be. Words have power and your words have made America greater. Thank you for moving America closer to that great day when we are all equal. Thank you for having the courage as a president, father, husband and man to do what is right. While your critics will attribute your words as a political ploy because you made them during an election year, history will honor you.  Now I won’t have to have the same conversation my parents had with me and my siblings on that sunny day in 1966. You have honored America and my parents.

May 10, 2012

Copyright 2012 Michael S. Nixon