Thomas McCrystal Champions Teamwork

George,

The summer before last, I had the great opportunity to play lacrosse in Perth, for an Australian Master's team at the World Lacrosse Games.

It was a great trip in general, but one of the things that I learned was the terrible cost we're paying for our intemperate political speech. In Sydney, I'd watch the "Today Show", hear liberal shills use words like "liar" and "neofascist", and listen to conservatives throwing "traitor" and "treasonous".

So, over beers with my teammates, they wanted to know what was really up. I didn't have much to say in anyone's defense. When you're out of the country, ugly rhetoric is embarassing. It sucked.

Since then, it's gotten worse. And we're all -- every one of us -- diminished by it.

When my team took the field, we weren't a bunch of Aussies, a Canadian, and an American. We were a team.

Here, we may be Democrats and Republicans, moderates, conservatives, and liberals. As I write this, on the Fourth of July, I believe that it is good to recall that while there's a time for partisanship, there's also a time to remember that we're all supposed to be playing for the same team. (electronic mail, July 4, 2004)

Note: Taking care of our flag is like taking care of our country. What is important to you? Is there a statement you would like to make? A cause you would like to advocate for?

If you would like to be immortalized on my website showing your colors, contact me at george@loper.org