Yes...DC is exclusively controlled by Congress. I understand that the residents there don’t like that... but the solution is to amend the constitution to allow DC to become a state. Thing the Dems would like more as that would give then 2 Senate and 1 House seta forever. But then they would have to be treated like every other state and would lose the massive subsidies they get from the federal coffers. DC does not have sufficient tax base or other revenue potential to be viable as a state. Better they petition MD to be annexed as part of MD...that would give them full representation but even that would REQUIRE amending the constitution...and the likelihood of that happening is essentially non existent.

Well it's about time. And while we are at it, there are a number of other sports teams that need name changes as well. In response to an article by Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune covering the Redskins story, a reader wrote:

Dear Mr. Page,
I agree with our Native American population. I am highly insulted by the racially charged name of the Washington Redskins. One might argue that to name a professional football team after Native Americans would exalt them as fine warriors, but nay, nay. We must be careful not to offend, and in the spirit of political correctness and courtesy, we must move forward.
Let’s ditch the Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians. If your shorts are in a wad because of the reference the name Redskins makes to skin color, then we need to get rid of the Cleveland Browns.
The Carolina Panthers obviously were named to keep the memory of militant Blacks from the 60’s alive. Gone. It’s offensive to us white folk. The New York Yankees offend the Southern population. Do you see a team named for the Confederacy? No! There is no room for any reference to that tragic war that cost this country so many young men’s lives.
I am also offended by the blatant references to the Catholic religion among our sports team names. Totally inappropriate to have the New Orleans Saints, the Los Angeles Angels or the San Diego Padres.
Then there are the team names that glorify criminals who raped and pillaged. We are talking about the horrible Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Pirates!
Now, let us address those teams that clearly send the wrong message to our children:
The San Diego Chargers promote irresponsible fighting or even spending habits. Wrong message to our children.
The New York Giants and San Francisco Giants promote obesity, a growing childhood epidemic. Wrong message to our children.
The Cincinnati Reds promote downers/barbiturates. Wrong message to our children.
The Milwaukee Brewers. Well that goes without saying. Wrong message to our children.
So, there you go. We need to support any legislation that comes out to rectify this travesty, because the government will likely become involved with this issue, as they should. Just the kind of thing the do-nothing Congress loves.
As a diehard Oregon State fan, my wife and I, with all of this in mind, suggest it might also make some sense to change the name of the Oregon State women’s athletic teams to something other than “the Beavers” (especially when they play Southern California. Do we really want the Trojans sticking it to the Beavers???)
I always love your articles and I generally agree with them.
As for the ‘Redskins’ name I would suggest they change the name to the ‘Foreskins’ to better represent their community, paying tribute to the dick heads in Congress.