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It used to be bet­ter. Every­thing did. What changed?

Did we grow up? Did Okla­homa City bomb­ings, 9/11, Kat­rina and the rise of Puri­tan val­ues do it? Can the fact we’re allowed to see graphic vio­lence on prime-time TV, but not nudity, desen­si­tize the nation to the point we don’t care what we’re doing anymore?

The Super Bowl used to be a shin­ing exam­ple of every­thing that was great about Amer­ica. The best teams play­ing on the biggest stage along­side the most cre­ative ad minds, both armed with mas­sive bud­gets, join together for one night that’s meant to inspire, to chal­lenge and to make us proud to be Amer­i­can.

But it didn’t. It didn’t make me think. The event was dis­ap­point­ing. For the first time in my life, I was FAR more enter­tained by the game. It used to be equal.

Good for the New Orleans Saints. Con­grats to the fans who have been long suf­fer­ing, with both bad foot­ball and the most embar­rass­ing response to a tragedy I can remem­ber, I hope you par­tied your hearts out last night.

Hope you raised your glasses and were thank­ful to be where you were, with who you were with, and what you were doing. I hope you were inspired. I hope you were happy.

I wish the rest of us could feel that way. Yes we can?

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