President Barack Obama bothered to state his opinion on the Redskins' name, a pressing issue in these trying times. It isn't exactly politically correct, is it, to have the native Americans as a mascot, unlike the Vikings, or the Spartans, or the Buccaneers, say, since they aren't around anymore. Owner Dan Snyder has been harshly criticized for saying they would "NEVER" change their name, and so it is up to lawyer Lanny Davis to smooth over the owner's vehemence, and take on the sometimes role of PR representative that lawyers tend to adopt.

"There are parts of Dan Snyder that I find extremely likeable, I think he's a good guy -- wish he would let people know that -- but saying all caps isn't the side of Dan Snyder that I want him to project" said Davis.

In this way he is able to suggest that his friend and employer is a bit of an asshole at times, but that he shouldn't project that part publicly.

Whether all caps or no, the answer is the same, nevertheless.



"[T]he answer is no, I don't think saying 'all caps, never' is the right tone," said Davis. I think saying 'We care about people's feelings, we're respectful when anyone is offended, but we have this 80-year name that we love. We sing 'Hail to the Redskins' every Sunday at the stadium, and we say 'we're part of Redskins Nation.' That's our vocabulary. Those are 'terms of honor.' And that's what he should have said, but he, I don't think is going to say 'all caps, never' again."

And so the lawyer must ease tensions and make sure nothing gets changed and everybody is happy with that. Those who would insist they are dignified people by being offended must always be pandered to, in a way, and when it comes to easing tensions, lawyers have the language necessary to smooth over troubled waters.