by John Carr
Even in Washington there are things more important than politics. There are losses more profound than an election defeat or the failure of a piece of legislation. When we lose someone who reminds us of what is important and what is not, there are lessons for personal, public and religious life. For me, and apparently many others, my youngest brother, David Carr, was such a person.
by John Carr
The most predictable Washington ritual is the president’s State of the Union address. This civic liturgy includes an entrance procession of the Senate, Cabinet and Supreme Court followed by the president, who declares the union “strong” and offers his policies to make it stronger. Members of the president’s party repeatedly stand and applaud and the other party offers disapproving silence from their seats. The ritualistic political theater includes the presence of symbolic citizens chosen for their moving stories, which reinforce poll-tested messages.
