Nick Wass / AP Photo

Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson issued an injunction which has temporarily lifted the National Football League’s players lockout. Many players around the country, including at least one Washington footballer, took the opportunity to try and get back to work. R******s owner Dan Snyder, following that lead, took the opportunity to remind everyone that he’s still suing the Washington City Paper over Dave McKenna’s “The Cranky Redskins Fan’s Guide to Dan Snyder“. Oh, and also to make sure no one forgets that he’s acting like a petulant child.

In an op-ed published last night by the Washington Post, Snyder explains, using some interesting logic, why he’s suing the City Paper. As far as we can tell, it has something to do with a combination of his desire to control everything in his world, his father’s journalistic chops, a belief that his lawyers can prove what Dave McKenna knew to be false, and some kind of strange fascination with using exclamation points in the middle of a very serious piece. Snyder also announced that he’ll refile the lawsuit in the District today “for legal reasons.”

For more than eight months, the same writer at this tabloid blogged or wrote about me. In producing more than 55 pieces, only three times did this particular writer bother to call my staff to check facts. The reporters of The Post and other papers know that my communications adviser, Tony Wyllie, is available 24-7 to respond to questions about me and the Washington Redskins. This writer, however, chose not to call to check the facts before he wrote an article last November that contained so many false assertions.

I am the son of a University of Missouri School of Journalism graduate whose professional pedigree includes working at United Press International and National Geographic. I am proud of that legacy from my dad and understand the journalist’s perspective and challenges.

I am not thin-skinned about personal criticism. I consider myself very fortunate to own the Redskins. Criticism comes with the territory and I respect it. I have never sued people who publish critical opinions of me, nor have I previously sued any news organization.

You’d think that someone wrapped in such prestigious journalistic lineage would be more familiar with Washington’s stringent law against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, but I digress. (And while we’re on the topic: what gives with the lack of a link to McKenna’s piece in the opinion piece, WaPo?) Snyder also offers up a screed about the forgery allegations which he’s basing the lawsuit on, admits that he’s “publicly committed to donate any financial damages I win to help the homeless” (good for you!), and adds “All I want is for the Redskins to win!” Well, that, and to make sure everyone keeps the image of Dan Snyder as one of the region’s biggest jerks fresh in their minds.

City Paper’s directing those who had somehow forgotten they were being sued to their Legal Defense Fund. On the bright side, as the paper’s Alan Suderman pointed out, the change in venue will now at least allow the City Paper to cover its own trial.