You have to admit, it was a pretty improbable ending.
The outcome seemed, at least by most accounts, a foregone conclusion. The heavy weight of history and tradition, the clear opinion of pundits, odds makers and amateur observers alike made it obvious to all that this was not going to happen. Never.
Even the President didn’t predict it.
But then, the long determined effort, the defiant march forward, the last-minute scramble, and suddenly, for the sake of much toil against a seemingly superior foe, victory! To the consternation of many, the unexpected happens.
And that was just the basketball tournament.
On a side note, that the winning shot was made by the son of an Iranian immigrant with the extraordinary name of Ali Farokhmanesh is an amazing and fun conversation all to itself. Perhaps electing a President with the middle name Hussein had a greater impact on the world than we knew.
Sunday night, after more than a year of debating, cajoling, deal-making, huckstering and occasionally, if rarely, leading, the House of Representatives voted for Health Care Reform in America. It is, to be sure, not the legislation that many people (including this writer) wanted. It is not single payer Health Care. It does not contain the stronger guarantee of coverage for all that a robust Public Option for Health Insurance would have provided.
Perhaps some day in the future we will take another step in that direction. Perhaps our children will finish what we were unable to accomplish.
But it does one important thing - it proudly and clearly signals a new value in our society. No longer will it be the case in America that anyone should go without health care because they can’t afford it.
And it only took some 100 years to get here.
For me, it is a another reminder of the miraculous way that God works. Despite the name-calling, the fear-mongering, the outright lying by politicians and pundits and TV talking heads passing themselves off as journalists, the deed is done. Notwithstanding the worst of human nature, the goal is met. Many obstacles had to be overcome, most of them of our own making, but here we are in a brand new world, resurrected again.
St. Paul says that God’s Word exists in the world as a treasure in “clay jars.” Pedestrian, brittle, broken pottery holding that of greatest value. Politicians actually passing important legislation. It seems that we have proven once again how much God loves to work through the incredible messiness of human activity. Maybe he just loves an underdog as much as the next guy. Because there is nothing like a big upset to turn your bracket upside down and change everything.
Not too long ago it seemed like it was going to take a last minute, long three-pointer to get a Health Care bill passed. And so it did. Thanks, Ali.
The outcome seemed, at least by most accounts, a foregone conclusion. The heavy weight of history and tradition, the clear opinion of pundits, odds makers and amateur observers alike made it obvious to all that this was not going to happen. Never.
Even the President didn’t predict it.
But then, the long determined effort, the defiant march forward, the last-minute scramble, and suddenly, for the sake of much toil against a seemingly superior foe, victory! To the consternation of many, the unexpected happens.
And that was just the basketball tournament.
On a side note, that the winning shot was made by the son of an Iranian immigrant with the extraordinary name of Ali Farokhmanesh is an amazing and fun conversation all to itself. Perhaps electing a President with the middle name Hussein had a greater impact on the world than we knew.
Sunday night, after more than a year of debating, cajoling, deal-making, huckstering and occasionally, if rarely, leading, the House of Representatives voted for Health Care Reform in America. It is, to be sure, not the legislation that many people (including this writer) wanted. It is not single payer Health Care. It does not contain the stronger guarantee of coverage for all that a robust Public Option for Health Insurance would have provided.
Perhaps some day in the future we will take another step in that direction. Perhaps our children will finish what we were unable to accomplish.
But it does one important thing - it proudly and clearly signals a new value in our society. No longer will it be the case in America that anyone should go without health care because they can’t afford it.
And it only took some 100 years to get here.
For me, it is a another reminder of the miraculous way that God works. Despite the name-calling, the fear-mongering, the outright lying by politicians and pundits and TV talking heads passing themselves off as journalists, the deed is done. Notwithstanding the worst of human nature, the goal is met. Many obstacles had to be overcome, most of them of our own making, but here we are in a brand new world, resurrected again.
St. Paul says that God’s Word exists in the world as a treasure in “clay jars.” Pedestrian, brittle, broken pottery holding that of greatest value. Politicians actually passing important legislation. It seems that we have proven once again how much God loves to work through the incredible messiness of human activity. Maybe he just loves an underdog as much as the next guy. Because there is nothing like a big upset to turn your bracket upside down and change everything.
Not too long ago it seemed like it was going to take a last minute, long three-pointer to get a Health Care bill passed. And so it did. Thanks, Ali.
Excellent post. I appreciate your wise words!
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