Getting it Right

From 1970-through-1981, I umpired high school and college baseball. Undoubdtedly, I did so for three reasons: (1) I had been a baseball pitcher for years, (2) I needed to supplement my income and (3) I knew I was good calling the strike zone. The last reason should not be construed as immodest. All people gravitate to activities they believe they do well; it's our nature.

Baseball, normally moves at a slow pace with a somewhat predictable cadence, however crazy mind boggling plays can erupt leaving fans, players and umpires trying to digest what happened. As an umpire you study and prepare for the unexpected but at times there arises a need to confer with other umpires so 'we get the CALL right.' Traditionally, umpires/officials of football, basketball, baseball and tennis made a 'call' and right or wrong everybody had to live with it. Today, we note the 'video review' of plays now attempts to insure 'getting it correct.'

While professional sports evolved towards the philosophy of >>'Its more important for the integrity of the game to GET IT RIGHT vs. BEING RIGHT,' our political lawmakers moved more towards a governing philosophy of 'our party is omnipotent (always right) vs. the other party (always) has it wrong.' And make no mistake Democrats and Republicans are equally at fault with such a bull-headed asinine posturing. Case in point: There are some good elements in Obamacare and there are some bad aspects in Obamacare. Would it not be reasonable to fix the bad and 'get it right?'

Of course, as an umpire I did not have lobbyist waving dollar-bills at me in the attempt to favor some group with a dishonorable call. Unfortunately, a politician's greed gets in the way of 'getting it right.'
Country for Sale or Rent?
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Country for Sale or Rent