As a former high school and college baseball pitcher, I enjoyed later in life my 11-years umpiring high school and college baseball. I truly did. I began umpiring in 1968 and and finished the gig working the Division II World Series in 1978. Unlike football and basketball officiating, the game of baseball has many more rules covering many more of the unusual plays and developments. Because of the unusual unexpected baseball action that can occur it becomes paramount that whether you're working a two-man crew or four-man crew when in doubt converse with your partner(s) and 'get it right;' get the umpire call correct!
I couldn't help but think of that umpire mind-set yesterday while watching the television coverage of the United States Senate hearing regarding the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh. Suffice to say, this confirmation process of Kavanaugh has been underscored by an ever widening division and animosity between our two political parties.
For several years now, I believe it's reasonable to state that political compromise has been absent while ugly mean-spirited rhetoric rules the day. Thanks to Republican Senator, Jeff Flake and Democrat Senator, Chris Coons this uncompromising attitude was 'put in time-out.'
The Democrats have been angry about President Obama's Supreme Court nominee not getting a vote two years ago as it was stymied by Republicans. Two years later and just before mid-term elections the GOP is trying to get this confirmation done. On the other hand the Democrats are attempting every stall tactic possible until after the elections as they bet on gaining control of Congress. Gamesmanship? Perhaps. Dirty politics? More likely. Whatever the case, we find the process in the midst of a nasty 'he said, she said,' hearing regarding alleged sexual transgressions by the nominee.
As the clock ticked down just minutes away from a vote to confirm, Senators Flake and Coons called time out and huddled for a discussion. A plea to delay they final confirmation vote for one week to allow more investigation into the accusations was granted. This is what a democracy looks like. Now no matter what the investigation may or may not reveal and no matter the subsequent confirmation vote-outcome, we can be proud that integrity of our system was polished and held high. Both parties and the American people should be thankful for compromising leadership seeking to 'Get It Right.'
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