National sports highlight national identity

American’s tend to forget about Soccer at the national level for 3 years, 11 months and 3 weeks; then hoop and holler a bit; berate the team for losing, and go about their business.

Those outside the US know that our version of football is for mamby-pamby’s. People who need to spend an hour suiting up with layers of tape, armor, plating, padding, Kevlar and gloves protecting practically every exposed surface like chain mail used by knights of the round table. Soccer players go out in shorts, a shirt, light flexible running type shoes with cleats, and, as a modest capitulation to the dangers of the game, light plastic shin guards to protect against the cleats of others. No helmet, no padding, no kneepads. It’s like watching American soldiers vs the insurgents.

The stamina and skill required are so very different as well, A soccer player, working a field somewhat larger than an American football field, is constantly running and moving (often more than 6 miles of running) , often for the duration of a 45 minute half. Timeouts and clock stopping activities are few and far between. It’s not uncommon for a ninety minute game to be over in 2 hours – after adding in half time rest and time-outs.

In football, the game is to watch the structured plays go down in carefully orchestrated and pre-set offense and defensive maneuvers. The unexpected play is truly unexpected; and many fans were getting beer when it happened, so the jumbo-tron re-plays after a key play become a crucial element. Soccer games only show replays after a goal (imagine, the typical game with just 4 instant replays). But that’s the point – as viewed by 90% of the world that treats soccer as its number one aspirational sport of youth and far away, number one spectator sport.

The action is continuous, always changing, aggressive yet subtle. A tackle is not where 1,000 pounds of human flesh pounce on a hapless runner, but when a well placed foot grabs the ball from another. “Fast, fleet, ballet, poetic, and athletic” are words futbol players use to describe their game. “Hard, harsh, tactical, well executed” are words used to describe the American pigskin play.

Watching an American football spectacular is truly a unique experience, but one where the pace is set by the measured, timed methodical of the countdown clock. American fans cheer for moments at a time, but only when a ‘crucial play’ is imminent. They cheer and yell individually, and occasionally prompted by the pipe organ conductor just prior to a new play beginning. Then silence transcends as the ball is tipped- and we wait for the play to complete; before cheering, booing or cussing.

Futbol fans are very different; as is the game. While in France for the 1998 world cup; you see a very different approach and fan appreciation for a very different sport.

Fans of professional games, akin to college games, are often segregated to make two large unified crowds, rather than intersperse fans amongst themselves. The cheering is loud, boisterous, rhythmic and all but continuous as both sides compete to sway the outcome by projecting their group energy into the players on the field; rather than the American way of internalizing the plays on the field as a personal victory or personal affront on the fan’s feelings.

Futbol epitomizes the strengths and attitudes of many countries; work hard, for long periods, with one eye on the ball and the other on your mates. Practice diligently from the time you can walk. Kick and be kicked. Take advantage where you can, wait when you must. But always be ready for opportunity.

Football seems to echo our attitude. Work as hard as your contract insists, with one eye on the clock and one eye on your opponent. Practice when told to, run when forced to, kick and declare it a foul and sue. Take advantage where you can, run the clock out when you must. But always be ready for a free agent offer.

Two games, two cultures. Will we ever learn to respect each other?

Leib Lurie is a Troy resident, and world cup scalped ticket holder (1998)

See these columns on his blog at www.llurie.blogspot.com

Players cannot be Umpires too

If there was ever a sign of a ruling party in trouble, it is a game plan that calls for trying to win by discouraging voting. We saw two examples of that in Columbus this month.

 

As I walked the Episcopal triennial conference, both the mood for change and a fear of change was palpable. Culminating with a narrow vote, the council of Bishops elected the denominations’ first female bishop. It took five votes to culminate thirty years of efforts to get Episcopalian women the right to vote, and another 20 for women to be ordained (and still excluded from doing so in 3 dioceses). So many deputies were shocked when a women was presented as a serious, not just a token candidate. She was then approved by 85% of the house of deputies, a group of priests and lay people elected from each diocese to represent their orders backed Bishop Jefferts Schori. She would never have gotten elected had the church continued to allow a few conservatives to block women from participating.

 

Yet that is what Ken Blackwell is doing as he continues to work at preventing Ohioans from exercising that most privileged and protected right. Gubernatorial candidate Kenneth Blackwell, in his alter ego role as Secretary of State, put in place "emergency" regulations that could hit voter registration workers with criminal penalties for perfectly legitimate registration practices.

 

The rules could shut down registration drives in Ohio.

 

Mr. Blackwell has a history of this sort of churlish behavior. In 2004, he instructed county boards of elections to reject any registrations on paper of less than 80-pound stock — about the thickness of a postcard. So that registration forms printed in Cleveland newspapers, on flyers distributed by several companies and sent in Teachers’ mailings (all supposedly Democratic leaning groups) would all be rejected.

 

That order was almost certainly illegal, and Blackwell retracted several weeks later, after he came under intense criticism, but not until 24 hours before the registration deadline.

 

This year, Mr. Blackwell's office has issued even stranger rules.

Registration workers must personally take the forms they collect to a county board of election office within a few days of collecting signatures, accompanied by a 5 page certification form that must be hand printed. (writing in script will render the certification (and any voter registrations received with them to be invalid) or the registrar is subject to criminal penalties.

 

Organizations that run registration drives generally have the people who register voters bring the forms back to supervisors, who can then review them for errors. Under Blackwell’s new ‘emergency rules’ turning registration forms over to professionally trained supervisors to be checked for errors is now a crime.

 

Why didn’t the Gubernatorial wanna be, in his powerful role as Secretary of State use his broad powers over the past eight years to mandate checking for errors in state positions of pension management, lobbying or political golfing trips?

 

Mr. Blackwell's rules also prohibit people who register voters from sending the forms in by mail, a blatant violation of Federal elections law that clearly allows mailed in voter registrations as legal.

 

Mr. Blackwell's rules are dubious interpretations of a law the Republican-controlled Ohio Legislature passed recently. I can understand there being some cloudy points in a 429 page bill; but the 2 pages that relate to paid registrars are simple and clear. Yet Blackwell’s rules distort the legislative intent, introduce new and onerous (some might say odiferous) process requirements, and subvert the words and intent of our state legislature.

 

Blackwell seems worried that get-out-the-vote registration drives might bring too many poor and minority voters into the system. He says he wants to reduce fraud, but there is no evidence to support that audacious claim.

 

It's clear that Ohio's election system is corrupt. Decisions about who can vote for governor are being made by a candidate for governor. Mr. Blackwell should hand over responsibility for elections to a decision maker whose only loyalty is to the voters and the law.

 

Leib Lurie is a Troy resident of Ward 4C, You can reach him at Leib@Lurie.net

Or see these columns on his blog at www.llurie.blogspot.com

Lurie column-0 It's flag day Charlie Brown

Monday, June 12, 2006

Leib Lurie’s Column for TDN: To run WEDNESDAY, June 14

 

It’s Flag day Charlie Brown

Today is flag day, commemorating the day in 1777 when the second Continental Congress  formally adopted the stars and stripes. It’s a good day and a good reason to fly the flag, the most widely recognized symbol of America.

This week, Congress is making yet another run at creating a constitutional amendment to exempt use of the flag from the first amendment of our constitution. Evidently, American civilization as we know it is in jeopardy by people doing nasty things to a piece of colored cloth.

I had the unique privilege of hearing my Uncle argue a flag burning case in the NY Court of Appeals in the 1960’s. His client put on a street show protest after hearing the news that a civil rights worker was killed trying to register Southern Blacks to vote. The case was lost in New York, but overturned in the US Supreme Court, when the court ruled that it was not incumbent on every American to guard this cloth with the reverence and care as if it was the Shroud of Turin.

As the court said, “…disrespect for our flag is to be deplored no less in these vexed times than in calmer periods of our history. Nevertheless, we are unable to sustain a conviction that may have rested on a form of expression, however distasteful, which the Constitution tolerates and protects”.

Some people overtly register or protest their feelings about government, politics and the human spirit by standing on a soapbox, others by writing satire or stories disguised as fluff or humor. In fact, many of the bedtime stories and fairy tales of our youth have the underpinnings of political dissent often being written as protests. “Alice in Wonderland” and “Gulliver’s Travels” are two that come to mind. Charlie Brown and Snoopy similarly were Charles Shultz’ way of looking at the human condition and how children can be different than adults, but end up emulating them anyway in ways that produce embarrassing moments as we recognize our adult selfs in the antics of the timeless youth of Peanuts.

Today is another type of flag day in the Lurie household, Barb’s time with the Troy Rec department’s Children’s Musical Theatre is coming to a close (after directing 29 plays in ten years and putting almost 1,000 young thespians on stage).

The 30 young kids performing Bedtime Rhymes and Fairy Tales tonight at 6:30 will sing and dance there way through a few dozen skits; many with an underlying theme of social conscience; protesting war, intolerance, or royalty. (Although others have little social significance, and are just plain fun to watch). Maybe someday they will look back on the show with more educated eyes and see the double meanings of their skit.

The Twenty Five older (but still young) Trojans who will perform “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” (Friday at 2 and 6:30) go through songs and stories that address the frailties of Charlie Brown, the insecurities of Lucy, the poignant observations of Sallie and Shroeder; and the ever present unique personality of a Beagle named Snoopy. The social messages are well hidden yet absorbed by the characters during the show, the audience in the theatre and most importantly, by the performers themselves.

For the past ten years kids have seen the power of drama, the stage magic of morphing into someone else, and the fascination of discovering whether the plot is real, imagined, or hidden commentary.

Yet they all come away with the confidence to speak out in public. Maybe some grow up to speak their minds, not just their lines. Because freedom of speech is more than just a play on words, it is our hard won heritage.

Leib Lurie is a Troy Civic Theatre Board Member, You can reach him at Leib@Lurie.net

Sidebar: “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” is free and open to the public at the Barn in the Park, Opposite Hobart arena Friday at 2 and 6:30.

 

Or see these columns on his blog at www.llurie.blogspot.com

Lurie column June 7- no voter left behind

Resending, got caught in spam filter... Leib

 

No Voter Left Behind Act

Members of Congress and the President make a big deal of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). They tell us how it makes schools accountable for the children they must educate. How the bill mandates qualified teachers, testing at every level to assure students meet some form of standards, and schools show a continuous path of self-improvement.

NCLB was designed to level the playing field; to force all schools to conform to a set of standards, and allow parents of “failing” schools to leave and find a different alternative for their children.  

The act is vilified by some, mainly for the lack of proper funding to manage the 8,000 pages of bureaucratic gobble-de-gook aimed at simplifying our education process. NCLB is applauded by others for forcing more teachers to get advanced degrees, and certify that they are competent to teach the subjects they teach. That administrators have benchmarks and report on their activities and results for the public to see.

NCLB brewed up as a legislative concept after years of bemoaning the 25 Billion the federal government spends annually on K12 education This is less than 1% of federal spending. Protecting our children from the clutches of questionably competent educators was seen as a major priority. I think it is admirable that our federal government devoted so much time to this issue. Now its’ time to take the lessons learned and apply them to the other 99% of government actions.

The ultimate debate on NCLB effectiveness may go on for years, but I think that its’ high time for a similar approach to non educational aspects of government. The time is right for state and federal government to create a No Voter Left Behind Act.

The goals are simple. Assure that every appointed and hired government executive or manager be qualified to operate and manage the job he or she is hired to do.

The rules and legislation can easily mimic what we already have for education, just applied to defense, commerce, security, agriculture, energy and more…

1) All appointed managers with fiduciary responsibility must by highly qualified. All departments shall have 7 years to bring their staffs up to standards. Every manager, director or appointed executive must have a degree and certification in their field of management. Being a high value contributor or advance PR person on the campaign trail is not a bad qualification for high office, but it better be backed up with something concrete. Like experience, education and mandatory testing of managers by industry and peer groups; just like teachers need certification and accreditation before they ruin the minds of our little tykes, Political appointees should need to prove they can find and identify a disaster site, or manage a rare coin sale as part of pension benefit management.

2) As part of NVLB, all managers who can spend our money, and control critical parts of our lives (just as teachers do with our kids) must be re certified and take ongoing educational credits every five years. Oh, and just like teachers, they must do so on their own nickel. Failure to continue to grow means losing your job.

3) Ongoing testing of every constituent to assure the business of government is working to its’ full standard and potential. Each Community will be ranked against others in the state. Voters will need to show they understand the benefits of local programs that affect their lives, or the administrators of those programs are subject to being fired; and the voters can select a new bureaucracy.

4) Elected officials shall be required to follow the mandates of NVLB, and assure community voter testing is complete, ubiquitous and pervasive. That regulations are followed to the letter, and that regardless of the party in power; competent management of programs, budgets, personnel and policy will be required. NVLB will mandate elimination of all no-bid contracts. Third party professional boards, not PR flacks, must report on departmental effectiveness, or funding will be cut off.

It’s easy, simple and fair. Now if only the constitution would permit the mandated certification of those wishing to run for office…

Leib Lurie is a Troy Resident and Founding Director of NoVoterLeftBehind.org. You can reach him at Leib@Lurie.net

Or see these columns on his blog at www.llurie.blogspot.com

Lurie column June 7th- No Voter Left Behind

No Voter Left Behind Act

Members of Congress and the President make a big deal of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). They tell us how it makes schools accountable for the children they must educate. How the bill mandates qualified teachers, testing at every level to assure students meet some form of standards, and schools show a continuous path of self-improvement.

NCLB was designed to level the playing field; to force all schools to conform to a set of standards, and allow parents of “failing” schools to leave and find a different alternative for their children.  

The act is vilified by some, mainly for the lack of proper funding to manage the 8,000 pages of bureaucratic gobble-de-gook aimed at simplifying our education process. NCLB is applauded by others for forcing more teachers to get advanced degrees, and certify that they are competent to teach the subjects they teach. That administrators have benchmarks and report on their activities and results for the public to see.

NCLB brewed up as a legislative concept after years of bemoaning the 25 Billion the federal government spends annually on K12 education This is less than 1% of federal spending. Protecting our children from the clutches of questionably competent educators was seen as a major priority. I think it is admirable that our federal government devoted so much time to this issue. Now its’ time to take the lessons learned and apply them to the other 99% of government actions.

The ultimate debate on NCLB effectiveness may go on for years, but I think that its’ high time for a similar approach to non educational aspects of government. The time is right for state and federal government to create a No Voter Left Behind Act.

The goals are simple. Assure that every appointed and hired government executive or manager be qualified to operate and manage the job he or she is hired to do.

The rules and legislation can easily mimic what we already have for education, just applied to defense, commerce, security, agriculture, energy and more…

1) All appointed managers with fiduciary responsibility must by highly qualified. All departments shall have 7 years to bring their staffs up to standards. Every manager, director or appointed executive must have a degree and certification in their field of management. Being a high value contributor or advance PR person on the campaign trail is not a bad qualification for high office, but it better be backed up with something concrete. Like experience, education and mandatory testing of managers by industry and peer groups; just like teachers need certification and accreditation before they ruin the minds of our little tykes, Political appointees should need to prove they can find and identify a disaster site, or manage a rare coin sale as part of pension benefit management.

2) As part of NVLB, all managers who can spend our money, and control critical parts of our lives (just as teachers do with our kids) must be re certified and take ongoing educational credits every five years. Oh, and just like teachers, they must do so on their own nickel. Failure to continue to grow means losing your job.

3) Ongoing testing of every constituent to assure the business of government is working to its’ full standard and potential. Each Community will be ranked against others in the state. Voters will need to show they understand the benefits of local programs that affect their lives, or the administrators of those programs are subject to being fired; and the voters can select a new bureaucracy.

4) Elected officials shall be required to follow the mandates of NVLB, and assure community voter testing is complete, ubiquitous and pervasive. That regulations are followed to the letter, and that regardless of the party in power; competent management of programs, budgets, personnel and policy will be required. NVLB will mandate elimination of all no-bid contracts. Third party professional boards, not PR flacks, must report on departmental effectiveness, or funding will be cut off.

It’s easy, simple and fair. Now if only the constitution would permit the mandated certification of those wishing to run for office…

Leib Lurie is a Troy Resident and Founding Director of NoVoterLeftBehind.org. You can reach him at Leib@Lurie.net

Or see these columns on his blog at www.llurie.blogspot.com