Change

This is an essay, if you will, about "change." This is not intended to be about any particular candidate or party but all of those in the political arena.

This past Thursday night as I was killing a little time before I needed to begin getting ready for work I turned on the �idiot box� for a few minutes. Channel surfing I came across the first of the championship games between the Lakers and Celtics. Now I am not a basketball fan but watching this was somewhat better than any of the other garbage.

One of the announcers on several occasions commented about the need to �change� the offensive play or �change� the defense of one team or the other. What caught my attention as I listened more than watched was the word change.

One can not turn on the news without hearing one of the candidates, politicians, or commentators speak about change. Then in an e-mail conversation with Ron B. he stated that �changes were coming.� So at the mention of �changes� during the playing of that game I began to think about what �change� is and what it means for the American citizen.

Change is the act, process, or result of changing. To change is to transform, alter, or make radically different the present position, course or direction.

In the game of basketball the court, �playing field,� is divided into two halves with each team defending one half. The object is for the team who has position of the ball to move it to the opponents half and score by putting the ball into the �basket�. The opponent�s objective is to prevent that from happening and to gain possession of the ball. Then it attempts to score at the other end. At the end of the game the team with the most points awarded for the most �baskets� made then wins the game. The game of basketball is a game of constant change from one moment to the next.

Points are awarded by from where the �shot� was taken. There is an arc, �the three point line�, marked on the court which delineates the areas of a two pointer and a three pointer. Any shot taken outside the arc is a three pointer and the odds of making a shot from this range are much greater than a shot taken from inside the arc. Then there are the penalty (foul) shots which are awarded for doing something illegal either as a defensive or offensive player. These shots are worth one point.

The team in possession of the ball changes the point of attack by passing the ball quickly from one teammate to another in hopes of getting a clear opportunity to score. These changes must be deft and fluid if the team is to succeed. The defense must disrupt this deftness and fluidity to prevent any opportunity for the opponent to score.

Both teams must effect the changes presented by the other team both on offense and defense if it is to win. Very often during the game a change results in a mistake. The shot may be missed, the ball possession may be lost or a foul maybe committed which results in the other team controlling the ball or even scoring points. All too often the result of an incorrect change (a poor choice or decision) is losing the game and, in the case of the NBA playoffs between the Lakers and the Celtics, the right to be champions, the best of the best.





In today�s political arena of these United States, the word change is bandied about much in the same manner as the basketball is moved so rapidly from player to player to meet the necessity of changes to win at the game of basketball.

Any and all changes to be made by our politicians at all levels must be done with great forethought and accurate knowledge. All consideration must be first and foremost of We the People and how those changes will affect each and every citizen and the generations of citizens who will follow and NOT the political party or the special interest groups and lobbyist.

We the People demand changes in our government and how it operates. We demand logical and intelligent law and policy but most of all We demand openness, honest and ethics. Simply, We the People demand a government that remembers it is Of the People, By the People, and For the People.

Sadly, these �changes� so often spoken of by all politicians and candidates does not appear to be with any forethought or logic, or, for that matter, intelligence nor does there appear to be any concern for the affect these changes will have on We the People.

Reviews

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The only real change comes from within. I have no confidence in government. I have power only over myself. it is through personal change something most have no concept of that one can orchestrate one's own life, happiness or misery. Although I vote and always have, I no longer believe that my vote maks a difference in hell. What can I say.

[Sam Freeland]

Change happens but primarily for the benefit of the so called "leaders". The People have
always been considered serfs who work for masters. This has been true for so many
centuries that change will be insignificant, since real change is like evolution. The only
change that has ever occurred in my life is finding people like you and the Cafe which has
given me the opportunity to enjoy the few moments in my life that have made any
sense. About "No Soup", it is about the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld, back years ago when
there were times I was caring for a TV addict, that I saw several programs of Seinfield.
I haven't had a connection for an "idiot box" for years and hope I will never become
so helpless that I will give in to that weakness. There are so many better ways to spend
time, like reading, writing and connecting to intelligent People, (other serfs) using the
Internet... so, you will make this a great day for yourself, because you know how to do it. sam

[Ron B]

Very good writing and very true. I believe change is coming. Positive change.

[Ruby Moon]

haha...i like your last sentence
kind of technical on the basketball...
but... *shurgs* it is how it is...
too bad politics dont have such clear rules and penalties

[Sydelle Houston]

Nice job! I like the way you went from basketball to politics, this election reminds me of a tug of war with a deep mud pit in the middle. Personally I like to stay away from religion and politics, unless I'm in the mood for an argument. You have to agree though any change is welcome after what this country's been through these past 8 years!