My personal reflections on a Thursday evening

Again, you read this voluntarily and at your own risk. I don't mind at all if you disagree with me. In fact, that may be a healthy thing if it comes as a result of your own thoughtful reflections. There's far too little thinking going on these days, so if I can spur some I'll feel like I've done a public service.

Item #1
Romney is out, a big surprise to almost everyone it seems. The more important question is why. He said it's because his continued presence weakened the party and increased the likelihood that the democratic nominee would win the general election. I understand that thinking and accept his statement at face value. But that doesn't answer the question. If Romney had done well in the primaries thus far, if he had the most delegates at this point, he wouldn't think he weakened the party; he'd think McCain did. So the bigger question is, why didn't he get the primary votes he thought he would.
I don't think it had much to do with his Mormon faith. At least poll results don't suggest that. In fact, his base has been Republicans who were both socially and fiscally conservative. McCain is seen as a social liberal and Huckabee, with his views on the IRS and big corporations, is seen as a social conservative but a fiscal liberal. Romney was presented as the only true, across-the-board conservative, and therefore most acceptable to evangelical Republicans. So what went wrong?
Two hypotheses: first, his record of flip-flopping made him suspect in the eyes of voters. They couldn't trust him when he stated his position on an issue because somewhere, sometime he had taken a different view. The other hypothesis: his personality is too off-putting. He comes across as combative and too ready for a fight. He is not winsome, personable, and the voter's gut trumps his head every time. People feel a kind of arrogance and elitism from Romney, as opposed to the everyman sense they get from McCain and Huckabee.
Bottom line, it doesn't matter why he's out except that the answer, whatever it is, says something about what happens next. Neither McCain or Huckabee is viewed as a flip-flopper, although McCain has changed some of his views on immigration reform. His stance on the war has certainly been a constant, despite strong opposition. And both are more populous in their personality. They come across as approachable, disarming. (think Obama vs. Clinton)
So if either hypothesis is correct - Romney is seen as a flip-flopper or as arrogant - the Republicans now have to decide if they want a social conservative or a fiscal conservative. The guy that was both a social and fiscal conservative is gone.
I think I know which way it will go, but the process will be interesting to watch.

Item #2
Also interesting to watch, and of absolutely no consequence vis a' vis the national elections, is how it will work to take the fastest team in the NBA and add the slowest big man in the NBA. Shaq is now a Phoenix Sun. I could never bring myself to root for Michigan teams at either the pro or college level. I rooted for whoever was playing the Lions, or the (hated) Pistons, and when State played U of M the only struggle was which team should lose. I've found it easier to get behind Phoenix teams, especially the Suns and the Cardinals. So I'm curious to see how this goes. The Suns strategy is to take a shot within the first 7 seconds of getting the ball and they run the league's fastest offense by a wide margin. It takes Shaq 10 seconds just to get down the floor. So do they play 4 on 5 on offense and just leave him at the defensive end?

Item #3
I like people. At least most of them. I enjoy meeting new people and getting to know them better. I've been blessed to come across some really nice people over the years and that continues. Today I had a problem. I hurt my back at the gym this morning, and when I say "hurt" I mean HURT! This afternoon one of the guys at Pathway who is a PT squeezed me in at his office. I think I understand what went wrong - it has to do with muscle capsules getting pinched between vertebrae - but what I mostly care about is that I am much, much better this evening. I can actually move. It was an act of graciousness on his part, and his kindness blessed my heart even more than his skill eased my pain.

Item #4
We're having a contest at Pathway. Our worship service is first, followed by what we've thus far called "Second Hour." Churches have traditionally called it Sunday School, but that name has a funky ring to it. Sounds like it's for little kids. And at Pathway we have a commitment to Christian education that extends across all age ranges. We will always have classes where everyone from the youngest kids up to adults study and learn God's Word. So if "Sunday School" doesn't work, and "Second Hour" is a little like naming your kid "Child Two", what should we call it?
The contest rewards the best submission, chosen by consensus, with a dessert made by Pam. And she makes some great desserts! I'm curious to see what we end up with. Stay tuned; I'll share the outcome.
I suggested to Pam that she should make up some samples of a few desserts so the winner could decide what they wanted. They should have an opportunity to taste Mystery Pudding, and Hello Dolly Bars, and her Frango's Mint cake. Of course somebody would have to eat what was left over from all those samples.

Miss Elainie

The link on a previous post re. cleaning your laptop screen leads to a page that has been taken down since I posted it. If you missed it, clicking on the link brought up a screen with a cute dog licking furiously away at the "other side" of the glass. And yes, it left slobber all over everything. I've used a technique I read about online: a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water and a cotton ball. Seems to work for me.

As long as we're talking links, check out this segment from a TV station in Seattle. It suggests what would happen if you took Lance Armstrong's physical capabilities and Tiger Woods childhood precociousness. He's eleven, for Pete's sake!
B'ball wunderkind

That's more than enough for tonight. But if you have suggestions for our contest I'm interested in hearing them. Can't say we can get you the dessert, but we'll throw your submission into the mix!