Helping the refs

My oldest daughter happened to be entering the living room the other day as I screamed for a penalty to be called in favor of my beloved Manchester United. Anyone who has ever seen me coach a soccer game knows that finding passion isn’t a problem for me nor is attempting to assist the referees in making a decision. At home, watching soccer, I’m even more vociferous and helpful.

“Which team is Manchester United?”, EJ asked as I wiped my spittle from the television screen.  My first thought was how much Palmer was going to enjoy not having to split her inheritance with her sister but then it hit me.  Switch shirts.  Would I feel the same if the play had happened in the exact same way except on the other end of the field?

In my classroom, one of my main teaching tools is to encourage students to defend the position opposite of the one they hold. I’ve had Hispanic students push for border walls, evangelicals defend gay marriage, and boys still in camouflage from their morning deer hunt speak in favor of gun control. I’m not trying to make these students change sides;  I’m trying to make them see that there is another side.

Take your medicine

If I was captain of the debate team I would take my own medicine and explain why the Russian hacking (or should I say alleged hacking) of the U.S. electoral system isn’t a big deal.  Turns out that at least in this instance I’m not able to do what I ask of my students. I can’t seem to turn this situation in my head in any way to where it isn’t a big deal.

I know that Team Hillary did a poor job in some swing states where she felt victory was all but assured and therefore ignored them. I know that the emails released were not doctored in any way but were in fact the exact words of Democratic operatives. It is not my intention to question any of the facts about Hillary’s poorly run and ill fated campaign.  My point is that if the shirts had been switched and the same thing had happened to the Trump campaign I doubt he would be urging America to “move on.”

If I remember correctly the President-elect questioned the efficacy of the electoral process consistently up until election day so leaked emails potentially hacked by a foreign power should be of grave concern to him.  The question to ask is why Donald Trump is unconcerned with potential meddling by foreign powers even up to the point of casting aspersions on the intelligence community.

The answer, in my opinion, is that it is not that he is unconcerned with hacking but instead is more concerned about the perceived legitimacy of his election and therefore his presidency.  We’ve all seen how difficult it has been for an African born, Muslim to be considered a legitimate president and he won the popular vote and electoral college. Twice.  

Ironically, while I was writing this piece Manchester United beat West Ham 2-0 after the Hammers had a player red carded in the 14th minute and were forced to play the rest of the game with 10 men.  If the shirts had been switched I might be in the hospital right now and Heather would be keeping vigil bedside while searching Amazon for a new T.V.