And So It Came To Pass (Act Of God part 2)

Today the State of Alabama voted to put a Democrat in the Senate.  Doug Jones defeated Roy Moore in the State’s special election.  The last time a Democrat won a Senate seat for Alabama was 1992, and he was so conservative, he switched parties mid-term and joined the Republicans.
As per my initial comment (and my earlier post), my prediction was COMPLETELY wrong.   It turns out the voters of Alabama would rather “allow” the election of a Democrat than vote for an “alleged” pedophile Republican.  And, I for one am stunned.  I honestly did not believe it was possible…  It just shows how much I know.
For the last few weeks, I’ve been predicting a “going-away” victory for Roy Moore over the Democratic candidate Doug Jones of 6 to 8 points based on moderate to normal turnout.  Today, I changed my “prediction” to “landslide” (10-15 points) for Moore.
It is unclear why the vote happened the way it did, but basically the Democratic side turned out 92% of the presidential level while the Republican turnout was only 49% of presidential level.
To quote my earlier post:  “The only way Jones wins is if there is a massive (presidential level) turnout by Democrats AND a significant no-show by Republican voters.  In my humble opinion, this would be the equivalent of an act of God.“
Not only was there a significant “no-show”, there was also a significant write-in vote, which, had they gone for the Republican side, would have flipped the result.
So, not only does the result show how little I know about Alabama politics, it also demonstrates the simple truth behind the adage:  “That’s why they hold the election…“
I guess there’s nothing else to say but quote the poem by William Cowper
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up his bright designs, And works his sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain; God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain.
God bless the State of Alabama and God bless America!
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On This Day In:
2021	What Should Be Universal Exercise
	I’m So Glad
2020	Trying To Keep On Keeping On
	Bending
2019	Ooops (Again)
2018	Two Start Up Front
2017	I Love America Because…
	An Act Of God
	And So It Came To Pass (Act Of God part 2)
2016	As Far From
2015	Rocky 7
	Just Like Politics
2014	Game And Legend
	“Scientific” Pride In Humanity
2013	Real Honor
	Catching Up
2012	Thoughts And Communications
2011	But How Does Peter Feel?
2010	Name That Regret

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An Act Of God

Today is the voting for the vacated Senate seat in Alabama.  The seat is empty because the previous holder (Jeff Sessions) has become the Attorney General in the Trump administration.
Alabama is a very conservative “Christian” state and is heavily Republican.  Some folks have asked me what I thought was going to happen.  Generally, my honest opinions have been wrong (in sports and politics), but I’ll offer it up anyway…
So far, for the last few weeks, I’ve been predicting a “going-away” victory for Roy Moore over the Democratic candidate Doug Jones of 6 to 8 points based on moderate to normal turnout.  The most recent polls have been all over the place, with a few even showing Jones by 10 points.
I hate to say it, but I honestly believe the voters of Alabama would rather vote for an “alleged” pedophile than a Democrat.  They don’t want to believe the “Fake News” and they want to believe the allegations are just politically motivated lies.  Unfortunately, the American voting public has a long history of disregarding reality and voting based on emotional beliefs.
The only way Jones wins is if there is a massive (presidential level) turnout by Democrats AND a significant no-show by Republican voters.  In my humble opinion, this would be the equivalent of an act of God.  The news is currently reporting that the turnout is over presidential levels…  My current opinion is that Moore wins by a “landslide” of 10-15 points.  I pray I’m wrong, but as a Democrat, I would, wouldn’t I?
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On This Day In:
2021	What Should Be Universal Exercise
	I’m So Glad
2020	Trying To Keep On Keeping On
	Bending
2019	Ooops (Again)
2018	Two Start Up Front
2017	I Love America Because…
	An Act Of God
	And So It Came To Pass (Act Of God part 2)
2016	As Far From
2015	Rocky 7
	Just Like Politics
2014	Game And Legend
	“Scientific” Pride In Humanity
2013	Real Honor
	Catching Up
2012	Thoughts And Communications
2011	But How Does Peter Feel?
2010	Name That Regret

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I Love America Because…

Dear President Trump,
Representing the United States in the Olympic Games was the greatest honor of my life.  I will never forget walking into Opening Ceremonies behind our American flag that I revere surrounded by my teammates.  Each drawn from different sports, many of different faiths and various ethnicities.  Yet, in that diversity was America itself: united by love for our country.
My story is a quintessential small-town-America story.  In my hometown, Maplewood, New Jersey, the question was always which sport I would play, not whether I would play one.   My point isn’t really about sport, it’s about opportunity — the opportunity to strive for and believe in one’s own destiny.  That is what made America’s story so unique from any that preceded it, and mine and every other American’s as well.
I love America because of the simultaneous idea that we are both exceptional and flawed — as individuals and a nation — and, that it is our collective responsibility as a people to honor each other’s potential.
That is why I am writing you this letter.
I am the picture of the American Dream — a public school kid, with loving parents who told me that with hard work and perseverance, I could be whatever I wanted to be.  By believing in myself and refusing to take no for an answer, I have broken barriers and shattered stereotypes.  I was the first Muslim woman to represent the United States in the Olympic Games wearing hijab.  I was blessed to win an Olympic medal alongside my team at the Rio Games.  I was a black Muslim woman in a little known sport.  And on the world’s biggest stage, I defied labels and showed the world that being Muslim was also being American.
And yet, when I listen to you, I feel that the story you tell paints another picture entirely.  You seem to see refugees fleeing terror as terror’s root, rather than refugees as terror’s victims.  You seem to see our nation’s contributions to refugee resettlement as “bad deals,” rather than as shining examples of what America has always stood for.  You seem to see the hijab I wear as a signal of threat and cause for fear.  You’ve said, “I think Islam hates us.”  That is not only wrong, it provokes fear and hatred, and as we have seen it also provokes violence against Muslims and our places of worship.  Surely that was not your intention — I do not want to believe that.  Yet I feel that you and your administration see me and people like me not as fellow Americans, but as “others.”  Your ban on travelers from Muslim-majority countries and Syrian refugees has implications that are felt far beyond the countries listed.  I am referring to implications not only in the courthouse, but in line at Starbucks.  Not on the nightly news but in the night terrors of children who wonder if their home and parents, are safe.  Is this what you intended when you took your oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States?
The climate of fear and hatred fueled and perpetuated by your campaign is gaining momentum through your actions in office.  Since your election, I have been “profiled” at the airport, accused of looking “suspicious” and, on the streets of New York, I have been told to “go back to my country.”  This isn’t the America that I know and it isn’t the America that the world looks to for inspiration and leadership.
There are 3 million American Muslims.  They teach our children, treat our sick, fight our wars, and despite your attacks, continue to stand proudly on the front lines of keeping all Americans safe.  My faith calls on me to help the less fortunate and speak out against injustice.  President Trump, look at the math: we do not have a refugee terrorist problem.  It simply doesn’t exist.  But, I do fear a not-so-subtle campaign of terror now being waged on our American ideals of justice and equality.
The Olympic Movement chose its symbol of interlocking rings of many different colors to demonstrate humanity’s unity.  Sport has always been an equalizer and a symbol of peace, even in the ancient Games when wars would cease for the competitions.  Indeed, as much pride as I take in being one of America’s firsts, what I most love about my Olympic experience is that my success was born out of my opportunity, freedom and liberty as an American.
Overcoming obstacles was my challenge as an athlete.  It is now my challenge as a citizen.  I once represented you.  Now you represent me.  I urge you to do so with the humility, thoughtfulness and kindness befitting your sacred office.  As an African-American Muslim Woman patriot, my religion commands me to remain hopeful, to believe in our ability to fight bigotry with love and draw our strength from diversity.  That is what makes America great.  Time and again.
Sincerely,
Ibtihaj Muhammad
From her editorial:  “I Fear President Trump’s ‘Campaign of Terror’ Against American Ideals“
Under:  “The View: A Letter to the President“
Appearing in:  Time Magazine, April 3, 2017
The specific link:  http://time.com/4706627/olympic-fencer-ibtihaj-muhammad-donald-trump/
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On This Day In:
2021	What Should Be Universal Exercise
	I’m So Glad
2020	Trying To Keep On Keeping On
	Bending
2019	Ooops (Again)
2018	Two Start Up Front
2017	I Love America Because…
	An Act Of God
	And So It Came To Pass (Act Of God part 2)
2016	As Far From
2015	Rocky 7
	Just Like Politics
2014	Game And Legend
	“Scientific” Pride In Humanity
2013	Real Honor
	Catching Up
2012	Thoughts And Communications
2011	But How Does Peter Feel?
2010	Name That Regret

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