Concrete or Abstract

There are a number of good topics to write about this week – Gov. Rendell trying to slip a lot of money Comcast’s way while keeping any from getting to public transit systems, the defrocking of a lesbian Methodist minister, the resignation of everyone in the Bush cabinet except the one person I really wish would go. But a busy schedule gets in the way. As so often happens, those of us who put people into office don’t have the time required to watch them as closely as we’d like.

Why wouldn’t Rendell favor Comcast – his alter ego, David Cohen joined the company after leaving Rendell’s employ? For a good overview of his role in the Rendell administration read Buzz Bissinger’s A Prayer for the City. I’m not sure I believe everything in the book but it does provide an interesting glimpse into the mayoral campaign and the first term. The two functioned as separate halves of the same person. It was a rare and remarkably effective performance. I can certainly understand the deep debt Rendell feels for him. It is human nature to look after those we see as concrete as opposed to abstract. Rendell can see Cohen. The Comcast customers in the Pittsburgh area who are looking at 6% increases in their Comcast bill, even if Comcast gets the money, are abstract. The people he sees while out walking his dog are concrete. The schoolkids who use SEPTA to get to school and whose families may not be able to afford a significant fare increase are abstract. Rendell and the Republican state legislators are battling over ….. what is it they are battling over? The good of the people of Pennsylvania? I forget.

What did I do this weekend? Took the kids to swimming lessons, co-lead a children’s program at a church event. Monday I spent an hour volunteering at one child’s school, wrapping presents for the Winter Store at the other’s, and giving a presentation later in the day, with hopefully getting some work for my paying job done in between. Sunday I huddled with two other moms at church to brainstorm about possible programming this spring, maybe a tea just after Easter when the girls will still be wanting to show off their finery. Maybe a “science Saturday” that would attract boys as well as girls. All of this to take place at our middle class church, where any number of similar programs are available throughout the year. Why not volunteer at an urban school where the help is much more needed? Why not plan “science Saturdays” at a church in an area where there isn’t anything else like it? Well, those people are abstract.

So while I get immensely angry at Rendell and legislative leaders it would be hypocritical not to realize the tendency to look after one’s own is universal.

As for the defrocking of Rev. Beth Stroud in Germantown, the guilty verdict was arrived at by a vote of 12-1, her removal as a pastor, one of several options available, was a closer 7-6; It’s hard to discipline someone when it could just as easily be you next time, even if not for the same offense.