I watched NCAA basketball, Ken Burns’ Civil War and the healthcare reform debate on T.V. yesterday. Options and strategy came to mind involving all three.
At Gettysburg, General Robert Lee called for Pickett’s Charge when everyone could see that a second plan of action or inaction was needed. An officer in the field must assess the situation and make wise decisions. On the second day at Gettysburg, Union General Joshua Chamberlain had his Maine’s 20th Infantry troops pivoted like a barn door on the hill known to history as Little Round Top. This flanking maneuver stopped the 15th Alabama Infantry.
In basketball, the “Dropstep” is a classic pivot move for a big player with his or her back to the rim. The player must decide if he should do a sky-hook, turn and face the defender, drive to the basket or (if the double team comes) pass the ball out to an open teammate for a three-point shot. The Dropstep move to the rim is a classic because the first step makes defending or blocking the shot difficult.
With votes against healthcare reform, many Democrat members of congress made their first big step toward this year’s elections. However, cumbersome southern GOP is likely not flexible enough to assess their options and execute a move to score. That assessment involves analysis of their strengths and weaknesses as well as those of their opponents. Is he out of position?
Great generals and ball players also notice and exploit problems and confusion with the other side like General Washington crossing the Delaware River when his opponents were celebrating the holidays. Democrats who voted against the healthcare reform legislation had genuine concerns with cost and the size of government. They knew the November elections would be fine because their GOP opponent would be someone angry and off-putting to moderate voters. If the GOP has smarter coaches, they would give the voters approachable options since some view those Democrats as Benedict Arnolds.
The GOP has a big man with his back to the goal that is shadowed by a tough defender. The move would be kick the ball out to a three-point shooter if you have some of them on their team.
The Drop Step
Project Logic Ga 
Leave a Reply