I've had the opportunity to visit a lot of museums in my life--partly a result of my parents' concerted effort at giving their two rambunctious boys some "culture," partly because I'm kind of a geek that way--and while I've gotten to see some pretty impressive stuff, one very small painting has managed to imprint itself on my brain, still vivid after nearly 13 years:
This is William Blake's "Soul of a Flea," or perhaps "Ghost of a Flea": either way, it was in London's Tate Gallery, and was tiny, just a few inches high, which seemed appropriate given that it was, well, the soul of a flea.
I was reminded of it after reading a review of a new movie, "Cold Souls," which purportedly depicts its protagonist's soul as something akin to a chickpea--and an extractable, storable chickpea-like soul at that.
To be honest, I don't care much about the movie (though I do enjoy Paul Giamatti), but I was struck by the reviewer's final summation: "In this attractive, smart-enough, finally un-brave movie Ms. Barthes (the director) peeks at the dark comedy of the soul only to beat a quick, pre-emptive retreat."
Well, if that doesn't describe the current push to overhaul healthcare and health insurance, I don't know what does. It's not that anyone is being a coward, exactly, but our elected officials certainly seem "un-brave" and all too willing to beat too quick a retreat. Can't someone just grow a pair? Mr. President? Rahm? (Well, I think they've both got the cajones, I'm just a little unclear on what the plan is, you see.)
Anyhow, and I know I've been yammering on about this, but what with Brett Favre suddenly apperating into the Vikings' training camp, I'm being forced to return to this theme. (You can read back a few posts to catch my drift.)
Of course, if I'm being honest with myself, I'd have to admit that I don't always have the gall and gumption I'd like to pretend I have. We can all be cowards in our own way, it's just that cowardice can take so many forms. Some of us are cowardly lions, others more like scuttling, devilish fleas. The un-brave are truly legion.
All this reminds me of my favorite passage from the Qur'an, which I'm too lazy to look up at the moment, but goes something like this: "When you see an injustice, change it with your hand. If you cannot do this, change it with your voice. If you cannot do this, change it with your mind." Then follows an admonishment about the weakness of humans, how too often we resort to some kind of mental trickery, condemning what we see within our own thoughts, but too timid to raise an objection or reach out and put a stop to the wrongs we see committed. (And then, the irony of blogging--brave enough to vent, too scared to act, often even too scared to put one's real name on their thoughts.)
The question is, Where do we go from here? One choice or another, something needs to be done.
P.S. Who says one can't relate healthcare reform to football, fleas, testicles, and the Qur'an?
I wonder if Rahm and Barack's seeming ball-less-ness doesn't derive from their early determination not to repeat Hillary's mistakes. Hillary, or so the story goes, had a specific plan for reform, but she faltered in trying to force it down the legislature's collective throat. Wishing to avoid such a stumble, Rahm and Barack decided to work as stewards to whatever legislation Congress put forth, offering only a few desirable "principles." But perhaps we are ready for a president with a clear plan--or even an actual bill. Or were ready four months ago--now I'm just readying myself for another failed attempt at health-care reform.
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