Tuesday, April 18, 2006

What do Michael Lerner and Diego Maradona have in common?



Yes, I know that Michael Lerner just published a book titled The Left Hand of God - but i swear that this blog's name is neither a tribute to his book nor proof of my lack of originality (note: proof may be forthcoming in later weeks).

The year is 1986, the place is mexico city, the time is mid-afternoon, the event is quarterfinals of the World Cup, the teams are Argentina and England. In 1982, a mere four yrs before, the same nations fought the Malvinas/Falklands war and Argentina got its butt whipped. This time, however, Argentina would carry the day: 2-1. And in the process Diego Maradona, the greatest soccer player of all time, scored both the most beautiful and the most infamous goals in World Cup history. In the former, he received the ball just behind mid field and dribbled past half the english team and the goalie. In the latter, maradona - all of 5 feet 4 inches - miraculously levitated over english goalie shilton - 6 feet plus - and may have punched the ball into the net with his left fist (you be the judge). "Was it a hand ball?", he was asked after the game. If it was, Maradona smiled, "it was the hand of god."

That's where this blog's name comes from. But this excursion isn't just an apology to lerner, it also sets up a point which relates to the perspective from which we think about issues, including religion. It's late, i'll make the point tomorrow.

7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

...snooze....

4:23 PM  
Blogger kato said...

no entiendo nada, pero supongo que la página está buena.

8:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

brilliant the way it relates to the most famous frase ever said in Argentina...

2:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

brilliant the way it relates to the most famous frase ever said in Argentina...

2:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't know anything about Michael Lerner, and Maradona only from your article. But I think when people do something extra ordinary, some may be scraed to take credit. Not out of modesty, but fear for being expected to reproduce that amazignness over and over again. Like next game, what if Maradona doesn't play well or he plays the english or the same goalie and does badly?? Then what? G-d wasn't with him? he didn't feel like it? he had on off day?
Also, I think religion, no maybe not religion, maybe more the idea of G-d, is maybe a positive "scapegoat" type thing. Maybe its people not wanting the reponsibility or pressure of being 100% awesome all the time.

-karen p

11:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

for many Maradona is a God so there you go.....

1:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

does anyone know how i can contact maradona's agent pls? it is for a press interview...if you can help i can get you some cash as a thankyou. email: evacaiden@hotmail.com

1:14 PM  

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