Thursday, September 07, 2006
'Why did God do this to me?'
James Polehinke, the only survivor of a plane crash that killed 49 people near Lexington, Ky., last week, said to family members from his hospital bed, "Why did God do this to me?"
How would you answer him?
Then, since it could very well be different, what do you tell yourself?
--ER
How would you answer him?
Then, since it could very well be different, what do you tell yourself?
--ER
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Myself. I wouldn't answer his question at all. It's anguished. It doesn't require a response.
To myself: God didn't do it. Man did it: The men who allowed an air-traffic-control system to be understaffed, and the men -- I mean, the people -- that allowed pilots to be overworked.
And quietly, I mutter to myself: It's Reagan's fault.
Therefore, it's the Republican Party's fault. So, by extension, it's Bush's fault.
JUST KIDDING in the paragraph immediately above. The one above that, not so much.
To myself: God didn't do it. Man did it: The men who allowed an air-traffic-control system to be understaffed, and the men -- I mean, the people -- that allowed pilots to be overworked.
And quietly, I mutter to myself: It's Reagan's fault.
Therefore, it's the Republican Party's fault. So, by extension, it's Bush's fault.
JUST KIDDING in the paragraph immediately above. The one above that, not so much.
I pretty much agree with you. God didn't do it. It was a system that was crippled and maimed that did it. Lives were put at risk because an actor wanted to play cowboy with the air traffic controllers. It's kind of amazing it didn't happen sooner. It is also the fault of that particular airport that allowed someone to work alone who was sleep deprived. The system calls for two people to work together and that didn't happen.
But of course the real point is not to place blame, but to know that bad things do happen to everyone. Our faith asks us to remember that even in situations that seem unbearable and senseless, God is right there with us, mourning with us, crying with us over our pain. (True also in the death of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.)
But of course the real point is not to place blame, but to know that bad things do happen to everyone. Our faith asks us to remember that even in situations that seem unbearable and senseless, God is right there with us, mourning with us, crying with us over our pain. (True also in the death of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.)
The guy that owned our local roller rink died in that crash. Also a couple from ten miles up the road who were going on their honeymoon.
The survivor is lucky to be here and able to ask such questions. So many others aren't around to.
The survivor is lucky to be here and able to ask such questions. So many others aren't around to.
Hidy, Miss C. I thought of my Kentucky commenters -- both of you'ns -- before I put this up. Sorry if it hit too close to home.
Small world. The small private plane that crashed out yonder last week or so was carrying the son, daughter-in-law and grandkids of a man I know in Texas.
Small world. The small private plane that crashed out yonder last week or so was carrying the son, daughter-in-law and grandkids of a man I know in Texas.
I have always thought that the problem with being God is that you get blamed for everything.
My honest answer is the one I have given my own kids during times of grief initiated by seemingly faultless causes, "I don't know, and I don't know that he did."
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My honest answer is the one I have given my own kids during times of grief initiated by seemingly faultless causes, "I don't know, and I don't know that he did."
# posted by 
: 6:12 PM
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