Today is Crucial for the Future of Olympic Golf
by Ryan Ballengee on Oct 2, 2009 9:10 AM EDT
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PrintAt 12:30p ET today, the IOC will announce the location of and new sports added for the 2016 Olympic Games. President Obama's presence in Copenhagen to plead the case for Chicago has led observers to think that Chicago is frontrunner to get the Games.
Next Friday is the most significant day for golf as the body will vote on which sports to add to the '16 Games. But, today may well serve as an indicator of the health of Olympic golf.
Chicago is a finalist among four cities vying to get the Games, including Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro. Among the four cities, Chicago seems the best for golf. Considering the passion for golf in the Chicagoland area and the quality of golf courses in the metro region, golf would have a very healthy re-introduction to the Olympics were it selected to host the 2016 Games.
Tokyo and Madrid are both cities in nations that are both passionate and well-known for their professional golf, but perhaps not as much for the character of their golf courses. Certainly, Japan could have quite the ambassador for the '16 Games in Ryo Ishikawa, who would be 24 at the time of the Games. By comparison, Tiger Woods would be 40.
Rio de Janeiro is an alluring choice because a South American city has never hosted the Olympics. But, golf has not really taken hold in Brazil in the same way that it has in the other three nations seeking the bid. In general, it lacks a siginificant portion of the massive infrastructure needed to support the Olympic invasion. Then again, Athens did as well and was selected to host the '04 Games.
Either way, the PGA Tour's Ty Votaw is in Copenhagen and is blogging his experiences this week.
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Interesting choices of cities as finalists. Rio is one of the most romanticized, yet incredibly corrupt places in the world. Kidnapping for fun and profit, drugs, gangs, prostitution, murder – but boy what a beach and lots of topless women. Tokyo is a city built on a city built on a city. Where are they going to put facilities for a Summer Olympics ? In a high rise ? Madrid sounds good – plenty of land – and an already established socialist state. Perfect. And then there is Chicago – one of the center pieces of the mafia and outrageously priced union labor – and home of the next great tyrant – Barry O. How do you pick ? Can we leave golf out of this mix ? I like the sound of “be careful where you step, you don’t want to get any on you.”
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Chicago
Don’t forget, Chicago is in an already established socialist state too.
Ok, that just wasn’t right. But since I live in NJ, I can make socialist state jokes.
by Double Eagle on Oct 2, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t make up my own definitions – words have meanings. Socialism is a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Don't forget...
…the part about: “…and a society characterized by equal access to resources for all individuals with an egalitarian method of compensation.”
You know, like in NJ where towns are MANDATED to provide some form of low-income housing.
by Double Eagle on Oct 2, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
In all honesty, I have no problem with a state doing something like that. The Constitution was set up to give states the right to govern themselves however they see fit – and the people of those states can move somewhere else.
Where did you find that adendum to the definition of socialism ? That sounds more like communism.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I copied from...
…Wikipedia for convenience but it cites OED and a few other sources. If I recall correctly, I believe Hayek included that in his definition in The Road to Serfdom. Really, most forms of socialism are considered precursors to communism, so while the terms aren’t necessarily interchangeable, they are very inter-related. Communism, I believe, takes everything socialism means to accomplish, and adds more societal “uniformity”, i.e. controls on religion, media, education, etc.
And regarding that specific issue, I have a huge problem with it. Of course the Constitution was set up to allow states to govern themselves. But socialism is still socialism whether it’s the federal government, state government, or local government. We tend to get wrapped up with the overreaching federal government, but it’s no better when it happens at lower levels.
Sure, people in one state can move to others, but if you think it’s not going to spread to your neck of the woods eventually, you’re nuts. NJ was a perennial red state until the 80’s. It’s not that the people here embrace socialism, but they are promised more and more by politicians and are taxed more and more to pay for it all. Pretty soon, there’s an entrenchment of that “government provides all” philosophy and then look out because then we start talking about “cheap” housing for all and “free” health care, etc..
by Double Eagle on Oct 2, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Excellent point about socialism as just a stopping point to communism (Marxism). What amazes me is that European countries are wising up to the problems with socialism and are moving towards what we are supposed to be – but Americans have been force fed this nonsense about us being a “democracy”, they don’t know the difference – and it’s going to cost us.
Things can spread in both directions. It’s easier to overhaul a state than it is an entire nation. We can give the statists a handful of states to do with what they will and keep the rest for America. When they can’t pay the bill for all the welfare leaches, they’ll wake up pretty fast.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
The thing is...
About the only place in the US where the majority thinks the way you do is the old confederacy.
Truth has a well-known liberal bias.
We can give the statists a handful of states to do with what they will and keep the rest for America
The problem with your assertion is that your version of America is the majority view in just some of the states that make up the old confederacy. You’re the ones who would have “just a handful.” The rest of us could function much better without the lies and obstruction of the Glenn Beck party.
By now I should know better than to jump in on stuff like this when I’m at work.
Truth has a well-known liberal bias.
by the way – using what you said, you are living under the idea that this is a democracy. we do not live in a democracy, so making claims of “the majority” don’t hold up. Neither do the Glenn Beck comments – he’s a radio and tv talk show host – he has no direct power in DC.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Especially since...
…he rips each party a new one whenever he sees the need. He was very critical of GWB. He certainly has no power whatsoever, but he’s also certainly not a party mouthpiece either.
by Double Eagle on Oct 2, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions
a very realistic answer…and yet you support Obama and the democrat party, who have done more to subject the people of this country to the heavy hand of the federal government. Not to mention that there is a much higher percentage of extremely wealthy democrats in congress than republicans.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Just heard a report...
…Chicago has been eliminated from consideration. Not sure how accurate that is, but we’ll hear more later. (I’m shocked, to be honest. This could have been the US version of Beijing – conscripting unemployed people in the area to do construction) (JUST KIDDING !!) :-)
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
confirmed...
…they are down to Rio and Madrid for 2016.
They may be disappointed in Chicago for the moment – but losing billions over the Olympics isn’t worth the bother. They are better off.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
get ready....
….get that Brazilian and a speedo…beaches and topless women will be on display in ’16…RIO !!
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Maybe it will inspire events with a local flair
Like, they could have “Race walking away from pick pocketers” or “The Kidnapthalon”
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