Kostis Taking On The Guardian!
Peter Kostis is shocked, shocked the UK papers would feast on Captain Pavin's enlisting of Major Dan Rooney to rev up the troops...err...American Ryder Cup team.
The nastiness and tone of some articles that filled the news vacuum really surprised me. For example, a headline in The Guardian read, "Corey Pavin seeking military help turns Ryder Cup into a nonsense." The article was a criticism of Maj. Dan Rooney, an American fighter pilot and PGA professional who founded the Folds of Honor Foundation (a charity that distributes scholarships to the spouses and children of troops injured or killed in the line of duty) giving an inspirational talk to the team. The headline was sensationalistic nd the story was ridiculous, but it was effective in stirring the pot.
Friday, October 8, 2010 at 09:06 PM
Reader Comments (28)
He seems to be confused, or least he appears not to have read beyond the headline of Richard Williams' piece in the Guardian. If he had, he might have discovered it contains no criticism of Maj Dan Rooney personally. Rather, it is a critique of Corey Pavin's decision to bring a military man to "motivate" his team. Richard -a multiple award-winning writer, incidentally - can speak for himself but from my own perspective I thought Rooney's presence was absurd because:
a. as Pavin constantly told us, the US players don't need any motivation to play in the Ryder Cup. Therefore, why would they need help from a "motivational speaker"?
b. there are, at a guess, 20,000 "motivational" speakers in the US. Why chose one with a military connection? Couldn't he rustle up, say, Anthony Robbins to awaken the giant within Tiger Woods? By having Maj Rooney around Pavin was asking his players to view the Ryder Cup in the context of the US's military efforts around the world. This was an insult to those efforts - allegories between sport and war always are - and an open invitation to writers like Richard Williams to question Pavin's behaviour (not least because he has a past history when it comes to "militarising" the Ryder Cup).
As someone who does pay close attention (unlike some, it seems), I thought it was very telling the American players - Bubba Watson being about the only exception - had very little say on the subject on Maj Rooney throughout the week. My suspicion is that they - like Richard Williams - were appalled to find him anywhere near the US team-room at a Ryder Cup.
Lawrence Donegan
(golf correspondent, The Guardian)
Phoenix etc....
I think from a feature, or wrapup the interaction would be good TV. But TV is so doggone lacking in so many 'also did you know this ' ways. I have always found it interresting what is aroundf a course, or ballpark: wow ...look at Augusta: from TV you'd think it was in the country. It's not...lol
I give PK a pass on syrup for the Masters: after all, he has only look at McCord is an example of rocking the boat. But really the whole music, sappy Nance deal at Augusta is pretty pathetic. PK seems to just be playing that game with all of them. They are after all, 'masters'.
As to the military man in the story: CP's team, his call. The Brit's had nothin'.
Next their going to write about how Winston Churchill would have nothing to offer in a pre game setting.
While I don't believe in mixing politics, military and sports, I doubt that Dan Rooney spoke much about the thrill of killing while seating in the seat of his jet. I suspect he spoke more about the inspiration he has received in working with wounded vets.
Corey did fine in inviting this quality individual.
Thin skinned, are we now? You making the rounds?
I am the LAST person to defend anything military, War is a racket. But this is a unique Officer with strong ties to golf, and unless you were a fly on the wall, or bugging the room, which at this point would not surprise me, WTF do you know of what was said?
Base upon your action: pot, kettle.
Have a nice day.
"Now this conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every Statehouse, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet, we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources, and livelihood are all involved. So is the very structure of our society.
"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.
(snip)
"Another factor in maintaining balance involves the element of time. As we peer into society's future, we -- you and I, and our government -- must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering for our own ease and convenience the precious resources of tomorrow. We cannot mortgage the material assets of our grandchildren without risking the loss also of their political and spiritual heritage. We want democracy to survive for all generations to come, not to become the insolvent phantom of tomorrow.
"During the long lane of the history yet to be written, America knows that this world of ours, ever growing smaller, must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect. Such a confederation must be one of equals. The weakest must come to the conference table with the same confidence as do we, protected as we are by our moral, economic, and military strength. That table, though scarred by many fast frustrations -- past frustrations, cannot be abandoned for the certain agony of disarmament -- of the battlefield."
"Disarmament, with mutual honor and confidence, is a continuing imperative. Together we must learn how to compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose. Because this need is so sharp and apparent, I confess that I lay down my official responsibilities in this field with a definite sense of disappointment. As one who has witnessed the horror and the lingering sadness of war, as one who knows that another war could utterly destroy this civilization which has been so slowly and painfully built over thousands of years, I wish I could say tonight that a lasting peace is in sight.
"Happily, I can say that war has been avoided. Steady progress toward our ultimate goal has been made. But so much remains to be done. As a private citizen, I shall never cease to do what little I can to help the world advance along that road.
"So, in this, my last good night to you as your President, I thank you for the many opportunities you have given me for public service in war and in peace. I trust in that -- in that -- in that service you find some things worthy. As for the rest of it, I know you will find ways to improve performance in the future."
17 January 1961
Just like those cowardly weasels in governments throughout Europe should be on bended knee, thanking us for freeing the world from terrorism by cleverly letting Bin Laden escape in the Tora Bora caves and then invading Iraq, which had nothing to do with 9/11.
And you think these lessons weren't learned by Captainess Pavin when she sent out a player who's never won with the lead in the anchor singles match?
Pure genius!
"All very successful commanders are prima donnas and must be so treated."
George S. Patton, speaking obviously of Lisa Pavin
Yes he was a leader whose closing words and advice fell on deaf ears.
And here we are a half a century later, in a quagmire of greed, all forewarned by Ike.
When a President hires a PR firm to sell a war, you know we are on the wrong path. It happened, and now we honor same with golfing Hall of Fame Honor? Please.
That's what deserves bitchin and moaning by the Brit press. And our own, I might add.
All have a great weekend, and go low!
Larry, you guys really seem to have serious, serious issues with the U.S. military. That's fine, except for the fact that in 1916 and 1940, your country moved heaven and earth to get the American military involved in your wars. You should read "Selling War: the British Propaganda Campaign Against American Neutrality in World War II" by Nicholas John Cull. A fascinating read. And he's a Brit, to boot. What could be better?
There is a fine line between war and sport, as English soccer hooligans have taught us for decades. Aren't they the ones who chant "10 German Bombers" during the World Cup? Yeah, thought so. I suppose it's perfectly understandable for a Swedish or Spanish newspaper to adopt a super left-wing, pacifist position during a sporting event, but for the British to do it, well, that's just beyond hypocritical. It's laughable.
For the more sane posters, let's remember that the Europeans and Americans have very different relationships with the military. Perhaps at least some of that comes from having two World Wars and a Cold War fought on the continent. I'm not saying either attitude is right but it would be wrong for either of us to assume we are right and you are wrong.
like Pavin seeks to inject "war" into a golf tournament, you seek to turn the comments section of golf blog into a debate about military history
Truly, you both deserve each other.
donegan
btw, I, and people like me, have no issues with the US military. however we do have issues with people demeaning the US military by seeking to draw parallels, or indeed trying to make any link at all, between war and sport.
Larry, the entirety of British culture revolves around demeaning the U.S. military. According to the Brits, all American soldiers are trigger-happy rednecks who can't tell friend from foe. Even though this happened:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-503287/British-believed-killed-Danish-soldiers-friendly-attack-Afghanistan.html
Those poor Danes. I wonder what their last words were? "Stupid British twats!" would be my guess.
On the other hand, your womenfolk do seem to like our boys in uniform. So much so that many sent their life savings to Nigerian online scam artists posing as U.S. servicemen. What a sad story. Doesn't say much for British street smarts I'm afraid. Or your men either. I guess they were too busy formulating clever Ian Poulter chants to keep their women happy.
Keep trying, lad. One day you may become a serviceable golf writer. Until then, you're just another dreary leftist working for a hate rag.
WTF are you talking about? You are certainly reading more into my posts than I provided.
I addressed one persons's writing ,and you turn it into 'transatlantic hate?
I would think your wife is amazed at your claimed yard long appendage with that degree of exxageration.
Keep trying but no, you can't have 2 aside next time. Talk about"thin-skinned".
Old habits die hard ... it would seem.
you seem to forget that i was rooting for Monty to win, so your thin skin remark means nothing.
Have another pint. You seem determned to fight. Don't cut your hand hittng a mirror.
I didn't win or lose. i was not playing. Now which one were you on the team?
Anyway I would have invited some light hearted entertainment, maybe Lewis Black, he's in a golf commercial for Aruba Tourism!! Laughter brings the team together, not some war crap.
thanks for yr comments. i think i will rest my case on yr last demented rant.
over and out.
donegan
Don't you think people are capable of remembering more than one post from the same poster?
Oh, my apologies to Scott by the way. I should have remembered him as the cheerleader for the absurd, uninformed anti-British tone that sadly spoils much of the discussion on this blog.
Son, you are clearly deranged seek help.
;( ;)
it's a possibility. Understanding ...mmmmm....dunno.
Have a nice Sunday.