LIV Proves Money can Buy Anything - or Anyone

Money Makes the World Go Round

If you have ever watched the movie Cabaret, you have to remember the number performed by Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey with the above title. It is a classic. Treat yourself here if you have not seen it: Cabaret - Money makes the world go round - YouTube. The expression has been around for a long time. It has always been true and probably always will be.

Money has always driven wars and battles, or at least the riches and resources that belong to others, which selfish and ruthless people want for themselves. It is the foundation of dynasties, religion, dictators, and extremists.

It finds a home and flourishes under all forms of government. This includes central so-called democratic free enterprise systems; left leaning socialistic ones; and extreme right totalitarian regimes. It drives all corporations and small businesses. Money in various forms provides the basis for international business and trade.

You get the picture. What it brings out most in humans is greed - pure and simple greed. People with money - lots of it - always want more and are capable of doing horrible things to get it and keep it.

I have written before that I believe it is behind racism and white supremacists, which is still behind many of the world's problems, especially in America.

We seem to accept this when it comes to providing us with entertainment. Look at the obscene incomes doled out in sports events, movies/videos, and music.

Now to the topic of the day - this newly formed LIV Golf league. Here is a good summary of golf movements historically: The LIV Golf series: What we know, what we don’t, and the massive ramifications of the Saudi-backed league | Golf News and Tour Information | Golf Digest. More specifically, this one explains more the new undertaking: What is LIV Golf? A simple primer on the controversial new golf league.

Greg Norman is saying it his attempt to expand competitive golf throughout the world. Some of the players who have jumped ship are trying to justify their moves the same way. Mickelson is worse - he initially called out the backers of the league ("They're scary motherf—ers to get involved with"). This is Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund worth some $600 billion. Then he justified it as a way to pay off his gambling debts. Most of the winnings in the PGA Tour are provided by sponsors, not national leaders.

You might accept some pro golf foreign nationals not feeling as loyal to the PGA Tour because many of them already play in leagues all over the world. However for those who became famous and very wealthy through the PGA Tour, the motive is greed. Phil is reported to have been paid $200 million just to play there in the events. For DJ it is said to be $120 million. Winnings would be on top of that.

The PGA Tour and many of its stars like Arnold, Jack, and Tiger to name a few, have a proven record of paying back in the form of charitable and educational foundations, and hospitals. I doubt you will see the same from this Arab league.

I also predict that if it succeeds it is just the beginning. The effort has become known as Sportswashing. What will be next? How will America react when top athletes from baseball, football, basketball and others move to a more financially lucrative league elsewhere? Would they play in a new Russian League today if there were one - just for the money?

America has few friends in the Middle East. It is sad to see so many ignore their ethics for the almighty dollar. It is heartening to see others like Rory (who is not American), Tiger, and Justin demonstrate their loyalties.

#thebrewsterblock

Election Apathy

Canadian Problem Shared by other Democracies

A recent Canadian provincial election for the Premier of Ontario was pathetic. Although the existing Premier - Doug Ford - was re-elected in a landslide, the turnout for voters was a mere 40%. This says a lot, none of it good.

I suspect the same problem exists elsewhere but the one in which I just voted brought it home.

Those of us who live in a free society - even with what we are witnessing in Ukraine where Russia is trying to remove freedom, we are ignoring the very thing that keeps us free. Even in American elections the numbers should be much higher.

To me it is a reflection of just how spoiled we in the west have become. Fortunately my generation have never been forced to go off and fight, possibly never to return or to return a different person, mentally or physically. Apparently we take this freedom for granted.

I have heard the pathetic excuse for too long even from friends and family that one vote won't make a difference. Of course not but that is not why they don't vote. If thousands of these people got off their asses it would make a difference. The truth is that for most people the whole political process is boring. This is true but it is better than what Russia or China has.

People - especially with today's entertainment forms, would rather watch an event on TV. They claim that they don't understand issues or know the candidates. Again of course not if you ignore them deliberately every day.

With today's media this is no longer a valid excuse. You can see and hear about the issues, parties, leaders, and platforms in any number of ways - but not if you are watching football, hockey, or the Amazing Race.

This reminds me of people - usually men - who won't work in the garden because they don't know the weeds from the flowers. Some have even destroyed plants deliberately to remain a couch potato themselves. The same men could probably identify every player in a major league of their choice and quote tons of statistics as well. It is a matter of participation. If you planted the flowers enough times you would remember what they looked like.

I don't know the stats but I suspect most of those who did see active combat and survived DO vote in elections and are pissed at others who don't. They are why you can sit on that couch eating chips and drinking.

I am not suggesting that we all watch Parliamentary debates but ten or fifteen minutes of news or reading a day is all you need to make an informed decision. You will probably learn to hate certain politicians in which case you will have an added incentive to vote them out!

Vote at times when your favorite show is not on. You can vote online, by mail, or early if you don't want to stand in line. You owe it to those who did die for you.

#thebrewsterblock

Uvalde. Another School Day in U.S.A

One more Flight over the Cuckoo's Nest called United States

Another day in the life of America. Nineteen children and two teachers are butchered. The world watches as the same old things are said about the American virus Loveofguns 22. It started right at home folks - you can't blame any other country.

What follows has all been said before - the claims and counter-claims and all of the logic and illogic associated with the crazy illness that is unique to America. Still I can't help it - I have to repeat them again. If it changes one high profile person's mind it will be worth it.

Let's first reiterate the usual bullshit and then ignore it again.

1. "Guns don't kill people, people kill people." Tell that to the parents. This dingbat kid didn't use poison darts, a crossbow, or any other weapon - he used a gun. So did Kyle Rittenhouse.
2. "The solution is more guns." Arm the teaching staff, janitor, gardener, bus driver, even the cooks if there are any. Not worthy of a reply.
3. "The second amendment gives him the right." Balls. Does it say a six year old can carry a weapon? No. Why not? Because the Constitution assumed a degree of common sense back when most Americans had some. That has all changed. It also says nothing about how those arms can be used, just that one can "bear" them and nothing about their nature, purpose, or ammunition.
4. "Any change to gun laws is an attack on my individual rights." So are men telling women they can't have an abortion whether stated in the Constitution or not. More bull.

The list goes on.

I have not heard one sensible argument put forward which justifies an individual citizen's ability to buy and possess assault weapons. Likewise what is the argument to permit gun merchants to sell them? What is next - tanks and/or a cruise missile in every driveway? Tow bars to pull your Howitzer behind your SUV for a picnic?

Some readers right now are probably reacting by saying that 70%-90% of Americans do want change. The other side probably have their own statistics. Who cares? If such percentages want change then they should get together and fire - vote out of office - their Representatives in either House who keep rebuffing any changes to gun laws. Most of them are paid by gun lobbyists.

For months now most of us have found Putin's actions in Ukraine repugnant especially when innocent citizens and children were murdered. How could he be so callous? How can your fellow citizens who are gun lovers be even more callous when children's bodies are torn apart by another American shooter?

The Red flag law of Florida does not prevent qualified people from purchasing and owning guns. red flag laws - Google Search. It does give police the right to seize existing weapons from those who pose a threat to themselves or others and has been used many times. Similar laws should be instituted and enforced in all states.

The other day someone said it was now easier to get an assault rifle than baby formula. What a powerful statement!

Some American leaders in both government and business apparently value their guns more than those poor kids' and their two teachers' bullet riddled bodies.

#thebrewsterblock

Russian People in Democratic Countries, Please Speak Out!

Let's Hear some Russian Free Speech!

Years ago I worked with many Russian people who had immigrated to Canada. I don't recall which international crisis was happening but it involved Russia. A female colleague's strong nationalism showed when she declared that the West only likes Russia when they think she is weak. True. She wanted her motherland to regain its former glory and standing as a world force to equal America. She got quite heated about it.

I didn't ask her why she remained here and did not return to Russia but her feelings were understandable. We on this side of the ocean forget that Russia and many other countries overseas have histories of rising and falling, conquering and expanding, rebelling against and recreating their leadership hundreds of years before anyone even knew about our far off lands. We are mere babes in arms or perhaps babes with arms in the military sense.

However since many people have immigrated to more democratic countries and presumably enjoy their ability to speak and write freely, let's hear from some of them.

Surely those who live here now and have seen the horror of Ukraine through the lens of western media and not the fake news of the motherland, they must have seen some kind of light. For sure you can refer to many American transgressions in other lands but I don't think it was ever to wipe out an entire people.

When has Ukraine ever attacked Russia or the Soviet Union? This is somewhat like American forces attacking native North American tribes again as they once did when settling the new west. It was wrong then and would be unspeakable now.

In addition surely they would be the best means of getting the truth to relatives at home. Unfortunately we have heard of some family ties being broken when those back in Russia refuse to believe their own families who now live in the USA

Western media would love to give you a platform or soap box from which to repeat what Putin and his forces are doing. Why are you so silent?

Do you also believe that Ukraine is not and never was a nation? If nothing else you should now understand why so many believe that Ukraine should indeed be part of NATO.
Ditto for Finland and Sweden.

Please make use of the freedom to speak which you now enjoy.

#thebewsterblock

Abort these Abortion Proposals - BEFORE it's too Late

While You Still Have the Right to Choose - Choose to Keep that Right!

In the last few years we have heard more examples of hypocrisy from politicians than probably ever before. The winners hands down are Republicans. Top of the heap are the Trump appointed Supreme Court Justices. 

We all heard them say that they would consider Roe vs Wade to be a precedent. It has indeed been for almost 50 years. In hindsight, if you listen to the cleverness of their answers during their appointment hearings it just adds to the hypocrisy. These people are expected to play it straight and say it straight. They failed.

The enormity of this hypocrisy goes way beyond the Supreme Court. Some 26 plus states are prepared to ban the right to choice for women.

Why is this hypocrisy?

1. Many of these high minded politicians who claim to stand for American ideals are the same ones who yelled and screamed bloody murder at the mere prospect of being told to wear a mask to fight COVID. They yelled even louder over mandatory vaccinations. Why? It was an attack on their rights and personal freedoms. Nobody could tell them what to do with their bodies. How can such protestors - and many of them are men - then turn around and suggest that they and their governments have a right to tell women what they can or can 't do with their own body?

2. Each and every one of them knows damn well that if their own daughter or even their wife has an unwanted pregnancy, they would find somewhere to perform the same procedure they profess to find offensive.

3. They know that rich people (like themselves) will be able to afford these procedures, but poor people will not be able to. Hence the law will not be applied evenly to all people.

4. If doing the right thing is their claim, then they will have to double down on finding and prosecuting all of the deadbeat dads who impregnate spouses and girlfriends and then skip town. If the woman must give birth to her child then the man must help pay for his child! Once again there is a double standard - hold the woman accountable, but not the man.

5. If women are prepared to join the armed forces and in many cases give their own lives for their country, then they should also be able to control its destiny back home.

6. Many of those who want to take away this right will for sure be gun owners. After all, they have a right which they claim "bear arms" gives them. What about all of those people young and old who die because of the misuse of those guns? If human life is so sacred then this is even more hypocrisy,

One final point. There are enough couples who abuse their children horribly when they do have them. Surely this number will go up if they are forced to have a child against their own will. The same thing often happens to adapted children.

I predict that there will be some politician who claims to be for this denial and then finds out that his mistress is pregnant. See what happens to the ideals then. If the mistress wants the child he is toast. If she does not and they secure an abortion, he is toast if she ever talks. Without a settlement, she will.

There will be more attempts to set back the clock. Just wait.

#thebrewsterblock