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Tour pros next in Augusta lobbying effort (Hootie Responds)
AP ^ | Sept. 3, 2002 | AP

Posted on 09/03/2002 12:46:50 PM PDT by jern

Tuesday, September 3, 2002 Burk says players 'need to take a moral stand'

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services

The fight between the Augusta National Golf Club and Martha Burk, the chairwoman of the National Council of Women's Organizations (NCWO), grew even a bit more testy on Tuesday.

Appearing on the Dan Patrick Show on ESPN Radio, Burk said that her organization will begin targeting PGA Tour players in a bid to force Augusta National to allow women members.

The players "need to take a moral stand," Burk told Patrick.

"I think Augusta will eventually see that it will be in the best interests of their club ... to do the right thing and allow women members," she later said in the interview.

Through a club spokesman, Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson issued a written response to Burk. It said:

"1. This is not a legal issue. The Masters has a constitutional right to its private membership.

"2. Martha Burk tries to equate this to the Shoal Creek racial issue in 1990, but they are totally different. In America, there are women's colleges, the Girl Scouts of America and women's health clubs throughout the country. In Canada and overseas, there are women-only golf clubs.

"3. The Club possibly will have a woman member in the future, but it should be the Club's decision, not the decision of an outside group that knows little about the Club or Tournament. In Ms. Burk's initial letter, she placed a deadline on the Club to have a woman member (2003), and discussed the sponsors of the Tournament.

"4. The winner in this sponsorship issue is the viewer. There will now be 12 ½ hours of commercial free golf coverage.

"5. What is presently happening is a corporate campaign. The National Council of Women's Organizations is targeting anyone associated with the Masters.

"6. The reason we chose not to ask the sponsors to participate in 2003 was to spare them the inevitability of a continued corporate campaign that could have included protests and boycotts.

"7. Dr. Burk is now telling individuals what to watch on television. In three online polls conducted this weekend, nearly 90 percent of respondents said they would continue to watch the Masters on CBS. Over 4.3 million women watched the Masters last year.

"8. The Masters and Augusta National are different. One is a private club, and the other is a world-class sporting event that is completely inclusive.

"9. The Masters is being used as a symbol. Several other Clubs do not allow women to play or even to enter the grounds. Women play at Augusta National regularly, and there are no restrictions on tee times. Women played over 1,000 rounds at the Club last year."

Last week, Burk said that she will talk with CBS about its televising of The Masters, which will be commercial-free next year. Johnson announced that The Masters will drop its sponsors -- IBM, Coca-Cola and Citigroup -- to shield them from any controversy over the club's all-male membership.

Augusta National has not had a woman member in its 69-year history. It has had black members since 1990.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Georgia
KEYWORDS: augusta; burk; masters; national; ncw; players; women
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To: mewzilla
What do I care?

Ah, that's the question. Why does anyone care? It's really none of your, our, or anyone else's business what someone does with their private property.

If you take a look at this women's group you will find that it is supported by the US taxpayer. Almost all their funds come from nonprofit corporations. Check out their web site. See where their money comes from.

The original intent of nonprofit corporations was for CHARITY. To help people. There are some that do. Case in point from this weekend - MDA.

But over the years entities that are in the business of "educating" the public have been allowed to use the same benefits as charites. To become nonprofits. Outfits like the ADL, Judicial Watch, Jesse Jackson's groups, Sharpton's, The Brady gun grabbing bunch, a host of "green" and "womens" groups, etc.

As nonprofits, some of them set out to harm or destroy other people's businesses. As in this case. It's outrageous that my tax dollars pay for this. This woman's group and their supporting nonprofits are not educating or helping anyone here. They are simply being shrill little snots so they can drum up more nonprofit/tax exempt dollars from other shrill little snot supporters.

There are over 800,000+ (I started posting this paragraph 2 years ago when it was 700,000+) nonprofits in America. Many are only in business to push their own political agenda (an sometimes launder money) and/or enrich their handlers. It's was past time to reform the nonprofit laws in this country. If groups like these want to set out to harm real businesses with real employees then make them do so on their own dime. And pay taxes like any other company.

41 posted on 09/03/2002 1:27:47 PM PDT by isthisnickcool
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To: Rebel-without-a-pause
And further to that...no one can apply for membership. All members must receive an invitation. Lobbying or requesting membership leads to automatic disqualification.
42 posted on 09/03/2002 1:29:19 PM PDT by clintonh8r
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To: mewzilla
But what does the absence/presence of a certain set of gonads get you?

An appearance on the Donahue show.

43 posted on 09/03/2002 1:29:47 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
I have not seen this new "woman's" leader. Is Burk a buck or a doe?
44 posted on 09/03/2002 1:30:27 PM PDT by billhilly
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
"Augusta National should have the freedom to make the rules for their club just as Wellesley College has the freedom to make rules that ban men from the school (hrc notwithstanding)."

So far, there's no lawsuit, just social pressure. I thought that was supposed to be a good way to fight. You stand up and say, "These guys are jerks, and we don't want to be associated with anybody who associates with them, until they change their ways."

I don't understand the problem with voicing disapproval of somebody's actions.
45 posted on 09/03/2002 1:31:01 PM PDT by mykej
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To: Rebel-without-a-pause
But what does being a guest versus being a member get guys? How is a member different than a guest. They'd have their own locker rooms and lavs. Guys still wouldn't have to play with them. They're allowed to play the course now. I guess what I'm getting at is that there has have been a reason for keeping them out or at least one would have been a member by now. Since they're allowed to play the course now, I'm just trying to see if there's a reason that's not the equivalent of Cooties!!
46 posted on 09/03/2002 1:31:01 PM PDT by mewzilla
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To: mewzilla
But how does a women playing as a club member instead of a guest screw with a guy's enjoyment of his game?

I'll bite. A guest plays at the pleasure and discretion of the membership. Therefore, it is unlikely the guest has the option of when to play (i.e. prime morning tee times). If the Augusta membership chooses to invite a woman to join their private club, my guess is she will be a damn fine golfer, and unlikely to drive the men nuts as so many women do on the course.

BUT....I daresay that this goes beyond the simple enjoyments of the game. There is a dining room at the club, and bar, and I suppose like most men the membership enjoy time away from women. This is an ideal, if expensive, venue for that type of quality time. Admitting a woman would end that forever.

You may call it Neanderthal, but I consider it just another part of being a guy: wanting time away from the ladies.

47 posted on 09/03/2002 1:35:42 PM PDT by Mr. Bird
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To: mykej
I don't understand the problem with voicing disapproval of somebody's actions.

See #41. Do you want to pay for this with your tax dollars or is it better spent on schools, roads, prescription drugs, national security, etc.?

48 posted on 09/03/2002 1:35:43 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: mewzilla
That's what I don't get. Political philosophies, hobbies, literary tastes, yes.
But what does the absence/presence of a certain set of gonads get you?

freedom, on a saturday moring ...    

49 posted on 09/03/2002 1:36:13 PM PDT by tomkat
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To: mykej
They haven't done anything illegal, unethical or immoral. Why should anybody be able to "voice disapproval", and more importantly, interfere with their business operations? Frankly, I hope Augusta sues these bitches for tortious interference.
50 posted on 09/03/2002 1:36:33 PM PDT by clintonh8r
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To: mewzilla
Hey, I kinda like your screen name. Send me your password so I can use it. And I notice I can't modify your home page here. I want to change it. I need your password for that also. And I can't read your Freepmail. Which I'd like to since I'm not sure what is there.

Give me what I want because I say I should have access to it!

51 posted on 09/03/2002 1:37:11 PM PDT by isthisnickcool
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To: mewzilla
But it would never occur to me to base my club membership on gender. That's what I don't get. Political philosophies, hobbies, literary tastes, yes. But what does the absence/presence of a certain set of gonads get you?

You truly think men and women are identical except for plumbing? If you took the time to listen to it, common sense would tell you that neither men nor women always enjoy mixed sex company. If this concept is truly beyond your understanding (as opposed to your personal preference) I feel a bit of pity for you.

52 posted on 09/03/2002 1:37:34 PM PDT by Snuffington
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To: colorado tanker
Marth Burk is the "Chair" of the National Council of Women's Organizations. So why is it OK to have "women's organizations" but not "men's organizations"??

More importantly, when will NOW have a male president? Should we set a deadline of 2003?

53 posted on 09/03/2002 1:37:56 PM PDT by Isle of sanity in CA
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To: mewzilla
The club is not limited to golf, also women play golf there.

The point is a group of persons joined together and formed a PRIVATE club to cater to their wants. They decide the membership rules and social activities they wish to participate in.
If another person wants to become a part of the society of the club, their application is taken and judged against the social norms of the members of the club. If the applicant is acceptable to the members of the club, the application is accepted. If not, it is rejected. This social club takes no federal monies and is not regulated in membership requirements by the gov. The failed applicant is welcome to start his own club or possibly reapply.

54 posted on 09/03/2002 1:39:31 PM PDT by 3k9pm
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To: Isle of sanity in CA
When will NOW have a male president?

I nominate Uncle Janet. She'll be "at liberty" after Jeb beats her ass.

55 posted on 09/03/2002 1:40:38 PM PDT by clintonh8r
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To: colorado tanker
Marth Burk is the "Chair" of the National Council of Women's Organizations. So why is it OK to have "women's organizations" but not "men's organizations"??

Precisely!

The purpose for this attack is not to allow female golfers as members but to strategically kick the door open so that women will one day rule the Masters.

Think about the name: The Masters. These women want to be known by the same moniker, "masters," and they won't be satisfied until they can claim that name for themselves.

The broom-riding hags would never think of allowing men to gain positions of power because it is the power that they crave. Nothing more, nothing less.

56 posted on 09/03/2002 1:42:41 PM PDT by A2J
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To: billhilly

MARTHA BURK, CHAIR

Dr. Martha Burk is a political psychologist and women's equity expert who is co-founder and President of the Center for Advancement of Public Policy, a research and policy analysis organization in Washington, D.C. Dr. Burk is currently serving as Chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations, a network of over 100 national women's groups collectively representing six million women.

57 posted on 09/03/2002 1:42:58 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: mewzilla
Let me try to answer your question. We all know that men and women are different...mentally as well as physically. We react differently to the same things, on very deep, hardwired levels.

Notice, men have never (beyond sarcastically or pruriently) expressed much desire to join women-only groups or clubs. We figure, for the most part, that women want their privacy and some "company of their own kind", from time to time, and it's okay with us. We're really not interested in what's discussed at such things, anyway, just as women are not generally interested in the things men talk about or do amongst each other.

However, women DO seem to evince a desire (through people like Miss Burk) to join male-only clubs and organizations. It almost seems at times to be an extension of childhood, when the girls couldn't wait to be allowed into the boy's clubhouse or tree fort. Perhaps women are just more interested in what we do amongst ourselves than we are in what they do. The drive does, you'll admit, seem to be one-sided.

What I'm really getting to, I suppose, is whether or not men have the same right to gather and do "guy stuff" without the usual strictures imposed upon gentlemen by the presence the opposite sex as the ladies do.

Bottom line: we don't try to join YOUR clubs/organizations/whatever, can't you extend us the same courtesy?

58 posted on 09/03/2002 1:43:16 PM PDT by Long Cut
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To: mewzilla
You can run off or ban a guest. A member who pays $30,000 a year to be a member is a little harder to get rid of..Maybe they don't like to be told by a female that they have to have a pool, change the curtain patterns, put in a babysitting service for the female "members". Men pay the dues, men make the rules and probably it's not that way at the "member's" homes. If you don't lika da rules, start your own golf club.
59 posted on 09/03/2002 1:47:04 PM PDT by Rebel-without-a-pause
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To: clintonh8r
"They haven't done anything illegal, unethical or immoral. Why should anybody be able to "voice disapproval", and more importantly, interfere with their business operations? "

Obviously you have a different opinion on the ethics and morality of the issue than the NCWO does. That's fine. Ignore them.

So far, I can't fault their methods. Calling for boycotts is an age old American tradition used by both the left (v Nike) and the right(v Disney). They aren't interfering with any business, they've simply asked other people not to do business with Augusta.

60 posted on 09/03/2002 1:48:23 PM PDT by mykej
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