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September 03, 2002
A Few Days Ago. .
A Few Days Ago. . . I tried to outline the financial implications of the decision by Augusta National to take the Masters commercial free. In the comments box there, Illway, a frequent contributor, mentions a salient fact that I feel we all need to keep in mind: Nice to see someone discuss the financial aspects of this story, but I think the real issue here is power, not money. Bingo. And I think this might explain quite a bit. Martha Burk, head of the National Council of Women's Organizations, the umbrella group taking Augusta to task for its "exclusionary and bigoted" policies, isn't just out to get women in the door at Augusta. In the end, what she really wants is to be able to say that she was the one who knocked down the door, and forced the club to accept women as members. With Augusta's scalp on her resume, a phone call from her at a corporation will be as welcome as a visit from 60 Minutes. In a way, Burk is attempting to create a reputation similar to the one that the Rev. Jesse Jackson has in some quarters -- a person who can create, in short order, a blizzard of negative publicity that can do a business or other organization, real financial harm. Conversely, Hootie Johnson and his buddies at Augusta have reportedly been considering women for induction for some time now at Augusta. And if that's the case, why would you want to let Burk and her organization to horn in on your eventual announcement? In light of that interpretation, perhaps Johnson's public statements don't look so unhinged?
Eric
03:37 PM
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