SamSaid!

20-20 HINDSIGHT

     Anyone who thinks the 9/11 Commission is non-partisan should go back and read the funny papers. Imagine all of the tax payer money being spent in this highly partisan finger pointing endeavor. If it WERE truly non-partisan, I wouldn't mind; but it has been transformed into another Bush bashing affair. I was particularly incensed at the tactics of Commission member Ben-Veniste when interrogating Condoleeza Rice. He prefaced his questions with, “Can you deny the possibility that….”   A graduate school prof told us many years ago that tactics like these are used by phonies and charlatans. He said, “Any time someone starts a question  with “Isn't it possible that….”, or ” Can you deny the possibility that…”, just refuse to answer the question. Almost anything is “possible”, but the phonies like to transform “possible” into “likely”. I admired Ms. Rice's spunk in heading him off at the pass. I wish she had said, “Mr Ben-Viste, is it possible that your wife is making love with your gardener while you are here at the meeting?” “Is it POSSIBLE”?

     But aside from the partisan hi-jinks, there is one glaring fact that should be apparent to all thinking Americans. By design, the FBI and CIA were specifically chartered  to operate separately so it should come as no surprise that they did not cooperate closely in sharing information  — about terrorism or anything else. And that goes way back before 9/11. Agonizing over this Congressional folly accomplishes nothing  — particularly by hindsight.   Second, under Clinton the FBI was way off the mark by viewing terror attacks as criminal matters and not acts of war. Why on earth should we extend criminal legal rights to terrorists? That's why I have no sympathy whatsoever for the Guantanamo inmates. If they are captives in the war or terrorism, we should show away the domestic legal niceties and tell the left wing lawyers to bug off.

     And while I am in such a good mood, I can't resist a few comments about Maureen Dowd of the NY Times. She is the one who labelled the other coalition forces in Iraq as “a gaggle of poodles and lackeys”. Isn't that a real boost for the good guys in a tough situation? Everytime I see the smirking image of Ms Dowd, the same question crosses my mind  –  “I wonder where she parked her broom?”

MASTERFUL

     The Masters golf tournament held annually at Augusts, Georgia simply has to be the premier sporting event in the world. Marvelous scenery, a perfect environment, a splendid atmosphere, knowledgeable and appreciative fans, exemplary conduct, and the best players in the world. Every year it seems to get better, but 2004 will be hard to beat. First, the dramatic farewell of golfing's legend, Arnold Palmer, who played in the event for 50 years (he won 4 times), followed by the come-from-behind dramatic win by Phil Mickelson. The mere thought of getting 5 birdies over the last seven is mind-boggling  — and then capped by winning the tournamant on the last stroke at the last hole on the last day. Hollywood's best script writers could hardly top that. From a very good golfer dubbed by some as a perennial loser he became a very popular champion in just one shot.

     In watching the entire 5 hour contest, I was impressed by the excellence of all that I saw. Well dressed, polite, courteous people  –  no insulting finger waving, no beer guts hanging over  inadequate belts, no drunks barfing behind trees, no coarse filty language and no loud mouth hecklers in the audience. It was a class act from start to finish  –  all in an incomparable setting. Just think  –  only 51 weeks to go until the 2005 Masters.

     In days where TV and the newspapers are dominated by killings, shootings, child abuse, garish trials, suicide bombers and other types of coarse, sub-human, or bestial behavior, a 5 hour respite from the downside of humanity is most welcome. The Masters offered that and more. Do the Tournament sponsors discriminate?  Yes, they probably do  — and more power to them. I've had enough of a society where “progress” is measured by destroying standards of behavior to satisfy “rights”. Do you really think that Margaret Burke can bring anything to the Masters except grief and friction??

     Lucky Mickelson. He will be able to play in the Masters every year from now on. And I'll be watching as long as I can!