So Stewart Cink wins the British Open. Right wing nutjob who named his son, "Reagan."

[Faygo Kid]

Awful. Yes, Tom Watson is a Republican, but not a nutjob like Cink. At least, Watson is a gentleman. Cink is a dittohead.

One of the biggest sports stories of all time is lost, because Watson flew the green at 18. Congrats, Stewart. Tax the hell out of the rich b*stard to pay for health care.

He jumps to the top of the most-hated sports figures list, and it's not even close.

[spanone]

1. personally, i don't give a shit about politics when it comes to sports. he won fair & square.

[rfranklin]

5. That's a problem...politics always matters

Every time you give an inch to a Republican they end up screwing a Dem.

[Buzz Clik]

21. In golf? Jeebus effin' Cristo. You need to reign in your paranoia.

[rfranklin]

28. Golf is played at country clubs,...

country clubs are bastions of Republican racism and class war. I know firsthand.

[Ex Lurker]

64. many localities have public courses

There are several in my immediate area, and this is hardly a golf hotbed.

[KakistocracyHater]

73. yes it's why when golf became fashionable in the 90s I had trouble liking

it because I associate it closely with Neo-cons & other don't-give-a-damn types; even with Tiger Woods, it didn't change how I feel.

As for naming a boy Reagan, I have a cousin (who I've never seen in person,but whatever) who named her DAUGHTER Reagan. Mindless drones is too uncomfortably close to describe the behaviour, just like my father too. It's depressing, nothing ever gets through, it seems.

[timeforpeace]

45. No shit.

[godai]

19. With maybe help from growth hormone and testosterone cream

To me, Cink is a walking billboard for performance enhancing drugs in golf. Shaved heads in golfers? Just might be hiding the effects of testosterone. And, apparently Cink believes that God favored him over Watson.

[spanone]

they test in golf....

[godai]

26. I wonder if they test for testosterone and HGH.

It would require a blood test for growth hormone.

[spanone]

30. i saw him actually shooting up on the 18th tee....holy shit, you're right

[godai]

32. Testosterone is a cream, widely used by athletes.

Looks like the attempt at a serious discussion has ended. I know a lot of people don't care about drug use by athletes, many because they do it themselves but, to me, it's cheating.

BTW, looks like the PGA testing is urine, mostly a joke:

http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1817064,00.html?cid=feed-tours_news-20080622-1817064

[paulsby]

80. who gives a flying fuck

if golfers (or any athlete) takes performance enhancing drugs? god knows i don't.

[madinmaryland]

35. Barry Bonds is now playing professional golf??

:wtf:

[jakefrep]

84. Prove it.

It's not as if PED's make a damn bit of difference in golf, anyway.

[Buzz Clik]

20. No kidding. I'm so sick of this shit I could puke.

[FarCenter]

2. I thought all golfers and golf spectators were Republicans?

And groundskeepers and caddies were Democrats?

[MadBadger]

3. Pipe Down

He isnt in your face annoying with his politics like lets says Curt Schilling is, so the hell cares?

I wanted Watson to win, but am happy that Cink got his first major.

[Faygo Kid]

7. OK

Hope you're a relative of his, and will get some $$$.

Sports is never, ever something to post at DU. Sports are not only ignored here, they are actively despised. Think Ali, and think impact.

This would have been huge. Now it's just nothing. Anyway, sports is hated with a passion at DU, and I should always remember that.

My bad.

[MadBadger]

10. Not sure what Sports being hated has to do with anything

I love sports. What I dont like is when people on DU think politics is EVERYTHING

[Faygo Kid]

23. I'm with you. Exactly.

As a long-timer (check my profile), I have learned over many years that sports are verboten here at DU, no matter their impact on society.

[moondust]

4. Stewart Cink: Weekend Wallpaper.

Ugh.

[Bluzmann57]

6. So I suppose congratulating him is out of the question

Ah who cares? Congrats to Stewart Cink on his victory at the British Open. He played well and deserved to win.

[wndycty]

8. The reality is a lot of folks on either side of the political spectrum would be upset. . .

. . .if they knew the political leanings of their favorite athletes.

It balances out.

[MadBadger]

11. Favorite Golfer is Phil Mickelson

Love Love Love Phil.

He is a Republican sponsored by Exxon.

He isnt annoying about it, so I dont care.

[Faygo Kid]

15. Bless him. Mom and his wife both have breast cancer.

Phil reminds me of Teddy Roosevelt, whose wife and mother died the same day.

And I hope he is that kind of Republican.

I think he is, and I am with him. Stewart Cink sucks, though.

[cherokeeprogressive]

9. Congrats Stewart, and good luck in the future.

There are times when politics is not a consideration for me. This is one of those times. Gotta feel for TW though, but not too badly, his name is already on the Claret Jug.

Your perspective on the game of golf is flawed. Watson didn't lose the tournament, he just didn't play the course as well as Cink did. Golf is a solitary sport. You don't play against other players, you play against the course.

[Faygo Kid]

12. Bull. Cink is a jerk.

One club less at 18, and Watson wins.

Absent a miracle putt from Cink at 18, and Watson wins.

Cink would kill us all here at DU if he had the chance. At least Watson is a country-club Republican.

Cink is a dittohead.

[MadBadger]

14. "Miracle Putt" Since when is a 15 footer a "miracle putt?"

[Faygo Kid]

16. Hey! At least I am with you on Phil.

This was just so close to being one of the biggest sports stories of ALL TIME.

Cut me some slack here. I am so sick and tired of being disappointed, in my six decades. Great moments are few and far between; disappointments are many (JFK 1963 and GWB 2000 lead the long list).

[cherokeeprogressive]

18. Hyperbole must be your strong suit.

I don't think, in my heart of hearts, that SC would kill ANYONE just because they were members of Democratic Underground. But hey, that's just me.

[paulsby]

81. he would :"kill us all here"

jeez . the paranoia runs deep

[AngryAmish]

83. But Tom hit an 8 iron

No matter the wind I could not see hitting a nine. Just too amped up. It happens.

[MadBadger]

13. I agree with everything you said except the part about Watson not losing it.

When you are in the middle of the fairway on the final hole and bogey it to go into a playoff, that does qualify as blowing it.

But that doesnt mean that Cink didnt win it either. He made a clutch birdie on the final hole that if he had missed, none of this would happen

[cherokeeprogressive]

17. I wish I had a nickel for each time I stood in the middle of the fairway and

wound up walking off of the green with a bogey or worse!

[MadBadger]

22. Id be just about broke.

Since I cant really hit in the fairway to begin with

[Buzz Clik]

24. I'm not sure if this thread belongs in Sports or the Dungeon.

[Faygo Kid]

25. Knew this was coming. Sports is a topic despised at DU.

Congrats on your smug superiority.

[Condem]

36. GD is why the Sports Forum continues to grow in popularity, Faygo

When I started posting over there, nine months ago, it would take 8 or 9 days for your thread to make it to page 2. Now, down to about 4 1/2. A lot more variety of topics combined with knowledge and wit. The place gets better daily. And no rec system, like GD. It's not the huge audience we strive for but it's improving. Leave the mundane to GD, Faygo. Their damn good at it.

[Buzz Clik]

37. I love sports, I play golf (rarely and badly). But, there is a Sports forum for sports talk.

And there's a Dungeon for conspiracy theories.

[Condem]

38. Then come on over, Buzz.

The water's warm.

[Buzz Clik]

39. Is this posted on the Sports forum?

[rurallib]

27. so long as he doesn't shove his politics or religion down our throats

We live near the hometown of Zach Johnson and Kurt Warner. I am so sick of hearing about Jesus from them.

[Blue_Tires]

29. eh...

most golfers are far-right anyways...

[flycat]

42. So true, Blue...

I'm not sure what people angry at Republican golfers are thinking. Are they aware of the history of the sport in any sense at all? It's Twilight Zone kind of thinking, to be upset that a golfer is Right-leaning.

The HUGE silver lining, though, is that the PGA is becoming more and more Democratic every day. Augusta national is slowly thawing to diversity, Tiger Woods is the most admired golfer by FAR, and the PGA actually has its own version of affirmative action, with its Charlie Sifford exemption.

Now is the time to be using positivity to encourage progressive behavior in golf, not to be using negativity to harass the old guard. Let's not alienate ourselves before we're on even ground...

[Gabi Hayes]

75. and just how many other black golfers are there today on the PGA tour?

about the same as the number of black GOP senators/congressmen, perhaps?

and that bastion of liberal thinking, the country club set, which runs the PGA, the Masters (ha! what's that guy's name, Hooty? he's gonna change soon, yeah), and everything else that is establishment golf, does all it can to avoid change, while trying to persuade consumers that they operate under a, uh, big tent.

gee, who does that sound like?

not buying the change gambit....sorry

again, check this article if you think things are improving on the tour:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/news/2008/jun/13/pros-aim-down-middle-course-skew-right-it-usog/

[flycat]

76. If you don't believe...

...that the tour has changed, well then you're not paying attention. It may not be changing at a rate that suits you, but anyone who watched golf 20 years ago will assure you that it is unquestionably a different sport.

[paulsby]

82. tiger woods says he is not black

he is cablinasion.

caucasion, black, indian , asian iirc.

[Kingofalldems]

31. He won a tournament a few years back when he was allowed

to dig a trench around the ball in a waste bunker. This was the worst possible outcome.

[givemebackmycountry]

33. Do "The Google" and read about Tom Watson's caddy.

First read about Bruce Edwards, Tom Watson's long time caddy who died of Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS).
Bruce had a friend, and when Bruce knew he was going to die and could not caddy anymore, asked him to step in.

His name is (I believe) Neil Oxley, and Neil is a Democratic "strategist and adviser".

I got a feeling Neil probably isn't all that enthusiastic about the way things wrapped up today.

I'm a DUer and I LOVE SPORTS.

:beer: :fistbump: :woohoo: :patriot:

[hughee99]

34. I think I saw him kick puppies on his way up the 18th fairway, too.

I'm sorry Watson didn't win, but really, the most-hated sports figure? Cink played the best round he could, that's what he's supposed to do. I'm sure Watson wouldn't want to be "given" the championship like a gold watch. He wanted to win, not have Cink throw it. He had is chances, a lot of them, and didn't come through. It happens.

[flycat]

40. If I may add a bit of sanity to your zealotry, Faygo...

This post is currently Google's #1 SERP for people looking to figure out what Cink's political leanings are; as such I felt the need to stand up for the poor guy a little, as this is pretty high profile.

n.b. - I'm just about as left-leaning as they come, and still I feel you're being unfair.

First, Faygo, do a little research on the guy before you go volcanic on him. Would you have read his twitter feed, you'd know that Reagan was named after his wife's grandmother, not Ronald. Another tidbit you'd have pulled from your research is that the guy goes out of his way to NOT shove his politics in everyone's face. He's made a conscious decision to keep quiet. Fundrace shows no political contributions from either him or his wife.

Now, to be thorough, his wife's twitter feed (not to mention his own speech at the Turnberry podium) leaves a few clues that you are probably right that when the voting curtain is pulled, they're likely to vote Right.

But the point I'm trying to make is that you're emitting the same sort of vitriol that you'd no doubt condemn those over at Free Republic for spewing. Why stoop to their level?

IF Stewart Cink is a Republican, he one of the better kinds of Republicans, a quiet Republican, possibly even open to turning to the light. One thing is for sure, if people hammer him ruthlessly like you did, it will only serve to harden his views, not loosen them.

I'm not Christian, but I would at this time offer a quote that both the Cinks AND all Democrats will stand behind fervently....and it starts with "Do unto others..." Understand?

[Faygo Kid]

46. Your points are well taken. I'm just bummed.

One of the all-time great sports stories in history crashed and burned.

Your points are well taken. I am totally bummed out by this.

Yes, it doesn't matter, but if you were in Detroit when we won the Series in 1968 the year after the riots . . .

Or if you think of Jackie Robinson, or Muhammad Ali, or Tiger. . .

It matters. I'm so bummed. I know this will be tough on Cink, for the rest of his life. And I am sorry for that.

[Condem]

50. LOL, Faygo.

You're about what, 59? Hhhhmmmmmmmmm.

[Faygo Kid]

53. September. But still, Younger Than Springtime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii465lXLp8w

[Condem]

57. I myself thought Cink should have thrown it for the sake of Golf, Faygo.

Wouldn't have been obvious, would it? I thing in Scotland they pronounce it Goff.

[MadBadger]

55. So wait a minute, what then are you using as evidence to call him a RW Nut job, dittohead?

[Gabi Hayes]

60. I found a bunch of links referring to Cink's frequent appearances at public

Christian functions. one example was a prayer breakfast at the Masters. these breakfasts are apparently a frequent occurrence on the tour

this article will give some golfers to REALLY root against, all mentioned in the link below, from last year:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/news/2008/jun/13/pros-aim-down-middle-course-skew-right-it-usog/

Tom Lehman: ''In a 2006 article that appeared in U.S. and European publications, journalist Bruce Selcraig wrote of an incident with Tom Lehman regarding former President Bill Clinton:
"Lehman, who has never hidden his right-wing politics, once overheard me say the word 'Clinton' while I was interviewing a caddie on the driving range ... Unsmiling, he stopped in midstride, walked over and said: 'You mean that draft-dodging baby-killer?' and then walked on."

Lee Janzen: "Well over 90 percent (of pro golfers) would be Republican," two-time U.S. Open winner Lee Janzen said. "(Democrats) are definitely in the minority." Added Janzen: "We're all from a similar background. Very few of us grew up playing public courses. ... Golf's an expensive sport. You have a better chance at making it when you're at a country club atmosphere with access to good practice facilities, good teachers and good courses. But at the same time, I still don't understand how people can support abortion."
........

Four years ago, Golf Digest magazine polled 34 Tour players about their preferences in the presidential election between George W. Bush and John Kerry. Bob Tway threw his support behind Bush and predicted the magazine wouldn't "find anybody on this Tour voting for Kerry."

>>>>>>>

and I'll always despise Paul Azinger who declined to meet with Clinton after he won one of the majors during WJC's term. he made some disparaging comments about Clinton's morals, or lack thereof

there's lots of other interesting stuff in this article, including how foreign golfers are AFRAID to open their mouths about anything controversial (like how out of touch Americans are when it comes to knowledge of things outside their own realm of experience....as Paul Casey, currently the third ranked golfer in the world)

one more quote from the story: It can be a jarring realization for the increasing number of foreign golfers on tour and at events such as the U.S. Open, coming from a culture that is generally more open about discussing politics. Several foreigners have said privately they are hesitant to express their views in a public forum, fearing they will be ostracized for, say, supporting abortion rights or gay marriage........

In the same article, Selcraig quoted Sweden's Jesper Parnevik saying: "People get hurt very badly if they speak out. "England's Paul Casey did at the 2004 Ryder Cup, telling a British newspaper that "the vast majority of Americans simply don't know what is going on. They have no concept of the U.K., for instance." Casey was heckled by fans and reportedly given the cold shoulder by American players on tour, and ultimately curtailed his 2005 season. Asked after a practice round this week about the tour's political leanings, Casey said: "I think talking politics is dangerous. I'm not going to comment."


that said, Cink seemed very pleasant, and I don't know how hard he pushes wingnutty Christianity on others, the way Lehman is well known for doing.

[Condem]

66. Interesting.

Thanks, Gabi.

[Gabi Hayes]

67. you bet... I can't help it, but I find it very difficult to follow/root for, whatever, anyone in

public life, sports, the arts, etc., who is a wingnut

they are helping KILL the earth with everything they do, especially if they publicly influence people, which merely making their stances known is likely to do, or contribute financially, or otherwise

and that's the way it is.....

not saying it's right, proper, or sensible, but I sure won't be spending money to go see any Robert Duvall movies anymore. he's a real ASSHOLE, boorishly conservative, just for one example

[tularetom]

41. Did he refer to jesus in his speech or interviews?

If he did then screw him. If not then I'm OK with his winning.

I'm fed up with athletes thanking jesus for their successes.

If one of them blamed jesus for his losses I'd be his supporter for life.

[flycat]

43. No...

....he showed more subtlety and class than that. He thanked his wife for "introducing me to my faith" or something like that. His wife...not to be too judgemental, but she's the one that's super down with Jesus.

[Gabi Hayes]

63. I'll have to check the tape, but he went farther than that, cause I was looking for it.

I didn't know about his religious leanings at the time, but am very conscious of the high rate of wingnut religious assholes on tour, one of the worst of whom is Tom Lehman

can you provide some more info on his wife, btw?

just curious as to where you found out about her, cause I've been googling, and haven't found anything yet on her

I also just linked this article from last year, which deals in a little bit of detail with this issue:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/news/2008/jun/13/pros-aim-down-middle-course-skew-right-it-usog/

and, welcome to DU!

[flycat]

68. Yes, he might've...

....said something like "I thank God". Even so, I don't think that's all that extreme or unwarranted. I completely get what you're saying about the intense proselytizers, and I agree with you. From my research, however, I am not persuaded that Stewart Cink is in this group. He altogether, as you point out, may hang out with them, but it does seem that he attempts to keep his public statements to a minimum. For that we should grant him a measure of respect.

I read your post later in the thread on his attendance at breakfasts, and I understand your concerns, but we can't be too quick to jump to conclusions. Adherence to Christianity doesn't necessarily mean we should fear their politics (well, of course on the big 'A' we're all going to disagree with them pretty heatedly, but putting that aside, I have MANY Christian friends who are Anti-A but big Dems otherwise). I guess if you're a one-issue voter, I can see where you may feel stronger about this than I do...

All of this said, just so long as we don't necessarily equate their faith with "automatic enemy" I'm ok with pointing you in the direction of both Stewart's and Lisa's Twitter feeds. Aside from Lisa's volunteer work, I believe that their feeds paint them to be truly intelligent and likable people. A great family. They're not so much unlike us as we might be tempted to imagine. :)

[Gabi Hayes]

71. that's all fine with me, AFA their good works'n all go, and I hope you're right about that.

I did find him quite unassuming, engaging, pleasant, etc., and it would be good if that's the way he is, but if he spends any time with Lehman and his little clique, that is not a good thing, as he, in particular, is known to be a flaming winger

btw, did you see the article I linked, which mentions a few other golfers, and paints a not so pretty picture of life on the US tour for the small minority who don't follow the Christian Taliban (hyperbole, sure, why not? it worked for Lehman when he called Clinton a baby-killing draft dodger, or was it draft-doding baby-killer?)

[flycat]

74. I did...

....and I'm familiar with the content. I have friends from Florida (golf's American Mecca) who back up the assertion that the sport has been riddled with Bible Bangers for some time. I share your concern.

But if I may quote myself from earlier today, post #42 of this thread:

"The HUGE silver lining, though, is that the PGA is becoming more and more Democratic every day. Augusta national is slowly thawing to diversity, Tiger Woods is the most admired golfer by FAR, and the PGA actually has its own version of affirmative action, with its Charlie Sifford exemption.

Now is the time to be using positivity to encourage progressive behavior in golf, not to be using negativity to harass the old guard. Let's not alienate ourselves before we're on even ground..."

Let's use Stewart Cink as a hypothetical test case. He seems level-headed and pleasant, yes? If he sees Lehman on the one hand, redfaced and furious, screaming about those 'damn lib'ruls' destroying the country, and then on the other hand sees a group of golfers that are more even-keeled, excited for the country and the direction it's going (for example, the type that might have just voted for a guy that shares some characteristics with Tiger Woods) ....well, I like to think that he'd sooner ally himself with the latter group.

So weird to even type this, as I'm not really a big-tent Dem, I like to think of myself as bordering on Green, but I nevertheless understand that we can't win over folks like Stewart with anger. Lehman, obviously, is a lost cause.

[Gabi Hayes]

77. just not buying the premise of change in PGA golf. sorry

that demographic is a hidebound conservative as just about any you'd care to highlight: politically, religiously, and perhaps most importantly (cause it feeds off the other two), economically.

they want people to think things are becoming more egalitarian because it's profitable to do so, but the VAST VAST majority of pro golfers are very conservative, and they're not becoming any less so. the way things work as one comes up in the golf world mitigates against 'lower class'/lower income types making a go of it professionally. it's the way things have been forever, the way things are today (perhaps a bit less so, but I haven't seen it), and things don't seem to be changing all that quickly

enough of this for one day, though. after all, it is just a tinysnap shot of society at large, though an interestingly microcosmic representation of the whole, I suppose, if someone cares to make that leap


cheers

meet you at the 19th hole

[Iggo]

44. Wait...this is about golf, right?

:boring:

[taterguy]

47. For the last god damn time

I WANT SOMEONE TO USE HIS FUCKING BRAIN

AND NOT START A GODDAMN THREAD

WITH A FUCKING SPOILER IN THE FUCKING HEADER

This is ponderous man, fucking ponderous

[Condem]

49. Lighten up, tater.

If you depend on DU for sports results, I'd say you're not much of a sports fan.

[taterguy]

51. I can't help it I'm fucking tense

Society, it's society's fault.

[Condem]

52. I have no balls left, tater.

I just laughed them off.

[flycat]

69. Haaaaa!!!

Good Stuff....

[Faygo Kid]

56. Geez-o-pete, four hours later, you complain?

Update (don't read if you don't want spoilage)

Mets Win '69 World Series!

[taterguy]

79. Some of us had to work earlier today

I guess you golf fans don't know a damn thing about work

[RagAss]

48. Fuck Golf.

[Forkboy]

62. Spoken like someone who has played a round recently!

:)

[Condem]

54. Listen up.

Anyone participating in this thread that loves sports, you're doing yourself and The Honorable Sports Forum a disservice if you're not posting over there. Let's get to it.

[Forkboy]

58. The Honorable Sports Forum

:rofl:

[fishwax]

59. the sports forum needs to be hosed down the way the lounge was

it's barely fit for human habitation :rofl:

[Forkboy]

61. I resemble that remark!

:)

[Gabi Hayes]

65. are there any discussions of the right wing religiosoes that dominate US pro golf?

I could only find one decent article about it, and it was one from last year

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/news/2008/jun/13/pros-aim-down-middle-course-skew-right-it-usog/

[hfojvt]

70. dang, it would have been nice to see Watson win.

Ah well, it's only sports.

[Odin2005]

72. Oh for the love of God, I could care less about the political affiliations of athletes.

I watch them for their abilities, no their political views. Saying "I don't like the achievements of athlete/musician/artist X because of his/her political views" betrays fanatical tendencies. Richard Wagner was an Anti-Semitic jerk, but he still wrote good music.

[DainBramaged]

78. Goff, land wasted on rich scumbags