Golf - I am a fan of CBS Sunday Morning. I love Charles Osgood. I even got used to his signature bow ties - just when it appears he has stopped wearing them. (sigh)
Today's topics had to do with design - as in skyscrapers, fashion, art, etc. One of the feature stories was about Jack Nicklaus. Beloved among old, white, golfers everywhere, in his seventies, he is making his fortune designing golf courses. When asked why he felt the need to work so hard at the age of 76, his response was, "Played golf until I retired and now I'm working." Okay.
The Hippie in me rails against the waste of beautiful land accessible to an elite few - AKA golf courses. The Proletariat in me believes the beauty of the Earth should be available to all. It sickens me to see such opulence amid such poverty. I'm sorry, but this sport has always represented wealth, misogyny and exclusivity. That signature Masters' green jackets have been worn by men only since the 1950's.
The Vipingo ridge golf course. Photo/FILE
One of the wonders of the new Kilifi is the Vipingo Golf Course Estate.
For that is where big money will be spent – bringing the benefits of tax revenue for the new regional government.
The estate will become home to the world’s millionaires who are expected to troop in with the potential to transform the region’s economy.
The paradox is that it will be an island of millionaires amid a sea of poverty
For that is where big money will be spent – bringing the benefits of tax revenue for the new regional government.
The estate will become home to the world’s millionaires who are expected to troop in with the potential to transform the region’s economy.
The paradox is that it will be an island of millionaires amid a sea of poverty
The sport is expensive, which keeps it exclusive. Very few people have access to the accoutrement needed to play golf - clubs, shoes, gloves, those little wooden things, clubs, more gloves, sun visor, clubs, ugly plaid pants, golf cart, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Oh, and the cost of playing is exorbitant. I mean, somebody has to pay for all that landscaping - which, by the way - is an environmental disaster the care of which involves massive water usage and the dumping of pesticides, weed killer and fertilizer into the soil.
The upshot is, while my husband looked at the various scenes of Nicklaus golf courses up there on the big screen - with that expression I've only seen when he was looking at his newborn child, or a steak - steam was pouring out of my ears and my eyes were turning red. He turned to glance at me with that stupid enraptured look on his face, saw the fury on mine then jumped up and ran into the kitchen muttering something about how quickly I can ruin his good mood.
I do not care. In my opinion, golf courses are the quintessential raising of the wealthy's middle finger to the poor. Can you tell I hate golf? Good.
Hunting - On to another topic - hunting. Contrary to what hunters like to tell people, there really is no need for people to hunt these days. For the cost of a hunting rifle(s), gear, an obligatory truck or 4-wheel vehicle, camo, camping gear, etc. one could feed a family of four for five years. No, people who hunt simply enjoy killing animals. It is another human thing which makes me sick.
And when people take children hunting - well - I think they should be arrested for child abuse. Teaching a child that it is not only acceptable, but honorable, to kill another living creature is tantamount to teaching them murder is cool.
My sister's cretin husband is a hunter. He used to sit in his back yard, hidden under a blanket, and toss bird seed around. When the poor, unsuspecting, hungry birds would land, he would shoot them. Nice guy. When he encouraged our very young nephew to hunt, I was sick inside. He was at the age when he should be learning to respect and care for animals - but instead he was holding a bow and arrow or a rifle designed to kill a living creature. When he "bagged his first deer" - while the others celebrated - I cried. All the excuses about culling and conservation I heard as white noise.
Here in Florida, the blood lust is focused on bears. Instead of people learning to live with the bears - by not feeding them, using bear-proof trash bins and keeping pets on a leash - the "solution" was to let people kill them. It turned into a blood bath. Mother bears were killed, leaving cubs orphaned. Even cubs were shot. Protests have for the most part, fallen on deaf legislative ears.
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| The only way we should be shot is with a camera. |
On the upside - there are wonderful parents, relatives and guardians who are teaching children to respect and care for nature. They are taking them camping so they can enjoy nature without destroying it. Instead of "shooting" an animal with the intent to kill, they are using cameras to capture them in their natural environment. Those are the parents and influential adults I want to applaud.
And this summer, my husband and I spent our Saturday morning outdoors, under the trees of Lake Como Elementary field, watching little folks play soccer. It was the highlight of my life. We made it a family event, complete with snacks, and I loved every minute of it. Watching those little people run around the field, learning teamwork, made my heart happy. And it was available to all walks of life. There were boys and girls from every ethnic background and socio-economic status.
One moment I will always remember and cherish was when a little boy got knocked down and a boy from the opposing team helped him up and off the field, then gave him a big hug. The grownups watching this were in awe; many with a tear in their eyes. I want to add, while they were of different races, it didn't make one bit of difference to either of them. Children. Our hope.
Please, teach your children and grandchildren; nieces and nephews, to value life. All life. Show them how to care for animals and the environment. Encourage them to see the beauty of the Earth should be shared by ALL. And tell them to love each other. We will all be better off if you do.
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