Posted April 15th, 2008 at 12:01 am in Golf News

One innocent blunder should not a career make

Boy, ain't that the truth and about time somebody said it (other than me). But unfortunately, If history has taught us anything I doubt if that groveling apology that Bobby Clampett had to make during his Masters broadcast will suffice to keep the Richie Riches at bay. Today when you call a spade a spade everybody gets all twitterpated and offended and when that Augusta National crowd gets down on you - look out!

Masters Staff practices zero tolerance

It seems as though of few of the green jacket wearers are furious about a remark Mr. Clampett made live on the air at this past Masters about Liang Wen-Chong, obviously an Asian player - not an "Oriental" player, (which is now a term that has become taboo according to my resident Human Resources Manager). However, it could have been worse, he didn't use any of the more blatant idioms of racial slur like: "chink", "gook, "slope" - any one of which would have guaranteed the loss of his job and a spot in the Victims of Political Correctness Hall of Shame? No - it was much worse than that! He called a Chinaman - a Chinaman. Good grief Bobby! Just what were you thinking?

If he's from China and he isn't a Chinaman - what is he?

Are people from Indiana ashamed to be called Hoosiers? How about people from Texas, are they offended when someone says they are a Texan? How about Oklahoman's, do they mind Okie? Well, now I guess it just depends on the context or tone, doesn't it? Apparantly calling a man from China a "Chinaman" is an unforgivable racial slur and guess what poor Mr. Clampett had to say on the air in order to save his job? Try not to barf. "It has been a privilege to be here with you the last two days describing action of all of the players," said an embarassed Clampett. "In describing the Asian player Wen-Chong Liang if I offended anybody please accept my sincere apologies." Mr. Liang was unavailable for his reaction to the comment but was overheard by a member of the Chinese press saying that he blamed Clampetts comment for his missing the cut and planned to sue him for racial profiling and damages.

Oh, no. Not Feherty too!?

Well, I gotta tell you what I find offensive is that he had to apologize at all. There is no word yet on whether Clampett will be disciplined by CBS but did you notice the lack of humor and usual edginess from CBS's David Feherty? Man, with his schtick he's lucky he could contain himself for four days at the Masters. But I didn't see anything of what he says about himself here all week: "I don't like being nice; in fact it makes me feel kind of nasty, or at least disingenuous. I only have one life to live, and I've no patience or time to waste on social posturing. I've always found the quickest way to get to know someone is to poke them where it's uncomfortable, and watch how they react." Didn't see much poking going on there David. Dang, you don't think Feherty would bow to those jerks too would you? Personally I don't care for a muzzled David Feherty. I know how lucky he feels that he has this great job now with CBS but how about somebody someday having the guts to say "hey, if a couple of people were offended, tough, get over it. The fact that Liang didn't have a chinaman's chance in hell to make the cut should have nothing to do with it.

Let the punishment fit the crime

I have defended Gary McCord, Ben Wright, Jack Whitaker and a few others who have dared to cross the sanctimonious jerks at the Masters or other organizations with innocent comments where a retraction and apology would have been more appropriate than a firing where their whole life and career is ruined. These are some of the most beloved people in sports and to censor them for one lapse in judgement is criminal. I say let the punishment fit the crime and I may just decide not to watch the Masters anymore. They run too tight a ship for me as is their right but since it is obviously (more than ever) a conclave of the rich and righteous I just don't belong in the same room as a TV tuned to that broadcast, much less attending their little southern lawn party.