Friday Wrap Up! - Masters Edition

The Masters - Nothing says Spring like the annual ritual of Golf's first major. Of course there are those who for some reason feel the need to turn this event into a controversy. The lingering question of when and if ever the Augusta National Golf Club will admit a female member has become once again the talk of the "Main Stream Media".

But look closer and you'll see just a general lack of understanding and knowledge of the golf club that has become an American icon.

First Augusta National doesn't respond well to bullying, and second it is a "private club" so they can do pretty much whatever they like. They won't discuss membership, and consider the tournament and the club distinctly separate issues.

President Obama chimed in on the lack of a female member, which is pointless and nothing short of embarrassing polictial theather.

Augusta National doesn't have a single woman member. So what? Seriously, is this really an issue? As if Augusta National having a woman member will make everything else in the world right? Of course not. As with much of what goes on in the world very little has an effect on you. It doesn't matter if Augusta National Golf Club has a woman member anymore than it matters that the shade of green the storied club uses.

What really matters is that this rite of spring continues for it is proof that despite all that is wrong with the world there is always the thought that "Hope springs eternal".


The Knights Baseball deal is so complex it has become a carnival fun house with crazy mirrors and wobbly floors, even the Knight supporters are confused.

Don Beavers seems like a nice guy but the overall impression I get is he is out of his league.

Charlotte City Staff has recommends to City Council that the City of Charlotte give 9 million to the Knights. Sure there are some strings and conditions but it doesn't really have any teeth.

This is all being promoted while taxpayers are facing a nearly 10% tax hike supported by City Manager Curt Walton.

The taxpayers through Mecklenburg County have already found themselves on the hook for the project.

The 74 million dollar price tag is of course not the real cost only a big guess. Under the current plan the knights would need another 41 Million in loans from other sources.

Here is the trouble in less than 100 worlds. Baseball and football are not born of the same demographics. 31 Percent of Americans say they are football fans while only 16 percent claim baseball, so much for being "America's Past Time".

The debate has become so contentious that the Charlotte Observer has to shut down their comments section every time they run a "Stadium Funding" story.

Cedar's Take, look at the Panther's for hints as to how to make it work, and the Bobcats as to how not to make it work. Here is a hint, Football is a couples event. Baseball is a family event. No family is going to feel safe going to a Knights Baseball Game in Uptown Charlotte at night. It is just not going to happen.

Charlotte's Dumbest Crook - Drops his cell phone while pulling a gun and robbing his victim on Four Winds Drive. Police then found the phone and sure enough the stupid thug has photos of himself and his gun on the phone.

Born to be Arrested - Armed Robbers Oqualin Chambers, 26, Daryl Height, 29, Demarcus Osborne, 19, and Terrice Morgan, 25, are each charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. After they robbed a Charlotte man and his roommate using a Craigslist Ad earlier this week.

With names like Oqualin and Terrice I guess they didn't have much of a future doing anything but time in prison.

The details are here at the Charlotte Observer.

The Weather Dog - Gets the last laugh.

A guy is driving around South Carolina when he sees a sign in front of a house that reads, "Talking Dog For Sale."

The guy knocks on the door and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard.

The guy goes into the backyard and sees a Labrador retriever sitting there.

"You talk?" he asks.

"Yep," the Lab replies.

"So, what's your story?"

The Lab looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help our country, so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running."

"But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security wandering near suspicious characters and listening in."

"I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals. I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired."

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

"Ten dollars," the owner says.

"Ten dollars? Exclaims the guy, this dog is amazing. Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?"

"Because he's a damn liar. He never did any of that stuff."

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