Obama Waited 30 Days to Authorize Foley's Rescue

Here's a hypothetical for you: You're the President. You get some intelligence about the location of the whereabouts of a captured American held hostage by ISIL. How long would you wait to order a raid to rescue an American citizen held hostage by ISIL?

Our President waited "almost 30 days."

Anthony Shaffer, a former lieutenant-colonel in US military intelligence who worked on covert operations, said: “I’m told it was almost a 30-day delay from when they said they wanted to go to when he finally gave the green light. They were ready to go in June to grab the guy [Foley] and they weren’t permitted.”

Another US defence source said: "The White House constantly goes back and forth on these things. These people are a bunch of academics who endlessly analyse stuff and ordering up another deep-thinking paper but can't decide what to order for lunch."

This makes me angry. I don't care about Obama playing golf. I don't care about Obama raising money. That's fine. Just make decisions.

I want him to make good decisions and act in the best interest of our country and my fellow citizens. This thirty day delay to authorize a rescue mission just flies all over me.

Intelligence goes bad over time. The longer you wait to act on intelligence, the less likely it is that the hostage will be there. An "almost 30 day delay" is hard to understand. It's now understandable that Foley wasn't there once the mission finally got the green light. It had been about a month since they got the tip.

I don't really even see how this is a "hard" decision. We have soldiers who have signed up to defend America and protect our citizens. That's is their job. This is what they do. They know the risks. If something had gone wrong, it would be horrible, but it's worse to just dither. And this delay absolutely reeks of political calculation.

You get the intelligence, the military plans a mission, you say "go". I don't know how I could delay that long and then still look grieving parents in the eyes.

We're not talking about just a terrorist bad guy. We're talking about an American citizen who was being held captive.

He's dead now.

By the way, a British newspaper broke this story. Nice job, American press.

What Happened to Bubba Watson?

I follow golf fairly causally, which means I pretty much know who wins the major tournaments.

Sometimes I'll watch a little golf, but that's usually because there's nothing else on. However, I know Bubba Watson, and I always kind of thought of him as a madcap, hangin' loose, fun guy. I mean, he is one of the "Golf Boys" who make funny music videos. He's even got the actual General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard. Heck, when your name is "Bubba" you can't really be that uptight. I think that's a rule somewhere.

Accordingly, I was really surprised when Will Vereen brought this to my attention via Twitter.

I find Bubba Watson extremely unlikable. http://t.co/5mq10frT6o
— Will Vereen (@wolverine280) August 7, 2014

Apparently, Bubba was too uptight to participate in a long drive competition during a practice round? This doesn't sound like the Bubbba Watson I know. That sounds like the behavior of an Assistant Principal at a middle school.

What's changed in Bubba? I don't know, but I have to agree with Will. I find this version of Bubba Watson unlikable as well. Someone needs to tell Bubba: "Lighten up, Francis."

Rise and Grind - Obama's Personalized Golf Balls

Happy Monday. Rise and grind.

After the birth of our daughter, I took the rest of the week off from blogging. However, I can't stay on permanent vacation, so I'll be back to at least one post a day here. I'll start out with something simple and light, and we'll work up to some more meaty topics as time goes by.

Apparently, a guy fond one of President Obama's lost golf balls and put a picture up of it. It's cool that President Obama has some personalized golf balls [picture at link], but it isn't that surprising.

All the same, it makes me wonder if other Presidents did the same. I'd love to see a collection. Ike played a lot of golf. I wonder if he personalized his golf balls.

"Golf holes the size of pizzas. Soccer balls on the back nine. A mulligan on every hole."

Apparently, some people think these changes would be a good idea for golf.

Those people would be wrong.

Is this the future of golf? I certainly hope not.

“We’ve got to stop scaring people away from golf by telling them that there is only one way to play the game and it includes these specific guidelines,” said Ted Bishop, the president of the P.G.A. of America, who also owns a large Indiana golf complex. “We’ve got to offer more forms of golf for people to try. We have to do something to get them into the fold, and then maybe they’ll have this idea it’s supposed to be fun.”

As an initial matter, I'm not sure that the decrease of the number of people playing golf is a function of golf's decreased popularity. It may simply be a function of demographics.

Let's face it, golf isn't an easy sport to just pick up and play. It's kind of expensive compared to - say basketball. You can't play it anywhere, like with soccer. And the learning curve is very steep.

For instance, just about anyone can step onto a basketball court and start playing basketball with minimal effort. It won't be very high-level basketball, but you can play it fairly easily. With golf, it's quite the opposite. A first time golfer faces a high degree of failure in learning to play. It's very hard to play golf even moderately well compared to other sports. I'm defining "moderately well" as the ability to go casually play once a month and not be looking for your ball in the woods the whole time.

Golf demands work, patience, and discipline. A lot of it. Young people don't get exposed to golf very much, either. Especially when you compare it to soccer, baseball, basketball. Why?

In general, it's not an easy sport to just pick up. Typically, whom do you see out on a golf course? Older guys - I'd guess an average age of 35-40 or so. That's mostly because older guys have more time to devote to practice, more money to buy the equipment and pay to play, and more patience to go through the learning curve.

So, you've got all the older baby-boomer folks kind of dropping off the radar now, and the golf industry is worried that the twenty-something millennials aren't going to play golf. Well, no. Not right now. Give them a few years. After they go through the phase of seeking their dream job of being an artist in Guatemala or something, they'll settle down, have a family, and grow up. And some of them will start playing golf.

You don't need to change the game to make it more "attractive" to twenty year olds. Changing the hole size is utterly ridiculous. The hardest part of golf for a beginner isn't putting - it's hitting longer shots. I'm not sure who came up with the idea of making the hole larger, but they're a moron.

Also, changing the rules is a stupid idea. The rules of golf are not difficult. You hit the ball and count your strokes in a sequence of increasing, positive, integers. Record your score. That's basically it. Yes, there are more complicated rules for golf. But you learn those as you go. No one ever says "Yeah, I don't play golf because the rules are too complicated."

You want to get young people interested in golf? It's not that hard. Start kids early. Golf already does a good job of this with programs like programs like The First Tee. Could golf do better? Sure. But reaching out to younger folks doesn't have to entail radically changing the game. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for.

If you can make golf a fun and positive experience for younger kids, they'll develop into young adults who love the game and play. You don't need to start introducing soccer balls on the back nine.

Augusta Amateur Beats Rory By One Stroke

Since an odd number of players made the cut, the tournament paired Rory McIlroy with an Augusta National Member (Jeff Knox) for Saturday's round - who promptly turned in a scorecard one shot better than McIlroy.

Jeff Knox knows how to play golf.

Think he'll tell that story around the clubhouse once or twice?

Five Tips for Attending the Masters

Other than the time change (which everyone hates) The Masters is one of the heralds of Spring. The pollen has dropped, the flowers and trees are budding, the weather is finally warming up, and golf's best gather in Augusta to test their skills. I've been fortunate enough to be able to attend the tournament, so I thought I would share five tips for those of you who may be attending for the first time.

1. Go on Thursday or Friday: If it's your first time, (and you have a choice) try to go on Thursday or Friday. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking Sunday is the best day to go. Well you'd be wrong. First of all, if you go on Thursday or Friday, you get to see the whole field before they cut people. This will allow you to see a lot of the older players and former champions who won't be around for the weekend. Also, I know this sounds dumb, but you can see the end on Sunday better on television. Finally, if you want to buy all sorts of Masters stuff, going on the first two days is better because the shops are sold out of the good stuff by Saturday.

2. Dress for a Sporting Event: You're not going to a cocktail party, ladies. So leave those high heel shoes at home. You're going to be doing a lot of walking, and the course is much hillier than it looks on television. Also, the grass is really low, and in the morning it's slippery. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a young lady in a white dress fall down and get muddy because she wore some slippery shoes. You don't want to be that girl.

Your ideal shoe should be a golf shoe, because it will have spikes. Failing that, wear something that you are comfortable walking around in all day. Again, it's a sporting event, not a cocktail party. Guys, same goes for you. You're going to look silly wearing a tie. Bring sunscreen and a hat.

3. Leave Your Electronics in the Car: This is probably the most important rule because it's something that can get you in trouble.Yes, it will be hard for you to part with your iPhone for an entire day, but you can do it.  The folks at the gate are going to check your bag, but even if you somehow got your phone in, you're going to get in big trouble if it rings, or pings, or does anything that attracts attention. What kind of trouble?

Well, those spiffy badges that you have will be taken away (and since this is your first time, they're probably not yours, are they?). You will be escorted off the grounds, and those badges could possibly be permanently cancelled for the owner, which is going to land you in hot water with whomever gave you the badges to begin with. You want to try explaining that one? Just don't do it. Enjoy the day in the beautiful surroundings without looking at a little screen.

4. See the whole place: Get there as early as you can. Do your shopping (if that's your thing) first, and then use the bag check so you don't have to carry everything around all day. Did you wear the right shoes? Good. You can then walk the entire course to get a feel for the place. About that time, the first groups should be going off the front. You can choose to follow a group or sit on a particular hole. It just depends on how ambitious you feel, but if it's your first time, don't just hunker down on Amen Corner because you've seen it on television. There's much more to the course.

5. Put your chair down early, and observe seating etiquette: You can bring in collapsible chairs that don't have arm rests. Definitely do this. When you get there in the morning, go put your chair down somewhere and leave it there. Yes, it will be safe. No one is going to mess with it. Also, don't mess with other people's chairs. In the morning, you'll see tons of empty chairs placed around greens and tee-boxes. It's how you save your seat. Just put your chair down in line with all the others. Snag a pairing sheet when you come in, and when you're sitting there, you can plan for the groups.

Personally, I like to sit on the 15th hole, near the top of the hill (or in the stands near the green), because it's a place where you see players make the decision to either go for it in two or lay up. If you sit in the stands by the 15th green, you can also see the action on the 16th hole just over your shoulder, so you kind of get bonus viewing.

As for etiquette, obviously be quiet when the players are within earshot. That will be easy because everyone else will be quiet. It's actually cool how a couple hundred people will all be huddled down somewhere, and it will be so quiet, you'll be able to hear the birds. No running to put your chair down. What are you five years old? Clapping for good play is acceptable, but booing players you don't like, or cheering for their mistakes is bad form.

Other that that, try a pimento cheese sandwich and enjoy the cheap beer.

How To Turn $2.16 Million into $0.84 Million

Phil Mickelson can show you how to do this really easily.

Step 1: Live in California.
Step 2: Play golf in Scotland.
Step 3: Win British Open
Step 4: Pay lots of taxes.

I owe how much in taxes?

Seriously, that's a boatload of taxes, and he ends up with $842,700 before paying his caddy! A couple of million bucks ain't what it used to be.

Footee

Soccer and golf? I'm willing to give it a try.


Who's bringing the beer?

Masters Week - Spring Commences

It's Masters Week, so break out the pimento cheese, egg salad, and prepare to decrease your productivity at work on Thursday and Friday.

AP has a nice piece about Mickelson playing golf with one of the newest members - Condi Rice. Go read the whole thing. Remember back when the boys at Augusta admitted her and Darla Moore?

Condoleezza Rice, right, former Secretary of State and new Augusta National member, laughs on the practice range with members Dave Dorman, left, and Pat Battle, center, Sunday, April 7, 2013, at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore were the first women invited to join the home course of the Masters. Ron Williams — AP Photo

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2013/04/07/2712533/augusta-playing-partners-mickelson.html#storylink=cpy

The Masters is one of the markers that Winter has been vanquished for another year. Along with baseball, it's one of the institutions that hasn't changed much. So...if you can sit through Jimmy Nantz one more time, enjoy the official start of Spring.

Bubba Watson's Hovercraft Project

Not a joke. Seems pretty cool even though it's not very practical. Shut up and go with it. Probably loud as hell to annoy all the snobs.

Permanent Press Approved ™

Latest Video from the "Golf Boys" - 2.Oh

I tweeted this out earlier today, but this video is too good not to be it's own independent post. So this is for all y'all who don't follow me on Twitter (You can fix that by clicking on the button to the right).

The best line is clearly: "Kevin Naaaaa".

Phil Mickleson and Incentives

Mountain man and trout reaper @wolverine280 brings us the story of PGA golfer, Phil Mickleson, who has decided that he may need to make "drastic changes" because of the 60% tax rate he faces living in California and facing steep Federal and state taxes.

Look. It's pretty simple. If you can move from California to Florida and save a bunch of money in the process, is it really that hard of a decision? We are all obligated to pay taxes, but we aren't obligated to stay in any particular state. If one state is more tax friendly (and has equivalent golf) why shouldn't Mickleson move? Heck, tons of PGA pros have their residence in Florida. I know that he regrets getting political. He's got tons of fans that he doesn't want to alienate. He can't say what he really thinks, so I'll say it for him: the taxes are too damn high.

The important thing here is that incentives matter. People almost always act in their self-interest. Mickleson leaving California is what is best for him and his family, because he'll have more money to spend on his family.

He won't be the last wealthy person to leave the Golden State in his rear-view mirror.

Augusta National Admits Women

Ok, they finally admitted some women. Nice job, y'all. I'm sure sure this is really as big of a deal as everyone is making of it, but I didn't really think it was a big deal that they didn't admit women before.

It's just a private club. It's not symbolic of anything larger. This didn't solve all the gender and race issues today with this, so let's not blow it out of proportion.

PGA Championship at Kiawah

The PGA Championship at Kiawah was a resounding success for both Rory McIlroy and South Carolina at large. For a state that has a “First in Golf” license plate, expectations were understandably high. Kiawah did not disappoint. The setting of the South Carolina coast struck awe (and possibly some fear) into players and patrons alike. The wind was downright brutal at times, but that’s the way we like it. Also, it’s not every day that there is a “gator delay” on a golf course.

Even though there were some doom-and-gloom folks who were saying that traffic was going to be a nightmare, the folks at Kiawah and the PGA did an excellent job with what was admittedly a tough situation.

Although Permanent Press was not able to obtain press credentials this year (although I will be doing that eventually if the readership continues to climb) we had secret agent "Scorecard" infiltrate the highest levels of the Ocean Course. Scorecard traveled to Kiawah via mini-sub, then swam ashore in a wet-suit that pulled away to reveal traditional golf attire underneath, James Bond-style.

At great personal risk of being caught by the “mobile device policy enforcement” police, Scorecard was able to obtain a beautiful shot with the beach in the background.

Courtesy: Secret Agent "Scorecard"

Notice the name "Woods" on the top? Yeah, that didn't last too long. On Sunday, McIlroy made it look easy the way Tiger did a decade ago. Good for McIlroy; this won't be his last win, either. On a related note, wow, doesn't it feel weird to say “a decade ago” for Tiger? Could the window be closing on his run to eclipse Nicklaus’ major championship record?

If you're not familiar, Nicklaus, who many would label as one of the greatest golfer of all-time, has the record for major championship wins at eighteen. Tiger is currently sitting at fourteen. When Tiger was at his zenith at the turn of the century, it looked like he was going to obliterate Nicklaus' record. Now?

Four more wins looks like a pretty tall order for the man who at one point won four in a row. I'm going to call it right now, though: Tiger Woods won't win four more majors in his PGA career. Just remember you heard it here first. Hey, maybe you should save this photo, since we may not see Woods' name on the top of a leader-board too many more times.

Fun at the Masters (Ball Skipping on 16)

This year's Masters Tournament was one of the best finishes ever. However, it isn't all drama all the time. On the practice rounds, the golfers loosen up and have fun. You can't be locked in all the time. One of the ways the guys add levity is to skip balls off the pond on 16. Mrs. PP and I went on Tuesday with another couple, and we spent a good bit of time on 16.

Here's a video I got of three players skipping their balls of the water simultaneously. You can even hear the patrons do a countdown right before they all swing.

Sorry for the rough camera-work.

Permanent Press Salutes The Masters

The Masters begins today, and there should be some great story-lines to watch. Will Tiger have a big showing after his long drought? Will Rory McIlroy be able to shake off his terrible collapse last year, and will the female IBM CEO be given an honorary green apron instead of the traditional green jacket?

Every year, we get the same recycled story about how the Augusta National is such a bunch of backwards, sexist, good ol' boys who need to get with the program and start admitting women. Every year, it's a bunch of chattering, and it's always the same.

I like the fact that the Augusta National has decided to take a stand and not admit women. In the face of the relentless criticism and hate, it would have been an easy move for them to admit a few ladies. However, they chose the harder path. They decided that they were going to stand on principle and not give in to the pressure.

Whether you agree with their position or not, you still have to respect their decision to run their private club by their own rules. You won't ever be able to accuse the Members of the Augusta National of being "flip-floppers" or simply catering to the whims of the politically correct folks. For their stand to keep an old tradition alive and maintain their club the way they see fit, Permanent Press raises a golf club in their direction.

No girls allowed: Unless you're going to be in the kitchen making us a pimento cheese sandwich.

Friday Happy Hour

I've been in Court most all week, so the blogging has been light. Still gotta pay the bills, and the blog doesn't bring in the Benjamins. So anyway, for your Friday viewing pleasure, I present:

Pro Golfer Does the "Cabbage Patch"

Enough of the DOOM; Let's Talk Golf (Adam Scott/Tiger Woods)

I'm a little burned out on all the economic and political "Doom". Yes, our country is broke; yes our political leadership is unwilling to actually do anything about it; yes, we're doomed. I get it. But did you see Adam Scott on Sunday?

The big guy wins the World Golf Championships (WGC for you insiders) and Tiger Woods? Oh, he's back in the field somewhere. Interestingly enough, Scott's caddy is Steve Williams, who used to caddy for...Tiger Woods. Apparently, after 11 years of caddying for Tiger (and doing a pretty nice job I would say) Woods fired Steve Williams over the telephone.

That's just pathetic. You would think that after 11 years, you could fire your caddy face-to-face, like a man. However, Tigers' true colors are not that red shirt he's so famous for - it's yellow. Also, it looks like Williams may have gotten the last laugh.

We here at Permanent Press salute Adam Scott on his WGC win and Steve Williams for sticking it to Tiger. With the PGA Championship getting started this Thursday, PP is officially on board the Adam Scott/Steve Williams Bandwagon. I encourage everyone to jump on board.

P.S. I hear that after the WGC, Tiger Woods received a package containing golf ball in a jar of water. Apparently, it's an old Sicilian message: Tiger Woods' golf balls sleep with the fishes.