Politicos continue to tarnish golf's good name

Not satisfied with polluting the golf courses of their homeland, members of the U.S. political system have now gone and drug St. Andrews through the mud.

News Brief: Bush administration official charged with obstructing federal investigation.

So it seems that one David Safavian, who resigned from his position with the Office of Management and Budget on Friday, sort of took liberties with the truth when he accepted a trip to Scotland to play famed St. Andrews a few years back. And it also seems that U.S. representative Bob Ney from Ohio was also on that flight.

So to make a long story that much longer, what happened was Safavian and Ney took the trip, and paid for most of it, except for the private jet that the lobbyist paid for. It seems the lobbyist in question – Jack Abramoff (who only has one current fraud charge on his plate) – was looking for some favors on a land deal.

And then Safavian, and it appears Ney, lied about it. Obviously, Abramoff is just a super friendly guy who likes ferrying people about to luxury locations in a private jet. Meanwhile, I can’t even get my friends to buy me a Hot Pocket at the turn.

So what does it all mean? Well, being realistic, it doesn’t mean much. The story will undoubtedly have a very short news life and Safavian will likely be named as a Supreme Court judge in the wink, nudge, handshake, keep-your-mouth-shut world that is the Bush administration.

However, the plea for poiliticos and their ilk to get out of the golf game needs to get louder. I mean, this is St. Andrews for goodness sake. What next? Prostitutes for Politicians at Pebble Beach?

So really, gentlemen, drop your clubs. This is a non-partisan plea. Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Whigs, et al. Don’t even talk about golf. You just aren’t helping anyone.

– WKW