Aristocracy of Pull, Burk v. Roark
James Taggart is probably already a member because he inherited his daddy’s role in society. The aristocracy of pull, however, bemoaned and lamented by his sister Dagny, was understood by her and she worked within it to create success for herself.
Martha Burk is a remarkably intelligent woman. She had led a campaign against the membership at Augusta National for years. Depending on your perspective, she has obtained varying degrees of success. For example, Ms. Burk forced advertisers to balk at showcasing their products during the tournament- seen by tens of millions worldwide.
Martha Burk is a remarkably intelligent woman. She had led a campaign against the membership at Augusta National for years. Depending on your perspective, she has obtained varying degrees of success. For example, Ms. Burk forced advertisers to balk at showcasing their products during the tournament- seen by tens of millions worldwide.
Normally, this would be the coup-de-gras for any lobby effort. Unfortunately for Burk, the organizing committee at Augusta said that they would pay the entire advertising costs associated with the broadcast, at the time, well over 400 million dollars and let the tournament air on CBS without any advertising whatsoever. That is the power that money can buy.
She has also raised this issue to a level of international prominence. Sadly, even open minded individuals like myself stop listening to her as soon as the rolling hills of Augusta National are shown on television. The best comparison to be made is the one to the international pressure levied against South Africa- everyone thought apartheid was bad until they wanted a diamond. In this case, the greatest golf course in the world probably pushes equality into the back-seat. The good news is that women can still choose to not watch. Have a nice afternoon.
It is true that in the past Augusta National bent (a prize to anyone who gets the pun) to pressure and admitted an African American member. They now have three. To date, they do not have a female member. Contrary to popular belief, there is no club rule that prevents membership. The only rule for membership is that you have to be invited to join. Bill Gates, the most powerful of all billionaires and world famous philanthropist has not been invited to join despite openly expressing interest. No nerds allowed.
Myths abound regarding the benefits of membership at this very exclusive club. Included in those myths is that fact that it is a bastion for chauvinism and that secret deals are struck and Presidents elected. Hooey. For starters, women play at Augusta National all the time – like any other guest, they have to be invited by a member. Secondly, there are strict rules that prohibit conducting business affairs and using the course to provide a benefit to clients. Thirdly, in the absence of a long standing business relationship, and with few exceptions that must be signed off by the club’s board of directors, club members aren’t allowed to do business with one another. So, what is Martha so huffy about?
There is no doubt that I have serious problems with aristocracy, and it runs rampant at Augusta National. There is no doubt that I believe that individuals can overcome sexist hurdles imposed by society, and Rand is the best example of that. There is no doubt that I abhor stupid rules, and on its face, this is a stupid rule. To be fair, there are private women’s clubs all over the place that nobody seems to care about. But I digress. The bottom line is that I don’t share their views, and it is lamentable that they have elected to not invite a female member to their club.
There is a problem with lobbying and/or forcing Augusta National to have female members. If the Matrix taught us anything, it reminds us that the most important aspect of life is choice. Liberty to freely associate, unencumbered, is fundamental to human existence, and that quest for freedom drove Equality 7-2521 outside of the walled city, away from his forced associations. He returned to rescue the people he wanted to. The membership at Augusta National has the freedom to choose their associates. They are a private gaggle of predominantly old white guys, and they want to retain the ability to play at their golf club and determine who else should have the honour of sharing it with them. They are in violation of no law, and they are very serious about protecting their club’s legacy and traditions.
If society takes away the right to use freely property and time, society will not reverse any sexism which may exist within the Augusta National membership or the national business aristocracy. There is no doubt that these guys are not the most open-minded in the world, but ultimately, given time, even their views will change, and if they don’t- that is their choice.
And seriously, if we go after them for anything, maybe we should ask them to change the name of their tournament. The Masters? In Georgia? Is there anyone who doesn’t see the allusion?
She has also raised this issue to a level of international prominence. Sadly, even open minded individuals like myself stop listening to her as soon as the rolling hills of Augusta National are shown on television. The best comparison to be made is the one to the international pressure levied against South Africa- everyone thought apartheid was bad until they wanted a diamond. In this case, the greatest golf course in the world probably pushes equality into the back-seat. The good news is that women can still choose to not watch. Have a nice afternoon.
It is true that in the past Augusta National bent (a prize to anyone who gets the pun) to pressure and admitted an African American member. They now have three. To date, they do not have a female member. Contrary to popular belief, there is no club rule that prevents membership. The only rule for membership is that you have to be invited to join. Bill Gates, the most powerful of all billionaires and world famous philanthropist has not been invited to join despite openly expressing interest. No nerds allowed.
Myths abound regarding the benefits of membership at this very exclusive club. Included in those myths is that fact that it is a bastion for chauvinism and that secret deals are struck and Presidents elected. Hooey. For starters, women play at Augusta National all the time – like any other guest, they have to be invited by a member. Secondly, there are strict rules that prohibit conducting business affairs and using the course to provide a benefit to clients. Thirdly, in the absence of a long standing business relationship, and with few exceptions that must be signed off by the club’s board of directors, club members aren’t allowed to do business with one another. So, what is Martha so huffy about?
There is no doubt that I have serious problems with aristocracy, and it runs rampant at Augusta National. There is no doubt that I believe that individuals can overcome sexist hurdles imposed by society, and Rand is the best example of that. There is no doubt that I abhor stupid rules, and on its face, this is a stupid rule. To be fair, there are private women’s clubs all over the place that nobody seems to care about. But I digress. The bottom line is that I don’t share their views, and it is lamentable that they have elected to not invite a female member to their club.
There is a problem with lobbying and/or forcing Augusta National to have female members. If the Matrix taught us anything, it reminds us that the most important aspect of life is choice. Liberty to freely associate, unencumbered, is fundamental to human existence, and that quest for freedom drove Equality 7-2521 outside of the walled city, away from his forced associations. He returned to rescue the people he wanted to. The membership at Augusta National has the freedom to choose their associates. They are a private gaggle of predominantly old white guys, and they want to retain the ability to play at their golf club and determine who else should have the honour of sharing it with them. They are in violation of no law, and they are very serious about protecting their club’s legacy and traditions.
If society takes away the right to use freely property and time, society will not reverse any sexism which may exist within the Augusta National membership or the national business aristocracy. There is no doubt that these guys are not the most open-minded in the world, but ultimately, given time, even their views will change, and if they don’t- that is their choice.
And seriously, if we go after them for anything, maybe we should ask them to change the name of their tournament. The Masters? In Georgia? Is there anyone who doesn’t see the allusion?
posted by Atlas Hugged at
9:38 a.m.
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