SOMETHING IS AWRY SOMEWHERE ….
In every phase of life, there seem to be some paradoxes. Bobby and I were discussing the recent one alluded to by Ben Stein …
FATHOM THE ODD HYPOCRISY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERMENT WANTS EVERY CITIZEN TO PROVE THEY ARE HEALTH INSURED, BUT THOSE SAME PEOPLE DON’T HAVE TO PROVE THEY ARE CITIZENS.
Incongruous, outrageous and against all the equitable principles our country was founded upon.
Yet, there is one subject that strikes even closer to home, namely the recent intro addressed to all Bridge Hall of Fame electors. After a welcome greeting, it states,
“YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT DISTINGUISHED INDIVIDUALS (S) WHO HAVE ACHIEVED PROMINENCE IN THE GAME OF BRIDGE, HAVE AN OUTSTANDING TOURNAMENT RECORD AND ARE HELD IN HIGH REGARD FOR THEIR ETHICS, DEPORTMENT AND SPORTSMANSHIP.”
How true .. and no doubt should be considered, BUT STARKLY ABSENT is the mandatory King Penguin necessity of “AND, ABOVE ALL, THEIR PLAY RECOGNIZED AT A LEVEL OF WORLD CLASS BRIDGE.” WITHOUT THAT ADMONITION AND QUALIFICATION, THE ABOVE PROVISOS ARE TOTALLY MUTE AND HOLLOW. There are lots of terrific bridge players around but the The Hall of Fame Selections should be destined for Mt. Olympus – the home of the true bridge gods.
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I agree with you on both issues, but especially the one on bridge which is a no-brainer. Halls of Fames of any sport are for the 10s or 9-1/2s — not just people with good records — especially sponsors! I am not a balloter but I read there were no sponsors this time. A step in the right direction for a change.
I am still in shock on the money still sitting in the Pender account (plus the misused money in 2005 and 2006) and no one bothers to respond. Does not the Board of Directors have a responsibility? I should think so.
Someone has to be in charge. Perhaps the new president will have the courage to assert himself and straighten out the mess caused many years before.
I’m sorry to sound so cynical, but it seems that in this day and age whoever has the most toys wins. Period. We tend to idolize the accumulation of “stuff,” be it money, ratings, or master points, more so than the manner in which such mammon was obtained. Integrity, manners, and other graces that put the “class” in “world class” are disappearing on all fronts, be it in our government or in our games. Class gives way to crass as the ends justify the means, and we find ourselves congratulating clever justifiers rather than standing on principle. Pity, eh? Would this have happened in the era of Kaplan and Kay? For Pete’s (Pender) sake, think what it will be like post-Wolff….
Mark:
You said a mouthful — and who could disagree with you??? It was more the Kaplan era (not Kaplan/ Kay) as Norman stayed in the background, but Edgar had a lot of allies (ass-kissers if you want to be candid) who blindly followed Edgar (not that he wasn’t usually right) but I can hardly remember a time when Edgar didn’t have his say and get his way. People feared to buck him. Edgar ruled with an iron hand — in most cases because he did not trust the judgment of others — and it might not have been such a bad idea. The directors (not the oldtimers) but the new breed he placed little faith in and did not want to put a plethora of judgment in their hands. I know from whenst I speak.
Today, as Bobby always teases, “There are too many foxes in the henhouse.” Everyone has his or her own personal agendas to which bridge is a bad second. People, with clout, but little working knolwedge, have wheedled their way to top positions although they are hardly qualified, but the “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” plays a vital role in accomplishing these power plays.
It is sad indeed that so many unqualified persons are making important decisions. It’s not like the old days when you knew things were fairer and the public was being protected. Today I have plenty of doubts that were witnessed in my long career. I have just about seen it all. I have no regrets that I can foresee the end of my long bridge playing days coming to a gradual close as bridge can only get worse as time moves on — with all the politics, personal agendas and laissez faire attitudue of the ACBL. It seems as if today ANYTHING GOES.
It is approaching the end of the majestic era of bridge and Bobby alone cannot perform the magic needed to restore it to its glory days. You’ve often heard him refer to what are called the “poison gas labs” where devious people manufacture systems with the intent to confuse and cheat opponents (such as MULTI frowned upon in the U.S.). I could go on and on — but I am only one person and can do little on my own — but sadly sit back and observe.
As I have said before Edgar and Norman must be turning over in their graves when they see what has happened to the glorious dignity of the game they once knew, loved and played. In many ways, it has become a total farce because of poor or no leadership.
Judy,
Although I agree with much of what you say and stand for, I find it difficult to accept that multi was designed in a poison gas lab in order to confuse and cheat.
I have a practical problem with all those that choose to play multi as a weak 2 bid in the major only ( this it seems is mostly designed to take away opps weak 2 bid) but those who use it to show multiple type hands thereby freeing upi the 2sp and 2h and 3cl bids to show other types of hands, dont do it to confuse they do it to get to the right contract.