Why Should Augusta National Golf Club Have to Add Women Members?

Since when did Augusta National Golf Club's perfectly legal membership policies become the business of every interest group and politician in America?

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney joined President Obama today in arguing that women should be admitted to the Augusta National Golf Club. "Certainly if I were a member, if I could run Augusta, which isn't likely to happen, of course I'd have women into Augusta," Romney said. Former House speaker Newt Gingrich chimed in on Twitter, saying his wife "would be a great member."

Does every school, class and club in America need to have representatives from both sexes present to be legit? Do men have to take a woman along for poker night? Do women need to have a guy along for a girl's night out? That's why all of this political grandstanding is so ridiculous. There's no more reason for Augusta to have female members than there would be for Wellesley College to become a coed college if that's not the direction it wants to go in. If the men at Augusta want to have female members, that's their call, but it shouldn't be forced upon them -- and happily, they seem like they're going to keep standing tall on the issue.

As an American, it does my heart good to see the nags at NOW, the Democrat President, and the Republican candidates for President howling at a business that is essentially telling all of them that they can turn their complaints sideways and shove it. That spirit of defiance in the face of presumptuous, know-nothing politicians is part of what made this a great country in the first place.

 

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Comments

[Danaigh Dochas]

12:08 AM on 04/09/2012

Is it true that there are 66 all women colleges but 0 all male colleges? If so....

[Mary2NOLA]

03:49 PM on 04/07/2012

John,
I agree that it's the right of the club to admit the members they wish. But it's also my right to not support them. Unfortunatley, the corporations who support this have a responsibility and its not to use the profits that they gain from my purchases against women.

Would this even be a debate if Augusta National excluded blacks, or Catholics, or Jews?

I am flat assed tired of the day to day prejudices wrought upon women my entire life.

[sifc33]

07:24 AM on 04/07/2012

Well said, it's ridiculous to think we can ascertain a sense of self-righteousness by jumping on the bandwagon of "equality." This has NOTHING to do with Women's Rights, it's a boy's club, get over it. If Paula Dean and the girls want to start their own cooking-club in Savannah, I'm not getting upset b/c I can't be a member.

[zimpeterw]

08:26 PM on 04/06/2012

About time people started saying enough to all this political correctness nonsense. A club is formed for the member's benefit not that of the general public or politicians. Big government already interferes far too much in our lives. Leave clubs alone.

[plumcookin]

12:43 PM on 04/06/2012

Why does the HuffPo have this? I expect it to get torn apart. If I'm wrong I may look at the HuffPo in a new light. Are there really people here who understand freedom of association?