It all started going to hell in a handbasket in the beginning of the 20th century. Teddy Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States(1901-1909), began the last century. His favorite expression, "Bully!" led to the "bully pulpit" which has finally ended up 100 years later with a bully in the White House. It all connects. Dot #1.
In 1911 American golfers agreed to the adoption of HANDICAP rules. This was an attempt to legislate "fairness" at the expense of reality. Dot #2.
Now move to the Espionage Act of June 15, 1917, and the portion of that act called the Sedition Act of 1918. This was pushed through by President Wilson and it made it illegal for Americans to engage in "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the
United States government, the flag, or the armed forces during times of war. You couldn't even get mail delivered to your house if you were a dissenter of government policies during a war. Dot #3.
1918 is also known as the year of the great flu pandemic--the old N1H1 virus. But because of the Sedition Act--which wasn't repealed until 1921--President W. decreed a news black out of any mention of the flu--a decision that certainly contributed to it being a global pandemic. Dot #4.
In 1949 George Orwell published 1984. Dot #5.
It's obvious to anyone that the adoption of the handicap system in golf was the beginning of the end of democracy. Sigh and alas.....but at least it has now been figured out. Just remember--you read it here first.
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