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Stu1961 Shakedown. PGA got to share the wealth with some of the "right" people. If it comes down to a lobbying war I bet the Saudis are pretty good at it 
Super League Predictions
I posted about them increasing their lobbying efforts awhile ago. Seems ‘smaht’ to me. Use all the levers at their disposal.
Sneakylong A lot of big companies lobby, but I have to admit I don't care for a not for profit that shouts about their charitable giving to be spending on lobbying. That money could go to charity or maybe to the "regular" employees?
Why doesn't the Tour just seek status as a church? Many people worship golf (most are probably older white Christians?) and that would really give them freedom from the IRS lol.
I wonder if the Saudi's lobby against the electric/fuel efficient car industry. Random thought......
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sdandrea1 They might be some primary investors. They are aware that they need to transition their economy away from oil as the supply dwindles. There will always be some strategic demand for oil, but for most civilian and industrial uses it has to transition to something else. Part of the reason they are investing in things like a golf tour and world-wide properties. Outside of oil, they don't have any other resources to establish industries for export.
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I have no problem with them lobbying. Lobbying is a constitutional right we all have. Not sure the Saudi's are lobbying on this, but they do spend a ton lobbying Washington. As for the church stuff, not up my alley, being a devout atheist and all. lol
A little story on lobbying. Years ago my brother in law's commercial fishing association went to lobby their Congressman Gerry Studds who represented Cape Cod at the time.
They went in to talk to him and brought a few thousand dollars for his campaign. He actually shed a tear when they gave it to him. Shorty after he announced he wasn't running for another term. Kept the money though. 
johnnydoom Outside of oil, they don't have any other resources to establish industries for export
Hmmmm.... so, wonder if they know the term 'diversify' ?
Eguller diversify
️
Their income stream. No oil = Screwed.
Eguller True. That's why they've invested their oil profits all over the world, and part of that investment is in companies and properties that fuel alternative energy sources. Question their ethics as you see it, but they are investing in many other future revenue streams and "diversifying" their portfolio. Only problem for them is that most of it has to be foreign investment, which means they will be fully dependent on other countries not to nationalize their properties.
johnnydoom they will be fully dependent on other countries not to nationalize their properties.
That is the rub. What could go wrong ? After all, everyone loves them. 
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Eguller After all, everyone loves them
Even if you don't love them, if you have a military that will depend on future supplies of oil, or your country's defense is dependent on another country whose military will depend on future supplies of oil, it might not be such a bad idea to keep a collaborative relationship with them. Someone will always love them until the last drop of oil is gone or until some other form of energy that can be delivered to, or produced at, the front line in battle comes around.
Sneakylong
Probably not so “smaht” if doing so brings the Dept of Justice down on them. They should probably leave the illegal monopolistic anticompetitive tactic levers un-pulled. JMO
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Sneakylong
Sneaky … this is the second or third time I can recall you mentioning the Cape. Are you down there? I just bought a place in West Harwich (about a drive and lob wedge from Pleasant Road beach). We closed just 4 days ago.
@Stu1961 @sdandrea1
Cape Cod/ Cape Canaveral meh both capes... It's all good...
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Stu1961 Sneaky … this is the second or third time I can recall you mentioning the Cape. Are you down there? I just bought a place in West Harwich (about a drive and lob wedge from Pleasant Road beach). We closed just 4 days ago.
Cool. I'm from Harwich (class of 73 lol). Know Harwich very well. I was just up in Harwich to attend my nephews wedding at Wequassett Inn / Resort and Golf Club on Pleasant Bay in Harwich.
Had some nice fried clams at Cream and Cone in Chatham and a nice scallop roll at the Weather Deck in West Harwich. Miss the seafood.
My wife and I went to work for AT&T in North Andover in 1979, but went down to Harwich a lot being only 2 hours away. Moved to Florida in 2002. Sister and bil have a vacation home on the east coast of Florida, so we visit when they come down.
My sister and her family still live in Harwich. Brother in law and nephew have a commercial lobster business in Harwich. My father owned a sports / bike / locksmith shop on Rt 28 in Harwichport next to Georges Pizza back in the 1970's where I worked. It's an art gallery now.
Best job I ever had though was I sold Snow Cones one summer out of my Ford Econoline Van mainly on Red River beach, Bank Street beach and Pleasant Street beach. Caught a lot of striped bass out of Herring River in West Harwich.
Use to fish and water ski in Nantucket Sound off Wychmere and Saquatucket harbors. That was well before the Great White sharks showed up following the seals. lol
Played Cranberry Valley golf course in Harwich while I was up there. Great course and very reasonable for residents. I think it's only ~ $800 dollars a year membership.
You must be doing ok for yourself if you just closed on a house in West Harwich. lol The Cape is like the Hamptons now with crazy real estate prices these days. Love the Cape. My 50th class reunion is next year.
View from Wequassett Inn on Pleasant Bay in Harwich with Eastward Ho Golf Club (very exclusive) in Chatham in the back ground
Walterjn Cape Cod/ Cape Canaveral meh both capes... It's all good...
One is much, much better. 
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Sneakylong No kidding, prices are crazy. First house we put an offer in on - we went 87k over asking … and didn’t come close. Homes have an open house for one day, and offers flood in - all 10-15% over asking price.
This is my first toe in the water of retirement (next year, this time?) and am looking forward to membership at Cranberry Valley. Between golf, getting a dog, and swims in the ocean … I could waste a whole bunch of time 
Maybe then we’ll sell the Lynnfield house and find a winter getaway somewhere down south