The Barretto pool league was started in 1982. Six teams existed: J & B, Crazy Horse, Irish Rose, My Other Place, Whisky River and Midnight Rambler. From the onset, Filipino players were discouraged primarily to prevent 'ringers.' However one Filipino player was allowed whether they worked in the establishment or not. Naturally in those days and the years to follow until 1992 American players dominated the rosters. When the base finally closed there were 36 men's teams and 36 women's teams.
Recently the pool league has elected new officers made up primarily of Europeans. Their knowledge of the history of the league, it's players, Barretto or the people who make up the barrio is marginal at best.
As a group these men recently decided to require two men to present American passports or be kicked out of the league. These two have played unmolested for over 25 years. Way before the new officers could find the Philippines on a map. The two men in question are well known and retired from the US military as high ranking enlisted men. Most everyone knows they are US citizens who contribute to the well being of the community as members of other service organisations. The only thing that separates them from any other retirees is the brown pigment in their skin.
Common sense on the part of these 'new' guys in the league would go far in not making this appear as blatant racism. Why not ask someone who didn't just get off the Victory Liner? Why not ask the VFW before firing off insulting letters and acting like rogue immigration agents.
In addition we are not talking 'ringers' here. These guys ain't Efren Reyes. At best they are marginal pool players. So the charge of racism seems relevant. When a true 'ringer' arrives from Sweden or Norway, someone who stays a few weeks, someone with international standing in the billiard world...... no one says a word. But then they are white.
It sounds more like the new officers are made up primarily of "Eurotrash!"
ReplyDeleteYes you are right, "EUROTRASH"!!
DeleteBugle, you love calling people bigots and racists. Look in the mirror. You and your blogs are detached from reality.
ReplyDeleteChildish. You must be the same people that always blow their horns while going through the tunnel at Tipo. Grow up for once.
ReplyDeleteThere is no such thing as "high ranking" enlisted man. You live in a dream world.
ReplyDeleteThat's bullshit.
DeleteCheck it out yourself on www.navy.mil: "The use of the word "rank" for Navy enlisted personnel is incorrect." Rank and grade are for officers. The term for enlisted is "rate." Dream ON!
DeleteBigots and trash... By the way, "Eurotrash" is a new one. I bet you would run at Olympic record speed to the nearest Olongapo money changer, if just one of their coins would happen to fall into your open palm raised to the heavens.
ReplyDeleteNow, we've gotten to the essence of the world famous Po... Ever noticed it smells like shit? The locals don't seem to notice and they never give a damn... until it all backs up to become the largest toilet in the world. Please don't flush! Oh, that's right, no worries. Flush isn't something that ever works there anyway.
"For a while..." The government is somewhere, doing something that we don't know and will never find out. But, it's the US Navy's fault, right. Where's the US Navy... but only when and if we need them. Yup, any sane person should be able to follow that logic. But, we don't like it if anyone looks over our corrupt shoulder.
"God of the Great Monsoons and Typhoons," please, just one monster tsunami to clean up the bigots and trash, especially the "Eurotrash" of Olongapo City, even with all their lucky money because they certainly didn't earn it... and because we have given up hope for any other solution. Amen.
Sweet, sounds like I will be joining the pool league!
ReplyDelete