LPGA Gets A Clue And Rescinds English Only Policy

I've been putting up some posts on this and have pretty much exhausted what I've wanted to say on the topic - so now that I got news of the LPGA rescinding the policy on their English Only language rule there's really not much else to talk about except to note that maybe next time they'll think twice before installing a completely xenophobic policy, and at least ask their sponsors what they think about policies which are going to affect how not only the LPGA looks, but how sponsors look as well:

Facing substantial criticism, the LPGA Tour announced Friday that it would rescind a recently-announced policy that would have required players to learn and speak English [...]

"After hearing the concerns, we believe there are other ways to achieve our shared objective of supporting and enhancing the business opportunities for every Tour player," said LPGA commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens. "In that spirit, we will continue communicating with our diverse tour players to develop a better alternative." [...]

It had faced considerable backlash from across the sports spectrum and beyond since the impending policy was first reported last week. Among the policy's most vocal critics was California state senator Leland Yee, who called it "unfair, unreasonable, and discriminatory."

O.K. - I do have to ask one more question:

Now they talk about their diverse tour players?

I'm glad that all it took was a ton of media attention, sponsors threatening to drop out, a U.S. Senator, the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Anti- Defamation League (just to name a few).

Gov. David Patterson: Because it's about human rights

While Gov. Patterson didn't need to do anything else except stay away from high priced hookers for the remainder of his term in order to make it a successful one, it's great to see that instead, he's actually doing something worthwhile:

Gov. David Patterson of New York has told state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages performed in states and countries where they are legal, his spokeswoman said Wednesday.

The governor's legal counsel told state agencies in a May 14 memo to revise policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in California and Massachusetts as well as Canada and other countries that allow gays and lesbians to marry, said Erin Duggan, the governor's spokeswoman.

The memo informed state agencies that failing to recognize gay marriages would violate the New York's human rights law, Duggan said.

The directive follows a February ruling from a New York state appeals court. That decision says that legal same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions are entitled to recognition in New York.

Now I'm just wondering when everyone else is going to wake-up and realize the same thing.

Read more down at CNN.