I want to applaud Sen. Ron Wyden for launching an investigation into the Saudi Arabian takeover of the Professional Golf Association. He correctly sees the threat of sports washing, the attempt of a despotic regime to funnel money towards bread and circuses. The desire is to erase from memory Saudi connections to the 9/11 attacks on America.
As a post-9/11 vet, I wear a bracelet of the names of my battle buddies who died in Iraq. They were in Iraq for one reason: Saudi nationals attacked America. They were sent on a wild goose chase for phantom weapons of mass destruction. As patriots, they gladly risked their lives. And what is their reward? The Saudi takeover of a proud American sport.
Sen. Wyden has done something special: he has taken the side of truth and justice. He hasn’t become inebriated by Saudi cash. He will not allow the Saudis to disgrace 9/11 families; and he certainly won’t allow Saudi Arabia to spit on the graves of the 7,000-plus veterans who died fighting the war on terrorism. I thank Sen. Wyden for remembering the sacrifices of our bravest.
Brian Fitzgerald, Happy Valley
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