I am mad at the situation, too. In fact, I am ashamed to be an American pool enthusiast, as I feel we are the laughing stock of the international pool world, thanks to the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship continual delayed or lack of payment; Bonus Ball, even though its genesis is Canadian; and the International Pool Tour going belly up after promises of effecting a change for the better.
With that said, I don't want to see any harm come to Barry Behrman. Though he has failed miserably in some areas, I think somewhere deep down inside of him, he really does have a strong passion for pool. I believe he lives life in the fast lane, which prevents him from recognizing that he has a problem with substance abuse. I feel bad not only for the professional pool players who made the trek to Virginia, only to be told to wait for payment, but I also feel bad for Barry Behrman. He needs help. An intervention of bodily harm isn't the kind of help he needs. It may be a terminal illness resulting in a hospital stay, getting arrested and going to prison, or dying from an overdose that ends Barry's problems. I hope that is not the case, though.
He has made a lot foes over the years due to his flippant attitude about people wanting to get paid. If anything, I think the WPA should step in and work for that sanctioning fee that they were paid. Where the heck are they? Why do we need WPA sanctioning if they just sit back and stuff their fat beaks in China and Qatar, traveling the globe? It's about time they earned that 10 percent, don't you think? If anything, they should never sanction the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship again, if they just sit back and do nothing this year. That will eliminate our international bretheren of plays coming to this event, and it may kill the tournament as a whole. The only reasons the Euros come here is for those stupid, assine, no-good, stinking WPA ranking points.
As far as Barry, I think we all know he reads this forum. I still consider him a friend, but I am ashamed of what he has done to American pool in the eyes of the world. And if it was me or mine that got stiffed, you can be sure I would follow it up legally, no matter what the cost. It is the principle of the matter. That's how it should be handled, not bodily harm. It's nothing personal; it's business.
Barry, prayers are coming your way.