Canadian CPSA Pledges Support for UPA

[JAM]

Canadian Billiard & Snooker Association Pledges Support for UPA

PHOENIX, AZ (May 9, 2008) - The United States Professional Poolplayers Association (the "UPA") has gained the support of yet another billiard association, the Canadian Billiard & Snooker Association (CBSA).

Given the fact that this association shares a portion of the North American continent, the CBSA holds a position under the same trade organization, the Billiard Congress of American (BCA), and sits along side the UPA on the very same BCA/WPA (World Pool-Billiard Association) committee that did not meet and discuss the issue of the BCA assuming and/or taking over the rankings and player communications.

In its continued support, the CBSA was approached recently to determine if any of their players would be interested in tournament spots at the Qatar event in June as the BCA "suddenly" opened up the field to make the spots available to Canadian members. Out of respect for their North American brothers that exist under the same umbrella trade organization, the CBSA and its players have declined the U.S. invitations.

"The Canadian Billiards & Snooker Association (CBSA) stands behind the UPA and its players and will not condone the recent actions of the BCA. Further, the CBSA will not seek to reap any benefit for its own players stemming from the fallout of those actions. We feel that the UPA is being unfairly pushed aside and we remain steadfast in supporting our fellow organization and its members." - Dale Brimicombe, President, CBSA

"Our players are greatly appreciative of the support offered by the CBSA. The UPA continues to receive support from all facets of the billiard industry both foreign and domestic. Our players remain dedicated to the view that they should govern their own affairs and we continue to welcome industry support." - Frank Alvarez, UPA President

If you would like to learn more about the UPA organization, our website is located at www.upatour.com or to contact us directly with questions, please call (702) 622-1358 or email info@upatour.com

Looks like UPA is rounding up the troops for a battle up ahead.

JAM

 

[JAM]

...In its continued support, the CBSA was approached recently to determine if any of their players would be interested in tournament spots at the Qatar event in June as the BCA "suddenly" opened up the field to make the spots available to Canadian members. Out of respect for their North American brothers that exist under the same umbrella trade organization, the CBSA and its players have declined the U.S. invitations....

The movement is now going international, a direct result of the BCA's actions against the UPA.

The Qatar tournament in June will not have any Americans or Canadians present.

How does the WPA view this recent action? Will they sit by silently and not provide any input?

JAM

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

I Wait With Bait On My Breath (sardines............... in mustard)

The movement is now going international, a direct result of the BCA's actions against the UPA.

The Qatar tournament in June will not have any Americans or Canadians present.

How does the WPA view this recent action? Will they sit by silently and not provide any input?

JAM

That's a GOOD question.
Doug
<munch, munch, munch, sip, munch, munch>

 

[pro9dg]

It seems that solidarity is not a word known to American pro players, as Johnny Archer and Shane VB are slated to join us in Qatar.
It is an expensive trip given the prize money at lower levels but I believe that a number of other US players are looking at ways to subsidise their participation.
Perhaps some American players should forget their siege mentality attitude and like Shane get out an play in the big, wide world.
The guy has played in Taiwan, Manila and Fujairah.

 

[JAM]

It seems that solidarity is not a word known to American pro players, as Johnny Archer and Shane VB are slated to join us in Qatar.
It is an expensive trip given the prize money at lower levels but I believe that a number of other US players are looking at ways to subsidise their participation.
Perhaps some American players should forget their siege mentality attitude and like Shane get out an play in the big, wide world.
The guy has played in Taiwan, Manila and Fujairah.

I did recently hear it through the grapevine that Shane and Johnny will be representing the United States in Qatar. How fortunate they are to have sponsors to assist them with expenses to attend this event. I hasten to guess what the cost would be to participate in this very worthy and lucrative world-class competition, but I would think it would be somewhere around $3,000 to $3,500.

But let's get real about the situation. Who the heck would want to fly over to Qatar anyways with Iran and Iraq so close in proximity, with all the fighting going on? Don't get me wrong. It might be nice over there, but in my opinion, I don't think it is the right time for an American to be flying to the Middle East. My nephew is fighting in Iraq right now, and so my opinion is probably slanted.

Good luck to Johnny Archer, and good luck to Shane Van Boening. May the best man win! USA, all the way.

JAM

 

[pro9dg]

Qatar is Qatar and Iraq is Iraq. If you worry about dangers as vague as this then the terrorists are on their way to bringing civilisation to a halt.

 

[JAM]

I like your attitude for sure, and you are right about civilization coming to a halt.

Qatar's location is not exactly right in the thick of it, but it's in the Middle East. Americans are not popular in this region of the world.

I am sure the pool comunity in Qatar is welcoming, and I know this event will be first class.

Here is what the U.S. State Department has to say about Qatar:

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Incidents of violence are rare in Qatar , although attacks against Western targets have occurred. To provide for public security, a large police presence is deployed throughout the country. American citizens in Qatar are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security at all times.

The Department of State remains concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks against U.S. interests worldwide, including the Middle East. Both historical and recurring information suggests that al-Qa?ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan strikes against Western targets; these attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics to include assassination, kidnapping, hijacking and bombing. On March 19, 2005, a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) at a theater in Doha regularly frequented by westerners; a citizen of the United Kingdom was killed, and several other individuals were injured.

Increased security at official facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer, less fortified targets; the March 2005 theater attack in Doha is one such example. Other locations of potential concern include any venue where U.S. citizens and other foreigners are known to congregate in large numbers such as public assemblies, sporting events, restaurants, residential areas, clubs, places of worship, schools, hotels, etc. The Government of Qatar occasionally provides security for such locations and events, but to varying degrees. In most instances, the Embassy cannot gauge the appropriateness of security for a given event prior to its commencement. The Embassy strongly encourages American citizens to avoid large crowds and demonstrations whenever possible.

Good luck to all, and may the best American win!

Jingo JAM

 

[Jerry Forsyth]

Travel to Mid-East

I travel to the Middle East frequently. I feel safer in Fujairah or Doha than I do in Washington, DC. The people in the UAE and Qatar are very friendly, hospitable and peace-loving. On our recent trip to Fujairah our videographer fell victim to a toothache. As soon as our hosts discovered this they took him to a dentist and they footed the bill. They have always gone out of their way to be grand hosts.

 

[JAM]

I travel to the Middle East frequently. I feel safer in Fujairah or Doha than I do in Washington, DC....

I live in Washington, D.C. I'm pretty sure you knew that when making the comparison. As with any city, especially if you live there, you know what neighborhoods are safe and those that are not safe. I was born and raised in Washington, D.C., lived here for 54 years.

Here in D.C., we have had the D.C. sniper, and our Pentagon was struck by a terrorist plane. Chandra Levy's body was found 1.5 miles from my home.

I still feel safer here than I would traveling to Qatar, even with all of the above. To each their own.

If you, Jerry, and everybody else is comfortable participating in pool events located in the Middle East, then that is a good thing for pool as a sport. On the one hand, the hosts there are kind enough to sponsor this event. It is just not my cup of tea as an American to go anywhere near this area.

Again, good luck to all, and may be the best American win.

JAM

 

[Jerry Forsyth]

Washington, DC

Jen,

Sorry, actually I did not realize you lived in DC. For some reason I had you living in Jersey. I picked DC because it is known (fairly or unfairly) as a city with a high crime rate. Also because of the crimes that are committed under the domes there (such as the new farm bill).

 

[JAM]

Jen,

Sorry, actually I did not realize you lived in DC. For some reason I had you living in Jersey. I picked DC because it is known (fairly or unfairly) as a city with a high crime rate. Also because of the crimes that are committed under the domes there (such as the new farm bill).

New Jersey? Yankee Country?

I take pride in living below the Mason-Dixon line, thank you very much!

It's a little hard to work on the Hill from "Joysee."

The biggest crime in D.C. right now is what is happening to my Social Security taxes I have paid in my entire life. If I live long enough to retire, I do not believe there will be any monies left. Currently, the Social Security drawer [located in West Virginia] has a Federal Government IOU sitting in it. Now, that's a crime!

JAM

 

[Jerry Forsyth]

Now that we are totally off-topic

Jen,

Yeah, at my age SS is a real concern. When GW first proposed private accounts for SS I was all for it. Now I know I have to be careful what I wish for. Had we gone to private accounts when they were first proposed we would all now have less in our accounts than when we started, since the stock market is lower now than then.

I do not know what the solution to entitlements is. If the current economic situation continues to deteriorate and middle-class buying power continues to erode then we will need even more social programs. Keeping the crooks out of them cost more than allowing the crooks in, so we will continue to see leeches on our collective backside.

What I truly dislike now is how government treats us as if we are idiots. Our county has 2 cents of added sales tax to pay for local programs. When this was being pushed the county told people "It's only two cents". What they failed to mention is that it was a 33% increase form the previous amount! And now that property values have fallen, are they going to cut spending to meet their income the way the citizens must do? No. They are going to raise the taxes to make the citizenry even less financially secure.

When our forefathers were writing the Constitution they entertained the idea of limiting taxes to 3% of income. They left that out because they could not conceive of taxes ever getting that high. So today, with sales taxes, gas taxes, income taxes, property taxes, etc, I get to offer up 40% or more of my income to the government. Very, very tired of it.

OK, how do we move this thread to the NPR section?

 

[JAM]

Jen,

Yeah, at my age SS is a real concern. When GW first proposed private accounts for SS I was all for it. Now I know I have to be careful what I wish for. Had we gone to private accounts when they were first proposed we would all now have less in our accounts than when we started, since the stock market is lower now than then.

I do not know what the solution to entitlements is. If the current economic situation continues to deteriorate and middle-class buying power continues to erode then we will need even more social programs. Keeping the crooks out of them cost more than allowing the crooks in, so we will continue to see leeches on our collective backside.

What I truly dislike now is how government treats us as if we are idiots. Our county has 2 cents of added sales tax to pay for local programs. When this was being pushed the county told people "It's only two cents". What they failed to mention is that it was a 33% increase form the previous amount! And now that property values have fallen, are they going to cut spending to meet their income the way the citizens must do? No. They are going to raise the taxes to make the citizenry even less financially secure.

When our forefathers were writing the Constitution they entertained the idea of limiting taxes to 3% of income. They left that out because they could not conceive of taxes ever getting that high. So today, with sales taxes, gas taxes, income taxes, property taxes, etc, I get to offer up 40% or more of my income to the government. Very, very tired of it.

OK, how do we move this thread to the NPR section?

The movement of this to NPR isn't necessary, IMHO. The thread is pool-related.

New Orleans is number one in crime in the United States in 2007. As if that city hasn't had enough tragedy!

I paid close to 20 dimes a month ago to the Federal Government. I am sick about it, and today, I feel like a broke dog. I'm still recovering from the financial blow. In fact, I'm thinking of having a gigantic yard sale next year to pay my taxes.

I haven't been up in my attic for more than 10 years because I hear noises up there. I'm sure critters have found themselves a home. However, I have a lot of antique stuff from my parents. My dad was born in 1898, and my mom was born in 1902. Recently, a first edition of "The Wizard of Oz" sold for $100,000. I've got a lot of stuff like that up in my attic, old books, hand-painted china, Lionel train set, Christmas decorations. In fact, to hell with Social Security. If I can muster up enough nerve to go up in my attic, I just may be able to retire comfortably.

I have a IRA Roth, and I elected to be very conservative with how I wanted my monies invested. I chose government bonds, treasury notes, and only about 5 percent in high-growth stocks. While most everybody else is taking a nose dive in their stocks, I had a 10-percent increase.

Today, CDs are the best bang for the buck, I think. They're safer than stocks. Right now, I think anybody who can come up with liquidated monies fast will make a fortune. As housing prices drop, anyone who has money on hand can purchase homes at a low price. When you retire, rental income is one income that the Social Security won't double-tax you on.

My girlfriend who works with me is on Social Security. She's 79 but still transcribes from home. She only gets about 900 bucks a month from Social Security. If she didn't work, she couldn't make ends meet. I don't want to work when I am 79, and I am now trying to figure out a way to get out of this trap.

If I could only find time in my busy work life, I would sit down and finish the book I have been working on for almost 6 years. I am confident when I am done that it will be a best seller. It might not be popular in the pool community, though, but that is not my target audience anymore. As we all know, there ain't no money in pool.

JAM

 

[JAM]

Oh, yeah, one more thing. I currently am paying $509 a month for medical insurance. Keith has none.

Mike Janis and the Viking Tour have come up with a way for pool players to get medical insurance. This is one thing I need to follow through on for Keith and maybe myself.

Every year, my medical insurance goes up. I don't know how much longer I can afford $509 a month. In my case, those medical savings accounts would have been a good choice if I had done it 8 years ago.

JAM