Odd Questions and Blood Money

So, the Schloss-Blog is wondering, courtesy of Morning Brew, what is the oddest question you've ever been asked on a job interview?

For me, when I got hired to teach at Columbia College Chicago's Journalism Department, I was asked, after exchanging pleasantries with department chair Nat Lehrman, where are you from(?), after he clearly noted my New York accent.

When I said "Brooklyn," he came back with, "What high school did you go to?"

"Brooklyn Tech," I responded.

"Me too," he shot back. "You're hired."

That's it - two questions (and an impressive C.V., IMHO), and I was in.

What about you? What's the oddest question you've gotten in a job interview?

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Now though, as John Oliver would say, our main topic today is ... Blood Money, the kind Saudi Arabia is paying the LIV Tour signees to play golf for them.

Why is it blood money?

Saudi Arabia has a dismal human-rights record, is noted to support terrorists and suppressive regimes, like the war in Yemen, and has ties to 9/11, let alone the brutal murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

And so, some of the biggest names in golf are playing on the LIV Tour, so named because of its 54-hole (LIV) format, shotgun start and no cuts. All the players, in fact, have been paid handsomely just for showing up (they have to) and play for a $4 million first-prize.

And what else?

They've been banned from the PGA Tour (they don't care), they can't play Ryder Cup or President's Cup (they don't care) and ... just what the hell else are they playing for?

Is Phil Mickelson just paying off his alleged gambling debts or does he have something else to prove, because he's been playing like shit.

What else do some of these players have to prove? Many have won majors, so why bother anymore? Why not just play for fun and money?

Fun? Is it fun being asked at every tour stop how they feel about taking "blood money?" Is it fun saying that they separate golf from terrorism?

From outright murder? The brutal, disembodiment murder, that is, of a respected, celebrated journalist?

He had a family. He was taking care of routine business at an overseas Saudi consulate and they grabbed him and disembodied him, one part at a time.

This is who's paying the LIV players.

And even worse, the LIV Tour is Donald Trump's entree back into "pro golf," such as it is, by virtue of two events being played on his courses this year.

Will you watch if it's televised? Will you attend if it's in your neighborhood?

I sure as hell won't.

ESPN Sports Center had highlights on from the most-recent event. I changed the channel.

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I want to personally thank everyone who put a "like" or 💖 (90, so far) on my post about Jocelyn being named ASID's "Designer of Distinction" for 2022. It's quite an honor - they only give out one among designers from all disciplines.

I showed her the number and all the comments - from relatives, friends, former students of mine, colleagues - thanks from the bottom of my 💖.

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Good night, Mrs. Calabash. Here's to you, Jocelyn.

More Sunday night on my Radio Free Phoenix rock 'n' roll show, including a cameo by Jocelyn..