Detroit News article: "Detroit Athletic Club leaves Fieger out in cold".

[dguy4evr]

In this article, Geoffrey Fieger cites the clubs, "history of racism, sexism, and anti-Semitism". Correct me if I'm wrong, but why would he even entertain the thought of joining this club? Any ideas?

Detroit News Article >>

[SyGolden48236]

why would he even entertain the thought of joining this club? Any ideas?

Because Geoff has a huge ego. He thinks he is "the man".

And if the DAC has a history of racism and anti-Semitism, why were my family and I accepted? Our club is probably the most diverse of all private institutions in the state.

Once again Geoff's mouth is his downfall. I certainly did not support his bid for membership.

[Bham1982]

Because Geoff has a huge ego. He thinks he is "the man".

No, Geoff is actually a very low-key, humble family man. The guy is at every soccer practice for his kids. He is very charismatic, but not at all a blowhard in his personal dealings. His public persona has nothing to do with his day-to-day character. He's also a huge [[and quiet) contributor to local Jewish causes.

While I don't agree with his politics, at all, Geoff is a good guy. Yeah, I know him. If he says he doesn't like the DAC because of racism and anti-Semitism, I take that at face value. Don't know if it's true, but I believe he thinks it's true.

Clubs like the DAC are useless anyways. They're anachronisms of the Mad Men days. I would join for the parking, if I were a regular attendee of Tigers games. Otherwise, no point to joining a club based on WASP exclusion and outdated ways of living. Like the suburban country clubs, these institutions won't exist in two-three generations or so.

[SyGolden48236]

Clubs like the DAC are useless anyways. They're anachronisms of the Mad Men days. I would join for the parking, if I were a regular attendee of Tigers games. Otherwise, no point to joining a club based on WASP exclusion and outdated ways of living. Like the suburban country clubs, these institutions won't exist in two-three generations or so.

You and I must know two different Geoff Fiegers. But I am not going to engage in character assassination against him. He does a perfectly fine job of destroying his own reputation.

As far as clubs like the DAC being useless, you do not know what you're talking about. Many fine social activities take place there. Many lifelong friendships have been forged there. Relationships have begun there that turned into marriage. Many business deals are hammered out there.

Further, your statement that the club is based on WASP exclusion would be laughable if not for its blatant ignorance. If that is what that fine institution is based upon then how, pray tell, did a Jewish man [[me) married to a lovely black woman [[my wife) with bi-racial children [[our kids) get welcomed with open arms into the club more than twenty years ago?

You are fond of pontificating on subjects of which you know very little to nothing at all. This is yet another shining example of this.

[Bham1982]

You and I must know two different Geoff Feigers. But I am not going to engage in character assassination against him. He does a perfectly fine job of destroying his own reputation.

Do you know him and his family personally? I do. He's basically the ultimate family man, and nothing like his public reputation. He is literally at every soccer practice for his kids, and could not be quieter or more understated in his personal dealings. He lives modestly. And I think he's a nut in many respects! But you don't know him, unless you know him.

As far as clubs like the DAC being useless, you do not know what you're talking about.

Reality says otherwise. Downtown business/clubs clubs have been dropping like flies, and probably 80-90% of these clubs have disappeared throughout the U.S. There were dozens of such clubs in Detroit a few decades ago, and now there is basically one.

It has nothing to do with Detroit's decline, the exact same thing has happened in the New Yorks and San Franciscos of the world. The "downtown club" and "suburban country club" type lifestyles are basically incompatible with how people generally live today. Women work, families are smaller, people with money travel with their free time. Boozy lunches and hours wasted with "the boys" are not the norm with most families today.

It isn't 1955 anymore. Guys are usually at home pulling their weight, or you're going to have a pissed off wife [[and for good reason). But DAC will survive because it's sitting on a goldmine. It controls parking next to the stadia, and so it can monetize the most important asset downtown- parking spaces for suburbanites.

[Towne Cluber]

Do you know him and his family personally? I do. He's basically the ultimate family man, and nothing like his public reputation. He is literally at every soccer practice for his kids, and could not be quieter or more understated in his personal dealings. He lives modestly. And I think he's a nut in many respects! But you don't know him, unless you know him.


Reality says otherwise. Downtown business/clubs clubs have been dropping like flies, and probably 80-90% of these clubs have disappeared throughout the U.S. There were dozens of such clubs in Detroit a few decades ago, and now there is basically one.

It has nothing to do with Detroit's decline, the exact same thing has happened in the New Yorks and San Franciscos of the world. The "downtown club" and "suburban country club" type lifestyles are basically incompatible with how people generally live today. Women work, families are smaller, people with money travel with their free time. Boozy lunches and hours wasted with "the boys" are not the norm with most families today.

It isn't 1955 anymore. Guys are usually at home pulling their weight, or you're going to have a pissed off wife [[and for good reason). But DAC will survive because it's sitting on a goldmine. It controls parking next to the stadia, and so it can monetize the most important asset downtown- parking spaces for suburbanites.

Yikes, wrong again! In addition to the DAC...Detroit Golf Club, Detroit Yacht Club, Detroit Raquet Club, and Yondotega Club.

[ABetterDetroit]

He lives modestly.

Fieger's Bloomfield Hills home on B.H.C.C. ninth hole. "Modestly"... Is everything you say Bham just made up?

http://tsagc.com/portfolio/item/fieger-residence/

Seriously, like 5 times just this week on this board alone posters have proven you dead wrong with facts and links to prove the facts. At what time do you start to believe that when everyone in your life says you're full of shit do you realize it's actually very true?

This is only the Bloomfield Hills residence, not the lakefront home on Cedar Island Lake in
White Lake Township, or the house in Sedona, Arizona, or the ocean front estate in Anguilla.

[JBMcB]

"downtown club" and "suburban country club" type lifestyles are basically incompatible with how people generally live today.

And yet the DAC is doing just fine.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/new...club/20467061/

Secondary source: My uncle, who works there.
Tertiary source: My other uncle, who's a member.

[SyGolden48236]

But DAC will survive because it's sitting on a goldmine. It controls parking next to the stadia, and so it can monetize the most important asset downtown- parking spaces for suburbanites.

Yeah, that's it. The DAC is strictly a parking lot operator these days.

Your chauvinistic idea that club life is nothing more than boozy lunches, and "hours wasted with the boys" while the "pissed off wife" is at home are comical. Obviously you and your stereotypes are stuck in 1955. The DAC is a very family oriented club. There are many activities for women and children. My wife enjoys spending time there as much as I do.

Do you ever stop to read and ponder what you have typed before you click on the "post" button? The ignorance that emanates from your keyboard is utterly astounding at times.

But your ill-informed opinion matters not. Our club is doing just fine. Our current membership is robust and we have many more prospective members waiting to join.

You should open your eyes and your mind and experience reality instead of believing that you know all there is to know about everything. What a pity that all wisdom must die with you. Shalom!

[p69rrh51]

[QUOTE=Bham1982;472082]Do you know him and his family personally? I do. He's basically the ultimate family man, and nothing like his public reputation. He is literally at every soccer practice for his kids, and could not be quieter or more understated in his personal dealings. He lives modestly. And I think he's a nut in many respects! But you don't know him, unless you know him.

Boy do you have your head up your ass! Except for the Detroit Club, Detroit Boat Club and a couple obscure eating clubs, most of clubs that were here 100 years ago are still standing. The DAC is thriving with a waiting list if I remember correctly. I do know Geoff on a personal level and he is a complete ASSHOLE. From what I understand the club received several dozen letters blackballing him. The usual for most applicants is one or two.

[bailey]

Because Geoff has a huge ego. He thinks he is "the man".

And if the DAC has a history of racism and anti-Semitism, why were my family and I accepted? Our club is probably the most diverse of all private institutions in the state.

Once again Geoff's mouth is his downfall. I certainly did not support his bid for membership.

its my understanding this isn't the first club to deny him membership and not the first time he's made that type of allegation as a response to the denial.

I've had a few dealings with Feiger in some matters dealing with the business side of his firm and his various interests. He is, hands down, one of the most pompous asses I've ever met and I've worked within Wall Street circles. He belittles and berates subordinates, insults and disrespects peers and is dishonest about even the most innocuous of things. It seems clear to me he has decided every interaction in life is a life or death battle to be won by any means necessary. Its worked out for him financially for sure, and it's fine ...so long as you don't care that everyone you deal with in a professional capacity neither likes, trusts or respects you.

At some point that behavior catches up to you when you apply for entry in a social club...no matter how many of your kid's soccer games you go to.

[SyGolden48236]

[QUOTE=bailey;472189]its my understanding this isn't the first club to deny him membership and not the first time he's made that type of allegation as a response to the denial.

I've had a few dealings with Feiger in some matters dealing with the business side of his firm and his various interests. He is, hands down, one of the most pompous asses I've ever met and I've worked within Wall Street circles. He belittles and berates subordinates, insults and disrespects peers and is dishonest about even the most innocuous of things. It seems clear to me he has decided every interaction in life is a life or death battle to be won by any means necessary. Its worked out for him financially for sure, and it's fine ...so long as you don't care that everyone you deal with in a professional capacity neither likes, trusts or respects you.

At some point that behavior catches up to you when you apply for entry in a social club...no matter how many of your kid's soccer games you go to.[/QUOTE


Amen to that! You, sir, speak the truth.

[swingline]

Mr. Feiger deserves a lot of respect for his successful legal career, his tackling of civil rights cases and speaking truth to power concerning a number of political issues. He's a talented and formidable person. That said, it's too bad that he can't just accept that this DAC membership snub is simply a cost to him for doing business his way. There's no anti-Semitism going on here. He's been an asshole to lots of people around town, including plenty of DAC members. They are entitled to decide that they don't want him as a fellow member. He should own that and accept that and admit that it's a price paid in exchange for his career and his work.

[Bham1982]

He's been an asshole to lots of people around town, including plenty of DAC members. They are entitled to decide that they don't want him as a fellow member.

This is 100% true, though Feiger is equally entitled to call the DAC out on it.

And I doubt he was denied because he's an "asshole". I would like to see the DAC membership list, and we can all vet for "asshole" behavior. It probably has more to do with his politics, ethnicity, and constituency. He doesn't fit a club of stodgy WASP Republicans from the Pointes.

[swingline]

This is 100% true, though Feiger is equally entitled to call the DAC out on it.

And I doubt he was denied because he's an "asshole". I would like to see the DAC membership list, and we can all vet for "asshole" behavior. It probably has more to do with his politics, ethnicity, and constituency. He doesn't fit a club of stodgy WASP Republicans from the Pointes.

There's plenty of stodgy WASP Republican assholes at the DAC, but the membership is much more broad. The club's membership is quite large, as is necessary to support the very large and expensive-to-operate historic facility. Relative to most private social clubs, the membership is also very diverse politically, ethnically and racially. The place really isn't that exclusive, which is fine, otherwise they would need $3000/mo. dues to keep it open.

[iheartthed]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but why would he even entertain the thought of joining this club? Any ideas?

To draw attention to it.

[Hypestyles]

.. who were the first minority members of the DAC?

..what's something a working class person can join?

[SyGolden48236]

..what's something a working class person can join?

A working class person, or a non working class person, can join any institution to which he or she can afford the initiation fee and dues and to which his or her character and standing in the community is approved of by the current members of said institution.

[Hypestyles]

A working class person, or a non working class person, can join any institution to which he or she can afford the initiation fee and dues and to which his or her character and standing in the community is approved of by the current members of said institution.

Like I said, what's available for the working class, because the DAC is not.

[SyGolden48236]

Like I said, what's available for the working class, because the DAC is not.

You do not seen to comprehend what i said in answer to your initial question. There are most certainly "working class" members at the club.

Now, if your definition of "working class" is people with a chip on their shoulder who always feel left out and picked upon, as you seem to want to define it, then perhaps your brand of "working class" folks would feel more comfortable joining the local Elk's club.

What you don't seem to understand is that we're all working class. Every one of us who goes to work every day or who is retired from working is working class. Working class includes doctors, ditch diggers, attorneys, bus drivers, executives, sanitation workers, teachers, firemen, accountants, utility workers etc.

Life is so much better when it is bereft of envy and bitterness.

[dtowncitylover]

Now, if your definition of "working class" is people with a chip on their shoulder who always feel left out and picked upon, as you seem to want to define it, then perhaps your brand of "working class" folks would feel more comfortable joining the local Elk's club.

Wow ok, life would also be so much better when it is bereft of snide comments against the Elks Club. My grandfather was a proud and active member until the day he died. He never spoke ill against the wealthy, was perfectly content with his middle class life, and worked hard and never complained. I for one am not trying to discredit or bash the DAC, but please don't bash the Elks Club, thank you.

[Hermod]

Like I said, what's available for the working class, because the DAC is not.

American Legion
VFW
Moose
Elks
Eagles
Optimist
Odd Fellows
Masons
Rotary
Kiwanis
Lions
Boat Clubs [[less expensive yacht clubs)
Knights of Columbus

[Honky Tonk]

American Legion
VFW
Moose
Elks
Eagles
Optimist
Odd Fellows
Masons
Rotary
Kiwanis
Lions
Boat Clubs [[less expensive yacht clubs)
Knights of Columbus

DetroitYES!

[Cliffy]

So how much are the dues for the DAC

[Towne Cluber]

Also, I know for a fact that Fieger has a horrible reputation with child care providers.