Last week Tiger Woods took to the podium to give a public apology to his friends and family for his marital infidelity. I’m glad he did… it was refreshing to see a public figure admit his wrongs and sincerely seek to right the wrongs he has done. That being said, I’m confused about why his actions have caused such a controversy.I have enabled the V-Chip (kudos Tipper) in my television to block all sexual content so I can unashamedly channel surf with children in the room… the chip consistently blocks at least twenty percent of the seventy or so channels I have included in my basic cable plan. Yet even with the chip, I still have to be careful while surfing because many of the unblocked shows shamelessly present sexually explicit content. This is not a tirade against such programming, it’s an observation… our society is obsessed with sex. If we were consistent Tiger’s actions wouldn’t be controversial, they would be praised and held up to our kids as an example of breaking down barriers to sexual freedom.
Some would argue that his marital infidelity was the root of the controversy (as if having multiple partners outside of marriage is fine). Tiger is married, he made a commitment, he has kids. But marriage infidelity is front page material for every tabloid rag on the newsstand... it must sell magazines or they couldn’t afford to print them and distribute them to every discount store, convenience store, grocery store, newsstand, beauty shop, doctors office and gas station in the United States. Brad, Angelina and Jen are movie stars with huge contracts… no controversy surrounds their infidelity, just curiosity, prestigious awards and ticket sales.
Plus, wasn’t it a mere decade or so ago that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the marital infidelity of the President of the United States. It’s his business we were told, he can still do his job so stay out of his bedroom! Since his marriage in October of 2004 Tiger has won more then thirty times on the PGA tour… he’s done his job far better than anyone ever has done it in the history of the sport. A few private indiscretions certainly shouldn’t be controversial.
To some the controversy is that Tiger allegedly told a few of his multitude of mistresses that he “loved” them… that’s just… come on, how evil is that!? One such reported lover is a porn star whose high profile lawyer feigned indignation because Tiger’s apology didn’t include her client by name. I’m sorry, but Tiger not giving respect to a porn star who knew she was having an affair with a married man… he’s gone too far now… Nike should ask for their endorsement money back and the PGA Tour should consider revoking his exemptions! This woman deserves to be put up on a pedestal of honor, admired for her strength in overcoming Tiger’s selfish acts of inconsideration… If we would all strive to be like this wonderful woman, who was obviously forced to become an adulterous prostitute by a powerful sports celebrity, our society would be all the better.
Some people do defend Tiger and ask us to take into consideration how hard it is for him to stop. After all, he has an addiction. This is a great defense; addiction in our society is in vogue. You can’t be somebody famous and achieve iconic status without being addicted to something. It’s a necessity for any on-the-go celebrity who doesn’t play by the rules. Perhaps a reality TV show should be in the works for Tiger… he’s earned it.
But by far the worst thing that came out of this controversy was the shameful comments made by a Fox News commentator. Did you hear the insensitive, gut churning, idiotic statement that the proselytizing hate-monger Brit Hume spewed from his filthy mouth? He actually had the gall to suggest that Tiger needs to find forgiveness. Then to everyone’s horror he suggested that this type of forgiveness would come to him through Christianity… do you believe this guy? I can’t believe Fox hasn’t fired him yet. Bigot!
Ouch! I bit my tongue while it was firmly planted in my cheek.
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