When I'm wrong I admit it.
I just thought I'd make that declaration.
I am not, however, wrong in the case of the media obsession with Tiger Woods.
TV, radio and print are engaged in a feeding frenzy about the young genius.
But come on...what a load of crap.
We are a society of hypocrites. Who among us hasn't driven over the speed limit or taken a questionable tax deduction or said "No...!" when asked, "Do I look fat in this dress?"
We hold our celebrities up to impossible standards. And then we are scandalized when they don't measure up.
We honor our elected officials and then find out, after the fact, that they are liars and cheats.
What a schock! From Bill Clinton to Mark Sanford to O. J. Simpson and now to Tiger Woods we elevate these people to hero status and then we are stunned when they transgress...
My issue is...so what!?
Just because Bill Clinton had an affair with Monica Lewinsky doesn't make him a bad President.
He did some good work. O.J. was a great football player and was, incidentally, acquitted in a court of law.
Tiger Woods is, arguably, one of the greatest golfers to ever swing an iron...and lo and behold...he cheated on his wife (albeit a whole lot of times, but that misses the point...)
Martha Stewart was convicted of insider trading and imprisoned. Now she has a talk show...again.
Oliver North was convicted (and then acquitted on appeal...) for his role in the Iran-Contra affair. Now he's a darling of the conservative right...with a talk show.
Latrell Sprewell was nearly expelled from the NBA for assaulting his coach. Now he's a revered basketball star who's jersey is worn by thousands of adoring fans.
And we dare pillory Tiger Woods for fooling around? Once again, SO WHAT!
Did we love him because he was cute? Did we love him because he was rich? Did we love him for his catchy name?
No... we loved him because he was great. He was better than we'll ever be at the game he embraced and perfected in much the same way as Michael Jackson approached his craft...another celebrity who we axed because of his alleged personal quirks (also acquitted, I hasten to add)...may he rest in peace.
A little humility on our part would go a long way. What we should do is stipulate, before we bestow celebrity status on anyone, that they are human and will reveal some hidden foible.
I can't wait for Capt. Sullenberger and Oprah and President Obama to make their revelations.
What a field day that will be.
Popcorn anyone...?
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