>>>>>>Tiger has gagged the UK media
>>>>>>
>>>>>>http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/dec/11/tiger-woods-gags-english-media
>>>>>
>>>>>Another dumb move in a stunning series of them.
>>>>
>>>>The celebrity cult is dumb as such. Everything else follows.
>>>
>>>Someone wrote a letter to the editor in one of the papers (I'm not sure now if it was the Star or the Post - I get both) that I agree with wholeheartedly.
>>>
>>>Paraphrasing, he said, "Tiger and I have an arrangement. He doesn't concern himself with my marital situation and I don't concern myself with his. This arrangement seems to work well."
>>>
>>
>>Up to a point I agree with you. I don't think his personal business is mine, nor do I have any more prurient interest than the next person. But there is something about this that does attract attention, and it isn't just the (unfortunate) celebrity culture. It's really nothing new. It goes back to the Greek theater, if not further. The falling of the mighty. The Achilles heel. Pick your own analogy.
>>
>>He could defuse most of it with a simple, heartfelt statement. That he has not done so is part of the tragedy IMO, and why I was worried about him the other day. He is an extremely tightly wound guy, very focused, presenting the best face at every moment. An inspirational person who corporate sponsors have rightfully paid millions. An athlete whose talent may never again be seen in his sport. I imagine it's all a hell of a weight to carry around every day.
>>
>>When a hole is punctured in your persona, and you're the person inside, what do you do? Another story that goes way back.
>>
>>One thing we can all do without is the sanctimonious faux outrage. "How could he do this to his wife and kids?" While I am all in favor of wife and kids, and do think less of him for his transgressions, let's be realistic. Athletes and other celebrities of his magnitude are constantly bombarded with temptations. Do you doubt that beautiful, successful, tempting women come on to him everywhere he goes? It has to be a lot to resist. Someone said the outrage of the common man is simply a lack of opportunity.
>
>So do you believe then that every famous athlete has cheated on his or her mate?
>
>I haven't been following this very closely, so I don't really know what sort of statement he's given, heartfelt or otherwise, if any. Bottom line for me is that I don't really care very much what he does or doesn't do. He's an athlete (of sorts). he's neither my father, nor my mentor. The real sadness here is in learning how many people apparently depended on his behaviour in order to tailor their own.
>
>No different for me than following stories on Britney Spears, Brad Pitt or Carmen Miranda. Their behaviour in no way reflects on mine, so they may do or not do as they wish with my blessing.

No, of course I do not believe every famous athlete cheats. I think the reason this is such big news is Tiger had a carefully tended image that did not include this sort of thing. Two of his major sponsors, Gillette and Accenture, have already dumped him.