Tiger Woods has been in the public eye since he was a child.
His image has been so squeaky clean that it was the subject of jokes and derision.
The car crash outside his Florida home and his subsequent silence has resulted in a parade of women claiming to have had affairs with the PGA legend.
The media has treated Tiger differently than other public figures who have had similar kinds of news stories.
Recently actor Sean Penn found himself in a similar situation as did singer LeAnn Rimes, yet the media did not engage in the same kind of feeding frenzy that has accompanied the Woods story.
Woods broke no laws, caused no physical harm to another and has attempted in a noble way to protect his family and preserve his marriage.
Part of his statement on the matter read, "Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions."
Unfortunately the age of the reality show, the 24-hour cable news outlet and the Internet create a new kind of media that will not be satisfied until all the juicy stories are circulated, whether they are from reliable sources or not.
But maybe the greatest motivation to delve into this story comes from the desire to tear down what society has built up. It stems from a human failing that the Germans call Shadenfruede, which means pleasure that is derived from the misfortune of others.
Perhaps instead we ought to consider saying some prayers for Woods' wife, who's pain is unimaginable, and his two small children, who have to grow up in the shadow of an overly ravenous media.
Comments
You have got to be kidding. This guy has made millions from the public...worshiped by the public...you don't get both sides...public and private. Now, he has made millions smile or laugh out loud. The guy cheated on his wife, kids, and the public. He has made his living in the public, like it or not, the public will judge and make fun of him. The public is fragile.
How soon we forget. Tiger Woods has thrilled his fans for years with his precise golf strokes. He has not professed to be a relationship or marriage coach. He has not been a minister or preacher. He is a golf pro, travelling to tournaments, always in the public eye. And who is this public that is so quick to condemn him? None of us knows the emotional makeup of his marriage. Let them work it out.
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