Tiger's Woes Are His, Not Ours

We as a nation, at least based on the press attention surrounding Tiger Woods, appear to enjoy watching the rich and famous fall from grace. The married father of two appears to have had an affair with two women (a third one identified in the press denies such a relationship), and was beaten about his ears by his wife, Elin, with a golf club.

Tiger has admitted his "transgressions" and is seeking atonement for his "personal sins." But apparently that is not enough for the press. They want him to hang his personal dirty laundry out on the line in explicit detail. They want to ask him and his family embarrassing questions in front of TV cameras. They want TV footage for their evening news programs because they think the public loves to see the rich and famous fall, and fall hard.

But the bottom line is that it is none of our business. Tiger Woods and his family have always cherished their privacy. Their 155 foot yacht is named "Privacy." On the other hand, when it comes to golf, Tiger is more than willing to share with the public and the press, but he has always insisted on his family's privacy. He has never been like other celebrities or politicians who are eager to parade their families and their private lives onto the big stage. When he is on the big stage in golf tournaments, he belongs to us, but only as a golfer. If he screws up his private life, that is of his own making, and not any of our business.

Although the temptation is to "set the record straight," I hope Tiger and his family resist that temptation and continue to protect their privacy.