Tiger, Barack, and the Law of Transitivity

[bonnie]

http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/12/tiger_barrack_and_the_law_of_t.html

Tiger, Barack, and the Law of Transitivity

By Lisa Schiffren

As a rule, the revelation that a married athlete, (or actor, or rock star, or politician) has conducted extra-marital affairs with bevy of 'party girls' may titillate, but rarely has the power to shock. In those realms, these things happen. Entitled men. Willing women. Deceived wives. What's new?

So what is it about Tiger Woods that makes his cheating so different from the usual that, 10 days on the nation is still discussing revelations of conquests, trysts, payoffs and physical injuries inflicted by golf club?

Sure, there's normal prurience at work. But mostly, we are interested because Tiger Woods, who may legitimately be the best golfer ever, had been turned into an all purpose icon: a man of personal rectitude, a lovely smile, apparent openness; a family man, with a lovely wife and two adorable babies. And, of course, he was our first living embodiment of the collective hope for racial reconciliation. Who knew that the early reports of his betrayed wife, Elin, swinging at him with a golf club, constituted literal icon smashing?

We are staring because we've been had. Betrayed. We see now that the image was all a fraud. The talent was real. But the things that made the public like Tiger personally, the low key demeanor, manners, and sweet smile of countless sports page photos, magazine covers, political analogies and, most important, product endorsements, was an act. That would be betrayal enough. But it wasn't just his act. The larger lesson here is about how much artifice -- sustained, deliberate deception -- goes into the construction of a public persona, when there is profit to be made or power to be had.

Jack Shafer, the Slate media columnist, spells out how this transpired. In the beginning, Shafer notes, Woods was your normal young, single, randy, skirt-chasing, heterosexual athlete. Then, almost overnight, he became a golf phenom, and, " ...for business reasons -- Buick, Nike, Gatorade, Gillette, EA Sports, and Accenture being among them -- Woods decided to exfoliate from his public image all things base, carnal, and even personal.

"The Tiger Woods that was constructed for corporate consumption was spotless and smooth, an edgeless brand easily peddled to sheikhs and shakers.

"Given how desperately we want to believe in a human god, it didn't take much peddling from Team Tiger for us to accept Woods as a modern deity. With every new tournament victory, every new product endorsement, his divinity grew. His marketers made him a symbol of tolerance and brotherhood, and his father, Earl Woods, spoke gibberish about his son being a creature of destiny. Getting married and having children only added to Woods' marketability. I'm divine and monogamous and the center of a happy nuclear family. And we ate it up. So now that the "real" Woods has been revealed ... we're embarrassed by the gap between who we believed Woods to be and who he really is."

The unusually sleazy reality, however true to our darker knowledge of human nature, is especially disappointing because of the wholesome image we've been sold for so long. "Modern diety" isn't much of an overstatement. Even now, the same huge corporate effort that went into creating the billion dollar nice guy persona is hard at work trying to keep it alive, because if it dies, too many people stand to lose too much money.

Think about the heroic efforts to "save" his marriage. In addition to her prenup -- which only "vests" after a certain amount of time, apparently the much wronged wife will receive a huge payment -- $55 million according to some reports -- to stay with him for another two years. Which is why she hasn't exited, stage right. And the millions reportedly paid to various of the text-message wielding, semi-pro women involved, suggest the magnitude of everyone's stake in reconstructing an image able to hawk corporate goods.

Nor was this behavior of Woods' unknown -- except to the public. In one instance reporters had photos of a "transgression," committed in a church parking lot, no less. These journalists agreed to keep it secret -- if Tiger posed for a cover story at Men's Fitness Magazine -- a cover that would sell huge numbers of magazines. Normally Woods wouldn't have been available, since he had an exclusive contract with Conde Nast's Golf Digest. With full understanding of the reasons, Conde Nast allowed the rival cover, because they, too, profited from having Tiger remain an icon.

Note that this industry-wide cover-up of his cheating (and, apparently, personal nastiness, arrogance and general non-cuddly behavior) is not a small, secret plot by dedicated fanatics. Rather it is a set of interlocking self-interests manifested in sustaining the pristine image of this one sports icon to keep cash coming in.

But enough about Tiger the man, who is, after all, only a golfer. Let's move on to Tiger the metaphor. Because anyone with four functioning brain cells gets that if this comprehensive a charade can be sustained for a decade, as Woods and those around him amassed billions, it can happen elsewhere. Right in front of our eyes.

If I were watching the public disgust with the newly revealed Tiger Woods from an office in the West Wing, I'd be concerned. Because Barack Obama is about as completely manufactured a political character as this nation has seen. His meteoric rise, without the inconvenience of a public record, or accomplishments, and the public's willing suspension of critical evaluation of his resume allowed his handlers and the media to project what they wanted to on his unfurrowed brow.

Ironically, the parallels have nothing to do with race. The Obama campaign did explicitly attempt to borrow the from the then-universal Tiger Woods appeal to allay any discomfort voters might have had with a mixed-race politician, as they constructed a persona that would make the American electorate comfortable with a barely known, first term Senator, with a left wing voting record, a deliberately obscured personal and professional past, and no traditional qualifications for high office.

After a year in the spotlight, Barack Obama, hailed as a brilliant man, and a creature of destiny who would heal us all, is himself falling rapidly to earth. (Thankfully, his family life remains above suspicion.) The flaws that were airbrushed out of the candidate photos are becoming glaringly obvious under day to day scrutiny of his public performance in the White House.

And while it doesn't matter if another athlete is an adulterer, it matters a lot if the president is revealed to be an inexperienced, excessively ideological, weak man, who is naïve about the world and uncomfortable exercising American power, during a time of war. It matters if nothing in his training would have equipped the president to understand what it takes to stimulate job growth, or ameliorate a recession, or to end an overseas conflict successfully. It matters that he is uninterested in the science behind global warming -- and wishes to use the issue to amass power and re-order society. It matters that he has no interest in the construction of policy.

Ultimately, Woods is an exceptional golfer, with a character problem. Barack Obama, by contrast, is not an exceptional, or even particularly competent, leader. But because so many politicians, interest groups and factions have an interest in his continued presence, no one is ready to reveal the man behind the curtain just yet.

But many voters who believed in the Obama magic -- both from the center and from the far left, are increasingly dismayed watching the human god fall to earth. This is a major problem because, as Shafer notes, the impulse of the betrayed is to tear their fallen deities to shreds.

[lazarus]

Pathetic stuff! So desperate to paint Obama in a negative light folks will clutch at anything.

Be assured Bonnie, that one who expends so much time and energy digging for dirt to post inevitably gets the dirt on themselves.

[Dr. Shane]

It is sad to see the path Tiger choose to take. I don't know how much of a role model he was for the black community. I think he even stated once that he wasn't black. Nonetheless, our society is in need of positive role models and our minority groups need those role models too. Too many bad role models are idolized. A lot of the Hispanics actually look up to George Lopez. Of course when there are fathers in the home, public role models are not so influential. The fatherless children are the ones that tend to look up to public role models and be influenced by them the most.

I think President Obama is an awesome role model. I always thought he would be which had a lot to do with me voting for him. McCain certainly does measure up to Obama in that respect. I am very happy with Obama in the positive role he is giving for American kids to follow.

[bonnie]

Quote:

Pathetic stuff! So desperate to paint Obama in a negative light folks will clutch at anything.

Be assured Bonnie, that one who expends so much time and energy digging for dirt to post inevitably gets the dirt on themselves.

One advantage we still have in this country is no one forcing anyone to read what they don't want to.I am sorry,not to be rude but you don't have to read and you are not asked to like it.

Obama paints himself quite well. I didn't write it and didn't go digging for it.The negative on Obama is piling up by the day.More and more cannot find anything positive about this man and his presidency

I dislike everything this man stands for.

Maybe so,but I have little in my life I would care that anyone know. If I did,I would still dislike everything this man stands for and what he is doing. The communists etc he places in position in area's of government.

His long list of tax cheats making tax law for others. The health care he wants jammed down everyone's throat. The cap and trade that will destroy whatever is left of the economy when he is done. I guess it is the EPA now that will be able to control

The main thing I really dislike is his continual whine about this is all someone else's fault and what a great man he is.

Maybe he needs to grow up.Everything he whined about today,he voted for and encouraged and when he took office double downed on it

[lazarus]

.The negative on Obama is piling up by the day.More and more cannot find anything positive about this man and his presidency

I dislike everything this man stands for.

The negative is piling up in your heart.

More and More.......??? Didn't know there could be a MORE with you.

You don't know the man but you say you cannot think of ANYTHING positive about him. That's strange from someone whole likes to castigate others about their lack adherence to their Christian beliefs.

[bonnie]

Originally Posted By: bonnie

.The negative on Obama is piling up by the day.More and more cannot find anything positive about this man and his presidency

I dislike everything this man stands for.

The negative is piling up in your heart.

More and More.......??? Didn't know there could be a MORE with you.

You don't know the man but you say you cannot think of ANYTHING positive about him. That's strange from someone whole likes to castigate others about their lack adherence to their Christian beliefs.

You probably should read a little more carefully.As the leader of the country his policies are pretty obvious.

As for him personally,neither you nor I know anything for a certainity.

I have been against him as a potential leader and then elected leader since I first heard him and realized his whole ideology is socialist at the least. Every friend,every mentor,every spiritual advisor has been of the ideology or far worse. Most he has appointed fall into the same catagory.

If I am required to find that a positive in your view,tough,isn't going to happen.

He has done nothing but reinforce his socialist ideology since his election.

As to his personal morals,what type of father,husband he is you don't know and I sure don't know. That has nothing to do with the type of president he is.

If there were something I doubt if we would know at this time. I don't really care in terms of his presidency.

You didn't like the comparison between Tiger Woods and Obama,yet it is accurate.

For the most part the media has made Obama as it did Tiger Woods.

Those held up as human gods are more often than not to be found as Tiger was.

In his personal life maybe time will tell.Don't know. His political life is there for all to see.

His halo in that since is slipping more each day.

You can find as much positive as you want,you can ignore any negative you choose to.That is your business.

I find nothing positive politically about this man and your opinion of that or me is unlikely to change that.

Obama is the only one that could do that

[bonnie]

Don't know if you remember Kirby Puckett. I don't usually get to excited about a political or public figure as far as beliving all the hype about them.But Kirby I really admired based on a image that was created.

Kirby Puckett was from MN and played for the twins.Everyone adored this man,a Tiger Woods before Tiger.

Did a lot for charity and just seemed like a all around nice guy.

In the end his conduct was even worse than that of Tiger Woods.

From then on I really don't believe the god like reports coming from the media about anyone.

I put a little more faith in those that the media hates and hounds and can't find anything. If it were there they certainly would print that.

I don't know anything more personal about Obama.All I know is his policies and what he himself has said.

I am not required by you or God to be positive about this man's policies.Or any politician that is leading in the direction he is

[Guest]

Amen to that Bonnie, and I thought that really was a good article.

[Dr. Shane]

I think Obama is simply doing a fantastic, wonderful, awe-inspiring job of being a positive role model for the American youth. I disagree with quite a few of his policies but as a man, he is incredible. Well,,, his pitching isn't that great but he takes care of his family, spends time with them, loves the Lord Jesus Christ and is on the same level as George W. Bush when it comes to being a positive role-model in the Oval Office.

The hatred I see among some conservatives for Obama reminds me of the hatred so many of the far-left liberals had for Bush. Many on the fringe left couldn't think of one positive thing about Bush. They hated him with a passion. I disagreed with some of Bush's policies but thought he was a wonderful, honest, caring and compassionate President. I especially admired his devotion to his wife.

America is really lucky to have two great Presidents back to back.

[bonnie]

Amen to that Bonnie, and I thought that really was a good article.

I fail to see what most pro Obama know about this man. Up until he popped up on the scene no one knew anything about him.Acorn like associations are not a training ground for running the country.

Notice tho how quick is the reminder that Sarah Palin doesn't have the experience

He is a man of very limited experience. His experience in the senate is slim to none. Most of his associations have a cloud over them to anyone that reads.

We are in worse shape than we have been in decades.Yet this man just said today that the slight improvement in expansion was the best in three decades.What planet do these people live on?

Health care possibilities get worse by the day. The EPA has been granted power they should not have.

TARP money not needed,that was to be used in a specific way is now to go to business to get them to hire.

Someone should bend the ear of this man and explain businessmen are not stupid.

They don't believe a word of his hype and are not dumb enough to expand and hire not knowing how hard Obama is going to hit small business.

My brother just closed up his business and laughs at what he calls"simpleton" statements.

If my brother were to reopen he has no idea of what cap and trade will end up being or now the impact of the EPA.Any would cut deep into his profit.He is not going to put his neck out for high health care costs,nor more on the unemployment line for less profit.Or the benefit package not knowing what he will be responsible for.

Obama did a neat job of blaming small business again the other day and took them to task for wanting to make a profit now. How simple minded do you have to be to think a person wakes up some morning and says,"my dream is to begin a business to see how many I can employ"?

He digs us in deeper and deeper. Blames more and more and does less and less and somehow we are all supposed to "Hail to the Chief" in everything he does.

[bonnie]

Quote:

I think Obama is simply doing a fantastic, wonderful, awe-inspiring job of being a positive role model for the American youth. I disagree with quite a few of his policies but as a man, he is incredible. Well,,, his pitching isn't that great but he takes care of his family, spends time with them, loves the Lord Jesus Christ and is on the same level as George W. Bush when it comes to being a positive role-model in the Oval Office.

He needs to run the country and not into the ground

Quote:

The hatred I see among some conservatives for Obama reminds me of the hatred so many of the far-left liberals had for Bush. Many on the fringe left couldn't think of one positive thing about Bush. They hated him with a passion. I disagreed with some of Bush's policies but thought he was a wonderful, honest, caring and compassionate President. I especially admired his devotion to his wife.

America is really lucky to have two great Presidents back to back.

I have no idea who does or not hate him. Neither do you.You may see disgust and intense dislike for what his policies are doing to the country,that does not mean personal hate.

If you see conservatives continually going after Obama after he leaves the presidency and a republican president that goes after him every time he speaks publicaly and takes no responsibility for his own actions then that probably will be a pretty good indication of hate by anyone doing so.

Being a good husband is not what is needed.Great for him and his wife.Does not do a thing for the economy that he is driving as quick as possible to the bottom of the tank

[Dr. Shane]

Oh, I see some hate. It just eats some people up. They can't get through a day without talking about how much they hate the President. It reminds me of the Bush-haters. Not me. I am full of love. I loved Bush and I love Obama. All we need is love. That is what John Lennon said. He knew a little something for being such a pothead.

[bonnie]

Oh, I see some hate. It just eats some people up. They can't get through a day without talking about how much they hate the President. It reminds me of the Bush-haters. Not me. I am full of love. I loved Bush and I love Obama. All we need is love. That is what John Lennon said. He knew a little something for being such a pothead.

You are very special.It is obvious love is oozing out

Obama is pretty much in everyone's face everyday,maybe that is why.

Maybe it has something to do with the job searches.Obama toutes it as better.

Or maybe something to do with Obamacare that most don't want as they do read and understand what is in there.

[there buster]

Quote:

America is really lucky to have two great Presidents back to back.

You must be speaking of McKinley and T.R.

[Dr. Shane]

Well, Teddy Roosevelt is one of my favorite all-time Presidents.

[Ted Oplinger]

I don't need to dig anything up on Obama in the effort to make him look negative or bad - our President does an admirable job on that all by himself.

There is an old saying - when someone is determined to make a fool of themselves and those who support him, simply get out of the way and let him.

Obama doesn't have my hate, Laz - he has my pity.

[phkrause]

Well he has my support, as did George Bush, Clinton, Bush, and all the rest that came before. I might not agree with all the decessions that each one has made, but that's life.

pk

[lazarus]

Obama doesn't have my hate, Laz - he has my pity.

In the end it doesn't really matter what kind of negative emotion conservatives have towards him.

[Dr. Shane]

I don't think the Tiger Woods story is a political story. I have heard Limbaugh being very supportive of Tiger. He has basically said that as a celebrity it is easy to get caught up in one's self and to think one is special. He is probably speaking from experience. I heard Hannity on the other hand being very critical of Tiger. So I don't think it is a conservative vs. liberal story.

[Ted Oplinger]

Originally Posted By: Ted_Oplinger

Obama doesn't have my hate, Laz - he has my pity.

In the end it doesn't really matter what kind of negative emotion conservatives have towards him.

I've never known pity to be a negative emotion, Laz. I know it is viewed negatively by the proud who are on the receiving end of it, though.

[lazarus]

Originally Posted By: lazarus

In the end it doesn't really matter what kind of negative emotion conservatives have towards him. [/quote']

I've never known pity to be a negative emotion, Laz. I know it is viewed negatively by the proud who are on the receiving end of it, though.

The context in which you express your pity makes it clear that it is not positive.

[lazarus]

Does not do a thing for the economy that he is driving as quick as possible to the bottom of the tank

Hello!!!!

The economy is improving.

[bonnie]

Originally Posted By: lazarus

In the end it doesn't really matter what kind of negative emotion conservatives have towards him. [/quote']

I've never known pity to be a negative emotion, Laz. I know it is viewed negatively by the proud who are on the receiving end of it, though.

It appears to be written somewhere that any personal feelings towards the direction Obama is taking this country must be positive or it is somehow assumed it has to signify hate.

Obama's bigger problem is the negative feelings from independents as well as a eroding of positive feelings by Obama supporters

[bonnie]

Quote:

Hello!!!!

The economy is improving.

Well hello to you Laz.

More of those that are pounding the pavement and small business men are not flooded with optimism.

When you pump billions in, logic does lead you to believe it will give a temporary pump.

Just as those that have exhausted their unemployment benefits

are no longer counted as unemployed. Nice piece of logic that one. Millions are receiving the extended benefits from the government. Somehow they are no longer considered unemployed.

They would likely be surprised to hear that. That helps to show a drop in unemployment.

If health care passes, and it likely will, the taxes and the impact on the economy when it hits will further worsen the condition. Cap and trade seems to have been replaced by the EPA to do pretty much as they please. When that hits it will not be positive and a fragile economy that is trying to struggle back won't.

The rise or re-instatement of other taxes will just dump more.

Those that support Obama are in slowly sinking numbers. Many economists and those that have made their money actually working a real job in real competition,with real struggles are more believable than Obama and friends

[lazarus]

January 598,000 lost their jobs

November 11,000!