I really don't understand how Stephen Green managed to drunk-blog this morning's Tiger Woods apologia, but he did. There is not enough alcohol in the world to get me through such a thing.
But alcohol is a funny, perhaps cosmic, thing. After drinking a few glasses of wine, I remembered Stephen's bravery, and I thought I would at least take a look at the actual apology. I always liked Tiger Woods (who seems like a basically decent guy, the scandals notwithstanding), but I couldn't get past the first few seconds.
Here's the YouTube video. Perhaps others can stand to watch it. I can't. Whether his pain is real or not, there's too much pain, and not enough relief. (Some people get their kicks from champagne, but drunk or sober, I get no kick from schadenfreude.)
He says he's sorry, and Stephen thinks he really is.
Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but the point is, he did apologize (even if I can't stand to revel in it).
I guess that means that the comparisons that have been made between him and the president should end.
MORE: I don't listen to Glenn Beck, nor have I read his book, but I keep seeing claims on the left that in his book, Beck actually claims that Tiger Woods is worse than Pol Pot, Adolf Hitler, and a number of others:
In his chapter titled, "U.S. Presidents: A Steady Progression of Progressives," Beck treats us to his list of the "Top Ten Bastards of All Time." The occupants of that list, in ascending order, are Pol Pot, Robert Mugabe, Teddy Roosevelt, Bernie Madoff, Adolf Hitler, Keith Olbermann, Pontius Pilate, FDR, Tiger Woods, and Woodrow Wilson.
Does anyone know whether the book actually says that?
If so, the next question is simple one. Is the man serious? If not, then it's just comedy and no big deal.
Because if he really does think that way, he's not helping the conservative cause in which many of his followers believe.
MORE: I earnestly hope Glenn Beck either didn't say what he's reported as saying or that he is joking (and is a buffoon as opposed to a loon), because according to Mark Tapscott, he was taken very seriously at CPAC (including calls for him to run for president):
Beck's address certainly confirmed him as a front-rank figure in the conservative movement. But I think it will help define Beck as one of the narrative setters for the movement, not as a candidate. But of course, politics is the most unpredictable of endeavours, so who knows.
Sorry, but I don't think much of a "Tiger Woods is worse than Hitler" narrative.
posted by Eric on 02.20.10 at 11:53 PM
Comments
Hahaha, I'm saddened he didn't tell the world to kiss his sort-of-white ass.
And an observation about FNC 24 hr non-stop coverage. They really do give the people what they want.
dr kill · February 21, 2010 7:22 AM
My requirements for my favorite athletes are simple.
1 Be good.
2 Don't let me know what drugs you do, what women you beat, what cars you wreck while drunk or who you screw out of wedlock.
Whenever Tiger's name comes up I switch the channel.
As for schadenfreude, now I can see why you aren't enjoying this Funniest End of Civilization Ever.
If it weren't for schadenfreude, I wouldn't have any joy at all.
Uh... it was a joke. Seems to be a problem with Liberals of the Progressive persuasion - no sense of humor.
What the book says: 2 Tiger Woods He's got a Swedish-supermodel wife, a gazillion dollars, and he plays golf for a living... bastard!" Yes, he's #2 on the list. Should be a clue to the idiots that it's a joke, but the idiots can't see that.
If you watched Beck's CPAC speech (which was very good and I suspect you would have liked what he said - he nailed both the Rs & the Ds), he actually used Tiger's apology throughout the speech and said how he would like to see some politicians do the same. Beck pointed out that Tiger, whether he was sincere or not, took full responsibility for his actions; realized that there are not separate rules for him; etc.
I like Beck. He's funny and often makes himself the butt of a joke. As a "self-made (educated) man" , he has an awesome understanding of the Progressive movement and its effect on us. I've learned a lot from watching/reading him and have gone off and expanded my own education. He believes in a small government and that we need to get back to what the Founders really meant for our Country. He has a deep personal religious belief, however, I think he looks at that like Palin and doesn't believe in imposing his religious ideas on others. At least I hope not since I'm NOT religious! ;)
Karen · February 21, 2010 2:29 PM
Thanks Karen. It figures that humor would be treated as deadly serious by Media Matters (the source so far as I can tell).
They're just talking to their choir, while wasting the time of people who don't share their preconceptions.
They throw out so much spurious (and specious) crap that the waters are muddied and people who are only peripherally paying attention (most people) just sort of get the hint by osmosis.
Minitru SCREAMS the accusation and whispers the correction (when they have one, read Patterico's year end Dog Trainer posts)
So...
"Everybody knows" Glenn Beck is hateful so there's no need to watch or listen to him.
Just like the rest of Foxnews.
Does anyone even care? I never thought twice about him having affairs, what does it matter to me? Why do I need an apology? I don't even get what the hubbub is about.
As far as the "role model" argument goes. I don't know any parents that tell their kids to look up to athletes. Maybe as models of athleticism and overcoming challenges, but not as models for every day life in other areas. I don't think kids are sitting around thinking "I am so disillusioned I'm giving up on my dreams" they are often smarter than their parents.
plutosdad · February 22, 2010 2:53 PM
The man is a leading golfer who cheated on his wife. And how interesting is that, really? Yawn..
Unless he is supposed to be a proxy for others (he certainly isn't for me), I don't understand the importance of his shenanigans.
The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
Don?t bang your head!
Hahaha, I'm saddened he didn't tell the world to kiss his sort-of-white ass.
And an observation about FNC 24 hr non-stop coverage. They really do give the people what they want.