LITTLE ROCK — Now that we’re done with all that “Peace on Earth” stuff, things can finally get back to normal.
Frankly, it’s a relief. Who can live up to the relentless pressure of nonstop kindness? It’s just not natural.
It is in this spirit that a few random remarks are rendered herein concerning Tiger Woods. The selection of this topic should not be taken as shirking a responsibility. At this time, it is customary to reflect upon past developments and, applying the well tuned skills of a professional observer, project those upon the unblemished New Year.
Besides, that old metaphorical horse still has an occasional jolt and twitch. It’s not quite beaten to death, so why not lay on a few more whacks? The Woods story, in fact, is a fair reflection in miniature of many larger circumstances. Here is an epic of affluence without conscience, action without accountability and immorality concealed by the public perception of pleasantness.
Before we get any deeper into this, there are two important things you need to know. First, unless you are diligently working on your swing, Woods is not a role model. He is a fine athlete and a most human being.
The second facet of my formulation that needs a little unpacking concerns the outward expression of niceness. A notable feature of American life as it seems to be evolving is that many bitterly harsh and rotten people don’t even have the elementary quality of personal dignity to at least put up a better front.
Of course, this is America and we are allowed to say just about anything, except to shout, “Fire!” in a crowded theater. That is no reason for folks who should know better to let lose with all manner of insult seasoned with a dash of half-truth.
Public conversation in the United States has just about lost any possibility of producing generally acceptable policies. Do not mistake my personal reflection for some sort of squishy, lighter-than-air, liberal dribble directed at feeling better about one’s own self. Our increasing inability to deal respectfully with each other is a national security concern.
The reeking stench of political discourse keeps us from approaching pressing business. The discussion of policy has become so predictably negative that the outcome is always some unsatisfactory mish-mash. As evidence, I offer the recent legislation dealing with air pollution and health insurance reform.
This brings us back to Tiger Woods, whose life story is saturated with money. Mind you, nobody is saying that this high compensation was not deserved or not the result of hard work. What we discern, however, is the primacy of wealth, even as his domestic and professional worlds are falling apart.
Woods has relocated to the Bahamas as he waits for the smoke to clear and some other hapless loser to get into even bigger trouble. Where’s Paris Hilton when you really need her? The athlete of the decade believes, perhaps correctly, that everything can be made right with a big enough check.
Once the wife (or former wife) is paid off, everything will go back to normal. It’s exactly the same philosophy used by congressmen, financial executives and darned near anybody else. Money, the real American idol, is presumed to satisfy any inconveniences or unpleasantness.
Don’t misunderstand. It is my opinion that we really need health insurance reform, and there is a very good case to be made for even more stimulus money. Nonetheless, these are just temporary fixes to larger inequities.
There is hardly any sense of moral discomfort with business executives who have few qualms about crashing their own corporations and cheating the shareholders while sailing off on a golden parachute. Charge whatever interest you can get away with. Impose whatever terms you like on the working guy. The lives of little people are not worth a dime when you’re on top. Everything is always about the cash and the power it represents. All decisions ultimately come down to what’s best for No. 1.
The prevalent attitude of self-satisfaction was not the general mind-set of a previous generation. Recognizing cultural, religious, social and economic disparities, they nonetheless embraced a common obligation and lined up together to fight the enemies of freedom. Many came home in boxes. Others, like former Sens. Bob Dole and George McGovern, came home to build a better country.
Woods, by his apparent disloyalty and abuse of an intimate, trusting relationship, has disrespected a foundational relationship. Yes, this happens every day, although not on such a grand scale; and, yes, there can be forgiveness.
That such does happen frequently is at the center of what besets individuals, families and institutions. Trust and integrity are not empty words; they characterize the specific decisions and actions of real people. Our choices are always moral judgments and there is a cost for the bad ones that is not counted in cash.
Free-lance columnist Pat Lynch has been a radio broadcaster in Central Arkansas for more than 20 years.
Editorial, Pages 11 on 12/28/2009