I'm sorry...how many times have we heard that in our lives? Too many to count, I'll bet. From the time our kids are little we tell them they have to say they are sorry when they hurt someone, either with words or fists. After a while it seems those little words loose their meaning.
We've heard lots of I'm sorrys in the past. Politicians, actors, Letterman, etc, etc, etc, all have said those words when they have been caught doing something inappropriate. I'm getting tired of hearing it.
The latest is Tiger Woods. He's sorry for the hurt inflicted upon his family, his fans and his profession. Even if one didn't listen to his media apology (I didn't) it would be difficult to miss it because it's been played adnausium many times in the past week. I asked a friend if he was going to tune in for the big moment....he said he had something more important to do...he was going to watch paint dry. Ha. Ha.
One thing I did catch in the reruns was Tiger's admission that he didn't think the rules applied to him. This flaw in his character is our fault...his parents (he's a special child), his fans (isn't he great?), the media (the best thing to happen to the game since Palmer).
Way back when...in my working life....the middle school I worked in had cheerleaders....those special girls (thought special by their mothers anyway) who bcl (before cheer leading) were nice little girls just like any other 7th grader. After bcl they became prima donnas who thought they were better than their classmates. Ugh and double ugh. Once one of the princesses said to me..."You don't like cheerleaders, do you Mrs. Steinmetz?" My reply was that I loved cheerleaders. What I didn't like were people who thought the rules didn't apply to them.
You get the drift, don't you. The rules apply to everyone. Social mores shouldn't go out the window because of a person's position. And yes...I think this applies to Presidents and wantabee presidents, political persons at every level, talk show hosts, and I could go on and on. But I don't need to, do I? I also think the rules apply to me personally.
I once had a friend? who was having an affair. I lost respect for her. She was not only cheating on her husband, but setting a terrible example for her children. I personally never wanted to do anything that my children could use as an excuse for bad behavior. It must be ok because mom did it. I hope I (and also Al) have always set good examples. People are going to "mess up" cause that's what people do, but my behavior wasn't going to give anyone the "green light" for misconduct.
So in the midst of sounding "holier than thou" I take public "I'm sorries" with a grain of salt. In the words of the master..."go and sin no more." We are all voyuers and the mass media feeds into our interest.
I hope Tiger Woods and all others are rehabilitated and use their misdeeds to grow into more responsible adults.
There I go again...another soap box climbed. Till next time.....
8 months ago
