DOES TIGER WOODS DESERVE OUR SUPPORT?

I have found it absolutely mind boggling at some of the criticism that has been heaped upon Tiger Woods following his much viewed and over analyzed apology last Friday. I am utterly amazed at those who have lashed out in zealous indignation and righteous judgment and cynicism as to his ulterior motive and sincerity.
What? Have these critics ever walked in his shoes? Have they ever been confronted with world- wide scorn and scrutiny? Have they ever tried to express regret and humility in front of a doubting and skeptical audience that numbered in the millions? Try walking in those shoes and then think about how you would like to have your heart felt remarks received.
Anyone familiar with a 12 Step Program realized immediately that after 45 days of rehabilitation Tiger was pursuing at least two and maybe three of those all important 12 steps. He was admitting his guilt, blaming no one except himself. He was making amends to those whom he had so badly hurt and asking for forgiveness. And, he was recognizing a Higher Power. These are all included in the program. Yes, there are more steps and the fact that at this very moment he is back in rehab working on changing his character, the way that he thinks and the actions that this new outlook will bring should be encouraged at every level.
To paraphrase an old adage: “When you see an elephant dancing, don’t criticize his technique, applaud the fact that he can do it.” In other words, don’t be the first one to cast a stone and read into his statement more that was said, don’t be such a hard hearted skeptic, pray for him…encourage his efforts…and truly hope for a reconciliation with his family. That, seemed to me, all he was asking us to do…along with forgive his totally hedonistic and selfish actions.
Was this apology sincere? I don’t know. Will he slip and fail again? I don’t know. The recovery process is exactly that…a process. It is not like a light bulb that lights instantly when you throw the switch, it is more like an old florescent tube that flickers a little when you throw the switch and sometimes will even go completely black before the light fills the room.
Why don’t we just give him a break. Root for him and remember that he is on a journey…the most important one of his life.

Was Tim Tebow the Best Ever?

Gather a group of college football fans together and pose the question, “Was Tim Tebow the greatest college football player of all time,” and you are likely to start the never ending argument of all time.
Those old enough will begin to bring up the names of Red Grange, Tom Harman and Charlie Trippi. The younger crowd will interject Archie Griffin and Herschel Walker.
However…lets set some ground rules: What exactly determines a student athlete, of which all college football players must be; and..what determines greatness?
Even though in recent years the term “student athlete” has become an oxymoron, to play college football you must be enrolled in a college or university and accumulate grades of some kind. So let’s tackle this issue first. Tim Tebow not only completed four years of college, but finished ahead of schedule with a grade point average far above the average. He epitomized the definition of “student athlete.” Let’s face it. Even his detractors must admit that he was the “face” of college football for his entire four year stay at the University of Florida. No one was scrutinized more, dissected more or had his every statement and move more closely examined than did Tim Tebow. Through it all his unswerving demeanor rose above the often callous cheap shots that would be aimed at his morals, ethics and quality of play.
Now…how did he do on the football field? Not bad! Two National Championships, one Heisman Trophy (and it could be argued that he should have won two, but voter backlash gave the award to the quarterback with the best stats and not to the best football player.) Was a consensus All-American and undisputed leader of his team.
Here comes the third, and possibly most important, part of the trifecta…character! His much reported off field trips to the Philippines to work with orphans, and his many other volunteer efforts on behalf of many charities, as well as his undeniable statement of faith clearly sets him apart from anyone else who ever donned head gear and eye black. He was a role model in an age when true role models are more scarce than a conservative Democrat.
Even after graduation his courage and conviction to participate in a Super Bowl ad that brought about such vitriolic attack before anyone had actually seen it showed a courage rarely found in anyone at such a young age.
So was he the best ever? I think yes…what say you?

A Far Reaching Rejection

During his first year in office President Barack Obama has made hundreds of appointments and they have flown basically unnoticed through the approval process…until now. For the first time the Senate rejected the nomination of Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board. This is a big deal for several reasons. First, the Senate no longer holds the 60 member super majority needed to fly these things through without thought or reason. Secondly, it is going to require the president to use the “end run” of putting his nominees into office during Senate recess thus bypassing the legislative process entirely. Now, to be fair, all recent presidents have done this. However, this is particularly important as it is the first time that Obama has been rejected by the subservient legislative branch. Now that the Republicans can stop the hemorrhaging of leftist appointees the president has no choice but to resort to this rather devious method of “stacking the deck.” Now…why was Decker’s appointment rejected. I guess you could say it was political…he is a leftist, liberal labor attorney who is currently the assistant general counsell for the Service Employees International Union, the infamous SEIU who have been such ardent supporters of the Obama campaign as well as his heavy handed handling of the automotive takeover. It is this same union that is urging the president to override the vote of the Senate and appoint Mr. Decker while the Senate is away on recess. What is actually happening is that the roughshod methods of political intimidation that this group of Chicago ruffians has been implementing is coming under more and more public scrutiny and the people are rising up and saying that “enough is enough.” To paraphrase the wise Dr. Cliff Huxtable who once said to his son Theo…”I brought you into this world and I can take you out.” The people are rising up and sending a loud and resonate shout-out to the Obama administration and all of the far left puppets…”We put you into office and we can take you out!”