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News & ArtsSunday, December 13, 2009
News / Sex / Sports The Wages of Sin
Posted by Dan Savage on Sun, Dec 13, 2009 at 3:37 PM
AP:
In its first statement since the Woods' scandal erupted, Accenture said Sunday the golfer is ''no longer the right representative'' after the ''circumstances of the last two weeks.'' The move ends a six-year relationship during which the firm credited its ''Go on, be a Tiger'' campaign with boosting its image significantly. Accenture has used Woods to personify its claimed attributes of integrity and high performance.
1
Remember when Nike did that "i am tiger woods" campaign to associate its brand with an optimistic youthful vision of racial equality and achievement at the same time that there were all those images of poor brown 14 year olds in the developing world making their products? That was funny/sad.
2
Good for Accenture. All the other sponsors are nervously pussy-footing around the issue, when they really should dump his ass outright, too. You're a famous star who is paid shitloads of cash simply to be a great image for a company. So when it turns out you're a pathetic dirtbag in the end, you should get cut from the payroll. End of story. I predict the other sponsors will soon follow, with this precedence.
Hope all that call-girl pussy was worth it, Tigs! Enjoy the aftermath!
Hope all that call-girl pussy was worth it, Tigs! Enjoy the aftermath!
3
Accenture is the successor to Arthur Anderson the worldwide CPA/Consulting firm done in by their involvement in the Enron fiasco. They don't want their image sullied...how touching.
6
Maybe we can now just recognize him as a great golfer and flawed human. All this "role model" crap makes me nauseous.
7
@5 maaybe, but he's only 35. Though since the genders are reversed, the dynamics are too. Mid-thirties married men chasing barely-adult pussy has enough of a reality to it stick. If so, @5 for the win
9
"Accenture has used Woods to personify its claimed attributes of integrity and high performance."
High-performance: apparently. Integrity: no.
High-performance: apparently. Integrity: no.
10
I feel bad for Tiger. He has people throwing themselves at him constantly and he has all this pressure to be the perfect role model. No human can live up to that. Fame is an ugly beast. I think cheating sucks, but he shouldn't be flogged for it. People expect too much of him. I sincerely hope the rumors of him being suicidal are false.
12
#2/Confluence: "Hope all that call-girl pussy was worth it, Tigs! Enjoy the aftermath!"
I agree that he's a dirtbag but I think the aftermath may be fairly short-lived. We worship jocks in this country and Tiger will be back playing golf, and raking in money from sponsors, before you know it.
*
#8: "Woods made the mistake of expressing adult male heterosexuality."
I'm sure there would have been some puritanical finger-wagging (and possibly some sponsorship-dropping) had he been single and found to be cavorting with countless chicks, but Woods was married and, presumably, made the typical vow to be faithful. With his status, money and looks, Woods knew he could attract a lot of hotties, so if he wanted to fuck around, he shouldn't have gotten married.
I agree that he's a dirtbag but I think the aftermath may be fairly short-lived. We worship jocks in this country and Tiger will be back playing golf, and raking in money from sponsors, before you know it.
*
#8: "Woods made the mistake of expressing adult male heterosexuality."
I'm sure there would have been some puritanical finger-wagging (and possibly some sponsorship-dropping) had he been single and found to be cavorting with countless chicks, but Woods was married and, presumably, made the typical vow to be faithful. With his status, money and looks, Woods knew he could attract a lot of hotties, so if he wanted to fuck around, he shouldn't have gotten married.
13
He'll be back. Nobody really cares about his sex life. They really only care about his golf game. Remember Michael Vick? Koby Bryant?
15
@3 - Actually, no. Andersen Consulting split off from Arthur Andersen in the late 80s. (it changed its name to Accenture in 2000). So, it's not a "successor" to Arthur Andersen at all.
I'm with @12 on the whole "don't get married" thing. Would anybody (sponsor, public, etc.) really have cared all that much if he was a single guy just doing the playboy thing? Doubtful. If you want to chase women all the time, then either stay single or marry someone who's okay with it.
I'm with @12 on the whole "don't get married" thing. Would anybody (sponsor, public, etc.) really have cared all that much if he was a single guy just doing the playboy thing? Doubtful. If you want to chase women all the time, then either stay single or marry someone who's okay with it.
16
Fuck Accenture.
Also fuck Gillette, which is "limiting" its relationship with Tiger.
I'm not disillusioned. What a bunch of hypocrites. The boys at the top of those organizations have their mistresses.
When are Americans going to stop viewing sports figures as paragons of virtue? They are not. Tiger Woods, Alex Rodriguez, Michael Phelps, Marion Jones, Colby Bryant, ...Babe Ruth.
Gillette is abandoning the male market, including the gay market. Gillette is for pussys and eunuchs. Fuck 'em. Let's go to Schick.
Also fuck Gillette, which is "limiting" its relationship with Tiger.
I'm not disillusioned. What a bunch of hypocrites. The boys at the top of those organizations have their mistresses.
When are Americans going to stop viewing sports figures as paragons of virtue? They are not. Tiger Woods, Alex Rodriguez, Michael Phelps, Marion Jones, Colby Bryant, ...Babe Ruth.
Gillette is abandoning the male market, including the gay market. Gillette is for pussys and eunuchs. Fuck 'em. Let's go to Schick.
17
Wow. I didn't realize that Seattle is full of fucking narrow-minded prudes.
Here's a thought: How about we acknowledge that people stray from relationships for many reasons and it isn't the end of the world (or the relationship) if one partner does this?
Yeah, it's much better for everyone that Tiger's wife leave him and be a bitter bitch for the next 40 years, than for both of them to get some help and see if there is still a good relationship there that is worth saving.
And with all the bullshit coming from our President and Congress, who gives a fuck about Tiger Woods? I'd rather pull my eyebrows out than watch a game of golf.
Here's a thought: How about we acknowledge that people stray from relationships for many reasons and it isn't the end of the world (or the relationship) if one partner does this?
Yeah, it's much better for everyone that Tiger's wife leave him and be a bitter bitch for the next 40 years, than for both of them to get some help and see if there is still a good relationship there that is worth saving.
And with all the bullshit coming from our President and Congress, who gives a fuck about Tiger Woods? I'd rather pull my eyebrows out than watch a game of golf.
18
#17: "Wow. I didn't realize that Seattle is full of fucking narrow-minded prudes."
The way I see it, prudes would be people who condemn couples who have an open marriage. Even though the couple has a mutual agreement, prudes would still see it as wrong.
But I don't see it as prudish to view a person who cheats -- who fucks around behind their partner's back and, most likely, wouldn't have the guts to let their partner have the same option -- as an asshole.
It's about mutual consent. It's the difference between borrowing money and stealing it. If you ask to borrow money and I consent to lend it to you, that's cool. But if you go behind my back and steal it, you're an asshole.
The way I see it, prudes would be people who condemn couples who have an open marriage. Even though the couple has a mutual agreement, prudes would still see it as wrong.
But I don't see it as prudish to view a person who cheats -- who fucks around behind their partner's back and, most likely, wouldn't have the guts to let their partner have the same option -- as an asshole.
It's about mutual consent. It's the difference between borrowing money and stealing it. If you ask to borrow money and I consent to lend it to you, that's cool. But if you go behind my back and steal it, you're an asshole.
19
26 -- the "boys" at the top of those companies are not worth over a billion (factoring in sponsorship deals). they're expected to be hypocrites. tiger is a spoiled little shit "good" at a sport that should by now be illegal. fuck him. who cares. hot wife. stupid asshole.
20
#17: "I'd rather pull my eyebrows out than watch a game of golf."
I forgot to add that I agree with you on that.
I forgot to add that I agree with you on that.
21
What bullshit. Tiger Woods' personal life is his own business and his own big fucking mess to deal with. He is idolized because of his golfing skills. If in fact he is idolized for being faithful to his wife, then so should Dullard McBoring be. It's this puritanical American obsession with people's personal business that "stained" the Democrats & bought the whole world 8 years of Republican hypocrisy and warmongering.
When you are getting a tooth filled, do you give a shit if the dentist is faithful to his wife? When you need a mastectomy from the only surgeon in three counties qualified to do it, do you say, "Nah, you fucked around on your wife so I'll stick with the cancer, thanks."
Hypocrites.
He's a golfer. That's all. Worry about where he puts his dick when YOU are married to him. Until then mind your own business. Sheesh.
When you are getting a tooth filled, do you give a shit if the dentist is faithful to his wife? When you need a mastectomy from the only surgeon in three counties qualified to do it, do you say, "Nah, you fucked around on your wife so I'll stick with the cancer, thanks."
Hypocrites.
He's a golfer. That's all. Worry about where he puts his dick when YOU are married to him. Until then mind your own business. Sheesh.
24
@18 "But I don't see it as prudish to view a person who cheats -- who fucks around behind their partner's back and, most likely, wouldn't have the guts to let their partner have the same option -- as an asshole."
So do you know if Tiger's wife was putting out? Do you know that they didn't agree to an open relationship?
If it is true that more than 50% of all marriages end in divorce, maybe it is our model for marriage and monogamy that is unrealistic. I'm not going to label Tiger 'cheater' if it is normal behavior.
So do you know if Tiger's wife was putting out? Do you know that they didn't agree to an open relationship?
If it is true that more than 50% of all marriages end in divorce, maybe it is our model for marriage and monogamy that is unrealistic. I'm not going to label Tiger 'cheater' if it is normal behavior.
25
nothing prudish about the company moving from Tiger. Tiger isn't some poor innocent in this thing. the image "Tiger" is a fantasy. the companies want in on that fantasy and Tiger and his people did their best to keep that fantasy alive, making huge amounts of cash in the process. now reality has been revealed and the fantasy is dead. Tiger is fine, or should be. but the brand is tarnished. it is perfectly understandable that companies no longer wish to be associated with that tarnished brand.
26
His name has always added to his game, but is a real liability post-scandal. Tiger's name will always have a sleazy, sexual association now (more so than if his name were Joe or Bob) , and that isn't grrreat for his advertisers.
They say "Be a Tiger". We think "in the sack".
They say "Be a Tiger". We think "in the sack".
27
#24: "So do you know if Tiger's wife was putting out? Do you know that they didn't agree to an open relationship?"
From her actions, I think it's reasonable to infer that that they did not have an open marriage. If they did have an open marriage, but she's not admitting it, then she's basically throwing Tiger under the bus and that would make HER an asshole.
*
"If it is true that more than 50% of all marriages end in divorce, maybe it is our model for marriage and monogamy that is unrealistic. I'm not going to label Tiger 'cheater' if it is normal behavior."
Yes, many marriages end in divorce but they end for many reasons, not just because one person wants to fuck other people. Yes, monogamy can be tough but if you're not up for it then don't get married. Or, I should say, don't get married and promise to be faithful; instead, find someone who's willing to have an open marriage and marry them. And considering how many women probably wanted to marry Tiger he could've easily found one who would've agreed to an open marriage.
I believe that cheaters are fundamentally selfish. I believe they don't WANT an open marriage because an open marriage would mean that their partner could fuck other people and they can't handle that. They want something for themselves that they're not willing to let their partner have. I really admire people who have open marriages because people in those relationships are open and honest with each other and both parties are willing to risk their partner fucking someone and falling for them. But people who cheat are selfish. Selfish assholes.
From her actions, I think it's reasonable to infer that that they did not have an open marriage. If they did have an open marriage, but she's not admitting it, then she's basically throwing Tiger under the bus and that would make HER an asshole.
*
"If it is true that more than 50% of all marriages end in divorce, maybe it is our model for marriage and monogamy that is unrealistic. I'm not going to label Tiger 'cheater' if it is normal behavior."
Yes, many marriages end in divorce but they end for many reasons, not just because one person wants to fuck other people. Yes, monogamy can be tough but if you're not up for it then don't get married. Or, I should say, don't get married and promise to be faithful; instead, find someone who's willing to have an open marriage and marry them. And considering how many women probably wanted to marry Tiger he could've easily found one who would've agreed to an open marriage.
I believe that cheaters are fundamentally selfish. I believe they don't WANT an open marriage because an open marriage would mean that their partner could fuck other people and they can't handle that. They want something for themselves that they're not willing to let their partner have. I really admire people who have open marriages because people in those relationships are open and honest with each other and both parties are willing to risk their partner fucking someone and falling for them. But people who cheat are selfish. Selfish assholes.
29
If we were talking about a regular person here, I would be more sympathetic. But when you decide to create and then sell an image for millions of dollars, you put yourself at the risk of criticism if you then jeopardize that image. Tiger was marketing his image as a product. And now he is facing the consequences of false advertisement.
30
Feh, the minute Woods returns from his self-imposed "hiatus" and wins a major PGA tourney, sponsors will be creaming themselves once again to get him on-board. The public has a short attention span and Woods, so long as he remains on the top of his game, represents a veritable gold-mine for any company that gets his endorsement.
Corporations will always set morality aside when it's economically advantageous for them to do so; it's only when they think some celebrity's moral behavior is a detriment that they shy away.
Corporations will always set morality aside when it's economically advantageous for them to do so; it's only when they think some celebrity's moral behavior is a detriment that they shy away.
31
He's still going to get multi-millions from the termination clause. And even if nobody ever touches him (heh) again, he's set for life and could buy your muim and papa and your entire family, fuck them all, pay them off, and still have, umm, about $990M left over.
32
While I completely agree with (and for that matter, practice) Dan's words when he says that it's better to have an open relationship than be a cheater...
I don't think *that* would have gone over so well either. Even in this day and age, it's not exactly a valid choice when you're a celebrity.
I don't think *that* would have gone over so well either. Even in this day and age, it's not exactly a valid choice when you're a celebrity.
33
gromm: it is if you keep your mouth shut. tiger is in the news cause his wife got raging pissed and went after him with a golf club, causing him to flee and wreck his car. he hadn't wrecked the car, none of us would have ever heard of where he put his pecker.
34
I seriously couldn't give a fuck who he was fucking and nor should anyone else. Everyone involved are adults and consenting adults at that.
Can we move on to more pressing issues like the wars in the Middle East we are hell bent on fighting for the next 30 years?
Can we move on to more pressing issues like the wars in the Middle East we are hell bent on fighting for the next 30 years?
36
First, it's absolutely true that he's a great golfer (although golf is a mind game and this could really hurt that). And most men don't buy a razor because Tiger uses it but because they want the hair off their faces.
What is interesting, from a psychological POV is how he thought, how anyone could think, in this day and age, that he could get away with it. Seriously, multiple women and texting? And did you see the skanky women he was with? Sure, they would all keep their mouths shut. Nope, it was a time bomb waiting to happen.
"...see if there is still a good relationship there that is worth saving." Save this marriage? I could see it because of how small the kids are. But he'd need a big homing devise on his neck and a short leash before I'd say yes to that.
But he exposed his wife, allegedly over years, to these skanky women. That's not cool.
And from a sociological POV, man, the power of a woman. These politicians, athletes, business types all can be undone with just one simple thing. Kind of sad and pathetic when you think of how hard it is to get to be President or Governor or the best golf player in the world and give it all away just for some sex.
What is interesting, from a psychological POV is how he thought, how anyone could think, in this day and age, that he could get away with it. Seriously, multiple women and texting? And did you see the skanky women he was with? Sure, they would all keep their mouths shut. Nope, it was a time bomb waiting to happen.
"...see if there is still a good relationship there that is worth saving." Save this marriage? I could see it because of how small the kids are. But he'd need a big homing devise on his neck and a short leash before I'd say yes to that.
But he exposed his wife, allegedly over years, to these skanky women. That's not cool.
And from a sociological POV, man, the power of a woman. These politicians, athletes, business types all can be undone with just one simple thing. Kind of sad and pathetic when you think of how hard it is to get to be President or Governor or the best golf player in the world and give it all away just for some sex.
37
@36 I agree completely that he is an asshole, especially for potentially exposing his wife to STDs but that is HER business and her concern. If you knew that a given individual, if elected to the president's office, could end all war and balance the budget, would you really give a shit how he/she spent the rest of the day?
Frankly, anyone who does his/her job well is welcome to lie around having orgies all night if he/she wants. It's just NOT anyone else's business.
If I were Tiger Woods, I would have dealt with my wife and mistresses privately and I would have told any media critics PUBLICLY to go fuck themselves. It's about time someone did.
Frankly, anyone who does his/her job well is welcome to lie around having orgies all night if he/she wants. It's just NOT anyone else's business.
If I were Tiger Woods, I would have dealt with my wife and mistresses privately and I would have told any media critics PUBLICLY to go fuck themselves. It's about time someone did.
38
Tiger didn't make his billion dollars just for going out and being the best golfer on the planet. He made most of it for selling an image, one that corporations paid millions for. It's true, people don't run out and buy razors based on Tiger's endorsement, but he does bring brand awareness and the image of the highest quality to his corporate sponsors.
So when he is shown to be less than a quality human being he is no longer of the same value to these corporations. They're not making value judgements; they're making business decisions.
(As for his infidelity, I think Roma at 28 stated it best. It's not about the virtues of monogamy; it's about having an honest relationship. Tiger's level of dishonesty, from all reports, was pretty shocking.)
So when he is shown to be less than a quality human being he is no longer of the same value to these corporations. They're not making value judgements; they're making business decisions.
(As for his infidelity, I think Roma at 28 stated it best. It's not about the virtues of monogamy; it's about having an honest relationship. Tiger's level of dishonesty, from all reports, was pretty shocking.)
39
#36/westello: "And from a sociological POV, man, the power of a woman. These politicians, athletes, business types all can be undone with just one simple thing. Kind of sad and pathetic when you think of how hard it is to get to be President or Governor or the best golf player in the world and give it all away just for some sex."
Yes, the power of a woman. The sexual power. When there is an imbalance in supply and demand, with greater demand than supply, those with the supply have greater power. And there is, overall, much greater demand by men for sex with women than vice versa.
Yes, the power of a woman. The sexual power. When there is an imbalance in supply and demand, with greater demand than supply, those with the supply have greater power. And there is, overall, much greater demand by men for sex with women than vice versa.
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