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The world seems obsessed about what Tiger Woods was trying to do with his highly publicized apology. Was it more personal or was it largely public relations?
Richard Martineau, a sports columnist with Le Journal de Montreal, puzzles over this odd American ritual contrition, and thinks he’s come up with an answer.
For Le Journal de Montreal, Richard Martineau writes in part:
In communist China, citizens suspected of having criticized Mao were paraded in public with signs hanging around their necks listing the crimes they had committed. … In the Middle East, the enemies of Islam must disclose their crimes in front of the cameras before having their throats cut like animals.
In the United States, you can criticize the system with as much virulence as you like and no one bears a grudge. To the contrary: they salute your freedom of thought. But if you’re ever caught red-handed in the midst of martial infidelity, you’ll be obliged to parade yourself before the cameras, beg for the forgiveness of your wife and sob on Oprah’s shoulder.
But for Tiger, it wasn’t the sacred bonds of marriage that were at issue. It was the sacred bonds of the contracts he signed with Nike, Gatorade and Gillette. This is what he was attempting to save! You make a fool of yourself and soil the reputation of our brand? Bye bye, our marriage is annulled.”
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