News for the simple-minded

It's difficult to discuss the Tiger Woods situation because the landscape seems to change by the hour. And, to be real honest, I am ashamed that I would even address the topic because -- quite simply -- it's none of my business.

We have this morbid fascination with fallen celebrities in this country. This is nothing new. You can travel back in time 100 years and find a similar fascination with the private lives of very public people.

I believe the issues in Afghanistan or the health care debate are simply too difficult for most of us to fully comprehend. But we can salivate over the foibles of our celebrities. We're just simple-minded.

I can accept the public outcry when the minister pounds the pulpit of righteous indignation and then is caught with his britches down. I can spot hypocrisy from a mile away, as can everyone else.

But Tiger Woods is just a young golfer with a strong fan base. I don't recall him preaching about the subject matter at hand. He has apparently broken his wedding vows, and for that he'll pay a price. To think he is alone in this mistake and to bring that mistake to this level of public scrutiny is a reflection of our society. Once again, shame on us.

On the same day the Tiger story hit the headlines, there was a smaller story hidden deep within the news cycle. Some 20-plus people were murdered in Chicago. So I ask you, which story is more important? Clearly the media have decided that Tiger trumps the homicide spree.

No one is defending Tiger, and that's appropriate. Perhaps you can explain a mistake, but you'd be hard pressed to defend it.

Here's what happens. We put these people on a pedestal only to find utter joy in knocking them off said pedestal. It's our definition of social ambush. The greater the public fall, the greater the public fascination.

Bill Clinton -- regardless of his substantial accomplishments -- will always be defined by some in relation to his pal Monica. Tiger may win those magical 19 major championships, but I suspect that some will always remember only the story that now circulates. More often than not, we judge people by their mistakes more than their achievements.

There is but one certainty about the Tiger saga. Give it a week or maybe two and somewhere someone will err and Tiger will leave the front pages and return to the sports pages where he belongs. Like it or not, that much is fairly certain.

This story reminds me of roadkill. Human nature is such that we focus our eyes on roadkill while all the time lamenting the tragic result. But then we avert our eyes, because deep inside we know that just around the next bend in the road we'll surely get another chance to stare at a similar tragedy.

And stare we will.