PA-PLAYA Not everyone takes "glee" in the plight of others. And to assume that is beneath you, of all people. Some of us actually sense a troubled person struggling to come to grips with the reality of his past and his future, and for those of us who appreciate his enormous contributions to the sport (regardless of how we personally perceive his known history of narcissistic behavior) would rather see him go out as a respected figure in the game versus witnessing a very tragic cautionary tale unfolding.
You either get that or you don't. And to continue assuming that everything being reported about him is false, misleading, and agenda-driven says just as much about you as it does those who you take issue with.
One, I never suggest "everyone" takes pleasure or glee in his demise - just some. Specifically, I've named Weirfan as the most culpable of such.
Weirfan, earlier in this thread: "Tiger is, has been and always will be a lying douchebag." So, yes you're correct IF I were suggesting "everyone", and that would be "beneath me" (as you so judge) but, I wasn't so, I guess I'm not.
Or yes, I am a hypocrite (a condition I believe inherent to most humans). You may choose to see fit as you might.
Yes, I know you and I know you sense a larger problem.
But still, it is bothersome to me because this shit's been going on for a long time now - folks ripping on this guy!
I thought, and tried to best convey my sentiments in the link/article I posted. The essence of that is/was 'we don't know him'. I still believe there is far more going on than any of us knows.
Quite simply, I was trying to express a desire to have some individuals back-off, leave the guy alone. Or at least walk a mile in his shoes. I have empathy for him - and over the years, in response to the "haters" I have overcompensated in my defense of him. I am aware of that. I'm also aware that since his "character" first ever came into question I sensed undertones of racism. (I do not want to go there now, in this thread. However, I still sense and believe that.)
Can folks here imagine what it must be like for an elite athlete to have to muddle through years and years of a failing body - to lose the goals you focused on for he majority of your life?! Losing that is a big deal! Years and years of not being able to do what you want because you're constantly trying to recuperate? What is it like for any of us, day after day, week after week, month after month to have our claim to fame be on the shelf and virtually out of our control. When one's own body becomes the source of one's discontent it really is then a form of self-loathing and would readily lead to a desire to escape that 'pain'.
I'm quite familiar with how people tend to respond to the unseemly circumstances of a life gone awry; with circumstances beyond our control.
I give him quarter, others don't. I take issue with the latter. It's not beneath me. Quite honestly, I'd expect that from me and be disappointed in myself if I did not.
I don't believe he's "partying" or using prescription meds as recreational drugs. Quite to the contrary. I'm also quite familiar with the tragedy that is an addiction to opiods. Those addicts may have once gotten a "high" (mistakenly due to the relief from their physical pain). But, once addicted the beast becomes a monster that must be fed. And, to clarify for another member here, you'd be amazed how long such an addiction can be drawn out - especially for any individual with the ways and means to procure those same medications beyond and past the expiration date of your pain-med refill.
