Tiptoeing thru the Tiger Woods fiasco

Does wealth and fame exempt one from the laws and protocols that apply to us common folks? To use Sara Palin’s favorite term—“You betcha!!”

Frankly, I could care less about Tiger Woods sexual proclivities. That is between Woods and his wife.

What is at issue is Woods lofty claim that he does not have to answer to the Florida Highway Patrol or the police—because “it” is “private” matter. Really? If you believe that try it the next time you crash a car and are investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol or local police.

According to the facts Woods drove his car out of his driveway, weaves across a public street careening into a row of hedges, drove over a curb and swerved into a fire hydrant, then hit a tree. Anyone who does that is clearly incapacitated—but by what?

Apparently, the Florida Highway Patrol is satisfied with a witness —a Mr. Adams–who assured them that he could detect “no alcohol, no other type of drug whatsoever.” Again—really?? Did the Florida Highway Patrol check out Mr .Adams expertise that qualifies him for sniffing out “other” drugs that are otherwise only detected by blood tests?

Privacy? It is my understanding that when most of us get behind the wheel of a car and drive it out onto public streets, we forfeit our right to privacy—but then most of us are not famous or wealthy.

This is not to trash Tiger Woods. I feel his professional proficiency and high profile has served to inspire young men and women of color. It is a protest, however, against another example of the double standard that is often operating in cases like this.