Between 1960 and 1980, the divorce rate in this country doubled and today hovers at around 50%, while the birth rate has been in steady decline.
The latest allegations by numerous women involved in the Tiger Woods flap took many folks by surprise, including me. I bought into his external show of gentlemanliness and thought that he might be one of the few celebrities of his generation who were exempt from our poisonous modern culture which prescribes self-gratification and sex on demand as the way to live life to its fullest.
In some public quarters there has been a goodly amount of righteous hand-wringing, but oh, how the media has loved it all. In an effort to silence the buzz saw that he himself has unleashed, news is that Woods will take some time off from golf to rehabilitate his tarnished image.
But until he returns from his self-imposed exile and the inevitable mea culpa has been made, don't expect this story to go away any time soon. Why? It has all the ingredients of a modern Hollywood movie; all that's needed to complete the script is for a wise, black woman — Oprah maybe? — to waltz in and clean up the whole mess. Until then, look for our media to decry his behavior as inappropriate, all the while displaying photos of his adulterous partners in various stages of undress.
Nike founder Phil Knight has brushed aside Woods's serial philandering as merely "a minor blip" on an otherwise glorious career. Pretty predictable comment from a guy whose company bears a hefty share of the blame for the vulgarization of our culture in general and the sporting world in particular. Their slogan says it all: Just do it!
Of course, that is where our troubles began, but are unlikely to stop unless we can push back against a tide which claims that moral strictures are hopelessly out of date and repressive to the good of our nation. But don't look for this to happen any time soon as those who influence and shape our culture are the ones who created this mess.
What mystifies me is how those who gloried in the victories of the sexual revolution and continue to sacrifice our children on its altars — which starts with their indoctrination into sexual intricacies before they are emotionally or even physically equipped to deal with them — are the first to howl at the behavior of men like Woods. Is it any wonder that anyone who's grown up in this country since the 1960's has confused ideas of what marriage should be or even how men and women are to behave toward each other?
Which brings us to the inevitability that the issue of Woods and his marital woes has enabled the proponents of homosexual marriage to jump into the fray. They sneeringly point to rumors of a revised prenuptial agreement whereby Tiger has agreed to up the dough his wife receives if they split, and reduce the amount of time she must stay with him in order to collect it; all very lawyerly and clean, contract-wise.
This has caused gay marriage supporters to opine that marriage, at its core, is simply a contractual agreement between consenting adults, blessed by the almighty State to safeguard the legal and economic welfare of the parties involved. In other words, the same folks who are disparaging the Woods' financial arrangements are those who seek the same kinds of financial protection. The fact remains that homosexuals have the right to enter into contracts with each other that do the very same things. But, of course, that is not what their movement is all about.
Between 1960 and 1980, the divorce rate in this country doubled and today hovers at around 50%, while the birth rate has been in steady decline. This tends to suggest that one of the most historically important goals of marriage — creating a life-long, stable environment for child-rearing — no longer seems compelling to many people. To purport that this trend supports the case for gay marriage rather than eliminate the "need" for it would be laughable were it not so ominous. And yet this is precisely the theory gay activists continue to advance.
We are often subjected to endless media pronouncements explaining that whatever governmental encroachments liberals wish to foist on the rest of are "for the children." Given their support for abortion and the further erosion of traditional marriage, this gets harder and harder to believe.
In the United States, 90% of children born in 1970 were to married parents while in 2008, the rate dropped to 60%. In that time, over 40 million of our children never made it out of the womb. How this has impacted the way love and commitment are now viewed in this country has been devastating not only to the institution of marriage, but to the overall moral and social health of this country.
Tackling these maladies would be the kind of healthcare reform we truly need.
Good article overall, but in the Tiger Woods case, Elin should dump Tiger, and let him join Amway, along with his “girlfriends”, as Amway also screws anything that moves. Amway is a scam, and here’s why: Amway wants to pay out as little money as they can get away with, so they support the higher level IBOs ripping off their downline via the tool scam. As a result, about 99% of IBOs operate at a net loss, while the top 1% make several TIMES more from their Amway tool scam than from the Amway products. Read about it on my blog, I suggest you start here: http://tiny.cc/D5oJh and forward the information to everyone you know, so they don’t get scammed.
I have to give an A+ to Tex for managing to segue from the Tiger Woods scandal and its implications for the moral and social fabric of America to Amway being a scam. If I hadn’t seen it done, I would have said it was impossible. Well done. But I have to say, the only thing that surprised me more than the sudden shift of topic was that there was still anybody left on the planet that didn’t realize Amway’s multi level marketing amounts to a pyramid scheme. Thanks for the hot tip there!
Thanks Patrick, and keeping with the golf analogy, of all people, I’ll give YOU a “Mulligan” for your practice swing at understanding the Amway tool scam.
If you were informed, you would know the FTC gave Amway approval to continue operations with some relatively minor changes in 1979, but the FTC did NOT consider the Amway tool scam as part of their analysis. The UK government started sniffing around in 2007, and Amway IMMEDIATELY AND UNILATERALLY shut down the tool scam over there with the desire to prevent the case from going to trial and associated negative and prolonged publicity, but the trial occurred, with Amway coming within a whisker of being tossed into the Atlantic Ocean. After I (and others) complained to several U.S., state, and local law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Amway tool scam is still perking along, although at a lower level thanks to negative internet publicity.
Business scandals are as closely linked to the moral and social fabric of America as Bernie Madoff is linked to his own scam.
So I’ll hit the ball back to you, see if you can take another swing, and keep your head down this time (another hot tip for you)….4!
Tex,
I have to admit, until a Google search I wasn’t aware of the specific Amway practice to which you were referring. Amway is hardly a company of high repute, and I assumed you were referring to their standard MLM scheme in which their “Independent Business Owners” are convinced they are on the path to financial independence, but nobody except the Amway corporation makes enough money to so much as pay the rent. Given that reputation, I’m not at all surprised to discover yet another angle on their classic scam. The real point, though, was that it didn’t really have anything to do with the article, and the manner in which you transitioned from the intended topic to this one was hilariously skillful.
Patrick,
That’s the problem, many people have the same, or other error-based opinion you had, which allows the financial raping to continue. Here’s a couple of signs of some progress:
1. Just a few years ago, the crowd being ripped off reflected the local cross section – in my area, mostly white with a few blacks and hispanics. An event I attended last year was mostly hispanic, a sign the (mostly english) internet has had a positive impact, because many more english speaking folks, even if they join, quickly find out how bad the reputation has become, There are also reports of a much lower number of major functions held in hotel meeting rooms rather than the stadium/convention center events that were common in the past, and
2. For the first time in a half century, Amway did not announce the North American volume last year, which had hovered just over $1 billion for several years, another sure sign of decrease, and the reason given was they don’t want to report local markets any longer, just the overall volume, which was $8.2 billion last year, BUT they frequently brag about the Indian, Chinese, and other markets which are currently growing.
Regarding the post had nothing to do with the article, I disagree. Unethical/immoral behavior damages ALL areas, whether they are keeping promises (marriage), being responsible (abortions), or being honest (the Amway tool scam).
However, the REAL story is I and others have complained to the FTC, FBI, U.S. Senator, BBB, DSA, state attorney general, county DA, all to no avail, probably a combination, in order of importance, of incompetence, bureaucracy, and political influence. The press needs to do some real investigative reporting for a change, expose the Amway tool scam and get rid of the financial raping once and for all. This site could easily find a writer to carry the ball, is anyone out there in the media world paying attention? There is a multi-decade, multi-million person, multi-10s of billions of dollars scam that would make Bernie Madoff proud, where are you? So while you may have been entertained by the “hilarious skillful” manner I posted, the Amway tool scam is no laughing matter.
Patrick,
I thought you were pretty clear regarding Tex’s less than elegant segue into a totally unrelated matter. But Tex keeps going with single-minded determination.
So, I’ll say what you must be thinking: Who the hell cares about Amway?
MM,
Patrick gave me an A+, plus he admitted he didn’t know the real reason why Amway is a scam. So how could that awareness and education be considered less than elegant? Just because YOU don’t have a clue about the Amway tool scam doesn’t others shouldn’t care how, over the past few decades, millions have been ripped off for 10s of billions of dollars, ala Bernie Madoff. Back to your shack in the mountains, “Mountain Man”, let REAL men address this scam. Not caring about Amway is a sign you’re not a Mountain Man, you’re a Valley Viper!
Corrections to above post:
MM,
Patrick gave me an A+, plus he admitted he didn’t know the real reason why Amway is a scam. So how could that increased awareness and education be considered less than elegant?
Just because YOU don’t have a clue about the Amway tool scam doesn’t mean others shouldn’t care how, over the past few decades, millions have been ripped off for 10s of billions of dollars, ala Bernie Madoff.
Back to your shack in the mountains, “Mountain Man”, let REAL men address this scam. Not caring about Amway is a sign you’re not a Mountain Man, you’re a Valley Viper!
Well, let’s see.
1) Article about divorce = Amway scam. Yup, gotcha.
2) Pointing out the off-topic rant = not caring about Amway ripping off people. Check.
3) Disagreeing with Tex = not being a real man. Roger.
4) Tex’s obsession about pet issue = Tex is a boor.
At least #4 is true.
Hey, does anybody know anything about Amway? I hear they’re a pretty good company.
MM/VV,
1) As described in post #5, “Regarding the post had nothing to do with the article, I disagree. Unethical/immoral behavior damages ALL areas, whether they are keeping promises (marriage), being responsible (abortions), or being honest (the Amway tool scam).” Try reading for comprehension next time…if you can!
2) Regarding pointing out off-topic rant, YOU said in your first post, “Who the hell cares about Amway?”, which is how concluding you don’t care about Amway ripping off people is a logical conclusion. Check.
3) You didn’t get the tag of not being a real man because you disagreed with me, it’s because, “Not caring about [the] Amway [tool scam] is a sign you’re not a Mountain Man, you’re a Valley Viper! It has nothing to do with agreeing/disagreeing, it has everything to do with being concerned others are being ripped off.
4) I couldn’t care less whether you think fixing a Bernie Madoff sized scam is for boors.
You were 0 for 4, keep swinging. But I suggest you open your eyes next time. LOL
Phil,
Looks like a lot of people are impressed with your opinions…NOT! http://conservativetimes.org/?p=93 LOL
Tex: Are you sure about this, because understanding the truth about Amway is critical to a discussion of nuptial disagreements? We need to be absolutely certain about Amway’s business practices to fully understand this issue.
And thanks for the link, but it’s an old one. There’s a lot better stuff from “race matters” crowd about me in http://www.intellectualconservative.com/2006/09/11/in-their-own-words-the-undisguised-racism-of-the-far-far-far-right/
“Regarding the post had nothing to do with the article, I disagree. Unethical/immoral behavior damages ALL areas, whether they are keeping promises (marriage), being responsible (abortions), or being honest (the Amway tool scam). Try reading for comprehension next time…if you can!”
*** This is the funniest damn piece of logic I’ve ever read. And we’ve had our share of real good thinkers with their real good thinking over the years, so it’s an accolade that has some substance attached to it.
Phil, I’m surprised at you. There’s nothing funny about logic.
Now get serious, I’m warning you. This Amway thing is big. Really big. What a fool we’ve all been. All these years thinking that Amway was a reputable company and not a pyramid scam designed to pad the bank accounts of those at the top.
I frankly just didn’t know. First I’ve heard of it. We’ve all been taken in by a scam. Thank goodness for Tex bringing it all into the light. Without his courageous expose we would have never known.
MM: You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. I’m so convinced, I even put ABSOLUTELY CORRECT in CAPITAL LETTERS to show my agreement!
The Amway fraud is just too big an issue to ignore in any discussion of marriage, or abortion! No doubt Paul Harvey is rotting in Hell for leading us all down the Amway path.
Thank God there are devoted citizens of the Republic like Tex who make it their mission in life to picket abortion clinics with anti-Amway signs, and make sure every marriage in America remains secure by warning newlyweds about the evils of multi-level marketing.
America is a better place for Tex, and we all owe him a debt of thanks for thinking real good about this subject.
PS: I was halfway through your comment before I realized it wasn’t a reply from Tex. “There’s nothing funny about logic” seemed like the perfect continuation of his other real good thinking. When you can’t tell the difference between sincerity and parody, you’ve captured the person’s essence perfectly.
By the way, have you heard that Amway is a scam?
Phil,
Am I sure about what? Try communicating with more clarity next time. I thought you were a PhD, do your letters stand for “Placed Head in Derriere?” I asked MM/VV to read for comprehension, sorry I didn’t make the same request to you. LOL
The link I provided was more recent than the one you provided. Now I’m certain I picked the right words for your PhD title. LOL
You’re the funniest damn piece of wasting perfectly good oxygen I’ve ever blogged with. Do us all a favor, and stop breathing. Barry O. will be proud there is less CO2 production. LOL
MM/VV,
You’re welcome.
Phil,
However, I doubt Paul Harvey had a clue about the Amway tool scam, just like you clowns didn’t. However, if he had known, I doubt he would be talking about picketing abortion clinics, although the world would be a better place if YOUR mothers had aborted you two idiots.
You’re welcome.
Irony is lost on the ironic.
I’d say seventeen, maybe eighteen years old?
Better make sure she’s 18, or you’re breaking the law in most states. LOL
MM: You had it right the first time. There is nothing funny about logic.
So Phil, did you find out yet? Is she 17 or 18? LOL
“…picket abortion clinics with anti-Amway signs…” LOL, that is too good, LOL.
Now I know why I felt so out of place with my “Free Tibet” sign at the last Tea Party, LOL.
Phil, did you know that Amway was a big scam LOL?
My cat died yesterday LOL.
Global warming is going to kill us all LOL.
Phil,
What’s the matter, are you know suspecting she’s only 14…AND pregnant? LOL
MM/VV,
My objective was met, to educate a few more people regarding the REAL reason why Amway is a scam. Before I came along, you and others didn’t have a clue. Now you do, whether you care or not isn’t my concern.
Wow, that Dave Letterman is a funny guy, joking about having sex with Sarah Palin’s 14 year old daughter, LOL
I’m still LMAO, LOL
BTW, did you know that Amway is a scam, LOL?
MM: Now that we’ve all been properly “educated” about Amway and pregnant teenagers, you get the feeling that ole Tex is a few fries short of a happy meal? LOL
And we thought it couldn’t get any more bizarre than Ozzie. ROTFALMAO
MM/VV,
Yes, the Letterman behavior, along with his joke, with virtually no consequences, is a sure sign our society has little regard for ethical/moral conduct, and this is reflected in the topic of this thread, as well as the Amway tool scam.
Phil,
If I’m a few fries short, you’ve never been close to a Mickey D restaurant. ROTFALMAO
If?
The problem with mocking idiots is that they never seem to get it.
Go away Tex.
MM: Actually, he does get it. It just that he’s on a mission to inform the world about Amway, so he thinks that people reading his witty ”abort you two idiots” commentary will make people appreciate the thoughtfulness and incisive quality of his other observations, and they will now rally behind him in his quest to produce an Amway-free world.
It really kinda sad, when you realize that this is the substance of his life. The only consolation we have is that he hasn’t resorted to using smiley faces to punctuate his remarks.
Movie trivia time: “Nothing but undeveloped, unevolved, barely conscious pond scum, totally convinced of their own superiority as they scurry about their short, pointless lives.”
The problem with mocking idiots is that they never seem to get it. :-)
Go away MM/VV. :-)
Nothing but undeveloped, unevolved, barely conscious pond scum, totally convinced of their own superiority as they scurry about their short, pointless lives. :-)
Just so we don’t too lost in this discussion, here’s a reminder for the new reader: Elin should dump Tiger, and let him join Amway, along with his “girlfriends”, as Amway also screws anything that moves. Amway is a scam, and here’s why: Amway wants to pay out as little money as they can get away with, so they support the higher level IBOs ripping off their downline via the tool scam. As a result, about 99% of IBOs operate at a net loss, while the top 1% make several TIMES more from their Amway tool scam than from the Amway products. Read about it on my blog, I suggest you start here: http://tiny.cc/D5oJh and forward the information to everyone you know, so they don’t get scammed. :-) :-) :-)
Like I said, it’s really pretty sad when you think about this guy’s life.
MM: I’m off for the holidays. Have a great Christmas. Phil
Phil,
You’re off even when it’s NOT the holidays. LOL :-)
I think I’ll join Amway. If Tex doesn’t like it, it must be a great company.
LOL
MM/VV,
I highly encourage you to do that.
LOL