Top FBI agent rounds on Tiger Woods in outburst over corruption

Guradian ^ | 12-8-09 | Ewen MacAskill

[SJackson]

John Gillies attacks golfer during speech on increasing corruption in America

Article historyOne of the FBI's top agents warned yesterday that corruption in the US was increasing and tearing at the fabric of society.

Special agent John Gillies, who has led major anti-corruption drives during his 27-year career with the bureau, focused his words primarily on crooked financiers and unscrupulous officials.

However, he added that sporting heroes such as Tiger Woods were also to blame, letting down children who saw them as role models. The golfer is currently embroiled in scandal since his high-profile car crash on 27 November. "Money can't buy everything," Gillies said.

He told a chamber of commerce meeting in Boca Raton, Florida, that failures in personal ethics and integrity sowed the initial poisonous seeds of corruption in a society.

He said that fallen sporting heroes sent the wrong message to the young: that cheating was acceptable.

[SJackson]

Money can't buy everything

But deficits can, can't they?

[A_Former_Democrat]

And he’s right. Breaking vows and promises and faking an image to make money all go to the same character defects as business and political corruption.

[edcoil]

“Special agent John Gillies, who has led major anti-corruption drives during his 27-year career with the bureau”

Well, at least he admits a complete failure as a career.

[paul51]

Personally, I think corrupt politicians and government workers along with out of control federal bureaucracies such as the IRS, BTAF, EPA, etc. are a much bigger threat than Tiger Woods.

[1000 silverlings]

How about they forget about Tiger for a Copenhagen minute and discuss that education czar with the fisting kit?

[don-o]

I question the whole concept of “role models” as it has developed in the modern world. I never pointed out a celebrity of any ilk to my kids as anyone to be “looked up to.”

I can recognize and enjoy the talent and ability that they display. But, that’s the end of it.

The people I hold up are those who actually do things that impact our lives directly; such as the nurses who cared for my father in law in his last days.

“See how gentle and caring they are for Grandy? That is how people need to treat each other all the time.”

Or, “Did you noticed how that young man helped those folks getting the walker out of their car without being asked to?” It’s good to look for ways to be helpful.”

Never - “Look how far he can throw a ball or how fast he can run. You need to be just like him.”

First of all, it sets an unreachable goal, most likely. Second, and more importantly, it has absolutely no chance of developing desirable character traits, because the so-called heroes carefully craft their image. And when the curtain is pulled back and the truth is revealed, then tou have a self made disappointment. There is no need to ever get oneself or ones children to such a place.

[PGR88]

People who are the least free are the most corrupt. If everything is proscribed, controlled and regulated, then just living one’s life in a normal way means one must be corrupt.

[ansel12]

It seems the war against Christianity in America is bearing fruit.

[qwertypie]

The man is correct. People shouldn’t underestimate the corrosive nature of personal cheating on the whole of society. When the majority starts winking at substandard behavior of any sort, democracy hasn’t a chance. The old American culture was far from perfect, but there was a considerable higher level of honesty in many areas of the country. I actually DO remember when our neighborhood’s doors were unlocked, let alone honesty being taught and reinforced as a value at schools.

[qwertypie]

Role models are good. Teaching tools. They even serve as examples when they fail. No one expects perfection, but civilized culture and civilization must aim high. Does anyone think that American culture aims as high as it used to? A dirtbag such as Quentin Tarantino is who is creating the present product line.

[Polybius]

..... he added that sporting heroes such as Tiger Woods were also to blame, letting down children who saw them as role models.

"I'm not a role model... Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids." ..... Charles Barkley

[mortal19440]

AGREE! dON’T LET THE FOCUS BE TAKEN OFF THE REAL PROBLEMS IN aMERICA. wHAT tIGER DID WAS WRONG, LETS SEE IF HIS WIFE OR SOCIETY MAKES HIM PAY. mEANWHILE DON’T LET THIS CORRUPT ADMINISTRATION TAKE THIS COUNTRY AWAY FROM US. Sorry about the cap lock, but I don’t want to do it over. Needless to say I hunt and peck.

[familyop]

Gillies is right. Corruption in lower local governments is way out of hand.

[hinckley buzzard]

During the corrupt Clinton regime the FBI was a tool of the criminal establishment. They as a Bureau have zero credibility when it comes to corruption, and since the Obama regime has seized power, they have become only more diseased. This Gillies is a failed degenerate and a cowardly hypocrite. If he had any personal integrity at all he would have resigned rather than collude with the Clinton crime family.

[hinckley buzzard]

During the corrupt Clinton regime the FBI was a tool of the criminal establishment. They as a Bureau have zero credibility when it comes to corruption, and since the Obama regime has seized power, they have become only more diseased. This Gillies is a failed degenerate and a cowardly hypocrite. If he had any personal integrity at all he would have resigned rather than collude with the Clinton crime family.

[GOPJ]

He’s right.

[rae4palin]

My admiration for Tiger is undiminished. He messed up, for sure. So what’s that to us? He’ll learn from his mistakes and face up to the consequences. Cheating on your wife is very wrong but can you imagine the pressure and temptations he’s faced?

Here is a reason to love Tiger. Have you seen the speech he gave at Obama’s inauguration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7G—2EBWtM