What goes through a man’s mind that so selfishly does what John Edwards did to his wife?

Are there words for such a thing?

The book about this whole debacle, The Politician, comes out this weekend.. For days now it’s been everywhere on the news, papers and all over the Internet. This book reveals a level of deceit that is mind boggling. It’ll be hard not to pick it up.. to learn more so maybe we can understand.

People cheat.. there’s no question about that. But this is on a whole ‘nuther level don’t you think?

John Edward’s extramarital affair with filmmaker Rielle Hunter was one thing (bad in itself considering what else was going on with his wife and in his political career); the fact that he did all he did to cover up a child he had with this woman is on a whole new level. What was he thinking!?

Of course, we know why he was so desperate to cover it up. He’s the ultimate politician.. like many before him putting his political career before God and family.

The book can be ordered at Amazon: The Politician

If you can’t help but wonder..

-Joe Taylor

Update: I wrote the original post below before I learned he had girls on the side in the dozens. So while I still would love to see him golf again (seems he is taking some time off to “work on his marriage”.. boy if that’s still possible that is one awesome wife he’s got there!).. I think his behavior really has a pretty profound impact on my perception of him. Not for the positive..

I just hope he can change his life and mind to the responsible and caring human being side. If it’s an addiction and not just a person who doesn’t care about women, let’s hope he gets the right help.

Original Post:
Being a golfer myself, of course I’ve watched Tiger grow up in this sport. Well, actually.. did Tiger grow up in the sport or did the sport grow around Tiger? Food for thought.

What happened with the Accident and now with all the reports that he’s playing a couple women is certainly unfortunate. Will it affect my image of him? Not really.. I guess I don’t personally look at him as someone I look up to on a personal level outside of golf; I haven’t been trying to emulate his relationships with women. I’m not sure I care a lot about his personal life; just him on the golf course and that swing.

However, many do look up to him. And this is where it does affect my attitude towards him to a degree.. He’s had this squeaky clean image for a long, long time. He obviously worked hard at keeping it that way and keeping his personal life personal.

Ahh.. but driving into a tree is sort of going to draw some attention.

It is good to read his sponsors have his back: Tiger Woods Not in Danger of Losing Sponsors (edit: As things have developed to the dozen+ womene they are starting to dump him from what I here..)

Does it tarnish his image a bit. Yes. And the unfortunate casualty of something like that is not the adults perception; children’s. I feel worse for all those kids that look up to someone like him. Hopefully they can be shielded from this or swayed to look up to someone else.

But in the end, it’s his personal life. We all have relationship problems. It’s not uncommon today to find anyone anywhere cheating or playing the field in a committed relationship. It’s tragic and unfortunate. It’s not a good thing. But his punishment is being dished out right now in the media.

We’ll all move past his first scandal. And hopefully we can get back to focusing on the Tiger we love.. on the golf course. People make mistakes.. the tabloids will eat this up because of ratings. But his core fan base which includes me.. we can forgive him; hopefully he’s learning his lesson and will not drive into any more trees.

-Joe Taylor

When I was dating in my 20s I had multiple women cheat on me. Sometimes I heard it from others, sometimes her and sometimes I just put two and two together. Terrible that I should have had that many occasions to even have that many scenarios isn’t it? ..but it’s my past.

Here are 10 Reasons Off the Top of My Head Why Some Cheat:

1. Disrespect – There are many out there that simply don’t care, are not capable of empathy and wreck lives like it’s normal.
2. Lack of Love – either the love has disappeared or there never was any love for the other person.
3. Weakness – we can be weak when put in certain situations.. especially if the other person is gorgeous and we are highly attracted to them. And if the other person is in seduction mode.
4. Boredom – some just simply get bored.. maybe they haven’t completely fallen out of love, but maybe physically they desire or need more. (maybe ’size’ could be included here )
5. Entrapment – this can happen where someone is forced through some kind of threat.
6. Desire Unfulfilled – sometimes one party in a relationship tries for a very long time to drive home the need and importance to make love; and the other person never cares to make it important. So the day comes they cheat to fill that void.
7. Under the Influence – which impairs judgment.
8. Rage or Anger – sometimes individuals don’t get along, they get in an argument and in a fit of anger an individual goes out looking to cheat to get even or just are blind at that moment and lose the big picture; don’t think about the consequences.
9. Sex Addiction – it exists.. it’s powerful. And even if someone is in love it can control that persons life and those moments of desire can rule.
10. Money – this becomes more important to some and will sleep their way to the top or to gain positions in their careers; not thinking of who it might hurt in the process. Like Sex, money is a powerful influencer. Combined.. extreme temptation.

These are not excuses. None of them are. But they are very real issues people deal with. No one ever said love is easy. And we are all born with animal instincts; sometimes we don’t realize the power of those instincts until opportunity presents itself or the situation drives us to it.

Advice as to how to deal with it varies greatly. Because there are a lot of variables and every relationship is different. Individuals are different.. circumstances are different.

If it happens to you, be prepared. Because with it comes emotions; great emotions.. anger. Do what’s right for you and him or her. Listen and negotiate.. try and determine if it’s a one time thing or if you think it might happen again.

Understand we all have faults and make mistakes. Determine if these are too deep to mend.. or if that person has learned a lesson that they are committed to not making the same mistake again. They love and care for you and just made a mistake.

The hardest part is separating your feeling for the individual from reality of the situation. Be strong. You deserve a faithful partner and a life long partner who’s only focus is YOU.

-Joe Taylor