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2009: The Most Impulsive Year Ever

From Tiger Woods’ serial carousing to Joe Wilson’s lack of impulse control, 2009 showcased America’s appetite for instant gratification—and its tragic consequences.

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What do Tiger Woods, his numerous alleged girlfriends, and we, the ogling, obsessed onlookers all have in common? None of us can restrain ourselves.

Woods can’t keep his hands off, as they used to say, the merchandise; the alleged girlfriends can’t control their appetite for revenge, celebrity, and profit-making; and we...

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