The Tiger Woods sex scandal has been a boon for online publications, even though it hasn't generated the same amount of Internet traffic as Michael Jackson's death and President Barack Obama's inauguration.

Provocative remarks by Yahoo Inc. CEO Carol Bartz at an investor conference on Tuesday illustrate how major Internet channels and niche publications are benefiting from the Woods controversy.

Known for her off-color commentary, Bartz said the Woods story is "better than Michael Jackson dying" for helping Yahoo make money, because it is easier to sell ads against salacious content than morbid stories.

Bartz even said Woods will "absolutely" help Yahoo make its numbers this quarter, a comment the company now says was meant to be a joke.

"In Touch," a celebrity news magazine, has posted e-mails on its Web site that it claims are from Woods to alleged mistress Rachel Uchitel.

According to the magazine, Woods wrote to Uchitel on Nov. 9, saying, "I know it?s brutal on you that you can?t be with me all the time. I get it. It kills me, too. I finally found someone I connect with, someone I have never found like this. Not even at home.

Uchitel replied to Woods and complained that she didn't want to play out their relationship over the computer, prompting a response from Woods, the magazine said.

?You don?t have to answer that e-mail. I just wanted you to know what?s going on inside me," Woods reportedly e-mailed.

Meanwhile, a California congressman is dropping his effort to honor Tiger Woods with a Congressional Gold Medal.

Democratic Rep. Joe Baca proposed legislation in March that called for the golfer to be recognized for promoting good sportsmanship and breaking down barriers in the sport.

Baca said in a statement on Wednesday that "in light of the recent developments surrounding Tiger Woods and his family," he won't pursue legislation this session to give him the award.

The medal is the highest award Congress has to honor civilians for achievements and contributions to society.

The world's No. 1 golfer hit a hydrant and a tree outside his Isleworth home on Nov. 27, and he was cited for careless driving and fined $164.

Woods has been out of the public eye since the crash and subsequent allegations of extramarital affairs.

Last week, Woods issued a statement saying he had let his family down with unspecified "transgressions" that he regrets with "all of my heart."