A Word About Arnold and Maria and John and Liz

Am I the only one who thinks there is something that really stinks about the way our corporate media is covering the breakup of Ahhnold and Maria Shriver?

No, this blog is not turning into The Hollywood Minute and ignoring all of the infinitely more important issues, such as what the hell it is that’s going on in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, and what kind of a blind eye we’re turning in Bahrain and whether or not sanctions against Syria is really a good idea (that is, are we prepared for any adverse consequences?), and also what on earth is going on with Bradley Manning at this moment and whether or not he will ever be officially charged with anything (as well as the real-life-or-death-consequence story of Troy Davis on death row).

I think what has really compelled me to say something is the picture from CNN above, showing “the governator” in an almost heroic pose, and the accompanying story telling us, more or less, that, oh well, divorce is sad but it happens every day, couples have to work at marriage (duh) and sometimes a spouse will stray though it may not “doom a relationship,” and how exactly should the kids handle it (I thought it was particularly ridiculous, by the way, for Dr. Steve Solomon of The Relationship Institute in La Jolla, CA to tell either the cheating or cheated-upon spouse to not tell the kids…does this genius somehow think they won’t find out?).

I’m not saying this because I have an axe in particular to grind against Schwarzenegger or Maria Shriver, or certainly against their kids, or the former guv’s love child. And I hope somehow this mess gets worked out for the betterment of all concerned.

I’m saying this because I notice a distinct difference between the way this story is being reported and the story of the breakup of this couple because of a husband’s infidelity.

OK, so Ahhnold supported the child, which he should have done anyway. That doesn’t make him any less of a lying, deceiving weasel than John Edwards. But I have yet to come across any parody videos of Schwarzenegger sneaking around, playing to his vanity (maybe that stuff is in the works…I just haven’t seen it).

I’ll wait to see if the New York Times, for example, has a multi-page spread on California’s former first couple, giving the coverage that they never received while one of the spouses served in public life.

Also, I would ask just exactly how the hell our media with initials for names apparently found a way to miss this story of Schwarzenegger’s illegitimate progeny for ten years!

Update 1 5/19/11: And as far as I’m concerned, it’s just a “short ride,” if you will, from CNN’s coverage to this.

Update 2 5/19/11: A question for Howie Kurtz based on this - what makes the housekeeper more "private," than, say, Rielle Hunter?