posted January 23, 2007 02:27 PM         

My dad's watching Fox News Channel like he does everyday (he's thre target audience afterall - he's 73). And there's these moron newcasters "analyzing" (translation: gossiping on air) about Christie Brinkly's divorce. Their conclusion is this:

- yes, she was legally married and thus in a binding contract with her husband, a contract of which she held up her part

- yes, she mothered his children

- yes, she is entitled to divorce that jerk, after he slept with an 18 year old

But exactly why is she so entiteld? Because they had a legal contract that he broke? Because there's children involved? NOOOOO.

So, why? Well, according to both the male and female Fox News commentators/gossips, it's because Brinkly's (and I quote) "one of the most beautiful women in the world." Apparently THAT's what makes that guy an idiot and a jerk - not that he screwed around so irresponsibly. But because he screwed around on "one of the most beautiful women in the world."

I hope my greivence is clear here. Why is it in marriage, a woman's value as a wife as well as her leverage and power within the marriage comes down to how sexually desirable she is? And this is on Fox News, those ultra-conservative, "family values," uphold-the-sanctity-of-marriage a**holes. Granted, they're not the only people I've heard to BS from - it's just those morons happen to be on-air on a channel that thinks they represent the moral compass of this nation.

And seeing this is a disturbingly common attitude, I have many pressing questions I feel should be asked. Why is not simply the fact that the guy broke his marriage contract with her and hurt his own children in process? Why is that of lesser value here? Why does her physical beauty have anything to do with his accountability? If she was ugly or "let herself go" would that have made it Ok or socially acceptable? Is it OK for men to screw over thier wives and mothers of their children if the woman's not that attractive? What exactly is suppose to be the "family value" and "sanctity" in that?

posted January 23, 2007 03:01 PM         

BUT!

Secretly in their heads, they will think "well, maybe if she had started going to the gym, he would not have cheated.." OR "hey, she should be lucky anyone married her ugly self anyways!"

Yuppers. Gotta love it.

posted January 23, 2007 03:34 PM         

It was a huge rant of mine that when watching a talk show, women who were trying to convince someone to leave their cheating man or some such thing, would say, as their convincing argument;
"But you're so pretty! You could get any man."

posted January 23, 2007 03:47 PM         

its this rubbish 'i will sue you' culture which exists only for MONEY.