Schwarzenegger Scandal

[Gryffindorian]

The fact that there isn't a thread on this topic suggests that the people here are more "enlightened" than anyone else in America (or we simply don't care).

News

Frankly, I don't know why it has to be such a big deal for the American public. I'm not trying to defend Arnold, and I certainly acknowledge that he made a mistake, committed adultery, kept it a secret, and hurt his family. Now you hear people bitching about what a low-life scum Schwarzenegger is and how they're going to stop seeing his movies in the future. The American people need to get a life and move on.

 

[Spot's Meow]

It's pretty big news where I am. Lots of speculation about different aspects of it going on. I think the reason people are really upset with Schwarzenegger (besides the fact that he was a shitty governor) is that he kept it a secret from his own family for over a decade. It's one thing to commit adultery and have an illegitimate child. It's another to completely hide all of that from your wife and other children for so long. But in the end it doesn't really change much. People around here had a very poor opinion of Arnold before this incident (especially because of the whole Fabian Nunez thing) and they will continue to have a poor opinion of him. I think many do feel quite bad for Maria though.

Oh, another thing that I have heard some people bring up is that if this news had come out during the campaign for governor, it is likely that he would not have been elected. There was so much controversy back then about his womanizing and inappropriate behavior with female coworkers, but his wife stood up and vouched for him, which many believe won the race for him. If instead we had learned this news, things might have been different, politically, in California. I'm not sure about all that myself, but it is an argument people have been making.

 

[Gryffindorian]

As a Californian, I know he was a failure as a governor. I realize it hurts to be in Maria's and their kids' shoes knowing that he betrayed their trust. From where I'm standing, though, this is a FAMILY affair, and people need to get over themselves. It's not like Arnold killed somebody (or a bunch of people) and tried to cover it up. He's got a history of being a womanizer, yeah; how does that affect the lives of Californians, or Americans, or people around the world?

Move on. Next headline ...

 

[Spot's Meow]

^I edited my post to add some stuff after you read it (I think). What do you think of that political argument that some are making?

And when I say that "around here" people are making a big deal of it, I mean the Sacramento area. They are always obsessed with anything remotely related to California government. In my hometown and other areas only an hour away no one cares nearly as much.

 

[DeafPoet]

Wait. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a scumbag? Stop the presses.

Since I'm not his wife or one of his kids, I don't see why I should give a shit.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Californians already dealt with him as a shitty governor. I, for one, am done hearing about him now that he's no longer in office.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Oh, another thing that I have heard some people bring up is that if this news had come out during the campaign for governor, it is likely that he would not have been elected. There was so much controversy back then about his womanizing and inappropriate behavior with female coworkers, but his wife stood up and vouched for him, which many believe won the race for him. If instead we had learned this news, things might have been different, politically, in California. I'm not sure about all that myself, but it is an argument people have been making.

As I recall, there were groping allegations, stories of "orgies" and sexual misconduct that crept up back then. If those issues arose before he got elected and still put him in office, then that's more of a reflection on the people who supported and voted for Arnold.

Maria stood by her man back then, and I can totally understand if all she wants to do now is cut off his manhood. Would California have been different without Schwarzenegger as the governor? I honestly don't know; maybe, and maybe not much. That's all inconsequential now. I fail to see how his personal or sex life could've had any impact on state politics.

 

[farmkid]

As I recall, there were groping allegations, stories of "orgies" and sexual misconduct that crept up back then. If those issues arose before he got elected and still put him in office, then that's more of a reflection on the people who supported and voted for Arnold.

Maria stood by her man back then, and I can totally understand if all she wants to do now is cut off his manhood. Would California have been different without Schwarzenegger as the governor? I honestly don't know; maybe, and maybe not much. That's all inconsequential now. I fail to see how his personal or sex life could've had any impact on state politics.

There were allegations, but nothing was proven, and I think most people wrote it off as false accusations. Maria's support certainly promoted that view. If news of his fathering an illegitimate child came out at that time, I think many more people would have believed the groping allegations, and I doubt Arnold would have been governor. Things certainly would have been different the last few years. Better or not, I don't know, but certainly different.

I think there's a good chance Tom McClintock would have been governor if Arnold would have lost due to the current news being known then. As I remember, he wasn't far behind Arnold in the election, and polls before the election showed that he was thought to have the best ideas and was most capable of the bunch. For those that don't know, McClintock is probably one of the most fiscally conservative and economically knowledgeable guys in politics these days. If he were governor, the budget battles and decisions in California certainly would have been different. I don't know that the outcome would have been significantly different, however, because I doubt he would have been very successful in making his ideas happen.

We'll never know how things would have been different, but I think it's fairly safe to say things would have been different.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Actually, the Lt. Governor, Cruz Bustamante, got the 2nd most votes, so if news of his bastard child had come out during the election, it is likely that Bustamante would have then been elected governor.

 

[Lookingglassman]

The fact that there isn't a thread on this topic suggests that the people here are more "enlightened" than anyone else in America (or we simply don't care).

News

Frankly, I don't know why it has to be such a big deal for the American public. I'm not trying to defend Arnold, and I certainly acknowledge that he made a mistake, committed adultery, kept it a secret, and hurt his family. Now you hear people bitching about what a low-life scum Schwarzenegger is and how they're going to stop seeing his movies in the future. The American people need to get a life and move on.

What I want to know is why he picked that chick. He is a big time movie star, body builder and governor and this chick is all he could get? Just like Clinton and Lewinsky. President of the US and all you could get is her?

If these two powerful men can't get any hot chicks then I know there is no hope for me.

 

[Thena]

^Guess that's all the more empowering for the girls? You don't need to look like a supermodel to catch a Hollywood actor!

I suppose what he saw in her was that she was available and discreet. And it's hard to be certain from the few photographs that TMZ managed to grab, but she certainly carried herself with plenty of confidence.

Still, I feel so sorry for Maria Shriver. She lost both of her parents in the last two years, and now she finds out that her husband has been hiding this from her for so long. I hope she has a very good lawyer.

 

[farmkid]

Actually, the Lt. Governor, Cruz Bustamante, got the 2nd most votes, so if news of his bastard child had come out during the election, it is likely that Bustamante would have then been elected governor.

Ah yes, you're right. Cruz pretty much disappeared after that election. I had forgotten about him. And McClintock's numbers in the election weren't as close as I remembered, either. Many of Arnold's votes would have gone to McClintock had Arnold's infidelity been known before that election, but whether that would be enough to lift him above Bustamante is anyone's guess. Either way, either a Bustamante or McClintock governorship would have the potential to make the years of Arnold's time in office very different. Better? Who knows? but certainly different.

 

[farmkid]

^Guess that's all the more empowering for the girls? You don't need to look like a supermodel to catch a Hollywood actor!

I suppose what he saw in her was that she was available and discreet. And it's hard to be certain from the few photographs that TMZ managed to grab, but she certainly carried herself with plenty of confidence.

Still, I feel so sorry for Maria Shriver. She lost both of her parents in the last two years, and now she finds out that her husband has been hiding this from her for so long. I hope she has a very good lawyer.

Either way Maria will be fine. She has plenty of money of her own. Taking a lot of Arnold's money would only be to hurt him. It wouldn't really help her significantly.

I'm expecting Gloria Allred to insert herself in this in the next few days, probably representing the maid...assuming, of course, she's not already busy trying to get involved with the housekeeper who that French IMF guy tried to (or did) rape. She must be pulling her hair out trying to decide who to latch on to.

 

[SPOCKED]

Couldn't care less. Bring us Predator X, Arnold,
and we'll forget all about it

 

[Haggis and tatties]

I wonder when his wife was kicking him out, he made it to the door, stopped, looked over his shoulder at her and said..."I'll be back".

 

[1001001]

It's a pretty interesting story to me. Having survived his time in office, I look back at what might have been if this had come out at the time. I'm doubt California would have been any better off, but we'll never know.

What's really fascinating to me is how he was able to keep this a secret for ten years. He must have paid that woman a bajillion dollars. And what a set he must have to run for governor twice knowing this skeleton was in his closet.

Either that, or a Herculean capacity for denial.

 

[{ Emilia }]

Since I'm not his wife or one of his kids, I don't see why I should give a shit.

This. None of my business.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

Everybody acts so surprised, but honestly, now we know why he got along so well with the Kennedy men. Like them, he was able to keep it quiet for a while.

 

[Misfit Toy]

And what a set he must have to run for governor twice knowing this skeleton was in his closet.

Either that, or a Herculean capacity for denial.

Well he DID play Hercules...

 

[Gryffindorian]

So much for Terminator 5.

I was almost looking forward to his comeback as an actor.

Meanwhile, another woman has come forward alleging a previous affair with Schwarzenegger.

Does it ever end?