Sanctity of Marriage? Kardashian Calls it Quits After 72 Days

He can do better. She's got a "brand?" Gahhhh.

This post has nothing to do with any respect I might have for the Kardashian family, or any of the several dozen ridiculous reality shows they have. The only reasons this story registers on my radar, are a) because the scale of the wedding was on par with the British Royal Wedding of Prince William; and b) that this highly public "sanctified" union was rubbish before a typical 90-day probationary period would be over.

Often, when it regards marriage equality (same-sex or gay marriage), we are told that marriage is not a civil right. It is a holy, sanctified privilege. This is of course, far from the truth. The truth is that any two opposite-sex, unrelated, of-age people can get married. They need not be in love. They need not be able to procreate. They can be criminals, they can be insane. They don't even have to know each other. In fact, I could put an ad on Craig's list for a insta-bride, and I--a gay man--could marry whoever showed up, tomorrow. But I can't marry* my partner of almost 14 years? You know what? I'll bet this Kardashian chick gets married again before I can legally do so in Las Vegas. Sin City!

Also: The fact that this chick has a "brand," and a following is a sad note on today's young people.


[Excerpt]


Kardashian's divorce won't tarnish her brand

Seventy-two days after their lavish wedding ceremony, which cost an estimated $10 million and was subsequently televised to more than 4 million viewers, the couple announced their split. . .

Read more at: USA Today


* I'm actually now married to my husband for over three of those years, in Palm Springs. I'm part of  one of those "still valid, but only in some states" marriages.

Zsa Zsa Gabor Not Doing Well

Image from source, D-Listed

Back in the late 80s and early 90s, I worked as a carny at the Los Angeles County Fair every year for a month each year. Yes, really.  And one of those years, I happened to be in Los Angeles at the same time that Zsa Zsa Gabor slapped that cop.  Now, back then, the line between entertainment and news wasn't quite as blurry as it is now.  Everybody knew about Zsa Zsa's incident, but it wasn't wall-to-wall coverage on the actual news. It was more of a People Magazine and Entertainment Tonight phenomenon.  But not in LA!  The Los Angeles Times was running practically whole sections of the paper on the incident. At the time, I wondered, "for what is this woman famous?" 

Sure, she was the sister of Eva Gabor, queen of wigs and wife on Green Acres, but what did Zsa Zsa do besides get married over and over, and being extremely wealthy?  That's a silly question in these days of The Hills, Jersey Shore, and The Real Housewives of BFE.  In a way, Zsa Zsa is the matron sainte of "famous for being famous."  Get well, dahling.

[Excerpt]

Zsa Zsa Isn't Doing So Well

93-year-old Zsa Zsa Gabor broke her hip bone a week ago when she tried to answer her phone while watching Jeopardy. Alex Trebek better have sent Zsa Zsa a dozen white flowers in a crystal vase with pink rhinestones on the bottom. It's the least he can do. Well, Zsa Zsa had her hip replaced and things were looking up-ish. But Zsa Zsa's publicist is saying today that the white feather boa is turning grey, because doctors have now listed her in critical condition. They suspect that she had a stroke during surgery. . .

Read more at: D-Listed

Obama is a Celebrity? What Does That Make McCain?

Image from source, CBS News

If there was ever any question that the John McCain campaign is being run by Karl Rove or his disciples, this past week or so should lay them to rest. Attack, attack, attack. Particularly your opponent's strengths. Don't worry about truth or propriety. Don't worry if your own candidate possesses the very trait you're assaulting your opponent for having. Just create some buzz. Make the other guy play defense.

And it seems to be working, which makes my already Mark Twain-like assessment of the average American even worse.

[Excerpt]

If Obama's A Celebrity, What's McCain?

If Barack Obama gave new meaning to the term “political celebrity,” then John McCain helped define it.

He emerged as the most popular Republican in Hollywood following his 2000 presidential primary defeat, winning more screen time than the rest of Congress combined. McCain made cameos in “Wedding Crashers” and “24,” saw his memoir turned into a popular biopic on A&E, and appeared more than 30 times on late night comedy shows. . .

Read more at: CBS News