Daily Kos

LA Times: Schwarzenegger had sex with 16 year-old! YOUNG GIGI PIC UPDATE

Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 08:52:31 PM PDT

Gigi Goyette says she had sex with Arnold in 1975 when she was 16

Now there's money involved--the Enquirer paid her $20,000, telling her they would get an exclusive, then they never published it!  There is a lot to this story and the MSM is already all over it!

This is going to hurt the GOP big-time.

Here's the sequence of events to keep this all straight:

  1. Schwarzenegger has sex with 16 year-old Gigi Goyette in 1975, breaking the statutory rape law.  She said they had "outercourse".

  2. They have subsequent 7 year affair from 1989-1996 while he is married.

  3. Enquirer prints 2001 article on affair.  Arnold withdraws from specualtion on running for Governor for 2002 race.

  4. August 2003: Recall of Davis goes on ballot. Arnold declares for Governor.

  5. 2 days later, Enquirer pays Goyette $20,000 for "exclusive" they never run, plus another $1,000 to her friend to keep quiet--all before the recall election.  Goyette expected book deal.

  6. Arnold wins Governor seat.

  7. 2 days before taking the oath, Schwarzenegger signs multi-million deal with American Media, owner of Enquirer for $8 million, to endorse their body-building Flex magazine and be a consultant, etc.  Arnold also gets $250,000 contributed to his charity, which he or non-profit does not disclose on candidate forms.

  8. Arnold vetoes bill to provide controls on supplements that he profits on through magazine deal.

  9. AMI Deal exposed as conflict of interest in 2005 and subsequent AMI documents reveal $250,000 contribution.  Goyette talks to author Leamer.

Here's the 2001 Enquirer story:

ARNOLD'S MISTRESS

HIS SHOCKING 7-YEAR AFFAIR

For seven years, Arnold Schwarzenegger hid a mistress from his loving wife Maria Shriver -- and hours after learning The ENQUIRER discovered his sordid secret, "The Terminator" terminated his run for governor of California.
The brazen actor began his affair with former child actress Gigi Goyette when she was only 16 -- and even made love to her in the very same hotel where he was staying with "Dateline" star Maria.

A bombshell ENQUIRER investigation -- featured in our issue that hits the stands Friday -- has exposed the whole shocking story, including how the father of four hid the trysts from his family.

Several months ago the muscleman-turned-actor emerged as a leading Republican contender for governor of California -- but earlier this week, after we called his representative for comment, the star made a surprise announcement that he won't enter politics until his youngsters, ages 3 to 11, are older.

Published on: April 26, 2001

Source:  National Enquirer Online

Here's today's WaPO.  This was in the LA Times Thursday and all over California on Friday's papers!  It's going to be very big.

Actress Paid Not to Talk of Schwarzenegger Affair
Publisher of Tabloids, Bodybuilding Magazines Gave Woman $20,000 After Actor Joined Governor's Race

By Amy Argetsinger
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, August 13, 2005; Page A02

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 12 -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, already facing plummeting approval ratings and questions about his business dealings, took another hit Friday with a report that a tabloid publisher with close ties to the former movie star paid an alleged paramour of his $20,000 not to discuss their relationship.

The August 2003 confidentiality agreement between American Media Inc. -- publisher of the National Enquirer, Globe and Star -- and bit-part actress Gigi Goyette was reached two days after Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy for governor, and seven months before he signed on as an editor for two bodybuilding magazines owned by the company.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) had close ties to the publisher. (By Nick Ut -- Associated Press)  
Details of the agreement -- in which Goyette agreed not to share her story with anyone outside American Media -- were reported in a front-page story in the Los Angeles Times on Friday, though the deal was first described in an opinion piece published by freelance journalist Laurence Leamer in the same newpaper more than a month ago.

The governor's office would not comment Friday, other than to refer to comments Schwarzenegger's spokesman Rob Stutzman gave the Times saying he did not believe the governor knew of the deal.

Stutzman added that Schwarzenegger's dealings with American Media had no connection to the company's "business of purchasing the rights to stories."

"That's what they do," he said. "Obviously, part of their business is the tabloid business."

Stu Zakim, a spokesman for American Media, said, "We're not commenting at all." A message left on Goyette's answering machine was not returned. Neither were messages left at a number the California Bar Association listed for her attorney, Charlotte Hassett.

Ethics-in-government experts and political observers said the deal almost certainly did not violate any laws but that it created the appearance of a conflict that could hurt Schwarzenegger's reputation at a time when he is relying on his own personal popularity to advance his political agenda against growing opposition across California.

Today's WaPo

More: LA TIMES today

Any social intercourse on the "Outercourse" with a 16 year-old? This has legs because the $250,000 contribution was not reported and the $20,000 was essentially hush money and must be counted as well. He will not be able to run next year at all.

Tags: (all tags) :: Previous Tag Versions

Permalink | 294 comments

  •  His accepting this money as Governor (4.00 / 18)

    could be ruled illegal, especially given his veto of the supplement bill.  This story has legs and we should understand it.  The MSM is going full bore on this the last 2 days.
    •  Here's Goyette on the Outercourse (4.00 / 4)

      Gigi Goyette, who outed herself as Arnold Schwarzenegger's secret mistress for the past seven years, on a hilarious programme called Arnold Schwarzenegger - Made In Britain, a fascinating look back to his beginnings in bodybuilding contests.

      The programme traced the Austrian's unlikely journey from a sweaty gym in Romford Road, East London, where a dear old couple called Wag and Dianne Bennett worked on building up his calves, to success in Hollywood and some of the finest bedrooms in America, including Gigi's.

      Gigi solemnly informed us that what she and Arnie have been doing is what she likes to describe as "outercourse". This, film fans and political supporters of the Terminator alike will be relieved to discover, involves in one of Gigi's many memorable phrases: "no insertion". She was very strict about this.

      Anything outside of the body, though, is fair game, said Gigi. "I could be standing on my head and getting head," she said, conjuring up an image which successfully erased all those pictures of naked hiking from the visual memory bank. Gigi described herself as not so much a mistress, more Arnie's "avenue of relaxation".

      Guardian

      •  Here is Arnold groping a Brit TV host (4.00 / 6)

        ON CAMERA!  This was in 2001 and was a huge deal in the press over there at the time.

      •  We have plenty to go at (2.50 / 2)

        without treading here. Don't even understand how this got on the rec list.

        Rove, Crawford, Roberts etc., etc.are where we should be - using this will just make us look as sleazy as they are.

        •  You've got to be kidding me... (4.00 / 2)

          So you're saying the fact that the "Family Values" party's own golden boy, the governor of one of the largest and economically important state had an affair with a 16 year old that went on for years-while he is married and then had a company that benefited from his popularity payher hush money-you're saying this doesn't matter and that we shoudl ignore it?! That's stupid.

          By the way, exposing lies and corruption is what we do, Rove creates lies and corruption, so don't compare the person who wrote this diary to Rove-ridiculous!

          •  How am I (none / 1)

            comparing the person who wrote this diary to Rove??

            Sorry but leaders who cause thousands of deaths, have possibly commited treason, are guilty of war crimes,sanction torture, redistribute billions from those who can least afford it to those who least need it are much more worthy of our attention.

            I am not condoning Swartzenegger by any means but at the moment he is just not worth our time.

            I am an agnostic so we may be coming from different places on this one.

            •  It seems like a bigger deal... (none / 0)

              ...if you live in California.

              "That which I am writing about so tediously may be obvious to someone whose mind is less decrepit." - Ludwig Wittgenstein

              by Mad Dog Rackham on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 07:13:54 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  Big deal, nation-wide (none / 0)

                Arnie's supposed to be the face of the future Repugnant Party, how to get elected in a blue state.  He is a big draw for contributions to the national GOP.  If I recall correctly, he campaigned on Bush's behalf in Ohio very late in the 2004 presidential race.  For me,  he is another shining example of the "family values" of the GOP.  

                "Now, if these men do not die well, it will be a black matter for the king that led them to it" --Shakespeare, "Henry V," Act IV, Scene 1

                by entiel on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 09:05:46 AM PDT

                [ Parent ]

            •  Schwarzenegger did redistribute lots of $ (4.00 / 2)

              from the state by making sure that Enron wouldn't have to pay. He has also tried to redistribute money away from nurses and teachers.

              Corrupt state officials don't have control over the national military and thus are not generally in a position to cause thousands of deaths, commit treason, or cause war crimes... but when they move on to the national level, they will. Unless we stop them.

              John McCain: no health insurance for kids.

              by AlanF on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 08:13:20 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

        •  Disagree Totally (none / 1)

          These doofuses run on a Jesus platform - complete hypocrites.

          Canada - where a pack of smokes is ten bucks and a heart transplant is free.

          by dpc on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 07:49:06 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Not a Fundie (none / 1)

            Ahnold's actually not one of your Bible thumpers...he's actually pretty moderate for a Republican.

            The point's not really the sex, anyway, it's the coverup.

            "Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." -- Mark Twain

            by JDRhoades on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 08:53:37 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  No, not moderate (4.00 / 3)

              While Arnold claims to be pro-gay and pro-choice, he governs under a very strict pro-corporate power philosophy that has corrupted his administration. The veto of the supplement bill and the burying of the affair story are DIRECT proof of a pay-off and is ground for immediate impeachment/recall. I think the statutory rape charge itself is just the whipped cream on the banana split of this controversy, but unfortunately is what it will take to make this story something more than "mere politics" and something the mainstream media (that practically gave Arnold a pass and declared him the winner before the campaign even started) can ignore.

              Are you arguing that sex with minors should be ignored? Yes the coverup is part of the corruption charge and obviously we will never be able to prove what happened behind closed doors without some sort of direct evidence, but I'm not sure we can ignore that the Governor of the most populous state in the nation should get a pass on having sexual relations with minors.

              So, is Jay Leno going to make as many jokes about Arnold having sex with underage girls as he did Jacko having sleepovers with underage boys????

              •  Grounds for impeachment? (none / 0)

                Why shouldn't this be grounds for impeachment?  Isn't the California legislature overwhelmingly Democratic?

                The influence of the [executive] has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished.

                by lysias on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 10:24:38 AM PDT

                [ Parent ]

              •  Of Course Not (none / 0)

                Are you arguing that sex with minors should be ignored?

                No.

                "Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." -- Mark Twain

                by JDRhoades on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 10:26:27 AM PDT

                [ Parent ]

            •  Moderate? (none / 1)

              Transferring billions of debt to California's children so that he can "keep" his mutually exclusive campaign promises to "balance" budgets? Going after teachers and nurses?

              He seems to be as economically fierce as any of the other hard right Republicans.

              We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for victims of our nation and for those it calls enemy.... --ML King "Beyond Vietnam"

              by Gooserock on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 09:08:39 AM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  Shrug. (none / 0)

                I happen to think that being pro choice and pro gay rights as a Republican DOES make you a moderate, but obviously some disagree.

                 These "he's a moderate/no he's an extremist" discussions are meaningless anyway. For some, one position can make you into an extremist. I've always been a moderate registered Independent, and the wingnuts call me a screaming moonbat liberal because I opposed the Iraq War.  

                "Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." -- Mark Twain

                by JDRhoades on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 10:33:25 AM PDT

                [ Parent ]

            •  The point IS the sex (none / 0)

              She was 16, which makes this statutory rape and child molesting.   What a fucking creep.
            •  lotsa fundie voters though (none / 0)

              if arnold weren't moderate he wouldn't have a prayer of winning state-wide office in california.

              but just because it's a blue state doesn't mean there aren't a lot of 'thumpers voting for the GOP.

              and what california bible-thumpers may lack in relative numbers they make up for in sheer lunacy.

              l'audace! l'audace! toujours l'audace!

              by zeke L on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 12:13:49 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

        •  Nope (none / 0)

          we need to bring the Nazi thug down and right quick.  You must not live in California.
        •  I think it's time... (none / 0)

          ...the Democratic Party learned a thing or two about Rat Fucking.  We used to good at giving it...now we just seem to bend over and take it.  The American people ar not interested in the High Road.  The Repubs are a bunch of hypocrites and it's time they paid the price for it.

          No one can terrorize a whole nation, unless we are all his accomplices. - Edward R. Murrow

          by CrazyHorse on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 09:56:51 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Big Deal to Us Californians (none / 1)

          Ahnold came in on a platform of cleaning up the mess Davis had made. Instead, he made it worse - and it turns out he may well have part of the mess before he became governor; there's some possible Enron hanky-panky here.

          There were similar stories going around at the time of the recall election about Ahnold slapping women around and then paying them to keep quiet about it. So this story is also important because it shows his attitude toward women.

          Also, it's illegal to have sex with a 16-year-old, though I'm not sure whether "outercourse" falls under that definition.

          But mainly this story is important because it is another link in the chain between Ahnold and American Media, and further evidence of hand-in-glove corruption. The GOP had been planning to use Ahnold to help them take control of the largest state in the country (with 11% of the electoral votes, don't forget), and this puts a major crimp in their plans.

          It is not the responsibility of the state to help its citizens get into heaven nor to save them from hell.

          by Dan K on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 10:20:25 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Let me ask you this. . . (none / 0)

          Do you remember Schwarzenegger visiting Ohio in the final days of the 2004 election??? This was giving Bush cover to his more moderate constituency in a critical swing state -- so critical we are still writing about it!

          Political payback time, Arnold. Hasta la vista, baby.

          (From a Californian)

          War is the statesman's game, the priest's delight, The lawyer's jest, the hired assassin's trade Invictus

          by Valtin on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 10:25:27 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

  •  WOW! (none / 1)

    Please, please, please, let this be thoroughly investigated and substantiated.  Goodbye Ahnold!
    •  Let's recommend this one so Kossacks (none / 0)

      swarm it
      •  Let's also do this: (none / 1)

        CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
        ARTICLE 4  LEGISLATIVE


        SEC. 18.  (a) The Assembly has the sole power of impeachment. Impeachments shall be tried by the Senate.  A person may not be convicted unless, by rollcall vote entered in the journal, two thirds
        of the membership of the Senate concurs.

           (b) State officers elected on a statewide basis, members of the State Board of Equalization, and judges of state courts are subject to impeachment for misconduct in office.  Judgment may extend only to removal from office and disqualification to hold any office under the State, but the person convicted or acquitted remains subject to criminal punishment according to law.

        Come see TV from the reality-based community at RealityBasedTV.com

        by MarkInSanFran on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 12:28:22 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Wow... Just wow... (4.00 / 2)

        Excuse me, I have to go CELEBRATE!

        I am at the point where I am not picky about how we get rid of this guy... oh please, please, please let this stick. I am so tired of the embarrassment of having this guy as our governor.

        :-D

  •  Outrage? (4.00 / 7)

    Where is Bill Bennett "Mr Outrage"? He supported Ahrnuld! What happened to his virtues and values?

    Oh, I see. It is OK if you're a republican.

    •  Umm (4.00 / 10)

      Where is Bill Bennett "Mr Outrage"?

      Try the craps tables at the Taj Mahal, then tomorrow, mass of course.

      Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you. Jean-Paul Sartre

      by Stevo on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 09:12:50 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Either That (none / 1)

        Or having "outercourse" with a dominatrix.

        "L'enfer, c'est les autres." - Jean Paul Sartre, Huis Clos

        "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

        by JJB on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 04:56:01 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  New shooter, coming out! (none / 0)

        Bennett: Seven Come Eleven, baby! Baby needs a new pair of shoes! Yo-leven, Yo-leven!

        Stickman: Five, the point is five, no field 5, mark the five!

        Bennett: Ok five...c'mon five!

        Stickman: Seven out, line away. Better luck next time, sir, now get the fuck out of here!

        People in Eurasia on the brink of oppression: I hope it's gonna be alright... Pet Shop Boys: Introspective

        by rgilly on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 05:31:41 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  Bennett and outrage (none / 1)

      The Bennett types give understand that simply by being Republican they are morally teflon coated. Nothing they could possibly do,no matter what, is as immoral as being a Democrat.

      Political pardons are unacceptable Mr Bush,and so is hiding your daddy's secrets behind exectutive orders,free the truth now.Econ 3.50&Soc. 5.79

      by wmc418 on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 09:13:35 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  I don't believe in hell, but... (4.00 / 2)

    If there is a hell, I think there is a special place in it for Bill Bennett.
  •  Ahnold is just oooooozing (none / 1)

    with those good old

    "Republican Family Values"

  •  Arnold was around 28 years old in 1975 (none / 0)

    That's pretty bad, if true.
  •  Dog bites man (4.00 / 7)

    I'm shocked!  The Gropenator had a mistress?  He didn't mind the Hello Kitty wristwatch on his "date"?

    How predictable was this?  It's nice to know that our media is still brave enough to kick a Republican when he's already down.

    I can't expect to live in a democracy if I'm not prepared to do the work of being a citizen.

    by Dallasdoc on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 09:05:01 PM PDT

    •  He's Still Governor (none / 1)

      so he's not down. Not even close. He's still got the people down and he's still kicking them.

      We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for victims of our nation and for those it calls enemy.... --ML King "Beyond Vietnam"

      by Gooserock on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 09:10:27 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  get a pic. of her at 16 to drive this home. (3.00 / 3)

    •  She says she was on Little House on the Prairie (none / 0)

      TV show.  But I couldn't a listing or picture.
      •  Here is the IMDB.com listing... (4.00 / 2)

        for a one Gigi Goyette

        Rusty: A Dog's Tale (1998) .... Gladys the Waitress
        ... aka Rusty: The Great Rescue (USA: video title)

        People in Eurasia on the brink of oppression: I hope it's gonna be alright... Pet Shop Boys: Introspective

        by rgilly on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 09:31:50 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Wow. Not the best resume. (4.00 / 8)

          She must've really needed that $20,000.  And that book deal.

          BTW, I think it's interesting that American media payed Genifer Flowers $250,000 (I interviewed her, that's from her mouth) to reveal her Clinton affair.  Someone on DKos posted recently that it's because Schwartzenegger's gal's fee was "hush money" - but clearly, she didn't think it was hush money.  She thought there'd be a book deal at the end of it.

          What does that say about left vs right?

          Another BTW, I produced an episode of a very well known basic cable series about famous people's lives (you figure it out) about A.S.  He reportedly was extremely happy about the show and phoned (or his people phoned, you never know) my boss (at a big studio) to thank me.  However, we were not allowed - nor were any of our sources allowed- to clear any material until his offices approved the show.  Most of those shows using personal stuff and interviews of friends of famous people are love letters to the people by necessity - otherwise, no photos, no interviews, no clips.  Stonewall.  We were told we weren't to interview the writer of a certain unauthorized (and probably more true than not) bio of the man - or else we'd basically have to draw stick figures and use sock puppets to tell his life story.

          That's not at all unusual for a star.  Just FYI.

          ANOTHER irony of this story - the piece I interviewed Flowers for was another cable doc on the history of the tabloids.  In our research for that doc, we pretty much came to the unofficial conclusion that the National Enquirer is USUALLY RIGHT!

          Well, whadyyya know!

          "There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, ALWAYS." - Gandhi

          by hopesprings on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 09:55:03 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Use this link for photo (4.00 / 4)

          at the very end of the page -- after some German information

          http://www.schwarzenegger-arnold.de/news/news101.html

          One photo of her on the beach - the other standing next to Arhnold

          "Proud to proclaim: I am a Bleeding Heart Liberal"

          by sara seattle on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 10:11:16 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    •  See above, thanks to Sara Seattle (none / 0)

    •  Girls look fantastic at 16; (none / 0)

      about as good as they'll ever look. That doesn't mean that full-grown successful men get to have their way with them, no matter how sexy the girl. She could stand in front of him naked and beg for sex and it would still be wrong.

      It's a child-adult, right-wrong, maturational perspective. Unbelievably, adult, horny, heterosexual men can decline to have sex with willinv mature looking, sexy adolescences.  

      "Rupert Murdoch Loves Hillary Clinton"--CBS News headline.

      by Thistime on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 04:59:03 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  ahnold (none / 0)

    ahnold, can you say one term? Nope maybe less.

    it tastes like burning...

    by eastvan on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 09:17:21 PM PDT

  •  Statute? (none / 0)

    Can they still charge him, or is there a statute of limitations on this?

    John McCain wants to stay in Iraq for a century.

    by jkfp2004 on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 09:21:45 PM PDT

  •  n/t (none / 0)

    I'm always a little suspicious anytime I hear the Enquirer or similar publications mentioned, but if these allegations are true it could be a huge blow to Arnie.
    •  See my comment above. (4.00 / 2)

      I mean it - they actually have very good (and ruthless) reporters.  Their reporters have checkbooks, unlike the MSM.  Also having worked on this doc, I know that the Enquirer makes people sign reams and reams of disclosures and disclaimers indemnifying them, etc. etc. etc...I've seen them.  I wouldn't sign anything like that unless I was also swearing on my mother's grave.

      ...it would be REALLY STUPID to lie to the Enquirer.  I for one would not like to be sued by AMI.  

      Remember, THEY were the target of the anthrax attack.  WHY?  'Cause they write pieces about Britney's acne?  

      "There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, ALWAYS." - Gandhi

      by hopesprings on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 09:59:09 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Not the source (none / 1)

      The National Enquirer is not the source, they're the story.

      . . . solutions emerge from [our] judicious study of discernible reality.

      by realitybased on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 10:13:43 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Yup. n/t (none / 0)

        I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land. -- Mark Twain

        by Meteor Blades on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 12:55:41 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  They break stories (none / 0)

          Lots of 'em. With a lurid flourish of course.

          The first place I heard about the AIDs epidemic, maybe in 1980 or 81, was from the Nat'l Enquirer--but their take on it was something like "Minister say God has released a Plague on Gay Men." Then it went on to describe a 'mysterious wasting disease," with quotes from doctors and health officials in NY. I believe it was NY and not SF.

          We all had a good laugh about it then. Little did we know. The point about checkbook journalism, above, is well taken.

          U.S. Citizen Abroad? Sustain the Momentum! Join and contribute to Democrats Abroad at: www.democratsabroad.org

          by worried sick on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 01:32:20 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

      •  Yes (none / 0)

        Remember they held off on publishing the story.  Just another example of the media protecting Republicans.

        Turn ons: progressives, Democrats with spines Turn offs: conservatives, people named Bush, John McCain

        by Unstable Isotope on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 05:04:29 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  you know (none / 0)

    I didnt like the recall process at all, but i did have higher expectations of Arnold. He did seem more like a "normal" republican and not a wingnut whackjob.

    It's just pretty sad.

    Now paying this gal hush money in return for favors - that should simply be illegal

    •  Why did you? (none / 1)

      Arnold is a complete tool, who also is on the Board of Bush Senior's Presidential Library.  He used to imagine that "Plow Yobs" were not sex, so it is easy to imagine that he thought that a 16 year old was fair game, which it is if you are the same age.  Most statutory rape laws hold a different standard for concensual sex between teens of the same age, but take a very dim view of older gents poaching on the teen years of younger ladies.  The nicety of them not engaging in intercourse at the time is a pretty strong suggestion that Arnold had a clear idea that he was stepping across a legal line, and chose to take the chance anyhow.  

      The good news about this is that it is the end of the dream of him ever becoming President.   The effect of that would be pretty awful, given what a weasel he is.  There is clear evidence he has made verbal promises in political negotiations that he blithely ignored some time later, in the apparent belief that since nothing was on paper he could not be held to his word.  Now he is being sued, and it should get interesting in the months ahead.  Meanwhile he is raising a huge warchest for a special election intended to push through his personal agenda.  A billboard in California reads:

      "He betrayed the firefighters, cops, teachers and nurses, is your job next?"

      Sure, this is an old story, but people who are sleazy often get caught not for their gravest crimes, but for something minor.  Leaving aside the legal issue, I am always inclined to think that if the guy's own wife can't trust him, how can I, as a stranger, do so?

  •  I, for one, (4.00 / 5)

    will be happy to see Oprah shut her yap about how wonderful Arnold is.

    I think he got so much free publicity from that star-fucker, Oprah Winfrey.

    •  make that (4.00 / 2)

      a would-be star fucker, which is even worse, cause she can't even get any action.  

      ( I used to think Oprah was cool until she decided to lead the Arnold fan club during the California election)

    •  Don't forget (4.00 / 2)

      She helped Bush out in 2000 when first, she had Gore on and expressed disappointment that he didn't give her a kiss ("No kiss?" she pouted). The next week, she had Bush on and he made sure to plant a big wet one on her. Her idiotic audience oohed and ahhed over it. It helped end nearly a month of bad poll ratings for Bush.
      •  So. If I wanna be president ... (none / 0)

        ...I suppose I'll have to give her tongue.

        I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land. -- Mark Twain

        by Meteor Blades on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 12:47:53 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  She might (none / 0)

          have you on twice for that!  (but don't bring her a Hermes bag)

          Why do people like Oprah?

          Turn ons: progressives, Democrats with spines Turn offs: conservatives, people named Bush, John McCain

          by Unstable Isotope on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 05:06:29 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  I like Oprah (none / 1)

            she has helped improve the lives of so many people... instead of just talking about liberal values, she's out there living them.

            But no I don't watch her show.  The hysterical audience members just make me cringe.

            •  You have got to be kiddinng. (none / 0)

              When she gushed over Bush in 2000, and then with Oh, that kiss she harmed millions.  Yes, Oprah the billionaire gave a bunch of cars to poor people, but we're about to fucking nuke Iran! Bush was able to fake a victory in 2000 thanks in large part to the moral vacuum in which Oprah resides.

              The little good she has done is more than offset by the enormous harm she has helped to perpetrate.  

              "Rupert Murdoch Loves Hillary Clinton"--CBS News headline.

              by Thistime on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 05:08:59 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

          •  Still, (none / 0)

            I wonder how she would react if you were a guest and brought her in one of these?

            Wanna ride, Oprah?

            People in Eurasia on the brink of oppression: I hope it's gonna be alright... Pet Shop Boys: Introspective

            by rgilly on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 05:36:09 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  She does have liberal values (none / 0)

              but she also believes that there isn't a problem in the world you can't fix by going shopping.
              •  Oprah..shill for General Motors... (none / 1)

                I wonder if she get the new "employee discount" that GM is offering, just to move their 2005 inventories out the door and marginally reduced prices?

                People are now willing to drive their well-made, last beyond a decade vehicles until the wheels fall off...there is also a glut of well-maintained used vehicles in the market, as well.

                I guess if Oprah can move at least 5 vehicles on her consumerist give-away themed shows, GM (she seems to like Pontiacs for this sort of thing) will be able to make their nut that particular quarter...

                As far as the "winners" are concerned, do they pay their taxes on their "free" Oprah wheeled-bling and drive the things or do they sell the vehicles to pay the tax and buy or put down some sort of intial payment on a nice well-maintained used vehicle?

                People in Eurasia on the brink of oppression: I hope it's gonna be alright... Pet Shop Boys: Introspective

                by rgilly on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 06:32:13 AM PDT

                [ Parent ]

      •  She Had One or More Panel Shows (none / 0)

        full of neo-cons explaining how indispensible the Iraq war was going to be.

        We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for victims of our nation and for those it calls enemy.... --ML King "Beyond Vietnam"

        by Gooserock on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 09:12:40 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  Where's "Mr. Hustler" (none / 0)

    when you need him? This would be a great story to go "indepth" on....

    I'm still trying to visualize this upside down "outercourse" thing

    I'm not going anywhere. I'm standing up, which is how one speaks in opposition in a civilized world. - Ainsley Hayes

    by jillian on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 09:39:38 PM PDT

  •  I don't know, (4.00 / 6)

    the asshole was still elected governor even though it had been thoroughly proven that he's a serial sexual assailant.
    Of course, that was then.  He was popular.  This is now and he's widely detested.  I hope this sticks.

    Are you speaking "bat?" Is that what bat sounds like?

    by jazzmaniac on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 09:44:39 PM PDT

    •  The voters blamed (4.00 / 6)

      the Los Angeles Times for running a story to "slime" Ahrnuld right before the election. Most thoroughly discounted the article as it was from the "liberal" "Latte Times"

      I'm not going anywhere. I'm standing up, which is how one speaks in opposition in a civilized world. - Ainsley Hayes

      by jillian on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 09:46:26 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  As I've now posted some inside stuff here (4.00 / 7)

        I feel the need to confess (and I have on DKos before), but then I was an LA resident, and yes, then I voted for him.

        I voted against the recall but when it came down to choices for gov, I voted...for him.  

        I'm a feminist abortion clinic defender.  I'm from a family of lifelong Kennedy democrats in Boston.

        BIGGEST FUCKING FUCK UP I'VE EVER MADE IN MY LIFE EXCEPT THE WAY I TREATED MY MOM AS A TEENAGER.

        "Regrets, I have a few..."

        Seriously, the reason I did it (he was only the second Repub I ever voted for) was having done the doc on him, I knew a little inside stuff about his business empire going back to what he did from when he first came he and started saving, and thought "Hey, he's not a failed businessman like GW, he's not a political hack, he's a narcissist but a self-made man and maybe he'll straighten out this state."  I'm into self-made men.  I'm one (woman) and so's my fiancee.

        Yes, I did tell myself that.  What can I say?  My voting for him almost made my (moderate democrat and fiscally conservative) fiancee cry.  I was under stress.  My company was being sued.  So...

        ...forgive me?

        May his kharma erase my sins.

        "There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, ALWAYS." - Gandhi

        by hopesprings on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 10:09:02 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  I voted for Bush. (none / 0)

          Just kidding.
        •  You're not alone (none / 0)

          A lot of people voted for him.  He didn't seem like a crazy Republican, more like a sane one.  He's an actor and he put on a show.  They just didn't realize it was a show until it was too late.

          Turn ons: progressives, Democrats with spines Turn offs: conservatives, people named Bush, John McCain

          by Unstable Isotope on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 05:09:03 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  His kharma is his.. (none / 1)

          .. yours is yours.  There is nothing he can do to change yours.  

          Do you ever listen to Morning Sedition with Mark and Mark?  When they do the skit with callers talking about their anti-progressive sins?  Then one of the Marks gives the caller his/her penance.

          It sounds like you need to call in!  They do it in a humorous but thoughtful way.

          I personally, on the serious side, have to ask you to look deep into what you meant by his being the best candidate because he was "self-made" and this stuff about voting this way as if you had no choice with a suit against your business?  

          Is this any way to pick a public servant who is to be an advocate for the WHOLE society?  

          Did you really think that his getting elected was going to help you with your law suit?  

          Did his making money from pimping his physical appearance in a wholly narcissistic society really indicate his fitness to be the governor of the 8th largest economy in the WORLD? (or some such statistic).

          A whole lot to think about, huh.  Sounds like a teachable moment.  Learn from it and move on, dont wallow in it!  Volunteer for a local campaign for someone who many not be the most juiced but someone who espouses the most progressive values.  I think then you would go a long way towards making yourself feel better and it would make a HUGE difference to that campaign, I promise you that.

        •  I forgive you (none / 0)

          because you took a look at yourself and admitted a mistake.  In my book that counts for more than voting Dem against Arnold (yea, so sue me!).  I wish we had a few more reps who could correct their courses, if you know what I mean.

          I have to say though that as I was reading your post I kept thinking of the group on the new F/X show, "Starved."  Everytime one of the members admits an eating error, the group screams "That's not okay!!!"

        •  Hell, I know Republicans (none / 0)

          that voted against the recall (because the whole thing was dirty politics) and refused to cast a vote for any of the jokers running to replace Davis.  Not sure what they would have done if it were a general election, but they had no trouble assessing what Arnold would be like.

          It's best to keep one's emotions to the side when making voting decisions.

          What FDR giveth; GWB taketh away.

          by Marie on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 08:12:08 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  My personal shame is that in 1968 I voted for (none / 0)

          Nixon against Humphrey. The only time I've ever voted for a Republican, and it had to be Tricky.

          I was only 20 at the time, and Nixon had "a plan to end the war" and to achieve "peace with dignity", plus Humphrey was portrayed effectively in the media as a weakling who cried in public. In other words, I was shnookered.

          That experience and others makes it doubly frustrating to see people like Bush and Schwartzenegger get elected, but I guess people have to make their own damn mistakes.

          Greg Shenaut

  •  This is the National Enquirer (none / 0)

    You know, the same publication that broke the Gennifer Flowers "story".
  •  Outercourse (none / 0)

    I guess his steroids were keeping him from * pumping you up*.
  •  Guess we won't be needing that constitutional (3.75 / 4)

    amendment so that the Gropinator could run for prez.

    It takes a village to raise a special child.

    by roses on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 10:00:10 PM PDT

  •  I hope this kills his ballot initiatives for good (4.00 / 2)

    I was really pissed that the state supremes overturned the lower court's ruling and allowed the redistricting initiative to go forward.

    I wonder if Californians yet realize they got swindled on the whole power crisis/Davis recall thing?

    Too bad they just had a recall, because this is probably one case where a really justified, popularly supported recall movement could gain traction. But I don't think the state wants to deal with another one just yet.

    As for arnold, may i just say, it couldn't happen to a more deserving fellow. And I also think Leno and Oprah have some heavy karma due as well.

    •  I am no longer (4.00 / 4)

      a California state resident so I can't redeem myself at the "special" (bogus) election.

      But if this comes out and is well-documented (and if the Rolling Stones dis him in Boston!!), I do believe the whole state will dis him and his initiatives.

      I met a bunch of moderate Repubs who were nurses and teachers on a women's hike in O.C. and they were all about getting him OUT.  He made a big miscalculation when he went after them.  Their rage at him made me even more guilty - my God - I voted for a man MODERATE ORANGE COUNTY MOMS HATE???

      When I talk to St. Peter at the Pearlies, I know the Schwartzenegger vote is going to come up.

      "There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, ALWAYS." - Gandhi

      by hopesprings on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 10:16:21 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  A real good news bad news day (4.00 / 3)

    for the rapinator. It's the also the day the Cal Supreme Court greenlighted the GOP redistricting scheme for the special elections, rejected twice by lower courts. I hope voters won't fall for it.

    Who controls the past, controls the future. Who controls the present, controls the past. George Orwell

    by moon in the house of moe on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 10:22:36 PM PDT

  •  outercourse for her (4.00 / 9)

    but he was just saving his screwing for the rest of the state.

    fact does not require fiction for balance

    by mollyd on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 10:37:43 PM PDT

  •  I don't care (4.00 / 4)

    and I'm not a troll.

    I don't care about sex scandals.  I especially don't care who Arnold had sex with in 1975.

    This might be relevant if Arnold were a Christian-right "family values" politician.  But he is not and he never professed to be. In fact, he criticized the press and his own party for what they did to Clinton.  

    •  Too Bad (none / 1)

      He has the "R" next to his name.  That's enough reason to go after him on this.  All of them must go down, moderates, conservatives, Religious rights, and frankly don't care how.

      John McCain wants to stay in Iraq for a century.

      by jkfp2004 on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 10:56:49 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  He supported Bush, who does claim (4.00 / 3)

      to have those values. They can't have it both ways.

      In addition, this is an elected official who had sex with a minor. It's illegal, and it's very, very wrong. Anyone who does this, politician or not, needs to be nailed for it.

    •  Except... (none / 0)

      That he was 28 and she was 16. Don't care about that? Or should we just forget she was underage because she was probably a "player", and fair game for older men. If so, at what age would you care? 12?

      "There's no housing bubble..." - Fed Chief Ben Bernanke, 10/27/2005

      by chuco35 on Sat Aug 13, 2005 at 11:52:07 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  It really depends on the woman (none / 0)

        Some women are quite mature at 16.  Maybe she was ready and maybe it was consensual. That also doesn't make her a player.    
        •  Except... (4.00 / 3)

          The law says it cannot be consensual if a young girl gets fucked by an older man if she is underage, which she was. Using your definition, a girl could be "ready" and thus give "consent" at 12. Some girls are quite "mature" at that age, after all. So I'll ask again, at what age would you say you would care if an older man fucked a young girl, albeit with her "consent" - 9?

          You see, I don't care about sex scandals either. But I do care when a politician commits a felony - which Arnold certainly did in this case. According to the law he's a felonious predator, and no amount of pooh-poohing by you or others changes that.

          "There's no housing bubble..." - Fed Chief Ben Bernanke, 10/27/2005

          by chuco35 on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 12:12:48 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Regardless (4.00 / 3)

            of what the law says, if your a 28 yr. old man chasing teenage girls, you're a loser.  And a sorry excuse for an Austrian uber-human.

            I wonder how Republicans will respond, being the party of "morality?"  Or will they just prove themselves hypocrites one more time?

            •  Oh, just watch them (none / 0)

              Or will they just prove themselves hypocrites one more time?

              It might take some doing but they will absolutely be hypocrites.  How much you wanna bet they go after Gigi and keep their filthy paws off Arnold altogether?

          •  Exactly right on the statutory rape ... (none / 0)

            ...charge.

            I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land. -- Mark Twain

            by Meteor Blades on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 12:46:21 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  16 is very different from 12 (1.50 / 2)

            and it certainly is very different from 9.

            Give me a break.  

            Perhaps the illegal age should be lowered to 12 or 14.  Technically an 18 year old guy can go to jail for having sex with his 16 year old girlfriend!

            •  WHAT??? ok for adults to sleep with 12 yr olds?? (none / 1)

              You're sick.  I tried giving you the benefit of the doubt but forget it.
              •  Nah (none / 1)

                I think she was saying that comparing sex with a 12 year old to sex with a 16 year old is like comparing apples with oranges (sex with 12=bad....sex with 16= could be fine).

                And she is completely ignoring the 28 vs. 16 aspect of emotional development and perspective in the situation.   And (yeah I know....starting a sentence with "And" is lame but ya know lol) I completely disagree with her outlook on this because imo it has more to do with power looking down on opportunity (as someone mentioned above in some such words) than two mature people having sex.

                It's naive thinking (and that's being gracious) to defend a 28 year old man having sex with a 16 year old girl.

              •  WTF? (none / 1)

                I am not talking about adults having sex with 12 year olds.  I am talking about the illegality of those of college age having significant others who are in high school.  

                That is my first 1 and my first 2 ever.  Thanks a lot.

            •  Where? (none / 0)

              Technically an 18 year old guy can go to jail for having sex with his 16 year old girlfriend!

              In what states?

              Also, that's not the issue we're discussing here. We're talking about adult males having sex with underage girls. Underage girls who, in many areas have a difficult time obtaining contraceptives, much less abortions.

              •  I know of one case (none / 0)

                in Georgia where an 18 year old male did go to jail for having sex with his 16 year old girlfriend, but the 18 year old male was black and the 16 year old girlfriend was white, so that's a pretty classically racist (and scary) case of selective prosecution, if ever there was one.  Most of the laws are actually written with some rather specific sub-clauses which, in your haste to paint with a wide brush in order to sketch some model of anti-sexuality prudishness, you are completely ignoring.

                Words can sometimes, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds. --Elie Wiesel

                by a gilas girl on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 10:04:51 AM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  That was the sole case (none / 0)

                  I could think of, gilas, for many reasons not a compelling example and besides, the overt racism being recognised, that case was overturned, was it not?

                  Most of the laws are actually written with some rather specific sub-clauses which, in your haste to paint with a wide brush in order to sketch some model of anti-sexuality prudishness, you are completely ignoring.

                  Quite so
                  I'm assuming you're speaking here to the person arguing against AOC laws?

                  •  Yes (none / 0)

                    I was speaking to those against such laws.

                    I hope that Georgia case was overturned, but I have never heard the final outcome.  Just remember how outraged I was about it at the time. I know that the young man did spend time in prison and had to give up a football scholarship to college because of the case.

                    Words can sometimes, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds. --Elie Wiesel

                    by a gilas girl on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 01:55:39 PM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

                •  Yeah that case (none / 1)

                  I read a good bit about that one last year and saw a piece that nbc or cbs (dateline or 60 minutes...not sure which) did on it last year iirc as well.

                  That one was beyond the pale and just unbelieveable.  The kid was a very talented football player with excellent grades who iirc had been given a scholarship at a good university when he was arrested for having sex with his 16 year old girlfriend.   He had no prior offenses either iirc.

                  That case was just sad....and it makes me wish I knew what has happened since then as this is the first I've thought of it in a long while.  That kid was just done so wrong in so many ways and he was a great kid from all reports except from the p.a. and those who were out to lynch him (or so it seemed.

                  It just goes to show that some things people down here wish would go unspoken need to be spoken about because it's still happening....sadly...in the 21st century.  Unreal.

                  Thanks for bringing that one up.   I'm gonna have to go find out what transpired with the case now.

        •  I'll ignore my complete disagreeance with you (none / 0)

          As long as you stop ignoring the fact that this isn't about a 16 year old girl's maturity.

          It's about a 28 year old man having sex with a 16 year old girl regardless of her maturity.

          Good grief.

    •  This is more than a sex scandal (4.00 / 3)

      The big issue here is the payola between Arnold and the bodybuilding mags.

      The sex angle is what will get this in the news.

      I don't like that either, but unfortunately that's what it seems to take in the US.

      The Republicans have a fundamental problem with telling the truth - Howard Dean.

      by NYC Sophia on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 05:48:37 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I once knew a girl named Sophia... (none / 0)

        lived in NYC and was the first girl I ever kissed.

        Went to a private school on the upper east side...

        Hmmm. Heh.
        Nah, probably not you.

        So yea, this whole Arnold thing... seems raunchy at first but if the media wants to report it, we should make use of the opportunity to point out his poor policies and governance skills.

    •  The Point is the Money Deals (none / 0)

      The point is that the sex is an issue for voters and, because of that, very important for business.

      The private business that hired Arnold to work during his term as Governor had to buy the silence of a citizen whose testimony would have sunk his election to his public job which was necessary so that he could be in position to change legislation affecting his simultaneous private employer.

      Surely there must some law against this.

      We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for victims of our nation and for those it calls enemy.... --ML King "Beyond Vietnam"

      by Gooserock on Sun Aug 14, 2005 at 09:29:40 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      <