.

Could it be that the big mystery is finally solved over who fathered Rielle Hunter’s child?  Maybe.  Several media outlets are reporting a secret DNA test was performed on a bit of John Edward’s biological matter and it proves with certainty that he indeed fathered this little girl.

This is all happening as a federal grand jury is deciding whether or not hush money was paid to Hunter two years ago as well as who knew about it if was paid.  Both Hunter and Andrew Young have testified over the past few weeks.  Young is the one who took the fall when the story broke and announced he was the father of this child, despite the potential of jeopardizing his own marriage.  That was his last public appearance and statement since 2007.  Even as he approached the courthouse, he had no comment over his role in this cover-up, if there was one.  Lawyers for both Young and Hunter have said their clients are fully cooperating in the investigation.

The grand jury is investigating whether campaign funds from Edwards’ run as the Republican candidate for vice president were used to pay Hunter to keep quiet about who fathered her now-two year old daughter, Frances.  It’s also seeking to find out the truth about whether or not payments for “videography” were legitimate.

This, of course, reopens the question of what Elizabeth Edwards might now do.  Many have said she was simply waiting for confirmation before filing divorce papers.  Other, however, insist she intends to stand by her man.  This has all taken place as she’s struggled with cancer.

If the grand jury determines the money given to Hunter was done so illegally, Edwards could be facing jail time.  Even worse, the good deed he convinced Young to do could also land his former confidant in jail too, even though that’s unlikely.

There are reports Edwards will be making a public announcement about his paternity.  In the meantime, all eyes are on the missus and are waiting to see what she does, or rather, what she doesn’t do.

Just over six months ago, in September 2008, Ryan O’Neal was arrested with his son Redmond for drug possession (read the previous post here). The younger O’Neal was arrested again today. For whatever reasons that must make sense only to him, he arrived at a Los Angeles jail to visit a friend - only to be caught with drugs during the routine process jail personnel conduct anytime a visitor arrives. What was he thinking?! He’s only twenty-four and has been arrested at least three times for dug possession. It appears serious jail time is the only remedy at this point. The judge set his bail at $25,000, but no one has bailed him out. It could have something to do with his mother’s health.
Farrah Fawcett underwent stem cell treatments for cancer that at one time had been in remission. She flew back to the States after having been in Germany while receiving these treatments only to be hospitalized and listed in critical condition. She has been unconscious for days. Although she and Redmond’s father, Ryan

.

O’Neal, have been divorced for years, they’ve remained close. He’s rarely left her bedside but did attend the court hearing for their son. Redmond had been in rehab, but chose to leave when he heard how serious his mother’s health is. Hours later, he was arrested again for bringing the drugs into the jail (instead of being with his mother).
As his mother’s life hangs in the balance, his choice to do drugs could very well cost him the opportunity to be near her as she struggles for her life. If no one provides the bail money needed, he most surely will remain behind bars. As sad as it is, most keep coming back to the original question: ‘What was he thinking?’ And too, the debate over how to treat those charged with drug -related offenses rages on.
True enough, drugs are illegal and prisons across the country are overflowing with people convicted of every conceivable drug offense. And it’s also true the thousands of drug rehabilitation centers in this country are overflowing and have waiting lists of those wishing to get clean. In many ways, the very first time anyone chooses to use drugs makes him or her guilty of breaking the law. From there, it becomes less about breaking the law and more about becoming sick without the illegal substance. So should the laws punish the criminal or treat the patient?
This debate will continue long after Redmond O’Neal receives his punishment - or treatment -whatever the case may be. It’s just unfortunate that he isn’t where he’s supposed to be; and that’s next to his mother’s bedside.

. Gary Condit

Our federal government now has time on its hands to go into the romance business.  Feeling reassured?  You’re not alone - most aren’t.  Politicians and fidelity go hand in hand about like Oprah Winfrey and the Texas cattle ranchers.  Consider those who’ve not put their marriages first, got busted and then had the whole sordid story unfold in the public eye:

Bill Clinton - Nine words: “I did not have sexual relations with that woman!”

Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer - His call girl scandal caused him to resign as governor. 

Former New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey - Before being outed as a homosexual, he admitted to being “as avid a womanizer as anybody else on the New Jersey political scene”. 

Gary Condit - He was briefly a person of interest in the abduction of Chandra Levy in 2001 because of a romance between the two that he initially denied.  This ultimately ruined his career although he was never charged.  An imminent arrest, thanks to a DNA match, of a former gang member was announced in February 2009.

John Edwards - An admitted affair with a former campaign worker ended Mr. GQ’s political career.  As his wife struggles with cancer, he was working double-time to keep his affair secret and out of the media.  What’s even more bizarre is how this magically dropped out of the media spotlight just as it was heating up.

Former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer

These are just a few of the most recent scandals that come to mind.  Granted, I doubt the creation of the government’s website for Romance and Marriage 101 will have any of these fellows as guest commentators, but it’s almost laughable that those responsible for this new brainchild are actually managing to keep a straight face as the announcement is made of the five million dollars that will be used to bring this site live.  We can’t forget, either, the hundreds of other scandals our elected head honchoes find themselves in - including bribery, theft, DUIs, writing worthless checks - the list is endless.  And yes, they’re human…but they’re held far more accountable since they’re the ones breaking the very laws they’ve written.

Granted, there are major costs associated with divorce and single parents.  And most people agree with the sanctity of marriage, both morally and legally.  It just feels like a kick in the teeth to most us who’ve watched so many scandals, courtesy of politicians and lawmakers from every state, play out on the evening news day after day…after day.

There is another storm brewing too.  The gay community says it’s their tax dollars that will be contributing to this new program, yet they’re not given the option of marriage in this country. 

Public opinion is less than optimistic, to say the least.  The site, if you’re interested, is www.TwoOfUs.org

The debate on stem cell research might not be in all the headlines in American papers, but you can be sure it’s just below the surface. Britain has just passed new guidelines to better define its parameters in terms of what’s acceptable, or rather, what’s legal. Britain has long since been a world leader in the quest for cures and other answers for all that ails the physical human body. In the latest clarifications, British scientists have been given the go ahead to use combined cells from animals and humans to hopefully provide cures for diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. What’s most interesting to me are the laws that were better clarified that allows for parents to screen embryos in search of the ones most likely to provide bone marrow matches and other tissues that could cure their older children. I’m not certain of the level of controversy overseas, but I do know it’s heated here on American soil. Right or wrong, you have to consider parents of children who suffer with diseases such as cancer and who have had bone marrow drives, had their own tests - all in their efforts to find a match for their child. If two parents are desperately trying to save their sick child and would clearly go to the ends of the earth to provide the cure, clearly, they’re good parents. In fact, that’s exactly what parents do. The controversy comes in with those who say bringing another child into the world whose primary purpose is as an “extra”. I have a problem with that across the board label - children are never “extras” and I doubt very seriously parents who would give their own lives for their little ones would be anything less to a younger sibling than the parents they are to their other children. My guess is the younger children grow up with the knowledge of having saved their older sibling’s life. It’s probably a very celebrated occasion.

Wisely, the British government refused to hear arguments regarding abortion laws. Some had tried to sneak in through the back door with this debate. Apparently, both sides, including anti-abortion lawmakers as well as those who wish to “modernize” the wording and clarify the law itself had anticipated a potential entry that would lead to these laws being revised. And you know with both sides hoping for that back door, it would have provided yet another controversy and heated debate that would lead to even more guidelines and revised laws. One debate at a time, right? Which leads up to the next consideration the British government ruled on:

These new laws also say that vitro fertilization clinics are not obligated to have a say in the absence of a father for women seeking to have a child together. Those who oppose this say not enough weight is given to the benefits of a father in a child’s life. I agree that a father in a child’s life is essential - but only if the father is active in a positive way in his child’s life. A present father isn’t always synonymous with a good father. Many people have been raised minus a father in their lives and have some of the most incredible successes one could ever hope for.

Supporter or opponent - regardless of how you feel, we all know the power of one country’s laws and how they can affect future changes in other countries. So even though these controversial topics aren’t front and center right now, history tells us it’s only around the corner.