Ah-nold Strikes Again!

Back on the 4th Of July, I shared with you an inspiring video recorded by none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger.  It was moving and patriotic, and it is obvious how proud Schwarzenegger is to be an American.  You have to give the man credit, he is one of the true immigrant success stories.

After she read that blog post, a friend texted me positive feedback about it.  In the course of conversation I observed rather tartly that I was not a big fan of Arnold, "due to the way he treated Maria" (Shriver, his ex-wife).  Readers may recall he fathered a son in an affair with his and Shriver's nanny, which news came out about ten years ago and torpedoed their marriage.  My friend and I exchanged a few more comments about the subject.  It was plain that she and at least one family member held Arnold in a bit more esteem than I did, and I began to wonder if I had been a bit hard on him.  Now I know I was:

Mr. Schwarzenegger, your story put sympathy in my heart for you.  Thank you for sharing it.  You obviously had a rough early life.  You have managed to overcome, and made a huge success of yourself.  You deserve to be proud.  Your words are the sort that can heal and bring this country together.  We need you.  For what it's worth, you have made a fan.  Please keep speaking out and encouraging and uplifting.  It has never been more necessary, or more appreciated.