The Blog of Columbus, Georgia

Friday, January 25, 2008

for 26 JAN 08: STRAIGHT OUTTA SPLITSVILLE

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: You may find this item humorous, serious, or a little of both - but we offer these thoughts from time to time, as we keep a seventh-day Sabbath.)

From time to time we're asked to alert you to upcoming local events. Here's one, for those who might be interested:

Hello Richard,

Here is some info you may either want to include or check out for your blog!

On Feb 6 at 7 pm, celeb attorney and author John Mayoue will be speaking and conducting a book signing at the Columbus Park North Barnes & Noble (5555 Whittlesey Blvd). It will be a sort of "how-to" session on emerging from a divorce financially and emotionally intact - particularly interesting in light of Britney Spears' upcoming custody hearing.

FYI: Mayoue has represented Jane Fonda in her divorce from Ted Turner, David Justice in his divorce from Halle Berry, and Marianne Gingrich. His current roster incldues Chris Rock, and P.Diddy, among others. Also, all proceeds from his book go to benefit Camp Sunshine, a facility for children with cancer.

If your readers would like more information, they may call Jennifer at 706-653-7880.

Hope this is helpful!

Sarah Meyers

Excuse me for asking a silly question. But if you needed to recover emotionally from a divorce, would you turn to a lawyer? They're known for providing legal counsel -- but the other kind?!

It's one thing for an attorney to have big-name clients. But to have them as the result of failed marriages makes for a sad roll call. It's a bit like being the agent for several of the baseball players listed in George Mitchell's steroid report.

Yes, I can hear some of you already. I'm a single guy -- so I shouldn't be commenting on marriage, much less divorce. But my parents divorced during my senior year of high school, after 26 years of marriage. Records show they stayed together during my teenage years mainly because of me - which seems to make them a bit more honorable than Britney Spears and The "Diddy-Daddy."

Divorce attorneys make their money cleaning up the damage from a failed marriage - and sometimes writing books about how they do it. But isn't there a better way to handle this? People already are trying to do this with the AIDS virus, and even children's cancer. It's called prevention....

Divorce prevention can occur when a marriage is "on the rocks," as Hollywood tabloids used to call it. But it actually should begin before the marriage happens. It's about making a plan to succeed -- and I really don't think that should include a "pre-nup" agreement.

Before brides and grooms race to the altar, they should slow down and think about what they're about to do. Numerous agencies offer premarital counseling, as do some churches. Counselors might spot some things the couples haven't considered. Even some large and important things - like which way you unroll the bathroom tissue.

The group Orleans had a hit song around 1980 called "Love Takes Time." The pain of a divorce can linger for an even longer time. My Bible shows love is much better, and is what God is all about. Shouldn't that be where our emphasis should be? After all, the only country known for a "Day of Hate" was Cambodia under Pol Pot.

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The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.