NEW YORK, May 23 (DPI) — Reader comments following revelations of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s out-of-wedlock paternity were surprisingly critical of media outlets, particularly The New York Times, for publishing follow-up articles.

“By reporting this story, the NYT looks like TMZ,” one NYT reader posted, whose sentiment was echoed repeatedly by other posters. Another wrote: “Why are you invading this woman’s privacy? Nobody needs to know who she is, what she does, where she lives, or what her relationship is with her son.” And a third: “The reporters need to leave her alone. If not for her, think about the child. For all we know, the kid may not have even known who his real father was until this ‘story’ started.”

Another surprise in the reader feedback was the highly personal and intimate nature of reader replies, especially from men:  “Along the lines of not knowing all the facts – why are we condemning Arnold? A lot of husbands that I know (myself formerly included – I chose divorce), and probably a lot of wives, are in impossible emotional situations. Imagine that he loves his wife, his kids, his in-laws, and the life he’s built with his spouse. She completely ignores any needs he has (sexual, social, personal, professional, whatever). He can: 1. Stay loyal and be miserable for the rest of his life; 2. Leave his wife and lose her, his kids, his friends, his in-laws, his financial assets, his social position and perhaps his career; or 3. Have an affair and be a liar for the rest of his life. It’s a Faustian choice.
“Just as we don’t completely condemn a person from stealing a slice of bread, we shouldn’t completely condemn every wayward spouse.”
Another wrote a similarly philosophical response:

“How many husbands and wives out there know they have an unhappy spouse and do nothing to change things then are “shocked” and “outraged” when he leaves, cheats, or just gives up and does nothing but watch t.v?

“I have very little in common with Arnold Schwarzeneger, except that I too, have fathered a child from a woman other than my wife.

“Am I really evil because of this fact? I have long ago acknowledged paternity, assumed responsibility and have done the best I can to make things right by all of those I love. This is not an easy path nor should it be, which I accept.

“As long as Schwarzenegger is trying to do the right thing now, why not stop kicking him and give his children and their mothers the space they need? This seems decent towards them whatever your feelings about him.

“Another thing I learned the hard way, there are many more folks out there who have hidden their secrets not yet discovered and pretend that they are without sin. Give it a break people, the truly perfect are very rare.”

( Digital Press International – 5/23/2011)