[lbo-talk] (no subject)

[Arash]

While the dissolution of the marriage might be tragic for the couple
personally, don't you think it's a positive development for the state of US
popular culture?  I found these two, both very republican and very
religious, and their ascendancy to pop icon status pretty disturbing,
symbolic of the Christian right's reach with a whole generation of young
people.  Remember those headlines a few years back about the large numbers
of young people making pledges to remain sexually abstinent until marriage?
Jessica Simpson was very much a part of this culture, publicizing how she
stayed a virgin until her wedding night.  I'm hoping this divorce
illustrates to their fan base the inherent dopeyness of Christian ideals for
real-world relationships, a bit like that report did on the rise of anal and
oral sex amongst those pledging virginity until marriage.    

Arash

http://www.soulshine.ca/news/newsarticle.php?nid=2865
Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey Are Splitsville
Published: 2005-11-25
According to US Weekly, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey are no more! The
magazine declared that the two had called it off about one month ago.
Although the couple denied the rumors, they released a statement Wednesday
to the magazine saying, "After three years of marriage, and careful thought
and consideration, we have decided to part ways," the couple said in a joint
statement released to the magazine. "This is the mutual decision of two
people with an enormous amount of respect and admiration for each other. We
hope that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."

Simpson and Lachey were married for three years and MTV documented their
first days of marriage of the pair in the reality series, which helped boost
Simpson's career, called Newlyweds. Both Simpson and Lachey rose to fame
through their music careers. Simpson released the single, "I Wanna Love You
Forever" off the multi-platinum Sweet Kisses and Lachey is most notably
popular through his success with pop boy band 98 Degrees.