BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS

by Jane Marcellus Has anybody else noticed that most news stories about politicians' affairs aren't really about women? There are women in them, of course. There's the Wronged Wife , who is often portrayed as a victim in stories that frame her in a domestic light, focusing on how she is " coping " and whether " she'll stand by her man ," the Cheating Husband . And then, of course, there's the Other Woman , without whom there would be no story. We know her type: a bimbo, a jezebel, a . . . you know. We hear even less from her than from Wronged Wife , since we all know she is (sotto voce here) " unstable ." We might see her photo -- preferably a semi-nude shot taken in better days--shared with the press by a former boyfriend, now a happily-married tax attorney. The dichotomy that Helen Benedict described over a decade ago in " Virgin or Vamp: How the Press Covers Sex Crimes " is never more true than in stories about extramarital...

By Philip Rucker This is the place where the betrayed wife took her stand. As her husband's affair with an Argentine woman exploded onto the global stage and publicly humiliated her family, Jenny Sanford, 46, and their four sons sought refuge here at their large beachfront cottage on this lush island enclave outside Charleston. In marked contrast to elsewhere across the state, where residents remain riveted by the scandal of Gov. Mark Sanford's disappearing act and affair, Sullivan's Island is the cocoon protecting Jenny and the boys as they strive for normalcy. But it has also been the first lady's war room, where she has given her wayward husband a public thrashing. In the process, she seems to have drawn a new path for the aggrieved spouse of a philandering politician, an episode that has become something of a ritual in American politics. Outside the Sanford home, on Atlantic Avenue near the towering lighthouse, the cameras had disappeared this weekend. Kids splashed...

OOPS, THERE IT IS! As I said earlier, I am in a lot of pain lately and the deep thoughts posts will have to wait. But I couldn't resist sharing this laugh of my day. Filing it in the "what goes around comes around" category. Florist reveals married man's infidelity A MARRIED man is suing 1-800-FLOWERS for $1.15 million after it revealed his infidelity to his wife. Leroy Greer of Missouri City asked 1-800-Flowers to send a dozen red roses to his mistress and to keep the order private by not mailing the transaction to his home or office, Fark.com reported. However, months later, 1-800-Flowers sent a thank-you card to Mr Greer's home. Mr Greer's wife called the business for proof of purchase. 1-800-Flowers faxed her proof of Mr Greer's order of flowers for his mistress. The fax included Mr Greer's card message which read: "Just wanted to say I love you and you mean the world to me! Leroy". His wife has filed for divorce. The case continues. SO...