Balthazar Getty, John Edwards are the Real Homewreckers

I can't stay quiet about this any longer, about the term "homewrecker" being applied to the wrong people. Backstory. First, Balthazar Getty, a greasy-looking used car salesman of a man, frolics around on a boat (and is pictured out and about) with the always topless Sienna Miller, a woman who's acting ability is equal to that of her failure to keep her knees kissing; and then just the other day, John Edwards, former Democratic presidential candidate, admits his affair in an ABC interview.

John Edwards wins Biggest Asshole of the Year for his misdeed. He would've nabbed Biggest Asshole of the Decade but he at least had the courtesy to wait on banging New Age-y Rielle Hunter until his wife Elizabeth was in remission from BREAST CANCER - oh, but then she later received a terminal diagnosis. So yeah. He's such a nice guy.

(Cancer has ravaged my family and I have seen many strong women in my familial ranks taken down by the disease. I cannot imagine how his wife's self-image was affected after her diagnosis, their sexual relationship, et al. but after witnessing family and friends battle the disease its safe to say that she was vulnerable in those areas.)

Of course, they both released statements slapping the public's hands on the matter, how dare we, the American People, criticize what was a private matter except that DUDE RAN FOR BOTH PRESIDENT and VICE-PRESIDENT and the pair used their marriage as a selling point. It was a crucial selling point as the public wasn't warming to Teresa Heinz Kerry and John Edward's sweet little wife Elizabeth and their perfect marriage was the stuff of which Camelot dreams are made. Character is indicative of how a person will act upon assuming office, what direction he will take. I don't think John Edwards has much.

He lamely deflected blame from himself in the interview, pulling the ever-so logical "Well other people have done it, too" card, naming John McCain and hinting at Bill Clinton. Touche. Clinton got his ass kicked for it, as did McCain, even though McCain's assholery was thirty years ago, he never lied about it, he made amends with his ex, even adopted her children from her previous marriage, his wife wasn't dying, he wasn't running for a public office, and he wasn't denying a child that others are alleging is his. Contrasts a bit with the whole Edwards paternity issue. Don't doubt for a second that others would be singing a different tune had McCain committed the same mistakes. I'd have a lot more respect for Edwards had he manned up and admitted his fault instead of barricading himself in the Beverley Hilton Hotel bathroom at 2:40 in the morning so as to hide from reporters.

And then there's Getty. He steps out on the mother of his children for a third-rate actress whose only claim to fame is bagging Sadie Frost's sloppy seconds (Jude Law). Getty's claim to fame is being an heir to a fortune he hasn't yet seen and his marriage to a woman more powerful than himself. He wants privacy after cavorting around publicly with his topless mistress.

And I wonder about these men's - all of them - empathy towards their spouses. Their compassion for their children. The value they give to their vows. And I wonder why, in the press, Sienna Miller and Rielle Hunter take the brunt of the blame. Why society is so eager to spurn these women. Sure, their actions speak for themselves but all the men had to do was to say NO.

So why isn't "homewrecker" being applied to these men? They can't wreck their own homes? Are they are not responsible for them?