POLITICAL LIFE - When my kids were small, a family word emerged to describe any kid they encountered with distasteful qualities -- whether they be a bully, a liar, a cheat or someone whose finger constantly found their nose. They were an "icky-doo."
The term came to mind when I watched Arnold Schwarzenegger enjoy the publicity rocket provided by "60 Minutes" for his new book, "Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story." Nothing personal against Leslie Stahl, but Mike Wallace is rolling over in his grave. (What was up with Stahl telling him how charming he was and how much fun he was to be around?) And as for Maria Shriver, bless the woman for resisting the temptation to put Arnold in his.
For those who missed the broadcast, the former California governor wrote off his many transgressions with an "I'm not perfect," and appeared about as unremorseful as they come. He threw sand in the face of his marriage and lied to everybody close to him. He's going to make a boatload of money -- which he doesn't need, he assured viewers -- off this book and his next five movies. The bottom line is he is an icky-doo.
Here are nine reasons why he fits the icky-doo bill:
He cheats.
Arnold-the-womanizer had no problem fessing up to his multiple affairs. On more than one occasion, he reminded interviewer Stahl that anything not in the book was off-limits for the interview -- making us think that his "unbelievably true" life story might have a sequel: "Who I Screwed Post-65?" (For the other 8 reasons why Arnold is an Icky-Doo, click here.)
-cw
CityWatch
Vol 10 Issue 80
Pub: Oct 5, 2012