Who are we to judge what is or is not the best course of action for Elizabeth and John.

I don’t really know Elizabeth or John personally.  Both have done good deeds.  She might be shrew and he a Don Juan.  I have compassion for both of them.

My wish is that they find their way on whatever path they take and that their children are not harmed.

What a woman decides in her relationship is her business; what’s right for you, may not be right for Elizabeth Edwards.   People should stop calling Elizabeth, John, and Rielle names—it’s childish and ridiculous.  The pain this couple is struggling to overcome is monumental; what purpose is served by calling them names and tearing them down as they try to rebuild their lives and family?  Why must we engage in cruel name calling and harsh judgment of this couple for choosing to remain a family?

As women, rather than judge Elizabeth Edwards what we should be moved to anger and judgment on is the years it took the Illinois medical examiner to figure out that Kathleen Savio was murdered by her husband Drew Peterson; that her dead body in a dry bathtub was not an accidental drowning.  

As women we should be moved to anger and judgment that Stephen Morgan harassed, stalked, and murdered the beautiful Johanna Justin-Jinich.  As women we should be moved to anger and judgment that Connie Culp endured an 80% face transplant because her husband shot her in the face.  Women should not sit in judgment of those who choose to rebuild their families.  Rather, women need to be concerned with a more fundamental issue: a woman’s right to live on earth—a woman’s right to live free of violence, harassment, disfigurement, stalking, and threat of death.  

At this very moment a man is beating a woman to death…judge that and not Elizabeth Edwards.

I’ve always wondered if behind the scenes Elizabeth controlled more of John’s career than he himself did. Was the affair more about her loss of control over him  than the indignity of the affair itself.

I’ve been going through and reading various threads. I totally don’t get why people post on threads in regards to subjects they PROFESS not to care about. One woman has posted on virtually every celebrity thread that it’s all drivel. so what are you doing posting on it. and if you think other things like face transplant patient is more important… go post on THAT thread. Just cracks me up people. if you don’t like it… don’t read it.. don’t post on it…If you think the Edwards business is their business then please spare us the four paragraphs under the Edwards thread as to why it’s thier private business and no one elses. Apparently it’s enough of your business to read the post and post on it. Just hilariously ironic.

For me, I stress, my personal opinion…

Once a man has betrayed my trust by way of cheating, I could never trust him again. When I heard Elizabeth say that the one thing she asked of John when they got married was that he remain faithful, it brought back memories. I too have asked this of men I was in committed relationships with. Why? Of all the things I could ask for why this? Clearly on a deep level like Elizabeth, we had a sixth sense of what was to come. Thinking if we could just get verbal confirmation from our guys it would ease our minds.

I think it takes a special kind of person to cheat. I know I could never cheat on someone I loved. Under no circumstances. Unlike other women on this site who constantly speak of "you never know?" as I always say there are some concrete truths I know about myself. I have never stayed nor would I with a man who hit me, cheated on me or chose to lie to me repeatedly.

But in the case of Elizabeth, only she knows why she is choosing to stay with John. He must be giving her something on some level I just don’t see. And the fact that he had unprotected sex with Rielle…..it just grosses me out.

In normal circumstances I would not stay with a cheater, however if I knew I was dying I probably would make the same decision Elizabeth has.  Her passing away and leaving her children will be stressful enough for her children.  I’m sure at this point she wants their lives to be as "normal" as possible.  Getting a divorce and going through ALL THAT would disrupt the little time she has left with her children.  When she said she was not going to let the other woman effect her, I am sure she meant she was not going to give her a thought because the most important things in her life now is being with her children and living as "normal" a life as possible.

Who’s to say which emotion will grab you the hardest when push comes to shove and decisions must be made?  Fear, anger, shame and embarrassment… All of this and more come into play when adultery is exposed. 

Elizabeth Edwards made her decision and who are we to judge?  All I know is my opinion, based on my own personal experience.  Leopards truly do not change their spots.  This isn’t a guarantee that he’ll do it again, but if the mindset that goes along with love and fidelity was not present before, it certainly won’t be present after the man is forgiven and given another chance. 

I agree with Joan, releasing this book is just sad and it’s obvious that she is beyond angry.  I don’t have any desire to commiserate with Elizabeth Edwards and give an ear to their private woes - this book just extends her bitterness - I won’t be rushing out to read it. 

As I said before, I can only talk from experience and what I discovered is that life is too short to be so bitter and unhappy. Too many couples stay together because they believe in the love they once had, but if true love still existed in this marriage they wouldn’t treat each other so despicably.  There is so much unnecessary sadness in marriages today - if you are that angry and unhappy in your marriage, it’s time to step away and move on.  It takes courage - it’s not easy and it’s not the end of the world, but it is a chance to start fresh and be happier in the long-run!