Oh, my god. We're still dealing with this shit?

As you may have have seen elsewhere, Al and Tipper Gire are separating after 40 years. About this I have nothing to say but "Gosh, I'm sorry to hear that." What I do have something to say about is the very first two paragraphs (also known as the "lead") of the Associated Press story announcing it:

Al Gore once claimed his romance with wife Tipper inspired the novel "Love Story"

Oh, for fuck's sake. No, no he didn't. First of all, "claimed" means "To state to be true, especially when open to question; assert or maintain." That's not what Gore did regarding his and Tipper's connection to Love Story."

And now on to the second paragraph:

Now, after a 40-year marriage that survived the near-death of a child and the heartache of losing the disputed 2000 presidential election, the former high school sweethearts are calling it quits.

Two things. First, Al Gore did not lose the election. It was taken from him (not to say...stolen) by Bush, the U.S. Supreme Court, et all. But never mind that. Second: Did they just equate the Gore's feelings when their 6-year-old son was hit by a car to that of "losing" an election? And did they really use the word "heartbreak" about the latter?

Priorites.