Mediate Michigan

We have role models for everything. Not that Oscar-winning “Braveheart” director and “Lethal Weapon” actor Mel Gibson counts these days, but before 2009 he had a 28-year-marriage that produced seven children and some respectability. Then he turned his life around.

Then there were almost-president Al Gore, and his wife, Tipper, who had 40 years together and had even written a book on how groovy it was to be hitched and then, post-chad, post-Nobel 2010, they said, Oh, maybe not so much on “the death do us part” thing.

Now comes word that the deluxe combo pack of “Terminator” star/former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Kennedy dynasty princess/ex-NBC anchor Maria Shriver are mulling a permanent split after four kids, two accents, multiple political personalities and 25 years of marriage in the high Hollywood-mixed doubles’ trenches.

What gives? Are we a nation now of Howzabouta Second Chancers, even for those who seem to have gotten a pretty good ride the first time around?

via Baby boomer breakups and the search for a perfect union – CNN.com.