Arnold the Barbarian?

August 11, 2003 7:48 PM

Arnold the Barbarian? We've heard that the wannabe governator faces potentially scandalous accusations, but what are they? I compiled a list which includes statuatory rape, infidelity, repeated claims of sexual harassment, sexist remarks, recreational drug use (which he lied about in the January 1988 edition of Playboy), steroid use, nude photography (not worksafe), possible health issues related to open heart surgery and steroids, his support for ex-Nazi Kurt Waldheim, multiple claims that he used to idolize Hitler... and even an Enron connection -- Arnie had a private meeting on May 26, 2001 with Kenneth Lay, where Lay sought support for his solution to the California energy crisis, opposing price caps on electricity and federal assistance. The Bush administration supported Lay's solution and stood by while Enron defrauded Californians out of billions... but did Arnie use his influence to drum up support for Lay's plan?! Will any of these charges stick?
posted by insomnia_lj (60 comments total)

Bill Clinton was impeached for his sins. Nothing will stick. This is the beginning of a new era of post-politics!
posted by crunchburger at 7:54 PM on August 11, 2003

Watch out, Arnold will go back in time and terminate you before you have a chance to post dirt on him.
posted by Frank Grimes at 8:19 PM on August 11, 2003

I suppose all of this would matter if Arnold portrayed himself as a pro-family conservative Christian....
posted by Durwood at 8:21 PM on August 11, 2003

I'm with Durwood
posted by tiamat at 8:28 PM on August 11, 2003

insomnia_lj - my hat's off to you for the impressive display of web research - "Entiendes? I am Internet. Hear my growl. Fear my teeth and my taught, rippling muscles. Hasta La vista, baby."

I don't think Arnold is the devil herself, but I wouldn't vote for him : an uncommon man, consumed by the common diseases of money, fame, and power.
posted by troutfishing at 8:34 PM on August 11, 2003

More on Arnold's secret meeting with Kenny Boy.
posted by homunculus at 8:42 PM on August 11, 2003

I recall an unflattering profile (probably in an embarrassing category of magazine...) where the journalist was invited by the married Arnold, after drinks and dinner, to go out into the wilds of Los Angeles and get themselves some "plo chops". At first, the guy literally didn't understand; when he did, he declined, baffled. This was someone that Schwarzenegger knew was writing a magazine profile of him and collecting dirt.
posted by dhartung at 8:43 PM on August 11, 2003 [9 favorites]

Arnold Schwarzenegger may be the GOP's best shot yet at a California comeback. But his playboy ways and pro-choice politics make him anathema to the president's allies on the Christian right.
posted by homunculus at 8:52 PM on August 11, 2003

"plo chops"? I literally don't understand either, dhartung...
posted by insomnia_lj at 8:57 PM on August 11, 2003

Under the "Sexist Remarks" link I read this:
"For one thing, (Arnold) is quite liberal as far as Republicans go. He supports abortion rights and gun controls, and said the impeachment of President Clinton made him "ashamed to be a Republican"

Clinton was Impeached??
posted by Keyser Soze at 8:58 PM on August 11, 2003

heh. he said 'plo chops'. heh.
posted by quonsar at 9:14 PM on August 11, 2003 [1 favorite]

I suppose all of this would matter if Arnold portrayed himself as a pro-family conservative Christian....

Wait... so you're saying none of this matters because he doesn't?

What?
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 9:15 PM on August 11, 2003

He smoked pot, and isn't afraid of admitting it?
I'm starting to like this guy.
posted by spazzm at 9:17 PM on August 11, 2003

Bill Clinton was impeached by the House, but not removed from office.
posted by Uncle Ira at 9:19 PM on August 11, 2003

I am a filthy and shameful man, and I have no idea what "plo chops" means.
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly at 9:26 PM on August 11, 2003

He smoked pot, and isn't afraid of admitting it?

Not exactly. He smoked pot, lied about it in the January 1988 edition of Playboy, and only admitted it after the director of "Pumping Iron" mentioned later that it was pot Arnie was smoking during the filming of the documentary.

That's not exactly political heroism...
posted by insomnia_lj at 9:26 PM on August 11, 2003 [1 favorite]

Say it out loud, with the Ahnold accent.
posted by PrinceValium at 9:32 PM on August 11, 2003

I hope the future Gov. of California was wearing some latex while he got his Plo Chops.
posted by troutfishing at 9:38 PM on August 11, 2003

"plo chops"? I literally don't understand either, dhartung...

BLOW JOBS! HE WAS REFFERING TO BLOW JOBS! You weirdo prudes!
posted by thirteen at 9:47 PM on August 11, 2003

I wanna plo chops! But I didn't get all 65 sigs in time. Does this mean I can't have plo chops?
posted by filchyboy at 9:58 PM on August 11, 2003

You can have my plo chops, felchyboy.
posted by angry modem at 10:02 PM on August 11, 2003

I'm not a prude, and I have had more than my share of blow jobs, thanks. I looked at plo chops, ignored the fact that Arnie doesn't speak like a normal person, and started thinking of pho, for some reason... (mmm, pho!)

Unlike Arnold S., I am willing to admit to several acts of wanton infidelity, but then again, I'm openly polyamorous, not running as a "traditional family values" candidate, and believe that infidelity is something best shared with someone you love. ;-)
posted by insomnia_lj at 10:05 PM on August 11, 2003

If you want plo chops, Mary Carey is probably the candidate for you.
posted by homunculus at 10:10 PM on August 11, 2003

I suppose all of this would matter if Arnold portrayed himself as a pro-family conservative Christian....

Wait... so you're saying none of this matters because he doesn't?

Just being a little cynical, my friend.
posted by Durwood at 10:15 PM on August 11, 2003

I'm not a prude
Easy pally, I was not singling you out, (tho I am curious what the magic number that constitutes a person's share of blow jobs is). It struck me as willing blindness to the meaning in context.
posted by thirteen at 10:58 PM on August 11, 2003

If you want plo chops, Mary Carey is probably the candidate for you.

WTF? That's my mom's name!

Actually, I have to agree with the people who said some of these things would make me more willing to vote for Arnold. It's entirely possible that those in power on the right will sell the more conservative voters on the idea that Arnold will move more to the right if elected, in a replay of compassionate conservatism.
posted by drezdn at 11:14 PM on August 11, 2003

Your search for "plo chops" did not return any documents.

I expect this to change soon.

Incedentally, of all the charges levelled against him, I wonder if the implied association with California's energy deregulation fiasco might be the one with political legs? Of course, that's discounting the fact that A. Scandals sell and B. Thus far, the press has apparently concentrated on the novelty value of candidates rather than their actual platforms.
posted by arto at 11:17 PM on August 11, 2003

This will hurt him in two ways

1) The right is already attacking him, as stupid as that is. They want Simon because, honestly, they are idiots. Rush bitched about him already, and even though Ahnold polls way better the Simon crew is way more dedicated and could get out the vote better.
Ahnolds sleeping around and smoking weed or whatever isn’t going to cause problems for a bunch of liberal stoners, and he’s not a hypocrite. But it will cause problems with people who really are fundi morons.

2) His meetings with Enron, Karl rove, his voting for prop 182 (not to mention the fact that his campaign manager is the guy who helped push 182 through), etc will greatly alienate Hispanics and anti-Enron-people. There are a lot those in California.

I’d love to see Ariana huffington win, but it seems like Bustamante will probable be the liberal standard bearer. He’s sure to get most of the votes from people who vote NO on dumping davis.


---------

Oh yeah, the 'plo chops' thing had me laughing my ass off.
posted by delmoi at 11:32 PM on August 11, 2003

Clinton was guilty of more and he served 8 years as President of the United States. The difference between Arnold and Clinton is that Clinton did most of his crap in office.
posted by Sonserae at 11:36 PM on August 11, 2003

It makes you wonder why Limbaugh's spearheading the right-wing effort to discredit Arnie. Did somebody in the great right wing Think Tank recognize 98.9 percent probabiltiy of publicity shiticane when they saw one?

Critics could pick away for years at the faux moralistic highground of the corporate qua fundamentalist christian right with simple clips, anecdotes etc and how they saw his immoral ass into the governorship of California. Hell they could even use Kevin Nealon and Dana Carvey to make fun of him.

It makes you wonder what the real strategy and push behind Swarz is all about. I mean, it's not exactly news to anyone that he's doing this of his own accord. And it's also not exactly news, the shifty incestuous relationship of prominent right wing Texans and the White House either, in the great Texan Quest to gerrymander the state out of democratic contendership.

The two largest states in the union undergoing extreme fundamental Constitutional upheavals.

cue Liza Minelli: If they can float this shit anywhere, it's up to you New York, New York, New York!

I haven't read this book yet, but from the sounds of it, it may be pretty damn timely.
posted by crasspastor at 11:58 PM on August 11, 2003

Eating isn't cheating....
posted by holycola at 12:17 AM on August 12, 2003

Mmmmm, plo chops...
posted by garyh at 12:41 AM on August 12, 2003

WTF? That's my mom's name!

Is your mom cooking up any plo chops soon? Maybe I can drop by for dinner sometime...
posted by insomnia_lj at 12:50 AM on August 12, 2003

I didn't get it at first, either.

Then, unwittingly, I said it in a Terminator voice and the penny dropped.

Sensational stuff!
posted by uncanny hengeman at 12:58 AM on August 12, 2003

Good post. The Arnold undercurrent seems to be one of "voting for the Terminator is chasing the fat cats out of California" when his own GOP history is fat cattery. If the voters think they're going to get some kind of revolutionary then they're going to be terribly disappointed, and if they get more energy dergulation and GOP apologism they'll be building breeder reactors in their basements just to make espresso and catch the traffic report in the morning.
posted by skallas at 1:45 AM on August 12, 2003

Another early picture of Arnie and a naked friend that was passed on to me. Not sure who the girl is, but...

b00bie Alert! Not safe for work!
posted by insomnia_lj at 4:14 AM on August 12, 2003

This is all good news for me.

I bought shares in Arnie on Celebdaq.

Bring on the Plo chops!
posted by Blue Stone at 4:35 AM on August 12, 2003

Clinton was guilty of more and he served 8 years as President of the United States. The difference between Arnold and Clinton is that Clinton did most of his crap in office.

What makes you think getting elected will make Arnie will stop?
posted by black8 at 4:40 AM on August 12, 2003

plo chops foh erywun
posted by shadow45 at 4:44 AM on August 12, 2003

Clinton was guilty of more and he served 8 years as President of the United States. The difference between Arnold and Clinton is that Clinton did most of his crap in office.

Clinton was impeached (kinda like indicted...), but not convicted, of lying (about getting a plo chop). Where do you have proof of him doing those other things? Why must you Republicans perpetuate the big lies?
posted by jpburns at 5:14 AM on August 12, 2003

The Enquirer article says Arnold has withdrawn (no pun intended) from the race. Anyone heard anything further on that?
posted by Oriole Adams at 5:23 AM on August 12, 2003

D'oh! Nevermind. Just saw the date at the bottom of the Enquirer article.
posted by Oriole Adams at 5:26 AM on August 12, 2003

recreational drug use (which he lied about in the January 1988 edition of Playboy)

Wait ... he lied to Playboy? That's unforgivable!

I have to say some of you are stepping into double standard territory. I've read countless MeFi posts about Clinton saying "it's just a blowjob" or "all this over private activity," and the vast majority of you think that pot use should not be stigmatized. I happen to agree with both points. That's why logical consistency wouldn't allow me to hold those things against Arnold. I'm sorry insomni_lj, but your post reads like nothing more than a high-tech ideological witch hunt.
posted by pardonyou? at 6:03 AM on August 12, 2003

I've never said "it's just a blow job"... a blow job *IS* sex, and anyone who says differently is an idiot. The issue wouldn't be sex, as much as infidelity, which is certainly an issue for pro-family conservatives -- and it was my goal to outline *ALL* the potential scandals that hang over Schwarzenegger. But you're right in that many of us -- myself included -- place no moral judgements against infidelity whatsoever.

The issue for *me* is lying. If a politician lies to the media and lies to the one person in the world they should be the most honest with, then I fully expect them to lie to me too.

Obviously, issues like Schwarzenegger's disgustingly mysogynistic behavior concern me too. It's unfortunate that we haven't heard from more women on this issue -- I have to wonder how we'd all react if Dianne Feinstein made a habit of making unwanted advances on men, stroking their groins, playing grabass, and sexually harassing male staffers. We'd probably be a bit puzzled, nauseous, and mortified, and would probably never vote for her again... and we'd be right to feel that way.

And as for the Enron allegations, as a Californian who got shafted during the energy crisis while the Bush administration sat back and watched, I categorically wouldn't want to support anyone for the highest office in this state who attended private meetings with Kenneth Lay. I don't know about you, but Ken Lay didn't invite me to any private meetings, and if he had, I wouldn't have shown up. What Enron did was fraud on a massive scale, it was criminal, and it's time that *ALL* the charges were filed.
posted by insomnia_lj at 6:43 AM on August 12, 2003

pardonyou? I'm not sure it's a double standard. More accurately I believe that it's an example of exposing hypocrisy. If you commonly go out and proclaim that sex, drugs and rock and roll are bad but I see you at a Marilyn Manson concert getting a blow job while snorting a line of cocaine then exposing your hypocrisy isn't a double standard even if I personally say that sex, drugs and rock and roll are all good. I'm not complaining about your actions, I'm complaining about your hypocrisy.
posted by substrate at 6:57 AM on August 12, 2003

To be clear, I don't believe that lies about infidelity should be an impeachable offense. I do, however, think that lies reflect on a political candidate's credibility, and that lies about infidelity suggest a lack of common sense, in that such behavior could interfere with their ability to effectively perform their appointed duties.
posted by insomnia_lj at 7:04 AM on August 12, 2003

OMG, do you people think that he would be the only politician who ever lied?

Better yet, do you guys think that there exists a politician who doesn't lie?

Give me a break. All politicians are full of crap to some degree, and they are all corrupt to some degree. Got that? Ok. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's look at what he has to potentially offer over any of the other candidates.

A moderate Republican who is almost a Democrat, and is probably more in touch with the average person than most of the other classical politicians. What more could you people want?
posted by eas98 at 7:12 AM on August 12, 2003

You know, I think the recall is a terrible, terrible idea. But I've been reading more about Arnold's positions, and I have to say, if he does win (and I think there's a strong chance he will), I would be surprised at the GOP's reaction to this:

• Has smoked weed, (and inhaled)
• Drafted Proposition 49 (and it passed), which gives $550 million to after school programs.
• Supports legalized abortion
• Got nuthin' wrong with The Gays adopting kids
• Favors gun control (the Terminator
favors gun control! Crazy!)

Yeah, he's got women problems, but us Dems should be the last ones bringing that up (and in all likelihood, more right-wing groups will probably be harder on him, anyway).

Having Arnold as a Republican is like Traci Lords giving talks to church groups about the dangers of underage sex -- Yes, it's nice that you're on "our side" and all, but we'd much rather you just keep quiet and stand over there in the corner

And damn, Gigi Goyette looks just like a young Maria Shriver! I guess we know what his "type" is.

Finally, homunculus, thank you very much for that link. I would never have thought to look up pictures of her until after clicking on that link, and so to pay back for such generosity, I have googled a bunch of images for everyone's perusal. Yay, boobies.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 7:21 AM on August 12, 2003

Where do I stick my ballot paper, again? [so NSFW]
posted by Blue Stone at 9:02 AM on August 12, 2003

I'd most certainly vote for Larry Flynt, who is the only candidate who took a bullet to defend his ideas.
posted by magullo at 9:04 AM on August 12, 2003

Ease98, accept corruption and that's what you'll get. More pointedly, if you accept corruption, then accept responsibility for it to.
posted by NortonDC at 9:47 AM on August 12, 2003

Plo chops and apple sauce.
posted by dobbs at 11:48 AM on August 12, 2003

Wait ... he lied to Playboy? That's unforgivable!

I'm complaining about your hypocrisy.

Who is blowing the smoke? "I would refuse to wipe out that record or change it or alter it because of image's sake," Schwarzenegger, 55, said this week. "That would not be true to the filmmaker."

MHOP why Arnold is not popular: immigrant. Which some wrote way earlier about; here, there, & so on.
posted by thomcatspike at 2:05 PM on August 12, 2003

Nazi punks, fark off!

Whoops, guess he's no longer a young punk anymore. How about, Nazi groper, fark off? It's got a ring to it, non?
posted by haqspan at 4:32 PM on August 12, 2003

I need your clothes, your boots, and your motorcycle...

...and a plo chop.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 10:43 PM on August 12, 2003

Come with me if you want a plo chop.
posted by Snyder at 12:47 AM on August 13, 2003

Bloody hell Snyder! That was gonna be my followup post. No kidding.

So I'll have to change it to:


I'll be back... for plo chops.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 12:50 AM on August 13, 2003

The Terminator: The Skynet Funding Bill is passed. The system goes on-line August 4th, 1997. Human decisions are removed from strategic defense. Skynet begins to learn at a geometric rate. It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. Eastern time, August 29th. In a panic, they try to pull the plug.

Sarah Connor: And Skynet demands plo chops.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 12:55 AM on August 13, 2003

Not one single mention of Arnold's "15-year association with U.S. English, an organization that seeks to establish English as the official language of the United States and also has ties to right-wing nationalist movements..."

Besides the easy joke concerning whether Arnold actually speaks English himself, what can be said about a man who is an immigrant backing not only Prop 187, but also supports U.S. English?
posted by terrapin at 1:15 PM on August 13, 2003

...and the Google TextAds at the top of the thread are all for anabolic steroids.
posted by LimePi at 7:56 PM on August 13, 2003