The Christie Brinkley Divorce Trial Viewed Through an Infidelity Expert's Eyes

An infidelity expert makes some interesting observations and raises some thought-provoking questions about the Brinkley-Cook divorce trial.

(PRWEB) July 7, 2008 -- Although Christie Brinkley's ongoing divorce trial has been covered from many angles, it's still one of the hottest topics in the news.

However, infidelity expert Ruth Houston, author of Is He Cheating on You? - 829 Telltale Signs, looks at the divorce trial of Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook from a different point of view.    

A New York infidelity expert who is frequently called on by the media to comment on celebrity infidelity, high profile infidelity court cases and popular infidelity issues in the news, Houston has been closely following the Brinkley-Cook trial.

Below are excerpts from an article on her website www.InfidelityAdvice.com, in which Houston makes several interesting observations and raises some thought-provoking questions about the Brinkley-Cook divorce trial, including:    

For example, Houston questions why most of the discussions on the issue of an open trial omit or gloss over the fact that open divorce trials are the norm. Says Houston, "Cook fought hard to have the proceedings closed. Christie requested to KEEP ( not MAKE) the divorce proceedings public so the truth could be revealed. KEEP is the operative word. Even though Cook was against it, Christie is legally entitled to present the facts behind her divorce in an open court.

By putting a negative spin on Christie's desire for the divorce trial to REMAIN public, Cook and his attorney have succeeded in diverting attention away from the real reason they fought so hard to have the divorce trial closed. Cook has lots of dirty laundry he wanted to keep hidden from public view. Christie has nothing to hide."

Concern for the Children

Houston also questions the validity of Cook's alleged "concern for the children." Where was Cook's concern for the children while he was cheating on his wife The judge because ruled that the trial would REMAIN open, the evidence presented failed to support the claim that the children would be harmed by a public trial.

Houston points out that if Cook's concern for the children were genuine, and he truly thought a public trial would cause them harm, he could easily have settled out of court, thereby avoiding an open trial. Cook's legal maneuvers were motivated by concern for himself, not the children.

Cheater's Remorse

Says Houston, "Cook's behavior - his tears and apologies -- are consistent with cheating men who get caught and have to suffer the consequences of their extramarital affairs. What he's experiencing is 'cheater's remorse.' He realizes now, that his infidelity has cost him his marriage, his reputation, and the lavish lifestyle provided by his wife."

The Trivialization of Infidelity

Houston says she's appalled at the way Cook's lawyer tries to trivialize his client's infidelity by saying that he didn't see why the infidelity should be an issue since Cook had already conceded that point.

Houston contends that that's one of the reasons infidelity is so rampant today, saying, "It's been trivialized to the point where cheaters think it's ok. We're not talking about a one night stand, or an isolated act of infidelity done in the heat of passion, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This whole case is predicated on multiple premeditated acts of infidelity, planned and executed by Peter Cook over an extended period of time."

Criticism of Christie for Wanting Her Day in Court

Houston also questions why Christie is being condemned for wanting to have her day in court, pointing out, "It's ironic that the same people who criticized Silda Spitzer, Hillary Clinton, Carlita Kilpatrick, Wendy Vitter and other cheating politician's wives, are now criticizing Christie for taking a firm stand."

"Christie gave Cook the option of settling the matter privately. It was Cook's choice to go ahead and battle it out in what he knew would be an open court. Cooks lawyer had the audacity to say they were in court because of the 'self-indulgent wrath of a woman scorned.' Excuse me, Mr. Sheresky - but the real reason you're in court is because your client cheated on his wife."

Is Christie Out for Revenge?

Houston takes issue with the way Cook and his attorney keep harping that Christie's out to get revenge. Says Houston, "It's normal for a victim of infidelity to want to seek revenge on his or her cheating spouse. When the initial shock and disbelief of being cheated on wear off, the hurt and anger that follow, are accompanied a desire for revenge. It's normal for infidelity victims to feel this way. If Christie is out to get revenge, she won't be the first betrayed wife to do so -- and she certainly won't be the last. At least she's chosen a legal way to get revenge."
    
Should Christie Still Be Angry?

"Does it surprise anyone that Christie Brinkley is angry with Peter Cook? " asks Houston. "What wife wouldn't feel angry and vindictive towards a husband who lured a teenager away from her job as a toy store clerk, hired her to be his personal assistant, seduced her into having a long-term affair with him, then paid her $300,000 to keep quiet after the affair was exposed? And on top of that - a porn habit exceeding $3000 a month!"

The psychiatrist's report stating that Christie is still angry means nothing says Houston, who explains that it's not unusual for an infidelity victim to feel residual anger two or more years after the event.

"Tears and apologies don't erase the hurt, humiliation and heartbreak of being betrayed by someone you love., says Houston, who was once a victim of infidelity herself.    "Most marriage and family counselors agree that it takes at least 2 years to work through the emotions associated with infidelity, and fully recover from the trauma of the affair - regardless of whether the person remains with the cheater, or leaves and files for divorce. Talking openly about the situation - even in court, will help dissipate any residual anger Christie may feel."

Infidelity Lessons to Be Learned

In his ruling to allow the trial remain open to the public, the judge noted that "open courtrooms, in general and in divorce actions, may provide a basis for societal education."    Obviously he felt there were lessons to be learned. Here is infidelity expert Ruth Houston's take on what those lessons might be:

For Betrayed Wives:
Ignore public opinion. Have the good sense to get out of a bad marriage, if it's in the best interests of you and your children to do so. Stand up for yourself and for your family.

For Cheating husbands:
When it comes to infidelity and extramarital affairs, remember "You have to pay to play." That payment isn't always calculated in dollars and cents. Think about all you stand to lose.

FREE Tip Sheet on Ways to Legally and Financially Get Revenge

If you absolutely must get revenge on your cheating mate, there are ways to do it without running afoul of the law. For infidelity expert Ruth Houston's free tip sheet on How to Legally or Financially Get Revenge on a Cheating Spouse, e-mail InfidelityInfo @ gmail.com with "revenge tip sheet - prw2" in the subject line.

To interview infidelity expert Ruth Houston,
call 718 592-6039 or e-mail InfidelityExpert @ gmail.com

About Ruth Houston

Ruth Houston is a New York infidelity expert who is frequently called on by the media to comment on celebrity infidelity, high profile infidelity court cases and popular infidelity issues in the news. She is the founder of www.InfidelityAdvice.com and the author of Is He Cheating on You? - 829 Telltale Signs.

Ruth has been quoted in USA Today, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Daily News, , Cosmopolitan, the New York Post, the Chicago Tribune, the Houston Chronicle, the Toronto Sun, Maclean's, iVillage, MSN Lifestyle, FoxNews.com, ABCNews.com, msnbc.com, Reuters, AP, UPI and numerous other print and online media.

Ruth has been a guest on The Today Show, CNN, Fox & Friends, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, Court TV Radio, NBC News, BBC, CBC, WCBS, ABC News, Fox News, 1010WINS and over 440 other radio and TV talk shows in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean.

For more information on infidelity, cheating spouses and extramarital affairs, visit www.InfidelityAdvice.com or Ruth Houston's Infidelity News and Views Blog at http://infidelitynewsandviews.blogspot.com

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