I’m not proud of reading News of the World, but I did read the Brad Pitt–Angelina Jolie piece Drudge highlighted from it this weekend. I couldn’t help it — and I couldn’t help but think that it’s some kind of jarring cultural milestone when a couple that isn’t even married may be headed to a divorce. The piece claims:

Preparations for a split began in early December when “Brangelina” visited a top Los Angeles divorce firm to begin thrashing out the deal.
An announcement of their separation is expected to be made soon — ending months of speculation that the five-year relationship is on the rocks.

Take it for what it is — gossip. But it is true that non-marriages that mimic marriages don’t tend to end well.

While we’re protecting marriage in the law, we need to be protecting it, period. Making it attractive. Making clear it means something.