In today’s Times: ‘Al and Tipper Gore announced today that they were separating after 40 years of marriage.
The announcement came in the form of an e-mail message. Friends described the decision as mutual.
“We are announcing today that after a great deal of thought we have decided to separate,” the couple said. “This is very much a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together, following a process of long and careful consideration. We ask for respect for our privacy and that of our family, and we do not intend to comment further.”’

40 years, that is definitely a long and careful consideration.

Usually I stop my considerations after four years.