In a way, it’s comforting to know that a same sex lover’s quarrel can be treated in print like any other public display of mutual love-gone-bad acrimony.  But…its bad enough there are so many desperately lonely people in this world…these two really need to stop visiting the same bar at the same time.  It’s just…too depressing…

Volusia County Council member Bill Long said all he did was give his former partner, DeBary City Council member Patrick Fulton, a "friendly nudge."

Fulton said Long was drunk when he drove his elbow into Fulton’s back at a bar in DeBary.

But what started out like the latest public spat between the two ex-lovers resulted Tuesday in a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence against Long — and a possible charge of aggravated stalking that, if filed, could result in the two-term County Council member being suspended from office.

"He’s just out of control, and I’m not going to be a punching bag," said Fulton, 36.

Long, a former deputy sheriff, was arrested at 2:20 p.m. at the Halifax Medical Center, where he was said to be visiting a friend, and taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail. Because he was charged with domestic violence, he was held without bail until he appears before a judge at 1:30 p.m. today.

It was the latest wrenching turn in the former couple’s angry — and highly public — breakup after a nearly 14-year relationship ended in 2004. And Fulton said it was Long’s anger that prompted not only the elbow at the bar but later a smashed window and damaged door at the house they co-own but where only Fulton lives.

Long, a 43-year-old DeBary funeral-home owner seeking re-election as the representative for southwest Volusia, said Fulton’s allegations were an attempt at "political assassination." Asked if he was drunk at the Cheers Sports Bar and Package when he made contact with Fulton, Long said: "I don’t recall that at all."

They say booze’ll do that.  Can you at least recall the hangover?  Look…it’s over…if you can’t love him you need to keep your hands off him.

And…sober up.