Those who have read my writing on chron.com or on my own personal pages know that I have no respect for former governor and Cutsie Smart Mouth Sarah Palin. She was a cynical selection by John McCain, wholly unqualified and unprepared for the roll into which she was thrust. No matter to her, though; she enthusiastically embraced the VP candidate roll, including personally attacking and openly slandering then candidate Barack Obama as well as all things not extremist right wing. The predictable results are now history.
Since the end of that disastrous campaign, did she go home, put her head down, and go back to work? Oh, no. She has jumped in front of any camera she could find, dragging along her sexually active, under-educated children, playing with relish the part of aggrieved private citizen who has been victimized by the "drive by media," all the while maximizing her time in front of that very same media. Her behavior has been erratic, odd, sophomoric. And, she has confirmed her reputation as a lightweight with a continued lack of ability to cope with being a public figure. Her Fargo-like speeches, consisting of long run-on free association, are like fingernails on a chalkboard to anyone who critically listens. She accepts invitations to speak at right wing events, then cancels, only to then show up. On top of all that, she's suddenly resigned from the best job she could possibly hold that would help her qualify for higher office, then oddly invited all the major networks to interview her while fishing with husband, Todd, turned out in T-shirt and oversized waders.
Inside this carnival-like atmosphere she has created spins her family. Her kids, husband, and extended family members are all players in this soap opera, some too young for this angst, others unwittingly dragged into the maelstrom. Some appear regularly on talk television, revealing family secrets that should never be revealed. Rather than protect her family, Palin has exposed them to this circus, all the while complaining that her kids are exposed to this circus.
Not surprisingly, stories about the Palins' marriage have swirled around the couple, complete with allegations of affairs, and trouble between the two of them. Then yesterday, the Alaska Report broke a story claiming that they are indeed divorcing, citing unnamed sources. The mainstream media has handled this story very carefully, although some blogs picked up on it. Her spokesmen have vigorously denied the story, again blaming the media for the leaked story. I don't know if the story is true, but generally these kinds of rumors tend to have some element of truth to them.
Whether this story is true or not is irrelevant in my view. Divorce is a wrenching, emotional conclusion to months, sometimes years, of stress, changing circumstances, anger, and seismic shifts in the lives of a couple. If the rumors of this divorce are true, certainly there are lots events that could be pointed to that caused it. However, those reasons, and even the divorce, if it's true, are none of our business. As much as I dislike Palin, she still deserves privacy, though she has done little to deserve it.
I believe it's time to let these people find themselves again. Time for the television trucks to go home, the reporters to stop dogging the Palins. It's also time for her to shut up and focus on her family, stop blaming others and get her own life and that of her family in order.
Just my view.
Since the end of that disastrous campaign, did she go home, put her head down, and go back to work? Oh, no. She has jumped in front of any camera she could find, dragging along her sexually active, under-educated children, playing with relish the part of aggrieved private citizen who has been victimized by the "drive by media," all the while maximizing her time in front of that very same media. Her behavior has been erratic, odd, sophomoric. And, she has confirmed her reputation as a lightweight with a continued lack of ability to cope with being a public figure. Her Fargo-like speeches, consisting of long run-on free association, are like fingernails on a chalkboard to anyone who critically listens. She accepts invitations to speak at right wing events, then cancels, only to then show up. On top of all that, she's suddenly resigned from the best job she could possibly hold that would help her qualify for higher office, then oddly invited all the major networks to interview her while fishing with husband, Todd, turned out in T-shirt and oversized waders.
Inside this carnival-like atmosphere she has created spins her family. Her kids, husband, and extended family members are all players in this soap opera, some too young for this angst, others unwittingly dragged into the maelstrom. Some appear regularly on talk television, revealing family secrets that should never be revealed. Rather than protect her family, Palin has exposed them to this circus, all the while complaining that her kids are exposed to this circus.Not surprisingly, stories about the Palins' marriage have swirled around the couple, complete with allegations of affairs, and trouble between the two of them. Then yesterday, the Alaska Report broke a story claiming that they are indeed divorcing, citing unnamed sources. The mainstream media has handled this story very carefully, although some blogs picked up on it. Her spokesmen have vigorously denied the story, again blaming the media for the leaked story. I don't know if the story is true, but generally these kinds of rumors tend to have some element of truth to them.
Whether this story is true or not is irrelevant in my view. Divorce is a wrenching, emotional conclusion to months, sometimes years, of stress, changing circumstances, anger, and seismic shifts in the lives of a couple. If the rumors of this divorce are true, certainly there are lots events that could be pointed to that caused it. However, those reasons, and even the divorce, if it's true, are none of our business. As much as I dislike Palin, she still deserves privacy, though she has done little to deserve it.
I believe it's time to let these people find themselves again. Time for the television trucks to go home, the reporters to stop dogging the Palins. It's also time for her to shut up and focus on her family, stop blaming others and get her own life and that of her family in order.
Just my view.
If this is true it is sad. I hate to see any marriage end. She does remind me a lot of those celebrities (like Brajolina) that say they hate publicity and then don't do anything to avoid it. There is a simple way to make this go away....don't acknowledge it.
As someone who generally votes Republican, I would be thrilled if Palin disappeared from politics. She has an anti-business populist streak that makes her impossible to deal with (ask the oil companies in Alaska) and an inability to clearly articulate her position on any issue. She's an intellectual lightweight, and has managed to be unprepared for every encounter with the press. Be gone, already, so we can find an electable Republican or Libertarian.
Wherever whining Palin lands with her hubby or not I hope she begins reading newspapers and keeps her stupid remarks out of the media. It gets tiresome to hear her whine about the media when she is the one bringing it on!
If I never heard the name Sarah Palin again, I would be happy. She is overrated in every way. I know many women far smarter than her, cuter than her (sorry carguy-that has to be a beauty is in the eye of the beholder thing), and by far more humble. I cannot say I know anyone luckier than her.
I would never vote for Sarah Palin for anything related to governance. However, I wish for her and her family all the best things in life.
carguy - yes, I guess everybody gets to see what you say. And I agree skank does not apply. She is way too attractive to be considered skank.
I just go with Peggy Noonan's charitable comment about ex-Gov. Palin: "...out of her depth in a shallow pool". Of course, that was Peggy Noonan, not exactly in the deep end of the pool herself.
Personally, I encourage the GOP to continue with their adoration of Ms Palin. Last time they ran a hard core extremist - one who today wouldn't hold a candle to their nuttiness, they got the electoral votes from Arizona and a few Southern states. Took them years to recover, during which this country saw some of the most progressive legislation in our history.
Glad to have you in here, CarGuy. The comedy team of CarGuy/Wombat must go on!
arte: How does this work???? Does everybody get to see what I say to you??
That was funny about McCain.
How do I get outta here??? I've been stuck since 3:35PM
I can't read the characters at the hottom of the page.
I think "skank" should be permitted. But I don't agree that term fits her. You ALL know I think she's cute and funny. Bright as a 5 watt microwave light bulb, but cute.
She must keep herself in the media to give her presidential push in 2012 more gusto.
Think I am reaching? She is perfect for the GOP. This is why we keep seeing her over and over, because someone is paying to keep her in the limelight.
If someone offers themselves up for public office, public attention comes with it. She is getting exactly what she asked for. Why is she complaining, her name will be remembered for years.
Thousands of people get divorced everyday, hers will be nothing special. If it is true, and not a media stunt that is.
Is this the right place?????
Do I just post a comment here, now?????
Is that you Bob????, Des too?????
arte???????
I was afraid this was the University of Miami blog.
Hey... I know some of you folks... LOL!! Maybe Palin is seeing a helicopter pilot on the side so she can ride free to go out shooting wolves.
I thought your motto was be nice or go home. Regardless of what you think of Palin, you are not being nice. A lot of what you are accusing her of is right out of every politician's playbook. If you and the media put that kind of spotlight on all of the politicians that we in the race, then they would all have some issues, but you guys decided to and still cover her. Stop following her 24/7 and she will dissapear.
*NOTE - Our "Be Nice or Go Home" motto applies to communication between users on these pages. This is a progressive blog...the bloggers' opinions are their own, and not edited. We are critical of public figures when we believe it is appropriate, just as you are in your comments on the chron. The rule here is, if you are nice to other users on the Hurricane, you are welcome. If you are not, you get the [delete] key. - Jefe
PS - All complaints to subject matter, birth certificates, communists, socialists, blah, blah will be deleted immediately.
Bob - an etiquette question. Can Shortstuff say "skank" on here? Personally I preferred my buddy Letterman's "slutty flight attendant look".
I agree. Let them live out their soap opera lives in private. She was a horrible mistake as a VP candidate, which I am sure John McCain must know when he wakes up at 3 AM and realizes he isn't sleeping in the White House.
Howard Fineman has a pretty good piece on Sarah Palin; basically says she has all of the negative attributes of Richard Nixon, but none of the knowledge. Says he doesn't know of one single Republican political type who says she could ever be nominated. Still, he says 20% will always love her. That's a smaller percentage than the number who believe Obama isn't a citizen. .
[birther logic]
Not having seen the original marriage decree, I don't think the Palins were married to begin with. All that state taxpayer money spent on Todd should be recouped from Sarah's upcoming book deal, Fox contract and/or ginko endorsements.
[/birther logic]
Agree with everything you said. I just don't think she can leave it alone. For some people publicity IS like a drug.
For every step forward that women have made in the business world and rising political realm over the last thirty or so years, Palin has pushed us back TWO steps. She only made it so far because of luck. A shame the real women who work hard to make a difference get swept under the rug. Go away Sarah.
She does deserve privacy; however, she really doesn't WANT privacy. I think she'll do anything to get face time in front of those cameras.
Sacrifice her children's wellbeing? Of course. She already dragged her pregnant teenage daughter and the (ex) boyfriend out and around in public. Talk about humiliation. Hey, Mom, why don't you just tell the whole world that your daughter is easy?
My personal (blunt) opinion of Palin is that she's (brace yourself, folks) a white trash skank.
God help us if she EVER tries to win public office again.
" As much as I dislike Palin, she still deserves privacy, though she has done little to deserve it."
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Well, I totally agree with what you said, although, I seriously didn't pay much attention to her after I saw one of her interviews. I never did figure out what the hell she was talking about, because her answers never corresponded to the questions.
She would make a great envoy, if we wanted to torture some of our non-allies, just to keep them guessing and confused.
Either way, she does deserve privacy as much as we deserve her absence from our news media.
Her presence during the presidential campaigning days wasn't all bad though, because she helped me decide who wasn't getting my vote.
As much as I dislike Ms. Palin's politics, I hope this isn't true. Three kids are hanging in the balance. I hope this works out in the best way for all of them.
I did not care for S Palin one bit. I was disappointed that McCain picked her.
If her personal life truly is in distress, good for her for getting out of the spotlight. Leave her alone, already.
We can only wait to see whether she really "vants to be alone," or just wants a different stage. I hope the best for all of the Palins from a personal standpoint, but would not be disappointed if this means the end of her political life on the national scale.
This story, such as it is, would not have been picked up by the media is that idiot of a press secretary, Meg Stapleton had not decided to release a statement. Stuff people write on blogs does not become mainstream news until someone inside the camp issues a press release.
Further, CaribouBarbie wouldn't have such incredible legal bills if she would stop asking her attorney to make statements for her. The whole thing smacks of small town politics. God help em'.
You know Bob, I agree. But it will happen only in your dreams. The media will dog her as long as people are eager for the story and it gets them ratings. And that will happen.
So the only people who can stop this are 'we the people'. I foresee Ds and Rs both following the story (IF there is one) and blaming each other for the circus.
I have been through divorce. It's tough on the adults, but so much harder for the children who have no say. It would be extremely hard to focus on the children if they are constantly fighting the media.
Unfortunately, the 1st amendment has its casualties.