Sarah Palin ("insubstantial") and the media bring out the worst in each other

Austin American-Statesman ^ | June 19, 2011 | Leonard Pitts

[Cincinatus' Wife]

[snip]

The only thing more telling than watching Palin treat members of the media as a kitten does a ball of string was watching the media take it, watching them bend over and grab their ankles like freshmen in a frat house hazing as the paddle comes down. "Thank you, sir! May I have another?"

....Palin and the media bring out the worst in one another. They — we — are like two people in an abusive relationship so poisoned you wonder why they stay in it.

...Palin seems to enjoy the role of political gadfly and center of attention. And, let's face it, the money's not bad.

As for us, I think we are drawn by a lurid amazement that someone we find so insubstantial is viewed by many as being of presidential timber.

Beyond that, there is our ongoing fascination with the shiny bauble, the bouncing ball, the car crash. Palin addiction grows out of the same hollow judgment and inability to distinguish news from entertainment that produces a shark scare every third summer.

If we find her insubstantial, can't it be argued that our addiction to Palin reveals the same in us?

Someone will ask about it, so for the record: Of about 250 columns I've written since 2009, this is my sixth specifically about Palin. A number of others mention her in passing.

I like a good story as much as the next guy. But when you are trailing a bus down an interstate or reading through 24,000 pages of emails chasing news that is not there on a woman whose presidential aspirations are undeclared and whose chances are marginal at best, it's time to wonder: Are you doing a story, or is the story doing you?

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Here is a simple illustration for you to better understand why this issue will prove to keep Palin out of office;

“People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones!”

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Oh, right. How silly of me.

What blither.

[wtc911]

No, you just don't like what I say...big difference.

Have a blessed day.

[jivin gene]

“Poor old Leonard, still trying to string words into clever little arrangements to make us all think that his thoughts actually have some degree of substance.”

Leonard is such a small pseudo-intellectual. Whenever I see anything by him in our left-wing rag, I turn the page.

[equaviator]

I’m gonna quickly jump in here because I detect a certain “zero tolerance” attitude that I think is unrealistic and highly inaccurate.

People who think critically will not see her resignation as something unforgiveable enough to not vote for or support her. What she did was absolutely understandable. I don’t believe that there MUST be something “rotten in Denmark”, so to speak. She’s got more integrity in her little finger than some people would like to believe and they would have other non-critical thinking people believe it as well.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

You have passive-aggressive down real good.

Apparently, it is you who does not like what others say — picking apart what they say, critiquing how they say it, then attributing motives for their actions that suit you.

It must be strange being you.

[wtc911]

People who think critically will not see her resignation as something unforgiveable enough to not vote for or support her

________________________________________________

IOW...anyone who does not agree with you cannot be a criticical thinker...got it. Have a nice day.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

;)

[LibLieSlayer]

Palin is the ONLY Conservatve running.

LLS

[equaviator]

Are you my spokesman? Speak for me, spokesman!

Charlie Manson spoke for The Beatles...that they were speaking to him “in other words” on the White Album.

Buh-bye

[tenger]

Does anyone EVER ask politicians why they feel they can quit in mid-term to pursue another office? EVER? And why is it okay for them to quit without fulfilling their obligations??

[rob777]

And, I find it more than a little telling that when asked by BOR why she quit she said not one word about the excuse that you push, but she did trot out that ridiculous "lame duck" nonsense. After hearing that, it was hard to take any of the others reasons seriously. I could have went along with the others reasons given, but that one was a classic "lame excuse".

[ansel12]

I really like this post from yesterday.

To: EveningStar
What’s with the hatred of SARAH PALIN at Free Republic? I figured it’d be best to ask you directly as you seem to be the head hater.

115 posted on Sunday, June 19, 2011 2:21:35 PM by Jim Robinson

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2736934/posts?page=115#115

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks. It’s hard to know who’s playing on what team!

[lentulusgracchus]

Sure Sarah wasn't saying something about porous-to-nonexistent borders instead, or about toll roads as a substitute for a state income tax?

Or she might have been asking him, "Say, Rick, I've been meaning to ask you ..... what is that Bilderberg bunch all about?"

[lentulusgracchus]

“If you show up illegally, without your card or you’re here as a criminal element, I’m for throwing the book at those folks, but the issue of people who want to legally, thoughtfully and appropriately come to America to work and help us build our economy — we should quickly come up with a program and an identification card to do that.” (Emphasis added)

He's calling for a bracero/McShamnesty program right before your eyes, and you refuse to recognize it.

From bracero to votero in two or three easy steps. Rick Perry + NALEO = Aztlan in no time.

[lentulusgracchus]

there are enough "stupid Americans" (their opinion, not mine) who are impressed with Palin that she could be a real threat to the established powers structures, including their own Media empires and their influence.....

If I were Sarah, I'd get into the habit of wearing Level II-A protection and make it a point not to get into any small aircraft.

[rob777]

"What’s with the hatred of SARAH PALIN at Free Republic? "


I cannot speak for the others, but I do not hate Sarah Palin. I simply think that she is more of a McCain style populist who is posing as a conservative and have said so many times. My problem with her is that she is being presented as the leader of the conservative movement, which I do not see as good for that movement. That being said, I would vote for her in a heart beat if it came down to her vs. Obama. Of course, I am hoping that it does not come to that.

[ansel12]

Of course the choice of the word “hatred” in that post, was not mine.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2737308/posts#19