It is April 14th, 2009. The McCain/Palin ticket lost their bid for the White House over five months ago. . . . but apparently no one told the media. And alas, the gratuitous smears and attempts to demonize Sarah Palin and her family continue.
The media’s latest weapon? Levi Johnston. You know- that guy who impregnated Bristol Palin and now in a sad, sad, effort to garner himself publicity while taking cheap-shots at the Palin family, gave his tell all story to Tyra Banks. What, were the Maury Povich and Jerry Springer shows booked? Stay classy Levi.
. . . As a student of journalism I can tell you he’s not what we would classify as a highly-credible or respected source, to say the least. But the media is taking his word as the gospel, and running with it. And they couldn’t be happier to report on his every dig at the Palin family.
The media, in a cruel plot planned out by James Carville, did the same thing to Rush Limbaugh. And it was completely unacceptable then but even more so now. God bless this woman- she’s a working mother of five children, one of whom is special needs, while another is fighting in Iraq, and another still recently gave birth to a child of her own. She’s been hit with half a million dollars in legal fees to defend herself against bogus claims (i.e.- the politically motivated “Troopergate” scandal), her own church was set fire to, and she remains among the most frequent punch lines in David Letterman’s nightly monologue, while poor ole’ Keith Olbermann over at MS-LSD can’t seem to get over her either.
Hillary Clinton was a victim to these same kind of lame, personal attacks and Greta Van Susteren, one of my favorite journalists, wrote an excellent blog about the attacks launched at both of these women that is definitely worth reading. Here is, in part, what she said:
The level of vitriol towards Governor Sarah Palin by some is over the top. I am not talking about disagreeing with her policies — I am talking about obnoxious hate. She has even been asked to prove she is the mother of her child!! Who else gets it? Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The criticism of her over the years has been over the top. And what has she done ? Worked hard for the American people! She has been accused of everything..even murdering Vince Foster!
. . . . The New York Times think it is fine to laugh at Governor Palin and conservative magazines and papers have done the same to Senator Clinton. It is vicious. I wonder, do they even realize what they are doing?
I am not talking about disagreement with their politics, or ideology, or job performance — I am talking about the just plain nasty gratuitous remarks that make the writer / or speaker look really lame. We should aggressively disagree with politics or politicians when we think it wrong — but you know what I mean — “getting personal” or attempting to destroy is different.
I think the last sentence there makes a great point. Didn’t think Sarah Palin was quite ready to be VP? Totally fine. Don’t agree with her policies? That’s cool too. . . . But please, let’s not allow ourselves to stoop so low as to demonize, make personal attacks at, and make deeply hurtful remarks towards any of our elected leaders, especially when it is so completely unwarranted. I think that so often we forget that these are real people with feelings, and families, and it would do wonders for our political discourse in this nation if we could remember that.
Watch below for an interesting clip from a recent press conference of hers where she talks about how she’s been dealing with some of the nasty rumors and attacks.
What you fear, you try to smear! Palin scares the crap out of liberals, she sees right through them.
Johnathon:
As a 35 year resident of Alaska, I was excited when Sarah Palin was elected governor and for the first year or so of her term. She ran saying she would clean up government, and be open and transparent in all of her actions………
Unfortunately, that only lasted a while until she began lashing out at all who questioned her in any way.
The last 12 months have lead to a downfall of support among conservatives and liberals throughout the state when folks found her words to be hollow, her leadership to be non-existent, and her actions just plain mean!
Support her if you wish, but I’d much rather see her as the leader of your state than mine.
Sincerely:
Jay in Alaska
And you are certainly entitled to your opinions and your disagreements with Governor Palin, Jay. Disagreements we may have with our elected leaders’ policies, voting record, and ideology is one thing- but when we slander them, make disparaging remarks about their family, and launch personal attacks at them- as so many Americans have been doing to Governor Palin, that’s when we really have a problem. And THAT is what I was trying to get at through this post.
. . . But to respond to a few of the points made in your comment I would remind you that while the divisive media circus that was Election 2008 did take somewhat of a toll on Governor Palin’s approval ratings, as one had to expect would happen, public opinion polls show her approval ratings staying above 60%, still making her one of the most popular governors in the country. So I think to say that there has been a “downfall of support among conservatives and liberals” is a little bit of a stretch.
Moreover, I’m not sure what you mean when you say that her leadership is “hollow” when she’s continued aggressive earmark reform, introduced key pieces of energy legislation, and continued to help lay the groundwork for an in-state gas pipeline.
And to respond to your last point Jay, if you find Governor Palin to be “mean” (which seems to be a little desperate to me) but find no wrong in the portrayal of her and the treatment of her by the mainstream media, then well . . . I don’t know what to say!
But all that to say- thanks for stopping by and sharing your opinion!