Admittedly, Sarah Palin has faced some harsh attacks from the media as of late. In fact, she has faced harsh attacks since she emerged onto the national scene as John McCain’s running mate about two years ago. A recent article in Vanity Fair makes many accusations and paints a frightening picture of life behind the scenes at the Palin household. Among the accusations: that Sarah Palin does not actually hunt, that she and Todd Palin have a volatile relationship, and that she threatens to use her power to destroy any acquaintance or employee that dare speak out against her.
In speeches and television appearances, Sarah Palin has been throwing about her newly coined term ‘lamestream media,’ claiming that the media today is biased towards the left and Obama, and that it is full of elites who do not understand the folksy ways of Palin supporters. I have but one response to Palin’s attacks on the media: What makes you think you’re so special?
Now, I am certainly not a fan of hers, but I do not mean that as a personal attack. Instead, I mean to say that, frankly, Sarah Palin isn’t the only public figure being scrutinized by the press on a daily basis. President Obama, for example, cannot make a single move without it being criticized in the media. Other leaders like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi face constant scrutiny in the news media as well as the blogosphere. Fellow Republican Michael Steele cannot move an inch without getting flack these days.
In addition to the fact that pretty much anybody who is anybody in the political world will face constant attacks and criticism, Sarah Palin seems to, essentially, be asking for it. There are few days that she isn’t out giving some publicized speech, inserting herself into campaigns in states across the country to endorse candidates. Aside from her nationwide speaking engagements, she has appeared as a regular commentator on Fox News. Hmm. So she is dissing the mainstream media one day but appearing on a mainstream media network the next? The best of the best contradictions when it comes to Palin, however, is that she will have her own television ‘reality’ show on the Discovery Network.
So Sarah, I just have one piece of advice for you, if you really hate the “lamestream” media as much as you say you do. They’re doing their jobs. You are making news of yourself and they’re covering it. They’ve by and large been responsible for any fame you have. It is the journalist’s credo to dissect and analyze any public figure and help America gain perspective on its leaders. If you do not want the heat, well Sarah, I think its time you get out of the fire.
