Do We Ever Grow Up?

Since it’s hard to read inflection, let me just say that you should read that title with a bit of annoyance and an emphasis on the ‘ever’.

I admit it. I do not like her.

I am one of the many people who don’t think much of  Sarah Palin. And now she has given me more reason to think even less of her. I have to wonder how she ever got elected to any office.

I was watching the Today Show this morning when I caught a segment about Sarah Palin and Joe McGinniss. See, Mr. McGinniss is renting a house next door to the Palin’s. He can probably hear when they fart, the houses are that close. And Mr. McGinniss is working on his next book. Yep, it’s about Sarah Palin.

He is gathering information through interviews and observation. No, this does not mean he’s watching their every move. But, as Ms. Palin should know (since she has {cough} written a book herself) is that research is needed. This would mean getting to know the surroundings, the places, people, lifestyle of your subject. Not sitting with binoculars spying, but casual observation.

Who hasn’t watched their neighbor? Be honest.

Before moving to Virginia, Dwayne and I would sit on his front screened-in porch and watch the neighbors. One would walk her dog every day at the same time. One house had so many people come and go we would come up with stories of what might be going on there. Then there was the time the SWAT team staked out a house. Yeah, and he thought my neighborhood was bad.

Since moving to Virginia our neighbors have watched us as we moved in, put in insulation, repainted our metal roof, built a garage/workshop, planted a garden, fought. It happens. Once you walk outside your front (or back) door you are fair game to anyone observing their surroundings.

If Jerry Springer were still on, Sarah Palin would be a regular guest.

Ms. Palin’s threats of violence are completely uncalled for and borderline ridiculous. Joe McGinniss is writing a book. Doing research. He’s not spying on her. What is he going to see? The Palin’s watch American’s Next Top Model. Oooo. (I don’t know if they really watch America’s Next Top Model and I don’t really care.)

Point is, she immediately became defensive. They built a fence. She rattled off threats. She talked at Mr. McGinniss through the media. Makes me think she just likes the attention and the protecting her family routine is just that, a routine. When the wolf truly shows up will anyone believe her?

What is missing here?

If you have a problem – speak – to – the – source. Why didn’t she just say, ‘Hey, Mr. McGinniss. I’m a bit uncomfortable about your presence here and would like to know what your intentions are’?

Oh, I know. She’s a public figure and he might twist her words around. Well, then go to a neutral spot with maybe a camera or other recording device taping the conversation. Lay down some ground rules. Basically, grow up and stop acting like you’re five.

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