But perhaps the explanation for this lies in the final part of one of Palin's statements: that "Washington and the media" cannot understand her decision because "it's about country." In other words, for the past nine months, Palin has avoided difficult questions, preferring Runner's World to another Katie Couric interview; she has dragged her family into the spotlight when it suited her (baby Trig was in Runner's World, too) and grown angry when the spotlight became too strong; she has eschewed reason and logic (not to mention spelling and grammar), yet reacted in horror when her critics were unreasonable and illogical in response. Then, after all that, she smugly asserts the right to decide who is a patriot and who is not. It's not about "country," in other words, it's about hypocrisy. And Sarah Palin is full of it.
I agree that it is hypocritical to drag out husband and family and to present the "I am family" image, and then not want the family challenged.
Jackie Kennedy was the only one who got it exactly right. She kept the kids out of the press as much as possible, keeping their lives private to avoid public scrutiny. Jackie knew that you couldn't have it both ways.
There is still enough hypocrisy to go around, however, that goes way beyond Sarah Palin's desire for privacy when it suits her.
Michelle Obama and the Obama girls are treated gently and kindly. We were treated to endless family events of the girls picking out a dog, Michelle's wardrobe praises by the fashionistas, and an endless parade of pictures of the family moving into the White House.
Where were the snide remarks and jokes about the Obama girls or Michelle's fad-fashion choices that are nothing less than embarassing? Nothing rises to the level of statutory rape jokes in the Obama circle. The Obama family is "off limits" to scrutiny, but Palin's family is not.
We constantly hear that "family should be off limits." But there's another edge to that sword that all should be required to comply with to get that wish: Keep them away from the cameras and using them whenever it suits your purposes. Further, if it is deemed appropriate for Palin's family to be attacked and ridiculed, then the same rule should apply to Obama's family.
I've always felt that the "family is off limits policy" is a foolish one. Public figures are open for scrutiny when they become public. It is the fault of the public figure parents if they parade their families before the cameras.
Regarding Miss Applebaum's other complaints:
Player Queen:
Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife,
If once I be a widow, ever I be a wife!Player King:
'Tis deeply sworn. Sweet, leave me here a while,
My spirits grow dull, and fain I would beguile
The tedious day with sleep.Player Queen:
Sleep rock thy brain,
And never come mischance between us twain!Hamlet:
Madam, how like you this play?Queen:
The lady doth protest too much, methinks.- William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 3, Scene II
H/t Clive Davis, Spectator.
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