Palinography -- An Alaskan's View of Sarah Palin

September 16, 2008

Palinography -- An Alaskan's View of Sarah Palin
If I were just a slight bit more naive (alternatively: less cynical :-) I would be shocked; yes shocked(!) I tell you, at the facts presented to the nation by the punditocrats (that isn't a misspelling, it is a distinction in at least connotation from "pundits") about Governor Palin. Although I have great admiration for the blogosphere and delight at the effects that it is having on the dissemination of information to the public and its watchdogging of the mainstream media ... for purposes of this article I must lump the blogs in with the punditocracy. In general they have done at least as bad, and arguably a worse job, of presenting an even semi-accurate portrayal of Palin to the nation.

I have, however, had sufficient encounters with the press to understand that, even when they actually attempt to be fair, they aim for truth from 100 yards with a 12 gauge shotgun. They may get a few pellets in the target, but only a few. When they don't attempt to be fair (true of vastly too much reporting and, by definition, true of all editorializing), they don't even aim the shotgun in that direction.

If you have ever been present at a newsworthy event, whether an automobile pile-up or a public demonstration or anything else ... you were probably amazed at how inaccurate the next day's newspaper reports of the event were. If it has only happened to you a time or two, you may have passed it off as an anomalous screw-up. Let me assure you, there is nothing anomalous about it.

If you have read my posts on, say abortion or Bush's War, then you know that Sarah Palin and I disagree vehemently regarding many basic issues. I am neither a Republican nor a Conservative. Nor am I, by any possible stretch of the definition, an evangelical Christian. I would have to ponder to find a social issue upon which the Governor and I agree and it would, in any event, be a very short list. What we do share in common is that we are (essentially - she arrived as a baby) life-long Alaskans with many similar interests. Ah ... if one wants to call it a social issue, that does bring into play one upon which we agree. Like all "real Alaskans" [more on that later], we are staunchly opposed to gun control. But I think that may be most of the list :-)

I am therefore uniquely suited to bring you the unbiased view of the vice presidential candidate. I am in political disagreement with essentially all she stands for on social issues. I am in fervent disagreement regarding the war and how we conduct ourselves internationally. But I have enough "local pride" that an Alaskan is making history that I am not going to attempt to kneecap her. I think you will find this a refreshing change. To date, essentially all reporting I have seen on Palin since her name was announced, has been ... well, the term "lousy" comes to mind. Most appears to be an attempt to belittle and/or destroy her.

It is unreal: in a state in which she fairly recently had an unheard of ~90% approval rating, that almost all the emails that circulate purporting to be from Alaskans, the quotes from "Alaskans" in the news and the blogs, is dismissive, indeed viciously dismissive, of her. I'm beginning to wonder if there is anyone left in that 10% who didn't "highly approve" of her and the job she was doing that hasn't been found and quoted! The state has been overrun with reporters. They seem to be behind every rock and tree. It is worse than tourist season! :-) If you want to get on the national news for your 15 minutes of fame ... just wander around Anchorage or Wasilla until you find a camera crew (it won't take long) and say something negative about Palin. Then, suddenly you will find yourself in the national news and your name will soon show up on Google!

The only other picture that emerges [this is how the punditocracy believes it is performing "balanced reporting"] is from the evangelicals. They tend to be nearly as inaccurate as the dismissers.

So, for an honest look at Governor Sarah Palin, stick around. We'll be right back.