A Culture of Gossip: Taking out the trash in Palin politics

With the advancement of the media and the internet, I-Phones and Twitter, the American culture of gossip has grown. I call it the trash culture. The trash culture festers in our High schools and is found in every race and stays with some into adulthood.

Unfortunately, it finds its way into politics. And in today's politics, the trash culture of gossip has definately found its way into the politics that surround Governor Palin.

When reading the news about our Governor, I am reminded daily of the intimate family relationships. It has gotten to the point where you no longer can ignore it, because the gossip on family matters with Governor Palin is the headlines.

Why?

R.A. Mansour has an interesting historical perspective on why family relationships make it into the press. Parts of the article on where she lists how family events made it into the media, I say bravo.

I'm saddened by all of this, but I don't hold the actions of Gov. Palin's children against her because the two greatest conservative leaders of my lifetime had screw ups for kids. Ronald Reagan's two children by Nancy Reagan were complete idiots, and Margaret Thatcher's son Mark was the definition of a disreputable son of a politician.

When one goes into politics, you risk putting your children in the public limelight.

And I had a very brief encounter with how that works and even though it was not to the same degree as what has happened with Palin or past politicians, the impact is felt by your child or children.

What I saw was how a simple error in the news can upset your child.

During a school board election, we were asked to put down our children's names. My daughter's name is Tommie and during the course of the election, an article was written and the writer had written I had a son.

Well my daughter was upset about that. And she let me know about it. So during a debate, before my opening remarks, I said to the audience, I had some important business I had to take care of and I looked at the Anchorage Daily News reporter who made the mistake and I said; Tommie is a girl and proud of that fact and she would like for you to correct it. The audience smiled.

The ADN writer nodded her head and wrote some notes down, but the ADN never corrected the story. And what I have learned is; the impact of that mistake can have such a great impact on the child or children. And the news is indifferent to the kid's feelings when printing stories on family matters.

So when it comes to family matters I get very annoyed when it comes to the front headlines, because it's trash talk. And when it makes the headlines, it needs to be nipped in the bud.

Case in point, the Star. I came across the Star through a google search on "Palin" and I thought here we go. You have the Globe on the checkout news stand talking about Obama being gay and Michelle being upset about it and on the internet, the story about Levi and Bristol breaking up.

What interested me about the story was not the details, but who actually would go there and make a comment.

I wish I'd bet real money on this...
-- Celtic Diva

Any bets on the diva making comments on her blog? Now as I make the statement, I have not visited the site.... It'll take only one minute.......

Boy is THIS gonna get ugly--Bristol and Levi split--**UPDATED** It's official per Levi

wish I'd made a real, legitimate bet.

Listening to Ed Schultz this morning, I discovered that Star Magazine has an exclusive with Mercedes Johnston, Levi's sister, who may have spilled the beans on a Levi Johnston/Bristol Palin break-up:


The teen love affair that rocked last year's presidential race is over.
Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol, has ditched her baby daddy, Levi Johnston!

Now's Levi's sister, Mercede is telling all exclusively to Star and the picture she paints of life in Wasilla, Alaska is not a pretty one. Bristol, 18, has virtually cut Levi out of the life of their two-month-old son Tripp.

"Levi tries to visit Tripp every single day, but Bristol makes it nearly impossible. She tells him he can't take the baby to our house because she doesn't want him around 'white trash'!" Bristol won't even allow him to watch the baby for a few hours -- unless he's babysitting!

The worst part, Mercede continues, is that the former vice presidential candidate supports Bristol's treatment of Levi, 19. "I used to love Sarah," Mercede says sadly. "But I've lost lots of respect for her."

I had several emails awhile back referencing similar comments on a My Space page from someone in Mercedes circle of friends.

According to the Star website, there is much, much more in their March 23rd version of their magazine, supposedly on the shelves now.

Family court attorneys, start your engines! I foresee a nasty custody battle brewing! Can you hear the banjo music a-playin' in the background?

(P.S. I've suddenly become very sensitive to "trailer trash" references, as I live in a very nice, totally redone mobile home in a very nice park.

Also, my husband doesn't run around shirtless nor does he wear white tank-tops.

Ed Schultz made reference to said "trailer" and suggested (jokingly) that Jerry Springer might be on his way up to Alaska. I think I need to send a little note to Ed Schultz!)

I am back and just like I thought, the chatty catty of Alaska is like clock work....

Reading the Star and commenting on the topic.....

Par for the course, the level of intellect with this blogger matches her research material.....

Taking the trash out, one blog at a time.......