This past week I watched the Barbara Walter’s 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009 Special… She had her usual annual headliners: Lady Gaga, whom she asked if she has had sexual relationships with women, Adam Lambert, whom she asked about his homosexuality. Detect a theme here? But then I always forget that she has to cater to an sex obsessed American public. She also interviewed Jenny Sanford, whose interview was as dry as a piece of six week old toast. I guess in this age of political sex scandals it is indeed fascinating that Jenny actually packed up and left the Governor’s mansion instead of standing right next to her husband while he admitted publicly to his long time affair with his Argentinean girlfriend.
(Glenn Beck made it onto her list as well, but I cannot go there!)
But what was most fascinating about Walter’s Special was the fact that both Michelle Obama and Sarah Palin made her list. To even attempt to put these two women in the same category is something that is lost on me.
On one hand, our First Lady:
Photo: Annie Leibowitz
Let’s see! Here we have a descendant of slaves who grew up on the south side of Chicago. Michelle graduated from both Princeton University and then went on to Harvard Law School where she earned her Juris Doctor in 1988. She met her husband, our 44th President(!!!), at a Chicago law firm where she worked in intellectual property. She later served as Associate Dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago before working for the University of Chicago Hospitals, first as executive director for community affairs and later as Vice President for Community and External Affairs.
While her husband pursued his political career, first in Springfield, Illinois as a State Senator and then Washington, D.C., as a United States Senator before embarking on his Presidential campaign, Michelle has been raising two daughters, Malia, who was born four years after she married Barack Obama, and Sasha, who was born three years later. Both girls have been out of the spotlight and are rarely seen in public.
Whenever she appears in public our First Lady is nothing but poised, answering questions intelligently and with honesty, showing humility and elegance rarely seen in this day and age of outrageousness. An example of a highly educated woman who is committed to her husband, her daughters, and her husband’s ambitions. We learned that whenever she gave a speech during her husband’s campaign she wrote it herself, never letting the ugly side of politics get the better of her.
Fortunately for us, as a nation, she became our First Lady and we can be assured that she will represent us with the same dignity she shows our country whenever she appears in public. Like her husband she is loved and admired around the globe, which was unthinkable for an American President not too long ago.
On the other hand, Sarah Palin:
Born in Idaho and raised in Alaska, she later attended Hawaii Pacific University for one semester before transferring to North Idaho College for two semesters. Then she went on to win the Miss Wasilla pageant and finished third in the Miss Alaska pageant when she received the “Miss Congeniality” award and a college scholarship. She used this scholarship to attend the University of Idaho for two semesters, Matanuska-Susitna College (WTH??? Honestly!!!) for one semester and finally went back to the University of Idaho to complete her Bachelor’s degree in communication. Are you dizzy yet? Just keeping track of her college years is hard work and it’s only a sign of things to come.
She eloped with her then boyfriend and gave birth to her first of five children eight months later…
From 1992 to 1996 Palin was a member of the Wasilla city council before being elected as mayor of Wasilla in 1996. She became chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission after an unsuccessful run for Lieutenant Governor, but quit after just one year. In 2006 she became the first female governor of Alaska. After announcing that she was not running for reelection she resigned from her position 18 months before her first term was up.
While she pursued her political ambitions in Alaska and later nation wide, something we can thank John McCain for, she raised five children, whom she thrust into the spotlight at any opportunity she saw to help advance her cause. Using them without many scruples to portray the image of wholesome family values. Even her daughter’s then boyfriend had to stand in as pseudo fiancee once the public became aware of the fact the Palin theory of abstinence apparently does not work so well in her own home. And we all know how that strategy ended.
Whenever she appears in public she has been nothing but an embarrassment to herself and her family, and this nation in general, “answering” questions by regurgitating right wing talking points, if at all, showing anything but humility. When asked if she ever hesitated to accept the nomination for the second highest office in this country, if only for a moment, she answered clearly and without hesitation “No!”. The only clear answer she has ever given. A shining example of this country’s need for education reform, who is committed to no one but herself. Her peak moment was without doubt her speech at the Republican Convention, written by former Bush speech writer Matthew Scully. After that it went all down hill and politics not only got the better but also the worst of her.
Unfortunately, thanks to John McCain, the public continues to be subjected to this nimwit. She sure is a gift that keeps on giving, forcing herself into the public eye at every opportunity. Her recently released book speaks for itself (and goes to show that ANYone can consider themselves an author). You could blame the ghost writer but then you have to keep in mind that even the best writer can only do so much with the subject at hand, who, as we found out, cannot recall a single publication she reads and does not believe that Africa is a continent. A fine representation of everything that is right wing in America indeed! Every so often I allow myself to go to that dark place in my imagination where she would be Vice President. Flying around the world, visiting foreign countries and meeting with their leaders, continuing the world wide mockery this country’s leadership had been for the longest eight years in the history of America.
I shudder at the thought and yet, Barbara Walters apparently feels that Sarah Palin deserves to be put into the same category as Michelle Obama. As unbelievable as that might seem, you could witness it on ABC and I did. The irony was not lost on me and I started to wonder who actually makes the decision as to who the Most Fascination People of the Year are? I am assuming it is a committee, a committee that finds sex, scandal, and basic lack of intellect as fascinating as brains and sophistication. My only hope is that the majority that appreciates the latter will continue to prevail as the opposite would be to dire to comprehend. As a country we should take pride in those amongst us who are smarter than us, who have bright ideas, who lead with shining example. Not those who wink during Presidential debates and cannot recall the last newspaper they read.
Let’s hope this country continues in the right direction and the majority of voters are intelligent enough to make the right choices. We have all experienced what can happen if they don’t.
Today’s Running Tip: Take a Deep Breath!
Running is generally a great way to release stress and regroup. But if you feel constantly stressed out be sure take a few minutes to calm yourself down before heading out on a run. Close your eyes and take deep, cleansing breaths. Otherwise you risk injury due to distractions and tension.
