I don't know how to begin to express my consternation at the attitudes of both Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, and the sheer mediocrity of Sarah Palin during their interview on Jan. 13, 2010. Both of them mentioned not being able to trust anyone when referring to the federal government and elected officials. It took me a while into the interview to realize what I was observing in both of them behind that distrust. The answer that came to me was "paranoia." Paranoia is not a healthy posture with which to form opinions or make decisions, and I find them both to be paranoid and unable to trust people in general (except for their immediate families). I observed it particularly in Glenn Beck: [On anyone in government] "We're talking about...trust...how do you restore trust and honor...how do you...how do we even know anymore?" [On trusting Sarah Palin] "When someone says, 'Who's out there?', I answer one of two ways, 'I'm waiting for George Washington to appear'...and then it's usually followed by your name...and I say, 'but...I don't know...I can't give my trust out to anybody...every time you do, (snaps his fingers) they burn you.' " I have observed this in him before as well, for example when he was interviewed by Katie Couric: "If you don't fear your own government..." That paranoia extends to their specific focus, (federal) elected government officials, but it is symptomatic of their paranoia in general (and those of their followers).
In addition, while Sarah Palin is a pleasant woman and clearly a loving wife and mother, she is one of the most mediocre and uninformed citizens I have ever seen in the public eye. The fact that she does not recognize her own mediocrity is in itself extremely disquieting. (She should have known immediately that she was not qualified to be John McCain's running mate and politely and humbly declined his offer. When she accepted, she put herself in the position where her mediocrity would be apparent, and it was and still is.) The fact that she (still) has as many supporters as she does is not an exemplary commentary on that segment of American society.
In addition, while Sarah Palin is a pleasant woman and clearly a loving wife and mother, she is one of the most mediocre and uninformed citizens I have ever seen in the public eye. The fact that she does not recognize her own mediocrity is in itself extremely disquieting. (She should have known immediately that she was not qualified to be John McCain's running mate and politely and humbly declined his offer. When she accepted, she put herself in the position where her mediocrity would be apparent, and it was and still is.) The fact that she (still) has as many supporters as she does is not an exemplary commentary on that segment of American society.
Link to the interview segment: (Approximately 1/4 of the way into the interview)
Related article: "Palin Is Ready? Please." by Fareed Zakaria for Newsweek, November 15, 2009
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