Opinionated News

The minute you step center stage in the public eye, you become an object for scrutiny in today’s western culture.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re a previously unknown actor, singer, sportsperson or politician, the moment the public spotlight shines in your direction and you take a bow acknowledging it, you’re going to pay a price for that.  I’m not sure that this is right, but it’s the way it is so public figures have to live with it.

That said, surely politicians who are hoping for a high place of office, such as say Vice President, ought to expect even deeper scrutiny – not as a vehicle for mudslinging, but as a matter of fact verification.  If they expect people to vote for them, surely they should be happy to be investigated for any questionable activity?  I would have thought that Sarah Palin would welcome the opportunity to clear her name.  If she’s got nothing to hide, then she has everything to gain by proving wrong those who are questioning her ethics.  If I’ve got no dirty laundry around, I’m happy for anyone to walk through my utility room!

Whilst I would be a bit annoyed at having to answer for my previous professional actions  and having to prove I did no wrong, if I were running for a position that could put me in America’s Oval Office, I would expect to have every decision I’d ever made scrutinized by the party.  The fact that this obviously wasn’t done or it wouldn’t be an issue now, that Sarah Palin had originally said she would co-operate, and now perhaps won’t, really doesn’t reflect well on her.  Sometimes we have to bow to the greater good and I think that the greater good on this occasion is to take a higher ground stance, comply, prove that the Republican Party Vice Presidential Candidate has nothing to hide and rub the critics noses in it on election day.  After all you can sling all the mud you like, but it can only stick if there’s something to stick on.

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