Run and hide
by tamarjacobson
The way I watch scary movies, whether they are thrillers or horror stories, is by running to the kitchen when a violent or tense piece arises. I jump up and dash out of the room, either to the kitchen or bathroom and from there I either peek through my fingers or call out, "What's happening?" Life partner is very understanding. He calls back, "Don't come back yet!" or, "Thus and such is happening now," and, "You can come back now."
Well, he has been away these past few days – returning only next week – and I have been running from room to room alone trying to escape the television. It starts because I want to watch the news about Obama and his transition team. But over and over again they play the clip about Sarah Palin interviewed while turkeys are being slaughtered in the back ground. I jump up and run from room to room, never having time to turn the television off, trying to flee the sounds and images.
I run, not so much from the sounds of the slaughter, but from the way Palin stands there oblivious, joyful, stupidly ignoring what is happening to the animals behind her. I flee from the image of someone standing by while cruelty is taking place. At times, while I am running to another room, tears are falling down my cheeks. Tears of rage and helplessness.
Finally, I just turned off the television for good. Important news will be announced through my "breaking news alerts" that I signed up for via email. And I have more control over my internet surfing.
And yet, I am torn.
For, I want to bear witness, be educated, and aware of what is going on through public media, so that I might become an informed, responsible citizen of this world.
I guess I will just have to toughen up so that I can keep track of this Sarah Palin phenomenon. For, I fear, she ain't going nowhere! Unbearably, she is here to stay!
tamarjacobson 
Ainelivia,
I am glad to see that you are keeping your eye on Sarah Palin too – even from afar – from across the seas.
I smiled when I read this Tamar, because I don’t watch scary movies at all. It involves too much shifting, from the couch to behind the couch, etc, etc.
However when you got to the Sarah Palin bit, I began to feel quite scared. I do not recall every watching any news footage of Sarah Palin making a coherent speech, that did not involve trying to diss the opposition. She is unfortunately one of those humans who’s way to getting your approval is to tell you how bad the other guy is; what they never tell us, because they are too busy being “hockey-moms” like us, so much so that I suppose people don’t question; is what they are going to do. Bush was the last one, and unfortunately we didn’t get to know what he would do – because someone else was deciding for him – until he was already elected.
I’ll just go back behind the couch now with a good book. It’s safer there… and maybe I’ll check out that youtube link too.
all the best al
John,
Thanks so much for your comment. I am already subscribed to Change.gov, and am thrilled (thanks to the link you gave me) to be subscribed to the youtube changedotgov now as well.
Your willingness to be removed from damaging media rather than to ‘toughen up’ is part of what makes you special. Please don’t toughen up. You also may want to consider subscribing to Obama’s official transition team youtube account, which will likely provide you with all you would want to know about the process. http://www.youtube.com/user/ChangeDotGov
I know what you mean, Kay. That’s why I have to toughen up and watch what’s going on – at the very least, to report what I see and think about it all.
I can’t stand Sarah either! I only have one question: Has this country’s intelligence dropped so low that we’re giving her credibility? Is gross stupidity “in”? I am afraid — very afraid.