Comments on: Frank Rich Did It First, But More Would Follow: Trying To Destroy Sarah Palin And The Tea Party Movement http://www.melissaclouthier.com/2010/01/18/frank-rich-did-it-first-but-more-would-follow-trying-to-destroy-sarah-palin-and-the-tea-party-movement/ Information Pollination Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:26:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Mary Sue http://www.melissaclouthier.com/2010/01/18/frank-rich-did-it-first-but-more-would-follow-trying-to-destroy-sarah-palin-and-the-tea-party-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-18364 Mary Sue Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:49:49 +0000 http://www.melissaclouthier.com/?p=15821#comment-18364 To some degree I think the potential problems with the organization of the event were unnecessarily conflated with reactions from Sarah Palin supporters because the larger issue was the event itself. It is true that some Palin supporters have become so protective of her they respond viscerally. This is being played out in a thread at Hot Air as we speak. She is however, a very capable woman who is free now to defend herself and does so quite ably. Perhaps with time supporters will feel less of a need for this. The therapist in me would say though communication is a two way street and it is important to consider the possibility the reaction is provoked either through a poorly framed message or a genuine interest in rousing a debate. I have seen this happen as well. Nevertheless, we are all on the same side and want to see that we can come together to elect great candidates as we may be poised to do today in Massachusetts. We can only grow stronger by being able to air our differences civilly. Perhaps that is the best lesson of this experience. Finally, another apology for writing so much here. I considered sending this in an email but since my comment was made publicly I wanted to clear the record publicly as well. To some degree I think the potential problems with the organization of the event were unnecessarily conflated with reactions from Sarah Palin supporters because the larger issue was the event itself. It is true that some Palin supporters have become so protective of her they respond viscerally. This is being played out in a thread at Hot Air as we speak. She is however, a very capable woman who is free now to defend herself and does so quite ably. Perhaps with time supporters will feel less of a need for this. The therapist in me would say though communication is a two way street and it is important to consider the possibility the reaction is provoked either through a poorly framed message or a genuine interest in rousing a debate. I have seen this happen as well. Nevertheless, we are all on the same side and want to see that we can come together to elect great candidates as we may be poised to do today in Massachusetts. We can only grow stronger by being able to air our differences civilly. Perhaps that is the best lesson of this experience.

Finally, another apology for writing so much here. I considered sending this in an email but since my comment was made publicly I wanted to clear the record publicly as well.

]]> By: Mary Sue http://www.melissaclouthier.com/2010/01/18/frank-rich-did-it-first-but-more-would-follow-trying-to-destroy-sarah-palin-and-the-tea-party-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-18363 Mary Sue Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:14:17 +0000 http://www.melissaclouthier.com/?p=15821#comment-18363 I first heard of these concerns when I listened to your podcast last week. I responded rashly on a facebook thread that I didn't understand what seemed to me at the time like "inside baseball." Since that time I have read a number of posts on this issue including yours here. I do understand there were/are genuine concerns about this convention. Shedding light on those concerns is the best way to see that the concerns are addressed prior to the convention. Hopefully all participants will have a better experience as a result. I am sorry for having commented hastily. As a former marriage counselor I should have recognized the discussion was escalating and my comment would do nothing to de-esclate the confusion. I feel very bad about that, believe me. While writers like Frank Rich will often find a scandal or issue where none exists, a problem at the first organized convention event would have been a gift. More importantly participants, volunteers and speakers would have been tainted unfairly by their association. Having done some of this type work, though not political, many years ago, the potential exists for problems in countless ways. Even if there were no allegations of questionable practices there is a learning curve to consider. I do believe it is best for all that potential problems come to light prior to the event. continued in next comment. I first heard of these concerns when I listened to your podcast last week. I responded rashly on a facebook thread that I didn’t understand what seemed to me at the time like “inside baseball.” Since that time I have read a number of posts on this issue including yours here. I do understand there were/are genuine concerns about this convention. Shedding light on those concerns is the best way to see that the concerns are addressed prior to the convention. Hopefully all participants will have a better experience as a result.

I am sorry for having commented hastily. As a former marriage counselor I should have recognized the discussion was escalating and my comment would do nothing to de-esclate the confusion. I feel very bad about that, believe me.

While writers like Frank Rich will often find a scandal or issue where none exists, a problem at the first organized convention event would have been a gift. More importantly participants, volunteers and speakers would have been tainted unfairly by their association. Having done some of this type work, though not political, many years ago, the potential exists for problems in countless ways. Even if there were no allegations of questionable practices there is a learning curve to consider. I do believe it is best for all that potential problems come to light prior to the event.

continued in next comment.

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