Media Matters Blows One On Palin

I try to be an impartial observer of the media, especially now when so much of it has become juvenile name-calling with few truths behind it.

Media Matters is usually on point, despite what its critics say. It almost always backs its claims with video or audio that lets its readers decide for themselves. And, regardless of the fact that those criticized try to claim that they are taken out of context, the clips speak for themselves and, I believe, are accurate.

Not so with this criticism of Sarah Palin’s book. The Web site claims that Palin’s book sales are inflated because it is being sold at discount prices.

However, as one of the commentors points out: Many best sellers are sold at discount to bring people into the store, including Dan Brown’s latest.

Not a fair swipe, I think.

However, it’s still not as bad as some of the misrepresentations on the right about the book.

1. Someone please tell me why Rush Limbaugh and his ilk constantly refer to Palin as “Governor” Palin. Does a governor who hasn’t finished a term deserve the title? And even if you think she does, why don’t they call Jimmy Carter “President” or even “former President”? You don’t have to answer. It’s a rhetorical question.

2. How about this? Rush Limbaugh claims Palin’s book only has 10 pages or so of criticisms and campaign talk, but is mostly about policy….However FOX notes that the book only has about 10 pages of policy and is mostly personality? I admit: I don’t have the book.  Maybe one of you who has read it can enlighten us. Here are the two reports.

My local bookshop is selling Palin’s book this way, with nutz on the side. But what do you expect? I live in California. It once sold Richard Nixon’s biography by weight, as if it were bologna.