Shame on Us.

The day AFTER I blog about it, the media has latched itself on to LIPSTICK ON A PIG like a leech. And boy are they going to suck this subject dry. Why am I even shocked? I get it. Some people are outraged. Cue the feminists. Cue the ultra-sensitive citizens. The media has got a top story on its hands.

I told you. It was with great hesitation to blog about Barack Obama's LIPSTICK ON A PIG comment, but people can't shut up. You want to talk about it. Go ahead. You want to be offended. You're entitled. This isn't about diffusing your highly charged emotions or telling you how you should feel. This blog is about how my fellow journalists (reporters and anchors) that I admire are highjacking the airwaves and dedicating endless coverage to LIPSTICK ON A PIG.

I have to keep remembering my motto...

“A news sense is really a sense of what is important, what is vital, what has color and life - what people are interested in. That's journalism.”

SO...if THIS is what is important to people, then let's discuss it. Are we making an issue out of non-issue? That's what we should be asking ourselves.

It doesn't matter that the oldest political phrase out there is LIPSTICK ON A PIG. John McCain has used it half a dozen times, most recently when referring to Hillary Clinton's health care plan. Did anyone call him a sexist? Go ahead, form an opinion but the media needs to stop beating a dead horse. Let's move on and FOCUS ON THE REAL ISSUES. We covered it, move on. Politics may be a dirty business, but should we drag ourselves into the mud with it?

The truth is there aren't many things I share my opinion about in public because I have to remember to respect my boundaries as a journalist, but I think I have a right to say something about my industry. I am disappointed. There are other things on people's minds besides lipstick on a pig. Every candidate in this race should be treated equally, every candidate should be faced with tough questions. The media has a tremendous impact on public opinion. It's a responsibility we have to remind ourselves of. This is an election year. America's future is in all our hands and the public depends on us when it comes to getting information about the candidates running for President. That's why I say, let's move on and FOCUS ON THE REAL ISSUES.

I better stop before someone shuts me up!

Before I sign off...
Tonight I'll be watching ABC's Charlie Gibson along with what I imagine will be millions of other fellow Americans. Gov. Sarah Palin in the hot seat. It's a highly anticipated interview, so I'm guessing an analysis of it will be my next blog.
Stay tuned!