Sarah Palin Does Oprah Winfrey on Life and Rogue

GOP Nominee Palin Loves the Limelight and Oprah Tickles Her Fancy

Talk about a publicity stunt. Sarah Palin hits Oprah up with an interview to pump her new book "Going Rogue: An American Life."

Sarah Who?

Remember Sarah Palin? Oh yes. She was John McCain’s running mate for VP in 2008 against now President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

The Republicans Named Who???? For Vice President 2008?

Palin was the “wild card” thrown by the Republican party during the volatile ’08 United States presidential election. In her first term as the governor of Alaska and on the GOP ticket, she ran into trouble in the international spotlight for a number of reasons including some legal and ethical issues involving her ex-brother-in-law (Mike Wooten), her high dollar wardrobe, and her daughter Bristol’s (the oldest of the five Palin children) pregnancy by Levi Johnston.

What Has Palin Been Up to Lately?

After making a number of lame comments to media during her run for national office, Palin resigned as the governor of Alaska with 18 months left on the books. Palin noted personal reasons, and she certainly had some.

Palin says in her interview with Oprah that her state (Alaska) was being "hampered" and that she was "lame duck" as far as her political office in her home state. Palin said that she was "reloading" and that her focus was on 2010 (today and now - and selling her book) but not 2012 as a presidential candidate. She did not, however, rule that idea out that she might gear up and run for president. She danced around that idea and also the idea of being a talk show host just like Oprah.

After losing the bid to be VP of the United States last year and after resigning her seat as governor of Alaska and with a special needs baby of her own and an unwed daughter with a baby, many can understand why Palin could and should take a break. That is a lot on her plate. Still, you don't bail out on your job (especially an elected position) and then expect to play the political game. If she can't run for office and run her household, then how does she think she could run the country?

Does a Lady Take a Break After She's Been Run Over by the Bus?

Hanging loose and getting her life on track does not seem to be a priority with Palin. She has spent the year getting a book together. That is a huge task, but she really did not write the book. Going Rogue is ghostwritten by Lynn Vincent who has signed a non-disclosure agreement. This is not unusual. Most stars who write books really do not write the books. They talk with writers who do the the work. That is a reality in the literary world.

Now Palin in on tour to promote her book, and her first stop is the Oprah show (11-16-09). Might as well start at the top. Very few people carry the clout to land an Oprah spot. Palin does, and she takes full advantage of that as she does most any chance to get media attention that she thinks will be favorable (although she manages to make herself look bad in most cases).

Palin/Oprah TV Interview

Palin does handle the Oprah show fairly well, and Oprah does ask some semi-tough questions though does not go for the jugular. In fact, for an hour long show with only Palin as the guest, not much gets said.

The two high powered women talk and share stories though clearly do not have much in common. Oprah says that she doesn't understand certain decisions made by Palin, and Palin rambles around without answering.

The overall theme of the Oprah show on Palin is that Palin got a bad shake during the election. That is Palin's spin - both in her book and in her first interview to promote the book. She got a chance of a lifetime, and she stomps all over almost everyone who made that possible. She must not have heard that old saying about not burning bridges.

Palin notes that she thought her kids would be off limits as Obama's have been (although she has put hers out there). Palin notes the double standard while sharing home videos of her own children. She complains that her whole family was made over during the presidential campaign. "Do we really look that bad?" Palin asks. Oprah does not, however, ask how Obama's family was impacted or if Palin might have just said "no" if she did not like the free clothes and new looks. In fact, Palin says that she liked having her clothes there and laid out for her. Well hey, I might like a deal like that as well.

As far as the Katie Couric interview that reflected poorly on Palin, Oprah asked a number of questions about that episode. Palin never did note any of her readings even though Oprah questioned her several ways about that. The most specific she got was, "I'm a lover of books and magazines and newspapers." After all this time, Palin still does not appear to know what she reads and why. So, she doesn't write (her own book), and people are still left to wonder what and if she does read in her spare time.

The Levi Question

It was hyped to the max before the Oprah show - the Levi question. And, of course, Oprah asked about the father of Palin's grandchild.

Palin noted that she was disappointed by the things Levi has done since he became famous on her name. Palin said that she thinks (but gave no proof) that Levi Johnston is now going by the name Ricky Hollywood. And, she said of his planned spread in PlayGirl, "I call it porn." Levi is, by the way, invited to Thanksgiving 2009 even though he is not really available to parent his child according to Palin. Palin does not seem to connect this with the fact that it took three weeks for her to hook up with her own husband to tell him that their own child (the baby) would be born with Downs Syndrome.

I'm still baffled that a professional (?) woman would have an ongoing fued with a teenager on national television. Levi is now saying that Palin is "full of it" after her last bash. He didn't even rate a mention in her book, but she can't manage to be a "bigger person" and give him some credit for something. Can the guy be all bad? I really doubt it.

While Levi gets a bad shake, Palin notes that her daughter, Bristol, is on 24/7 for the baby. Palin also brags that Bristol works a job and goes to school. The hours really do not add up there. A good mother does not have to be on duty 24/7, but it is not possible to be there around the clock and also work and go to school.

Final Thoughts by Palin on Oprah

Palin notes that people "don't need a title to make a difference." From a woman who has held titles most of her life, that is a little hard to swallow. Why does she have a slot on the Oprah show? Come on. Some people get heard and others don't. It's just a shame that some babble when they get an opportunity to make a difference.

Palin is doing Oprah while Levi and most other people are given few chances to voice opinions in this country. Levi does get PlayGirl magazine and a chance to show his goods. While that may not sit well with Palin and many others, he does get a voice or, at least, a photo shoot. That is more than most people, and Palin does have some problems calling the kettle black when she has her own issues but states on Oprah that the worst she thought could be dug up on her was that she made a "D" in a college class. That certainly suggests a reality check is in order. A "D" back in the day really is (or should be) the least of her worries these days.

Do You Suffer From Bad Facebook? Sniff Under Each Arm and Do Something About It.

I finally broke down and got a FaceBook account. Actually, I had a lurker account to snag photos with permission for an offline project. So, I had been watching FaceBook from the time it kicked off for all colleges through the change to the open door for everyone.

Mostly I like Facebook. I'm finding out information much faster than waiting for a phone call or GASP a letter in the mail. Some people still do it the old fashioned way, but I'm finding myself more in the loop with a Facebook account.

Sometimes "the loop" is a bit too much. While most people have some sense of what would be a reasonable amount of information to post online on a social site and what kinds of data would be interesting, others just do not have a clue.

One old friend on Facebook must start and end her day at Facebook as well as informing all her FB buddies about where she's going and what she's eating and about her doctor and dental appointments each and every day. Hey now. Too much information. I do not even keep up with my own schedule that close.

Then there are the Facebook users who discovered the applications. Oh no. It goes way beyond pokes - like what the heck are those anyway? I have to see things like the first five cars someone owned, favorite five restaurants, what Golden Girl someone is most like, and a freaky little Miss Sunshine something that I never did figure out. That's on top of getting cyber Easter Eggs and a contest to go find them (like where - I don't know and don't care) and imaginary drinks and flowers. It is the the thought that counts, and I think you ought not send nothing and call it something.

There is the option to can a friend on Facebook, but do you really dump someone for being an idiot? No. I don't think so. If there is joy to be found in knowing that you are most like Charlie Brown in the Peanuts cartoon, then so be it. That really should be your business. And, Facebook should let you play with all those online time wasting games to your heart's content and should also let your friends click a button and NOT see what you do when you're sitting in your bra and panties in front of the computer with nothing better to do than see what candy bar you would be if you really could be a candy bar.

All these little "what I am doing this very instant that is of no importance" and vanity games would not be a big deal if they did not suck up the whole page of news alerts. And, they do if you have three or four bored buddies who feel compelled to share every move and fart or play all the various games that seem to be rather popular on Facebook (for whatever reason).

You can find a block to the quiz games online if you want to shift to Firefox and paste in some code. Yawn. But, that does not take care of the notes about breakfast (what to fix, how to fix it, what was ultimately fixed and eaten, how your friend felt after eating whatever was fixed).

There's also an option at Facebook to do some blocking but not dropping a buddy who has more time than sense. Move your curser to the right side of any given post. You can block the application (quiz etc) or block the user. In other words, you do not see that one specific game again or do not have that one specific user flooding your Facebook page.

You may wonder, "Why not just remove the friend who posts ten times per day and with nothing of interest?" Well, if they are a friend, you will hurt their feelings. Also, you may want to see a personal message from the friend, and they can still send those even if you opt to take the person off your wall alerts.

Social networking sites should come with a user manual. They don't. Until they get some better sorting options, you can wade through a few nutty and constant posts by a few buddies or put them in the deep freeze but still keep the back door open if they actually do have something of value to say and specfically to you.

Offended by the Barack Obaba Interview on 60 Minutes

We want to see a solution in the United States, and that's why we elected Barack Obama. He stood for change (or ran on that idea), and it was clear that we needed change.

When I heard that Obama was going to be on 60 Minutes, I made sure to block out time to watch that. After all, 60 Minutes is an institution in the U.S.

This interview did not get off to a great start. Kroft, as part of the journalism establishment, ticked me off in the first few minutes when he suggested that some financial executives do deserve the extra bonus payments, and we're cutting them out. Boohoo. If someone can't make it on millions in base pay, then they ought to try buying some store brands and selling off those extra vacation mansions.

Come on. The top AIG bonus was 6.4 million. I don't care who the guy is or what he did (and it could not have been much given the state of the company), no one is worth that and just on the bonus added on top of top pay.

Our country is a mess - and no wonder. We think that a 6.4 million bonus is OK. Well, most of us don't. It takes a 60 Minutes newscaster who is part of the privileged class and a big part of the problem to point out that such pay is considered fair and the norm in the upper circles.

Oh no, "We are going to lose the talent."

Big whoop. We see where that talent got us. In the biggest mess since the Depression. And, rewarded for that.

Obama had a bit of chuckle out of all this. When called on his lax attitude, he explained that we have to have a little "gallows humor." I suppose so if you are the President and live the high life now. If Obama lost his job and home, then he might not make so light of it.

60 Minutes fell way short on this interview. The questions were not tough. They lacked depth. Kroft clearly is out of touch with the average citizen as is Obama. They had a good old boys club meeting on national television, and it might have been funny had it not been for the misery of the typical viewer who does not get million dollar bonuses or even a paycheck period.

Let's all chuckle about this when we're back eating high on the hog at the expense of the rest of the world. This model was bound to fail. But, rich television journalists and politicians just aren't going to "get it," because they don't get the lights turned out for non-payment and don't have to cancel cable and get a "box" to try to get the new digital signals. They don't buy day old or week old bread and call it good. They don't shop at Good Will, because the prices at Belks are too high.

Thumbs down on the fat rich cats who play the "every man" card but really do not have a clue.

New iGoogle Home Page and Gmail Sign In - What a Mess!

I opted to use the very basic Google page as my home page - for a reason. When I'm looking for information, I do not like clutter and distractions. I go (or went) to Google and put in my search term. At times, I'd use some of the tabs on the top. For example, I might check images or blogs.

Now Google has decided that I need a cluttered iGoogle home page rather than a clean and basic page for searches. In the words of Jimmy Buffett, "I do not need a 10-pound Nestles Crunch bar. Give me my Junior Mints." Or, give me a basic search page that does not bombard me with news, weather and all kinds of other junk that I check other places - not when searching for content.

To add to the annoyance, this new iGoogle hijacks my gmail sign in. I can't simply type in gmail.com and then check my emails. I get routed back to the ADHD iGoogle home page that I don't like and don't want. Then, I get to do an extra click to gmail after I scan the page to find the email button jammed on the page with all the Google junk I don't need/want.

This change came just as I was trying to get my Mom set up on gmail. That has been quite a challenge. Now she has the messy iGoogle page and a second step to get to her email. I won't be expecting any emails from her any time soon.

I'm sure some people will say or think, "Get with the program. Sites update." Yes. That's true, and that's fine. But, online companies do not have to force those changes on Internet users. Let people opt in if they want a junky home page with loads of information. Leave people alone who want the basic page and who like to go directly to gmail and not through iGoogle (which should be called theirGoogle).

If you do get on your new and not improved Google home page, you can search and find that many users who do like fancier home pages are not thrilled with the iGoogle set up either. A number of issues are noted like the placement of link buttons.

They say they test these changes before foisting them off on the public. I'd like to know where they get the Google test group. I can't imagine that everyone testing was thrilled with this content explosion. After all, those who wanted that could set it up. Those who didn't now must wade through the eye pollution to find the buttons to do simple tasks like check gmail.

Cell Phones Turn People Into Idiots

My friend calls. Terrific. I haven't heard from her in a while.

"Hi there!" I say.

"Hold a sec . . . "

TWO TACOS. HOLD THE LETTUCE. UHM. YEAH. LARGE DRINK.

"So, how've you been doing?" I ask.

YEAH. HOT SAUCE.

"OK. Yeah. Things have been going great. How about you?"

By this time, I'm thinking about hanging up. I do, however, stick it out as the conversation continues down the road with my friend driving, changing the radio channel, and crunching on a taco. This is, after all, someone I care about.

I'm thinking . . . "If you don't have five minutes to call other than while ordering drive through food and driving and eating, then why bother?"

I can only imagine how it feels to be the cashier at the fast food joint who gets to listen to part of the private conversation at the speaker and then at the window along with the yelled order and extra requests.

It never ceases to amaze me when I stop by the BP to get gas or quick items and the person in front of me spends the entire transaction on the cell phone gabbing with a friend as though the person processing the order does not exist. Seriously now, it would take a couple of minutes to pay for an item and GASP to say "Hello" and "Thanks" to the cashier. Then again, the cashier may be lucky that he or she does not have to interact with an idiot who considers such behavior appropriate.

Cell phones are great. You can call if an emergency comes up. You can check to see that a loved one made it safely to his or her destination. If you need to double check to find out if you need to get milk at the grocery, you can call from the parking lot and check about that.

Unfortunately, many people must think that having a cell phone conversation takes place in some personal little private bubble. They tune out the rest of the world, so perhaps they think the rest of us can do so too.

Frankly, I'm tired of hearing someone carry on an argument with a girlfriend or boyfriend in the check out line, gossip in the waiting room at the doctor's office, or gush about who knows what at the park.

Wal-Mart Worker Trampled to Death on Black Friday

I really don't know what to say about shoppers busting in the door at Wal-Mart and killing a man. I thought it might be one of those "urban legends," but I checked. The New York Times reported on the Wal-Mart Black Friday death.

I like a good deal as much as the next person, but I don't like to save a buck or two enough to shop on Black Friday. This year I slept in as I do typically on Black Friday. I don't think I've ever done a shopping spree the day after Thanksgiving, because I've heard the "stories."

Last year my brother got up at some gosh awful hour like 4 a.m. to get to town and wait in line to get a deal on a laptop computer. Of course, he did not end up with the great deal computer. And, he said that folks waiting out in the cold for voucher slips were ugly - even in the South where manners are considered pretty important.

"Ugly" is one thing. Busting in the doors and killing a man is quite another thing.

When I was reading up about the Wal-Mart death, I noted that this was a guy who was in his 30s and also that he only landed a temp holiday job. Good grief. A few bucks for the holidays cost him his life.

There are some notes online about Wal-Mart not doing what they should do to protect employees. Frankly, I can't imagine that Wal-Mart (or any store) should expect shoppers to bust in the doors and walk all over an employee.

Times are tough. I know that. But, there's no excuse for this type of shopping frenzy. Nothing that Wal-Mart sells could be worth the life of a man who was only trying to do his job.

My heart goes out to the family of the man who died standing behind the doors at Wal-Mart, and I hope that the shoppers who rushed the door will think about what is really important in this world.

Could you go to jail for leaving neutral feedback on Ebay?

People are nuts, but you probably knew that. Some guy has sued Steve Shelhorn, because he left neutral feedback on Ebay.

If you've never shopped Ebay, then they have a system where you can rate the shopping experience. Feedback can be positive, neutral or negative. Simple enough - in theory.

Until recently, both buyers and sellers could leave feedback. In other words, you could buy an item off Ebay and be rated. Hum. Let's see. Can you imagine that Wal-Mart or Belks or your favorite fast food restaurant hands you a score after you stop in and drop some bucks.

The Ebay brass decided to do away with the rating the buyer thing. Too much abuse. There were some real Ebay horror stories regarding this mutual feedback thing.

I used to buy at Ebay (and do - for the record - have 100% on my feedback), but I avoid Ebay pretty much now. I got tired of the emails begging for feedback, and that's how they came off - no matter how they were worded. Typically, I left positive feedback. If things weren't just perfect, I'd usually just let it go. After a while, I quit leaving feedback for those sellers who sent emails telling me that once I left feedback, they would bless me with a positive as a buyer. Paying up and almost instantly (with PayPal) wasn't good enough. If I wanted a vote of confidence (when I really didn't much care), I'd have to go first. I'm sure some sellers will justify that. You can click to the Ebay discussion boards and see all manner of explaining and complaining about buyers.

In the few cases where I did leave neutrals or negative feedback, I explained.

Fortunately, I was never sued.

It really blows my mind that some coin seller filed a court case against some guy who rated the transaction neutral on Ebay.

What is neutral? It's neutral. Not great. Not bad.

Poor Steve. He had to pay a lawyer $500 to defend him in this bogus law suit.

From what I understand, Ebay does dock rankings for neutrals, but buyers would not know that. If coin guy has an issue with how he stacks up when he gets a neutral, then he should take that up with Ebay and not take it out on Steve.

Steve isn't planning on leaving any more feedback on Ebay. Who could blame him? It's nice to give other buyers the heads up, and that is the idea with feedback. Unfortunately, that's been gamed so bad at Ebay, that you have to find someone close to 100% to feel safe. You think 85% runs a "B" level like at school. Oh no. Buy from someone with that kind of rank, and buyer beware.

The really sad thing is that most sellers and most buyers at Ebay are good people. Someone has something to sell. Someone wants that something. They work out the deal online. Happy all round. I know I've been pleased with a number of items I've picked up at Ebay.

I did get burned a couple of times, and Ebay really wasn't any help at all. That backed me off on the site. Now, I really will think twice about Ebay. I'd sure hate to pick up some little knickknack or iPod or tea and end up in court. If I do buy again, I'll remember that old saying, "If you can't something nice, don't say anything at all." But, that means that the bad sellers (or just average neutral sellers) get a "pass." I'd like to tell it how it is (in those rare cases where someone is scamming), but it's not worth getting sued like Steve.