Flickr photo by david_shankboneSarah Palin says reporter Joe McGinniss has moved in next door to her Wasilla home and she's looking forward to a "great summer."
Hey, she's taking it in stride, why can't the rest of the country?
Because Glenn Beck had to get into the mix -- doesn't he always? -- to decry McGinniss' rental of the house next door to the Palins as "stalking."
And if McGinniss doesn't move, Beck says he's going to refuse to mention any Random House books, the publisher of McGinniss' upcoming Palin biography, on air.
Aww, Glenn, you shouldn't have. No, really.
Because according to Palin's own Facebook post, she's planning to welcome him with a blueberry pie and just treat him like a regular neighbor (she'll even try to keep Trig quiet so he won't disturb the peace).
Isn't that what they call "no harm, no foul"?
Sure, McGinniss is being a bit unorthodox as he mines for information for his unauthorized biography.
Slate's Jack Shafer goes so far as to call it "journalistic assholery," and he means that in the nicest of ways.
As a reporter, it first struck me as plain old bizarre. Then a bit hilarious.
And yes, I would say that if this were a reporter trying to get close to, say, Bill Clinton or (post-presidency) Barack Obama.
It's striking in just how over the top McGinniss has gone. But if you've ever seen the so-so Richard Dreyfuss/Emilio Estevez Stakeout series, well ... let's just say it's not exactly a novel idea.
And it's admissible in court. Which makes the same information gotten through what is essentially legal spy techniques publishable in an unauthorized biography.
In fact, it's the Constitution that allows for this tomfoolery. As long as he doesn't trespass on the Palins' lawn, start shooting lawn darts over the fence, or actually stop the family from their usual day-to-day affairs, he has the same rights as any other renter of the house next door.
This all supposes that anyone will want to read about who takes out the garbage in the Palin household (is it the First Dude? one of the kids?), whether she lets Trig cry it out, and how good her blueberry pie tastes (is it homemade? does she pick one up at the Wasilla grocery store?).
What McGinniss stands to gain by living next door to the Palins is really up to them. Just as my neighbors are protected from seeing my naked run to grab another towel out of the guest room by my decision to keep the shades drawn when I'm showering, the Palins have the power to share only what they would with any neighbor.
None of us gets to pick our neighbors, folks. If we did, fence companies would go out of business. And Court TV would be a lot less interesting.
Considering they're already under the microscope and we haven't heard much from their neighbors, the chances are pretty good they're already adept at drawing the shades on their own naked towel runs.
So the question is: Is this stalking or just a floundering reporter?
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Comments 12
I don't think it's stalking by the legal definition, but definitely by the social standard one.
This is what McGinniss said to an ABC reporter who knocked on his door to get a comment:
"Get off, you're trespassing," McGinniss said through his window. "I am going to have to call the Wasilla police. Get off my property, now, I am going to put in the call."
What a punk and a hypocrite! He feels just fine invading someone else's privacy but doesn't want anyone to infringe on his. Typical swinish leftist.
I think you've asked the wrong question. A more salient telling question is this: is it common practice--or even precedented--that an author moved next door to the subject of his biography?
It's my guess that if it's not unprecedented, it is not the practice of biographers and extremely rare. McGinnis, apparently, has not given the matter sufficient thought. It will be seen as invasive and predatory, fueling the belief held by millions that Palin is being "hunted" to a degree no other prominent national political figure has, at least in my memory.
To be somewhat charitable, Mcginnis has, I believe, stamped himself as a journalistic predator, ethically impoverished to the same degree as the paparazzi who were obsessed with Princess Diana.
It's creepy and inappropriate, particulary considering that the Palins have children. McGinniss should find a professional way to do his research.
Lets face it. Sarah Palin is a fraud and a lier. McGiness will expose this women for what she really is, shes not hard working, shes uneducated, mean, petty and greedy. Stealing clothes and looting Neiman Marcus. Palin and her hillbilly family are all on drugs or in jail. None of her kids have a HS degree. This women is a mess and a national disgrace, shame on you McCain shame on you!!!!!
I would have to say the opposite. Whether it be Bill Clinton or Sarah Palin, they deserve some privacy in thier private residences, especially when children are involved. This is stalkerish behavior and is simply not right.
Good for Sarah for being as good-natured as possible especially since the so-called journalistic in question doesn't like it when the table are turned.
I would probably put up an electric fence and invest in a shot gun the next day if I were her.
~Scout
I find it a bit creepy, too. I mean, stalker-creepy. But on the other hand, it is still a free country, and he does have the right to live where he chooses to. I hope that he is aware that Ms. Palin does have ways to protect herself......I think a moose is more dangerous than a nosy neighbor most of the time.
I'll bet Sarah is digging all the attention. She loves being in the spotlight and if he does write a book about her, it just gives her another reason to make speeches and go on TV.
Just read that this journalist was OFFERED the rental next door to the Palins because the Palin's had stiffed the owner on renovations they agreed to pay for jointly. So Palin has no one to blame but herself.
And Palin crosses the line in her Facebook statement when she throws in a statement basically accusing the journalist of being a potential pedophile.
Dear Maria, careful.... lovinangels SHOULD give you a lecture. Nice comments, nothing but REAL pathetic hate speech. along with other disparaging comments that she doesn deserve to be called a woman. No to mention a previous comment about a zit on a behind. Where are all of you with your civility comments.???? Not here for some reason....