I have abandoned the notion that for the sake of "civility" that stupidity should just be ignored. Last night in the Republican primary debate in South Carolina, Newt Gingrich scratched an itch that I have had for a long time. Many "journalists" have for years built "reputations" trying to destroy important people and celebrities. Many people seem to have an interest in the lurid details of the personal lives of these people, especially if there is some scandal involved. These same people would scream to high heaven if anyone revealed the details of their personal lives. While character does matter in a candidate, it is also expected from those who report the news. The allegations referred to in the question should have been discussed in the same kind of forum in which they were made and not in the context of presidential debates where issues should be discussed and just days before the primary election.
Sometime I wonder about the personal and professional lives of those who delight in trying to "catch" others doing something they shouldn't be doing. Unless it is some criminal act, it's no one's business. Each of us guards our privacy jealously, and we should. Privacy is an important right and should not be stripped from someone because of celebrity or because they are "public figures". Anyone reporting on private matters should be required to obtain permission from the subject before making it public, Some may enjoy having their exploits revealed.
It's even more disturbing when these questions are asked at inappropriate times. In the midst of a program intended to inform and convince people about the most serious matter of selecting a presidential candidate, to inject any questions not relevant to the campaign, belittles the event and the participants. This kind of behavior reveals the immaturity of the questioner and his lack of qualification to be in that position.
It is my hope that no one will ever allow some jackass to trap them with these distasteful tactics. Everyone should respond as Newt did. Yeah, Newt!
Sometime I wonder about the personal and professional lives of those who delight in trying to "catch" others doing something they shouldn't be doing. Unless it is some criminal act, it's no one's business. Each of us guards our privacy jealously, and we should. Privacy is an important right and should not be stripped from someone because of celebrity or because they are "public figures". Anyone reporting on private matters should be required to obtain permission from the subject before making it public, Some may enjoy having their exploits revealed.
It's even more disturbing when these questions are asked at inappropriate times. In the midst of a program intended to inform and convince people about the most serious matter of selecting a presidential candidate, to inject any questions not relevant to the campaign, belittles the event and the participants. This kind of behavior reveals the immaturity of the questioner and his lack of qualification to be in that position.
It is my hope that no one will ever allow some jackass to trap them with these distasteful tactics. Everyone should respond as Newt did. Yeah, Newt!
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