“Men’s eyes were made to look, and let them gaze; I will not budge for no man’s pleasure …”
– William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.

I don’t know when it came to feel like a trend but the fact is, I’m pretty used to being questioned. Critiqued. Prodded as to why I make certain decisions, do things a certain way, live my life the way I do.

I’m just as curious of people as the next gal, so it usually doesn’t bother me when some wonder why I do the things I do, think the way I think and make the choices that I do – to a certain extent we should all wonder about each other.

Except when the explanation isn’t the point.

When I ask my questions of others, my goal is to learn something. To see an open door into somebody else. To be exposed to ways of life that differ of my own. Because in doing so, I only become more knowledgeable of a world so vast and complicated in terrain that getting the lay of the land might only aid me in my footing.

Sadly, others feel the right to question not one of education but of judgment.

All I’m really saying is, I’ve been pushed and questioned and critiqued by some of the closest people in my life, the nearest and the dearest – some without any real interest in the answers. And the sting always gives way to something bigger.

Another step in understanding the human condition. So in the end, even those questions, those criticisms can turn out to be some pretty insightful moments.

With that said …

I had a choice to make when I was preparing last week’s column. I could write about something neutral and safe or throw out my amusing little take on public figures and their exaggerated, caricature-like shadows.

And in my defense, I’d like to say, I did give all readers the benefit of a disclaimer.
I made the choice to write a little amusing take on Sarah Palin prior to her visit with something else in mind and that is this:

She’s not all that bad.

When the former governor of Alaska took to a podium in front of thousands of people, she was well spoken and had a pretty good speech. And I even agree with her on a few points like homeland security and immigration. Of course there are other aspects I wholly disagree with her on and there were quite a few open doors to some jokes during the question and answer portion. Still, she seemed at the very least, prepared and knowledgeable on certain issues.

Did I surprise myself?

Not so much.

I got pretty blasted for last week’s column and to those people I’d like to remind them that a certain group of voters that lean a little to the left thought they had a guy who walked on water, much like you seem to feel about your darling girl. That guy took one step out and found himself flailing about in shark-filled waters.

Be careful of the ignorance that accompanies blind devotion.

It’ll get you every time.

I actually don’t think Palin has so many bad ideas. Of course to say that takes a certain degree of open-mindedness.

I found it amusing walking out of the Mendel Center last week being told by one attendant after another that the one thing they admired most about the 2008 vice presidential nominee was that she was not afraid to speak her mind.

I wonder if they would be so embracing of someone not afraid to speak their mind in opposition. My guess is maybe not so much. But alas, conflict is the soundtrack to life, isn’t it?

We live under a philosophy that balance can be found between two houses, so to speak.
“A plague on both your houses” if one can’t or won’t see the other.

Because the only ones to suffer are the people.

I’ve always been able to take some pretty blunt and in my opinion at times unwarranted criticism. Trust me, I question and critique myself enough for all of us. And in matters far more intimate than any celeb-otician from Alaska or Illinois for that matter.

I wish that I could believe those who get all fired up over Palin or Obama for that matter do so over issues instead of image but I have a hard time believing that’s true.

In fact, I think that’s an unfortunate truth in a lot of cases.

In conclusion – I wrote last week’s column hoping to flip it on its head this week. And I did. I’m still up for a good joke at her (and many others’) expense. And in some aspects … I think she’s a little ridiculous. Still, being in the same room with Sarah Palin and listening to her speak was  an awesome experience. I learned something. And in case you missed it – that’s kind of the point.

Of course, I’m not really surprised.

I never questioned my ability to be open-minded to pretty much anything in the first place.

Can you say the same?

Jessica Sieff is a reporter for the Niles Daily Star. Reach her at
jessica.sieff@leaderpub.com.