Joe the Plumber Won't Go Away

[Spino]

Oh, I don't know, I think a lot of people have enough common sense to avoid media attention when they're not ready for it. Those who choose to thrust themselves forward time and time again no matter how much of a mess they make deserve some needling. Does the name "Cindy Sheenan" ring a bell?

Yes but nowadays it seems most people don't have any kind of common sense, let alone enough to make that kind of decision. And sensible or not most people would love the chance to get those 15 minutes of fame and, more importantly, the temporary boost in income that often accompanies those minutes. For this reason alone I don't begrudge Joe the Plumber or Cindy Sheehan when they open their mouths or make fools of themselves. It's their life, let them do with it what they will.

My problem is with the 'respectable' media outlets that continue to give these people and their antics extensive coverage. I find it difficult to mutter the words 'press' and 'respect' in the same breath when they treat this kind of nonsense as if it's front page news.