Mark Ellis
Tank this book!
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By Mark Ellis
September 17, 2011

I try never to opine angry. Whether writing about unconscionable terrorists or the shameful waste of taxpayer dollars, I strive to present my views on an even keel. The Bible says to try and forgive even the most loathsome individuals. I may need a mulligan from the Man Upstairs on this one.

It is absolutely critical that Americans across the spectrum reject the "work" of Joe McGinnis. A message must be sent to Crown Publishing and this literary louse about our values regarding the simple right to familial privacy, even for celebrities and/or public figures.

Yes, the Palin family has sought out publicity. Does that give a literary stalker the right to attach himself like a tick?

Don't put one thin dime into the pockets of this creepazoid, who forced Todd and Sarah to erect a higher fence around their property to keep his prying eyes off private moments they shared in their own backyard.

The best medicine is to simply ignore everything. The buzz, the roll-out, the inevitable talk-show and audio sound bite appearances on programs which, in providing this fringe scribbler a forum, are veering into the adult equivalent of Jerry Springer realms.

If McGinnis shows up to read in your town, don't bother demonstrating in front of the bookstore. Dissecting and condemning his transgression is important, but he isn't. Let the appearance come and go and let McGinnis sit at his table alone, like some purveyor of a NAMBLA how-to guide.

Shun this sinful enterprise, and if the author's name comes up in conversation, treat it with polite aversion, as you would flatulence.

And while helping to tank The Rogue, conservatives should imagine this. The same thing happens to a liberal woman whose positions and ideologies you strongly disagree with — we'll use MSNBC host Rachel Maddow as our hypothetical.

Here's the deal. Whether or not you think Sarah Palin is qualified to be president, she is one of us, and for that reason alone we will passionately work to ensure that McGinnis walks in the ignominy he has brought upon himself. We'll forgive, but we won't forget.

And, while we might not get so worked up about it, we'd do the exact same thing for Maddow, should some right-wing writer pick up a rental next door to her family home in an attempt to grift dirt for a tell-all, mostly made up, and patently hateful screed.

Let the big New York publishers know: literary stalking is a big-time loser.

© Mark Ellis

 

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