Ramesh’s point is not without merit, but maybe misses our larger point.
Was there any guidance, beyond a booking agent, for the media frenzy this politically inexperienced adult (but 21-year-old adult at that) had as she went from off-the-cuff pageant remarks to defending her culturally trip-wired position on network and cable news shows over the next 48 hours? And who was around her, coaching her, at 17? Possibly someone who might remind her of what was available to the onslaught she would face, or that there would be an onslaught?
Still, most of our concern about adult supervision (even in the sentences immediately after noting she’s now 21) are about what happens with 17-year-olds and teens (from young Ms. Palin, to the sexting problem, to 17-year-old Carrie).