I totally understand Governor Palin’s enemies, those infected with Palin Derangement Syndrome. Believe me, I get it. If I subscribed to their worldview and political philosophy, I might behave the same way they do. So who can blame them, these souls who have made it their life’s purpose to denigrate, devalue, and demonize Governor Palin and anyone associated with her? What else are they to do?

Often, I look to sports to teach life-lessons. Politics and sports have much in common. In fact, politics is often referred to as a sport of sorts–a blood sport, that is–and it gets bloodier and bloodier with each passing day. No one understands this better than Governor Palin, who has, metaphorically speaking, been mauled and manhandled since stepping onto the national court in 2008–and continues to emerge victorious.

Having been both a basketball player and coach, I know what it is to prepare to face a team that has a player whose skills run too deep to stop. Under these circumstances, the best one can hope for is to contain or limit this person. I know the relief that comes when this player goes to the bench for a breather. We, the opposing team, also breathe a little easier during that time, but we’re always mindful that this reprieve is but temporary. Players who demand such attention create desperation in the opposition. Even professional coaches have faced consequences and repercussions for ordering players to “take out” a star player, “hurt her,” “make him pay,” “leave a mark.” Such “do whatever it takes” tactics are deplorable, but desperate people do desperate things. So it is with politics, and it is especially so with Governor Palin.

When she is quiet, they exult. Their delusion tells them she is done, gone for good, no longer a threat capable of dictating tempo. But like all players who recognize their role on the team, she always checks back in. And when she does, the haters are beside themselves and find the need to tell themselves–and everyone else–just how “irrelevant” she is.