ETS Tanning Bed Blog

Sarah Palin, vice president and running mate of John McCain, is famously making waves all by herself.  Several issues have been attached to her, perhaps in an effort by political schemers to destroy her image. Not surprising... usually I don't really pay attention.

However, I was quite interested in one such off-beat story about her involving tanning beds.

According to the media, Sarah Palin purchased a tanning bed for the Alaska Governor’s Mansion shortly after she assumed office.

Is this really that shocking? Is it even newsworthy?

So she bought a tanning bed, some of which cost up to $35,000 (installation costs and accessories not included).

Of course, to that I say, great job Sarah!

So why the sensationalistic press?

Is she doing any harm to the public?

She bought it for her own consumption. She used her own funds. What’s the fuss?

Now, had she used government money to purchase a high-end tanning bed, that would be a different story. But, hey, she lives in a state where part of the year sees 18-20 hours periods of sunless, Vitamin D deprived, somberness. For that reason alone, a tanning bed should be in every Alaskan household if you ask me :)

Seriously, the real issue here is some (well, I guess I should say many...) look at tanning beds as something that either harm people or are a needless luxury. We all know that concerns over skin cancer have been associated with the use of tanning beds from the very beginning and, despite tremendous educational efforts, the media tends to cling to the negative and overlook the advantages of tanning.

So Sarah, if you like to sip up some well deserved Vitamin D in your top o' the line tanning bed, I salute you. I don't know if a healthy tan will make you a better VP, but it sure can't hurt.