It's been said that you should not pick fights with people who buy paper by the ton and ink by the barrel.  That said, here is an interesting exchange between the Desert Sun newspaper and Sen. Jim Battin's staff over Battin choosing his wife as the ceremonial Woman of the Year.

Battin: Giving wife props before leaving office

Just who is Battin's choice for the 37th Senate District's Woman of the Year for 2008?

Look no farther than his wife Mary Battin.

The La Quinta Republican said his staff "threatened to quit if I didn't choose Mary."

"But they also had to work to convince her to accept," he said in a release.

Mary Battin, an active community volunteer, will be honored today in a ceremony in the Senate Chambers.

It's the least Sen. Battin could do for someone who's stood by his side during 14 years of service.

And the response from Battin's COS:

Back off Mrs. Battin, Desert Sun
Kim Glassman • Special to The Desert Sun • March 19, 2008

Editor's note: Desert Sun reporter Erica Solvig mentioned in this Valley Voice does not support any action taken by any public official in the newspaper's political insider column. The column is a news item, which is strictly informational and does not take a position on any issue.

OK, be ready folks - this is unprecedented. As Chief of Staff for Senator Jim Battin, I am making a bold move unsanctioned by my boss (he doesn't know that I've sent this), and am risking political suicide and possible termination. Why would I do this? Because I cannot go on another moment without responding to the Desert Sun Editorial Board's "thumbs down" this past Saturday when they wanted to know what Senator Battin could have possibly been thinking when he nominated his wife as the 37th Senate District Woman of the Year.

A better question is what are they thinking? Their stated reason is it "looks like Battin is using his office to promote family" and that "sends a bad message for any elected official". Huh? Yes - the award does send a message - a very positive and worthy message of honor, thanks and celebration which is frankly refreshing during these current times when other elected officials simply have their spouses stand next to them humiliated while they are admitting their role in a prostitution ring.

There are no nepotism issues here - there is no prize money or plum job that comes out of this nomination. I could understand the Board's position if there was, but there is nothing here but appreciation for a job well done - something that many other members of the Legislature have chosen to do over the years by nominating their wives as well.

Besides, Mary Battin was not honored simply for the great "accomplishment" of being married to the Senator - she was honored for her very empowered and conscious decision to make her "career" a career of service to her family, her spouse and her community. She is an exemplary role model to everyone who knows her - especially those of us women who are full time working mothers that are inspired and driven to emulate her. (For a list of Mary's specific and significant community accomplishments, refer to the Desert Sun Business section of Monday, March 17, 2008.)

'Everywoman'
The press release specified it was Battin's staff - including me - that lobbied him to nominate her, and lobbied her to accept it. I wanted her to be celebrated because to me Mary Battin is an "everywoman." Her nomination is a celebration of values - values of commitment, love and service to family, spouse and community. The very fact that Mary had to be talked into the award is indeed indicative of her humble character - another aspect that should be lauded and appreciated. In this overstated "look at me" society, the Mary Battin's of the world should be thanked and celebrated, and I am incredulous that the Editorial Board - a board with many female members on it would overlook this key issue.

Their position is a slap in the face to every stay at home Mom, and to every husband that has ever valued his wife. Did they even stop and wonder how their position would make Mary feel? Did they even consider that their position would diminish the significance of what should have been a very special moment in her life? At best, their point is petty.

Finally, I submit that even if the award were based on nothing but the fact that Senator Jim Battin loves his wife and wanted to honor her after she stood by him through 14 years of very public service - they should be giving that a "thumbs up". (Their own political reporter Erica Solvig did - she apparently got it and stated as such in her column last week, as have several other publications.)

The Desert Sun Board needs to seriously re-think their position on this, and issue nothing less than an apology to both Mary Battin and Senator Battin. And if they think a minimal retraction indicating that their statement was not meant to diminish Mary Battin is sufficient - they are indeed blind to the power of words.

Kim Glassman is Chief of Staff for Senator Jim Battin and a Palm Desert resident.