I'm just surprised at how long it took her to realize it.

Some of her choices caused a lot of other families a lot of pain. She buddied up with dictators and terrorists. Very sad. I forgive her but I know it will be difficult for others to do the same. I actually feel sorry for her. She became obsessed with Bush Derangement Syndrom and looks like she lost everything of real value as a result.

I'd like to make a comment on why this happened.

It is possible that her sense of importance in the issue was greatly increased by the media attention she received. The more she protested, the more she was in the cameras, which would lead almost anyone to believe that what they were saying was true and valid. In biological terms, this was a feed forward regulatory mechanism. If cameras follow you around, hang on your every word, and glory in your ever increasing outrageous statements, you might have done the same thing (think about any of your pet issues). An open microphone to 300 million people can be intoxicating and very, very few can withstand that amount of power without negative consequences.

None of that excuses her of the consequences of her actions, but it is a warning to anyone who has any kind of power, similar to the warnings that "power corrupts" and D&C 121:39 "We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion."