That is just nonsensical to the extreme.
1. if this would have been from a nobody it most likely would not have made the media but if the child of Obama had done this, the child of Brad Pitt/Jolie would have done this it would have been just as big an issue for most people, just as big an issue as it is from Palin.
2. you are totally lying when you are saying that only people who hate Palin would give a crap about this photo, I do not hate Palin but I give a crap about this picture and many people feel the same way.
Maybe it is the other way around, only people who love Palin are stating that this photo is not an issue because out of a misplaced love/respect for Palin they are justifying or making this less of an issue because of Palin, not because of what has happened on these pictures.
Well, stepping on a dog is unacceptable. Riding on dogs is most often not the right thing to do, pulling of tails, giving them people's candy/chocolate etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. is not the right thing. Just because you think Palin is being attacked for who she is rather than what her child did, does not mean that what her child did was right or what you state is what children do to animals.
Children should be taught not to pull ears, tails, give them candy and all other bad things do to pets, it does not need to be minimized because you like Palin.
Palin might be the greatest woman on earth to you, but that does not mean that this is acceptable behavior.
If someone like Wim Kok, a man who I respect greatly as a great leader and politician would have posted something like this on facebook I would have crucified/been very negative towards him.
This is not a political issue about Palin, this is an animal welfare issue and nothing more.