Understanding Palin Vindictiveness

Often when one reads about Sarah Palin and company, especially in more local venues...the term "vindictive streak" is used to describe her. In other words, if someone speaks ill or wrongs the Palins, they just can't let it go....I have not yet read the book "Going Rogue", but apparently, a few former friends are thrown under the bus in that wonder of modern literature.
Living in Alaska, the vindictive thing is simply commonplace normality--but I want to clarify this type of behavior to the Blue State people who may not have experienced it....
First of all, remember, I love Alaska--the folksy values, honesty and old fashioned people--it is the friendliest place I have ever lived. That said though, there is this wacky (may I say 'red-neck?') type behavior in a few people where they just can't back away from a fight, pissing match, what have you...
Stories of shooting matches over fishing spots, beating up the neighbor over a fence line and other such civilized behavior makes the local news quite often. I remember hearing in Anchorage from a friend whose wooden bear statue was stolen by neighborhood kids. The family knows who did it, told the authorities and wham! statue was returned to the lawn...but beheaded. Just to show them, that they should not have told. I'll admit beheading is not that common, but the "I'll show them", thinking is.
Here's a completely unknown Sarah story: when Sarah Palin was a nothing, about 10 years ago, her sister was paying housing rent to a man that she also shared the bedroom with. This upset Sarah's sense of justice and brought out her inner vindictive 'pitbull'. She marched up the drive and demanded that said man stop requesting rent from her poor sister as the relationship was more than just renter. I guess it's sweet that Sarah wants to defend her sibling, but couldn't the adult sister decide for herself whether she should split the mortgage with her lover?
That said, it just doesn't seem like the Palins can outgrow this type of thinking, to start choosing their battles wisely, letting it roll off their backs and taking the high road...
And this could be our next president! Where's that new habitable planet that was discovered? Get me a launch ticket!