I agree, it grosses me out. Although I always found it appropriate that Palantir is named after an object tainted by Sauron, which corrupts those who look into it.
The palantir lets the user see anywhere and communicate telepathically with other palantir users. Sauron didn't taint the palantir. He would simply overpower anybody who recklessly used one. Aragorn was able to use one and survive Sauron's mental attack.
