Bristol Palin’s Pregnancy
Okay, I took some flack from fellow conservatives because I was skeptical of the Sarah Palin pick.
Maybe I’ll be proved wrong. I certainly hope so. But today things don’t look too bright. Hot off the press from A.P. –
“Personal news blended with the political when McCain’s running mate announced that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter was pregnant. ‘We’re proud of Bristol’s decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents,’ Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said in a statement with her husband.’”
Big deal, it’s only sex, right? Well, it’s not “only sex” to the conservative Christians whom McCain was trying to court when he picked Palin. By them, and by other traditional folk – like me – it will be taken as another sign that parents of five kids, all of whom are teenagers or younger (including a four-month-old special needs child ), shouldn’t both be spending all that time outside the home. If Mommy wants to gallivant around in politics, then Daddy needs to stay with the kids – or vice-versa, which is the way my sainted wife Betty and I handled it.
Yes, I know that having a parent at home is no GUARANTEE your kid isn’t going to have pre-marital sex or get into some other kind of trouble. But the people who study these things tell us it cuts the odds a lot.
Almost surely, neither McCain or Sarah Palin knew that Bristol was pregnant when Sarah was chosen. But it illustrates the sort of stuff that comes out when a national candidate is insufficiently vetted.
Those of us who think Obama is even less qualified for the top job than Palin is for V-P, better start praying there’s no more.
This is a plus. As Mark Steyn points out in his recent best seller, America Alone, if our western civilization is demographically to survive in the increasingly “hostile to the west” islamic world — and not end up like the sinking European populations — these are the precise people (the Bristol Palins’) we should thank for increasing their progeny.
And may be both parents have been spending time at home and their daughter got pregnant despite their attention. It’s a private family matter. Anyone who is going to use this as ammunition against Sarah Palin or John McCain (that this somehow makes them less qualified to be President or Vice President) is an idiot.
This matter is between Bristol, the father, Bristol’s mom and dad and the father’s parents.
This baby could be a future presidential contender. This was Mr. Obama’s start to life, was it not?
Life happens
It is a private matter except if the platform of ‘family values’ is exploited…
It’s really personal matter and both parties should be reflective on that and
how far ‘not’ to go in attacking families….
“Almost surely, neither McCain or Sarah Palin knew that Bristol was pregnant when Sarah was chosen.”
According to McCain’s campaign staff, McCain knew because Sarah Palin told him more than once while she was being vetted, and it was reportedly not much of a secret in their hometown of Wasilla, Alaska.
Exactly which family values? Those that embrace abortion or those that choose life?
To some family values means aborting and pretending like it never happened, and never facing the public scrutiny. Character is better measure how someone handles the surprises along the way.
It is family business, and they have shown exceptional values. Now lets talk about the values of the attack dogs that will use this against the candidate.
This is one where I come down firmly on the side of “it’s not what happens, it’s how you handle what happens” and the Palin family obviously are handling this in the most positive and realistic way possible. This kind of thing happens in the very best of families – remember Mary, Joseph, and Jesus? God bless all of them!
When did the Governor say, “it’s only sex”? And since when is being elected Governor of Alaska, “gallivanting around in politics”? She’s been picked to be Vice President and who are you to call that “gallivanting around in politics”? It seems to me that it could be, “called to become Vice President and show her faith to the world” just as easily.
If McCain and his advisors knew her daughter was pregnant, then how is it she was “insufficiently vetted”? Was Dick Cheney “insufficiently vetted” because his daughter is a lesbian?
Read the preceding “anonymous” post again about character.
Gallivanting around in politics is running in a primary for Governor against a sitting Governor with a 70% approval rating and getting shellacked.
“Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
(Matthew 12:46-50)
There is some precedent, apparently, in the Christian religion, for setting aside the total “focus on the fambly” that little jimmy dickens likes to tout, and instead, demonstrating the nobility of work…and public service.
I also think it’s a private matter, but some of the leftie blog sites have gone way too far with their attacks. That’s not right and it’s the reason great people don’t run for public office on both sides of the political aisle. They don’t want to subject their families to the smears and attacks.
What is right is Palin’s daughter is doing the responsible thing. Luckily for Obama, his mother did not feel the way he does: “I’ve got two daughters. 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”
Obama’s mother was 18 when he was born. I doubt she feels she was punished with his birth.
I have some misgivings about the Palin pick.
But then, the same applies to Obama. He’s really lacking in the experience dept, too. And he’s at the top of the ticket. And he’s got a lot more say, if elected, in how the govt spends/taxes our money.
As for the Palin parents or McCain not knowing about the teenager’s pregnancy, that’s wrong, it appears. News reports say Sarah told McCain, and this Time story makes clear the girl’s pregnancy has been well known in Wasilla for some time: (The story is surprisingly sympathetic)
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1837862,00.html?xid=rss-topstories
All the same, I don’t understand why Bristol is “engaged” and “plans” to get married. Why not get married, like ,yesterday?
But I guess that’s just me.
Senator Larry Craig (R) Idaho said he was going to take a wide stance on this issue.
Excuse me while I enjoy the hell outta this! I mean, MacSenile isn’t even in office yet and he’s already screwing things up BIG time! And say, how bout that “convention”?! Palin better bring ALL her relatives, born and unborn, legit and otherwise, just so there’ll be SOME numbers there! I suspect that what Rob is saying is what we all know. The Repubs can’t even stomache ol’ jonny MacSame! Hell, no one other than some morons on this forum are for him!
Oh, and it just gets better and better. “If it was good enough for the founding fathers, it’s good enough for me”!, the wasila wonder on the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. Hmm. I wonder what ol’ Tommy Jefferson would say about a moron like this!
Or how bout this. Ms. palin has NOT been a Repubbie all that long! Seems that she is a relatively recent convert. Before that, she was a card carrying member of the Alaska Independent Party, a loony toone wacko fringe group that wants to cecede from the good ol’ U.S.A.! I swear to God how do you folks FIND these people?! She apparently doesn’t even consider herself to be an American, but rather an Alaskan first! Boy! I HATE when we the people gotta vet jonny macsenile’s choices for him……………..BUT IT SURE IT FUN! He’s dogmeat, and so is the party. But that’s what happens when you allow the christofundiwackmentalists run the party!
E.J.
Funny… I heard the same thing out of Representative Barney Frank (D).
Did Barney claim NOT to be gay too? Gee, you seem a little bit confused, bs! What’s new?
Larry, I’d point out it’s the Alaska Independence Party (not Independent), and they’re so fringe they actually successfully elected a governor (Walter J. Hickel) in 1990.
This is the Wally Hickel that was previously Governor of Alaska in 1966, appointed Ted Stevens to the Senate in 1968, and was Nixon’s Secretary of the Interior in late ‘68.
He’s also a vocal supporter of Gov. Palin.
Fringe to you, I suppose – but to Alaskans, that’s pretty mainstream.
JP,
I don’t want to discourage you from engaging with Larry but keep in mind that his diet consists largely of water and vinegar. That brings on a nervous tick that seems to affect his Caps Lock key.
First of all I would like to commend the openess of this site. I just visited the Daily KOS and the impeneterable virtual border they set-up. The ominous and numerous rules and regulations one must follow to even engage in what is already legal (free speech) within the country in which my keyboard resides (U.S.) is astounding! Perhaps those of us who are hoping for some resolution on the security on our U.S. border should consult the “open minded, tollerant and free-thinking” individuals that erected the virtual border at KOS to oversee our brick and motar fence at the border. With rules like that…nobody we don’t like is getting in!
Now for my response to Larry, September 1, 2008 at 6:48 p.m.
Larry, I wonder…does Obama think of himself as an American first or as an African American? Or would you have a problem with him as well? Perhaps Palin should be considered even more American for putting her state first. Afterall, it is the United States. In the spirit of that, each state is recognized for it’s own individual importance and it’s own interests. Why else would we have representatives?
Considering that you are against Christian Fundamentalists I think that you should research the church which Obama was a member of for the past 20 years, for it is established upon the tenants of the Bible and therefore, would be considered fundamental.
Or maybe you are person for which science is your religion. But then… what is science without it’s fundamentals?
I am puzzled by your obvious distain for someone who would openly express their desire for their state to secede. Is it not the fundamentals of our constitution that defend such free thinking? Does not your ilk stand for such activity? If not, why then do they tout as going against the policys of the government as being the most patriotic? Why do they accuse those who attack their positions as questioning their patriotism? Puzzling indeed.
Perhaps you could do with the presence of some fundamentals. Say… the fundamentals of education?
My “ilk”?? MAKE MINE CHOCOLATE! I found that people who use the word ilk commonly have about a jr. high education! But anyway, Sweaty, I’m with ya! I say all the way with the Wasila Wonder! She’s a GREAT choice, and all this talk of replacing her just because she might end up in jail is nonsense! Sure, she’s not real bright, and a journalism degree from some podunk school in Idaho is NOT quite the same as graduating magna cum laude from Harvard, but she is what she is! And snowmobiling is surely the equivalent of a law degree. And poopin’ out kids is bout the same as serving in the U.S. senate! SHE’S QUALIFIED! Seriously, Sweaty, you and me, we be on the same page! I WANT ms. palin to stay on the ticket! Say it loud, say it proud! We WANT the Geezer and Gidget! For it will surely be the death of the Pubbie party.
Apparently I was wrong when I said, “Almost surely, neither McCain or Sarah Palin knew that Bristol was pregnant when Sarah was chosen.” In fact, they knew about it, but didn’t announce it.
I had assumed that McCain and Palin would have abided by the first law of dealing with dirty linen in politics, which is “Get it out yourself and get it out right away, when you can put your own spin on it.” In fact, the pregnancy was announced only after it was felt necessary to do so to quash Internet rumors that Gov. Palin’s four-month old child was actually Bristol’s.
Sounds like a soap opera. We really don’t need this . . . .
Let’s investigate Palin’s great great grand daddy. I bet he was in the Klan serving with Robert Bryd (D- WV).
Does she wear boxers or thongs?
Does she color her hair?
Use Botox?
Get weekly manicures?
Does she wax or pluck her bikini line?
We must know, this is important to judge her ability to serve in office. We are not all as smart as Larry so we need this information.
No, Rob. We DO need this! For this is who you guys are! You ARE the Palin Party, all image and and not a wit of substance! I feel this in my gut, so it’s gotta be right, right? I mean, Bush and Gidget BOTH like to trust their guts. So why not me? To quote Gidget, “Yup, yup”! BTW, WHEN was the last time you heard a serious political contender say yup, yup? Allow me to enjoy this moment. Do NOT, repeat NOT replace Gidget! For she’s from Alaska, which is close to Russia as the brilliant Cindy Lou pointed out, so she’s just GOTTA know a lot about foreign policy!
p.s. I see that the prediction market Intrade has ALREADY begun the betting as to whether or not the Wasila Wonder Will Withdraw! To this I say NO NO, not Yup Yup! Why, that would be downright unAmerican, anti-christian, and probably sexist as many of the learned posters and their milk have already pointed out. I say STAY THE COURSE! McSenile needs to show his famous Maverickism, not Wimpism! ‘Course, he could always say his POWism made him do it! Who really CARES if she doesn’t know what a VP does? She rides a snowmobile, and that alone otter scare the HELL outta them Ruskies! Don’t MAKE her cross that Bering Strait! She belongs to the NRA!
Amazing how the pot is calling the kettle black on this one. The more Obama and Co call out Palin for her lack of experience, the blacker they look.
Excuse me Mr. Obama, but you do not fool all of us. You are the empty vessel elitist of this campaign and your shallowness is glowing ever brighter. Maybe your Obomabots don’t see it, but many do see you talking out both sides of your ass.
Hypocrites, all of them.
No, Anon, you STILL don’t get it, do you? Look, I’ll try to make this as simple as I can so you MIGHT understand. The Wasila Wonder DID graduate from Harvard Law first in her class; she DID serve in the U.S. Senate; she DOES come across as very articulate and charismatic……….IN HER GUT!, where it counts. I’m with ya, pal! I WANT ms. palin, yup yup!
Geez, Bush hold a Harvard MBA. Based on that fact alone means Obama is a loser and a fraud, just like Bush.
Thanks for clearing that up Larry.
Larry- What’s with all the posts? Don’t you have a job?
Nope! Don’t NEED no stinkin’ job.
And here we are all drawn in to arguing about nonissues.
Bristol Palin’s pregnancy doesn’t have much to do with anything at all really … C’mon folks … anyone on the right, or the left, already knows that their version of family values loses out every single time when they are stacked against the rage of teenage hormones.
Teens get pregnant everyday … they’ve been doing it for years and years … it doesn’t make any difference at all what your political preferences might be. Each side has their own way of handling it. And, each side thinks their way of handing it is the best way.
The far right likes to bemoan how righteous they are by presumably doing the right thing and following through to full term, while on the other side of the fence, we find our far left just opting out to murder, via abortion … it’s all just very simple stuff in their eyes, left and right.
Both sides have missed the boat entirely in my opinion.
True family values involves the full participation of … yup … you guessed it … “The Family”.
We let the government and our schools raise our kids for us, and then seem to think we’ve got the nads to argue about it when these things don’t go our way.
If we practiced true “Family Values” at all in this country, teen pregnancies would most likey drop to imeasurable levels, and nonissues like this one would never have to be bothered with.
Larry,
Your finding that those who commonly use the word “ilk” have about a Jr. High education would indicate either a limitation in your sample or that your time associated with those of that edcuation bracket or less, is substantial enough for the phrase to have become common place to you. Which would suggest that you should consider widening your social circles to include those of a higher education and thereby provide for a sample which could produce a statistically more reliable outcome . But perhaps they are not of your ilk.
As to us being on the same page, I seriously doubt it. While wit may pass for intellegence (and I do appreciate humor) your brand fails to directly adress the questions posed. You merely dodged my questions feigning to agree with me. Sarcasm can be entertaining but does little more than detract from the issues at hand.
Your clever monikers for the candidates is good for a laugh. However, personal disparrages are often the refuge of the weak. This you may not be. I would hate you to get the reputation for it.
Since seem to enjoy it, humor me and address my specific questions. Otherwise, I can see little point in conversing with one who places such importance upon the method of delivery as opposed to the content which they convey. Practicing the latter would provide for a more cogent arguement.
P.S. If you truly are unemployed, might I suggest stand-up comic? You do seem to have a quick wit and I have had few chuckles.
Hey, thanks Sweaty. And your points are well-taken. It’s just taht this entire affair is so darn humorous that I can’t really get serious about it. “If I laugh it’s that I may not cry”. But I will tell you that I will debate you in all seriousness after McCain selects a new, realistic running mate, which I believe will surely happen soon.
Larry,
The point with Barney… he’s going to take a wide stance on this.
Reading… it’s a good thing.
Keep them coming.
Larry,
Like I said, I don’t mind humor at all. In fact I appreciate that outlook the most. What I am saying is that in this type of forum where we are discussing issues with our opposing viewpoints, it also helps to accompany your delivery with some tangible counterpoints. If I make a point or pose a question I don’t really mind the humor as long as you address the elements of the subject. Otherwise there is no reason for someone to take the side of an issue and make a point if those are not going to be explored. Why respond to the unresponsive?
Some of the personal attacks bother me but that is my problem. How others percieve you with your use of that may or may not bother you. I believe in free speech no matter the source, the content or method of delivery. However, when we engage in open debate such as this we are all subject to someone else criticizing our perspective and the way we convey it. So don’t take it too personal.
Unlike the philosophy of the Daily KOS, Electric City seems to embrace opposing viewpoints. Thank God! How boring would it be if they did not. Their willingness to do so speaks as to the confidence of their own belief systems and how they support their arguments. They are not afraid of being wrong on occasion either.
The founder of the Daily KOS ( a disgruntled former serviceman) Was leaped upon by the radical left and has been set up as a tyrannical puppet dictator who aims to quell the dissenting voice, calling them viscious names and delete them from the virtual community thereby, in essence, end their virtual life much as a real dictator would do (Don’t believe me? just try going in with a conservative viewpoint.) So, while claiming to be free minded, they reside in their own isolated corner of the internet behind their restrictive border in their community of “no dissent”, practicing their own form of intellectual discrimination, all agreeing with each other, convincing the convinced and stroking each others intellectual egos. All of this because they fear something and they desire something. They fear possibility that they might just be wrong. They fear that maybe someone else might just have a better answer. They desire control. They desire to control the fear and thereby they control the environment in which that fear may arise. They create their own prison. They are not progressive, tollerant, free thinking or even productive. What point is there in convincing the convinced? They limit themselves and their environment.
Is this the template that they are working towards for our country? Is this the one you want? Think about it.
I know I don’t. So stick around Larry! We thrive on people like you. Challenge us. Make it funny, make serious, make it whatever the hell you want. I am not afraid. Who knows? You might just prove me wrong! Only on occasion…of course. LOL.