[loveajax]

What do you think about "learning" today about Palin's teen DD's pregnancy. I have heard rumors (though I'm not sure) that the girl has been out of school for months. Also, Palin and Mccain apparently both oppose federal funding for sex education. For some reason, the whole "secrecy" of the thing is bothering me....Plus, I sort of laughed today when Palin said that the dd and the baby's father are getting married (I'm like, do they WANT to?). I don't know...have a weird feeling about it all (disclaimer: I am a Democrat!).

[missw005]

Teen pregnancy and they're getting married? Is her last name Spears????? (where's that eye rolling smilie?)
And this needs to conveniently come out NOW when it's been a secret all this time? Ridiculous.

Well, that and I think it's creepy how she drags her kids (especially her newborn with Down's) through every campaign stop. It's insane. The big events I understand, but all the little diners and towns along the way? It's using them and I think it's wrong.
Let alone that many kids with Down's have health issues, and I sure as heck wouldn't be dragging my newborn through all these places, especially if he had health issues. Good grief.

Sandy

(I'll admit, though, I'm a Democrat, too! )

[angelkisses0102]

I'm sure that were trying to respect the child's (17 year old) privacy somewhat...to save her and the family from the judgement which is obviously rampant. No matter what she does...she will be judged. And I'm certain many would find it offensive if Palin left the "poor, sick Down's baby" at home with someone else...certain the judgement would be she is neglecting the child.

I think Obama had the best response...I am not not voting for him but...he made the point that he was born to a single 18 year old and the race is not about the children of the candidates. Amen to that!

[lovemy2boys]

Well, I feel really bad for her daughter.

I have a feeling that she's going to be exploited in a way that will add extra pressure on an already stressful situation...She will be used by both political parties, and that is a crying shame.

I hope Sarah Palin took all this into consideration before accepting the VP nom...and I'm sure she did, but man...I can't say I'd make the same decision.

I wonder how her daughter feels knowing she will be knocked back and forth in the political arena...

[crick]

I just think overall the family, especially the children need to be left alone by the media. I don't care if it's Palin, Mccain, Obama or Biden. While the family IS important for showing some things they want to show (unity, family support etc.), the media crosses the line far too often in their reports of the kids.

Personally, as a parent, I fully expect my kids to do things later in life that I'm not going to agree with. Or to make decisions that I've raised them to NOT make. I really try not to judge other parents for things their kids do unless there's evidence or personal knowledge that tells me the parents truly "Screwed Up". kwim?

I'm not trying to be holier than thou, just saying I really hope the media stops stalking the children of the candidates.

[oceanica]

I like this a lot better than that scary bee.

[crick]

ROFL! I'm always open to new avatars!

Signed,
Non Scary Crick

[imjlo]

I did find it very interesting that in all of the online articles that I read it would mention at least twice that her daughter will be marrying the father of the baby, like that matters or makes a difference or something.

As others have mentioned Obama said it best....It is NOT about the families!!!

[adoptingourfirst]

I guess I don't understand why so many think that this was such a BIG secret. She is after all only 17 years old. When I was in h.s. I remember several girls not mentioning they were preggers until their last month. They just didn't want to deal with the rumors, snarls and judgement that goes along with teen pregnancy. Think about how she feels at 17. Even if her mom hadn't joined the Republican ticket, she was still the head of a very important state. She was already on the receiving end of some really awful rumors about whether or not Trig was hers or her moms, so imagine when she found out she herself was pregnant...I would have wanted to keep it secret too! I doubt she is hoping to be the next Jamie Lynn. This family is just dealing with the same thing that so many other American families have to deal with every year.

I am proud of the way her parents and the McCain camp are handling this. They are supporting their daughter and her decision to keep this child. McCain has said that he knew about her pregnancy and obviously he didn't see it as being a serious issue for his campaign or he wouldn't have chosen Sarah. And I think it is important to recognize what Barack Obama has said. He basically said that this was a topic that was not going to be discussed by anyone associated with his campaign and that if he found out that any of them were, he would have them fired. He said that families, especially a candidates children were off-limits! THANK YOU!!!!!!! This is the way it should be!

[BlessedbySnuggs]

Well, I think they are making it a bigger issue, because Palin supports "Abstinence Only" programs and like LoveAjax said, McCain and Palin oppose funding for sex education programs. In this day and age, it's pretty ridiculous to think that way...HELLO???? Again, I do think it is sad, that she is being exploited, but this is what happens when you are running for political office. I do feel bad for her, there are also pictures that just came out of her partying and drinking beer that are posted on certain websites. Again, I don't think it is right, but I think it is made a bigger deal, because of the stance that Palin holds on these certain issues. Just my $.02

[sbaglio]

I disagree - if you make it about the families, it will be about the families.

Let's start with McCain. He never brings his children into the public arena, nor does he talk about them, except to mention briefly that he and his wife adopted a child from Bangladesh. I have no idea how many kids he has. He doesn't do it to gain points, IMO. He never mentions that his son is serving (in Iraq, if I'm not mistaken), though that could net him huge kudos.

John Kerry never talked about his kids and what they were doing. His daughter was a med student in Boston at the same hospital at which I did my residency. Barack Obama never mentions his kids to get a leg up. Does Joe Lieberman have kids? I wouldn't know - he never talks about them.

So it's all well and nice to say "keep the kids out of it". But when you purposefully put your kids in the limelight, all bets are off.

Palin told the world how her son had enlisted last year...on September 11th (da daaa!), and how he would be deploying to Iraq...on Sept 11th (da daaa!). Then she (and McCain's surrogates) let it be known how she had continued her pregnancy even though she knew the child had Down's Syndrome - like most people would have had an abortion or something. Again, fodder for the religious right.

So now when the news about her pregnant child is not so flattering, we're supposed to close that door that she opened and stay mum about it? She can't have it both ways.

Either keep your kids out of the limelight, or let that light shine. She made her choice in trying to appeal to the Republican base.

[BlessedbySnuggs]

Well said Sbaglio!

[lovemy2boys]

Originally Posted by sbaglio

I disagree - if you make it about the families, it will be about the families.

Let's start with McCain. He never brings his children into the public arena, nor does he talk about them, except to mention briefly that he and his wife adopted a child from Bangladesh. I have no idea how many kids he has. He doesn't do it to gain points, IMO. He never mentions that his son is serving (in Iraq, if I'm not mistaken), though that could net him huge kudos.

John Kerry never talked about his kids and what they were doing. His daughter was a med student in Boston at the same hospital at which I did my residency. Barack Obama never mentions his kids to get a leg up. Does Joe Lieberman have kids? I wouldn't know - he never talks about them.

So it's all well and nice to say "keep the kids out of it". But when you purposefully put your kids in the limelight, all bets are off.

Palin told the world how her son had enlisted last year...on September 11th (da daaa!), and how he would be deploying to Iraq...on Sept 11th (da daaa!). Then she (and McCain's surrogates) let it be known how she had continued her pregnancy even though she knew the child had Down's Syndrome - like most people would have had an abortion or something. Again, fodder for the religious right.

So now when the news about her pregnant child is not so flattering, we're supposed to close that door that she opened and stay mum about it? She can't have it both ways.

Either keep your kids out of the limelight, or let that light shine. She made her choice in trying to appeal to the Republican base.

Ya know, Fadzi, you're like that silent man in the corner...he doesn't say much, but when he does, it's well thought out and really wise...

[sbaglio]

Originally Posted by lovemy2boys

Ya know, Fadzi, you're like that silent man in the corner...he doesn't say much, but when he does, it's well thought out and really wise...

LOL, thanks!

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

Just to clear things up, her pregnancy was not a secret where she lives. Sorry, she did not post it to CNN or MNSBC, but where she lived it was known.