Politics and Parenting

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  • Posted By: partridge @ 09/02/2008 12:49:19 PM

    Well, well! Boy the selection of Govenor Palin sure is bringing out the sexism of the Democrats. No wonder Hillary never had a chance with them. Didn't the 1st Jesus say something about not throwing stones? Even Obama is above all this trash talk. I think the Democrats are just jealous.

    • Posted By: summer4077 @ 09/02/2008 3:59:58 PM

      True. The Dems are jealous that they can't take credit for the Republican party becoming the laughingstock of the world...

    • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 09/02/2008 2:54:00 PM

      Jealous of a what? That the chosen VP is the mother of a pregnant 17 year old? Talk about family values that the GOP is so gun-ho about.

    • Posted By: AskPlus @ 09/02/2008 1:08:40 PM

      Jealous? Sexism?

  • Posted By: loriw @ 09/02/2008 1:55:01 PM

    That's it kshortSD blame the mother for the choice of the daughter. Bristol is old enough to know right from wrong and made her own choice. And lets not forget, since no one has claimed this is a virgin birth, that there is the father to hold accountable for making a choice to have unprotected sex. Obviously kshortSD you were never a teenager or if you were you blamed your bad chioces on your parents. Just like Obama wants to blame his bad choices to use drugs on his lack of parents (absent father). Let's place the accountability where it should be.. on the two teens who chose to engage in sex. You cannot be with a teen 24/////7 no matter how great a parent you are.

    • Posted By: kshortSD @ 09/02/2008 2:06:03 PM

      Heaven forbid we expect parents to raise their children. I forgot...it's up to the teachers and the media to send the right messages to our kids while we're busy with our careers. Believe it or not, I was a teenager once, and I'm 35 now, and I've managed to NOT GET PREGNANT. I do blame Bristol, but let's face it, parents should take responsibility for their kids to a certain extent. And I'm not just blaming Sarah, but she's the one running for office.

      • Posted By: loriw @ 09/02/2008 2:52:04 PM

        I still don't hear you placing any responsibility on Bristol's father....Bristol has TWO parents!
        Additionally, as you know from being a teenager yourself....teens OFTEN ignore parental advice in MANY areas of their lives! Any 17 year old knows the effects of unprotected sex. Sorry, you are still pointing the finger at the wrong person when trying to place blame.

        • Posted By: summer4077 @ 09/02/2008 3:57:29 PM

          That's where being a good parent comes into play. If you suspect your child is sexually active (which I'm sure Palin had to have suspected) then you need to get them to a doctor. End of story.

    • Posted By: summer4077 @ 09/02/2008 2:14:27 PM

      True, you can't be with a teen 24/7...but you can put them on birth control so as to not make their lives a whole lot tougher with the birth of a baby. Palin preaches pro-life and limited sex education--looks like it worked for her, eh?

      • Posted By: loriw @ 09/02/2008 2:47:45 PM

        Summer you obviously have never raised a teenager. Are you going to force the pill down your daughter's throat? What if you daughter is apposed to the "pill" due to personal convictions much like a lot of teens are vegetarians. Bristol, I would guess knew exactly what would prevent the pregnancy but CHOSE to do otherwise and that decision and the responsibilities lie fully and completely on Bristol and the baby's FATHER...and no one else!

        • Posted By: summer4077 @ 09/02/2008 2:56:46 PM

          Nope, never raised a teenager. At 26 I'm closer to a teenager than the mother of one, and I remember what it was like to be one. I would absolutely make my sexually active child take birth control and my daughter would thank me later for allowing her to live the fullest life possible BEFORE having children. Having a child at 17 is not ideal no matter what the situation--for the child AND the mother. True, the decision was solely Bristol's and the father's, but as a parent you are supposed to guide and protect your child. Comparing taking the pill to being a vegetarian is asinine. Most teens out there do not want to get pregnant. I suspect that Bristol would take it back, given the chance.

          • Posted By: loriw @ 09/02/2008 3:37:45 PM

            Newsflash to Summer4077. I am a nurse in Maternal Child medicine...Teens lie to their parents when asked if they are sexually active and even when they know that birth control is available they do not get it or use it. Why, because in the immature thinking of teens...they think it will never happen to them. Ever try "making" a teen do anything....No, you have never parented a teen as I have twice! Talk from experience or don't talk about it at all.

            • Posted By: summer4077 @ 09/02/2008 3:56:19 PM

              I was a teenager once, so I think that's experience enough. My mom was open in communication, as were the parents of my friends. Our parents cared more about our well being than running for governor...they were aware of what was going on in our lives.

  • Posted By: kshortSD @ 09/02/2008 1:42:32 PM

    If Palin had been there for her daughter instead of working a very demanding job, maybe her daughter wouldn't be in this situation.

    • Posted By: loriw @ 09/02/2008 1:59:16 PM

      kshortSD...here's another newsflash for you. Bristol, I'm pretty sure wasn't an immaculate conception either. Bristol appears to have a FATHER who also works! I don't hear you bashing him for being a bad father in not preventing the pregnancy. Why are you not holding him to blame for what happened.
      The sexism on this subject of Palin is rampant and so totally BLATANT!

      • Posted By: kshortSD @ 09/02/2008 2:02:37 PM

        You're screaming at me isn't changing my mind. But gosh, you're making me tired...

        • Posted By: loriw @ 09/02/2008 3:38:46 PM

          then go take your afternoon nap!

  • Posted By: renmen @ 09/02/2008 1:21:50 PM

    Regarding VP choice Palin, she has been opposed to sex education in Alaskan schools and preached abstinence. Well, her own child didn't listen as many teenagers do not. Is it time to evaluate sex education in schools? Can we use this platform to discuss this topic? It???s not about her 17 year old daughter, but about her ulta-conservative views that obviously do not work. Preaching abstinence gets her 17 year old un-wed daughter knocked up. The issue isn't that her daughter is pregnant at 17 or not, but whether we have to get off our high horse and acknowledge teenagers have premarital sex and teach them sex ed in school and at home. Lots of teenagers have sex, but not all of them get pregnant. Responsible teenagers use protection. That's what the issue should be... why wasn't sex education and protection preached at home? Is this someone we want to potentially be the next President of the United States?

    • Posted By: summer4077 @ 09/02/2008 2:39:10 PM

      Exactly. It probably was impossible for Bristol to go to ultra-conservative holier-than-thou mother about birth control. Now she has someone who will depend on her for the rest of her life. Which would you rather have--a teen on birth control or a grandchild? Parents need to have open communication with their children--clearly Palin does not.

  • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 09/02/2008 2:35:57 PM

    Sarah Palin and politics and parenting= Her 17 year old daughter's pregnancy.

  • Posted By: josemarti @ 09/02/2008 1:15:17 PM

    Barry. I am worried. Your bounce after the coronation was very small. What are you going to do about Governor Palin? I am concerned that she has already mobilized the conservative base and that she is going to play well in Ohio, PA, Michigan, Wisconsin, and MN among the clingers to guns and Bibles. Don't count on the press too much. The press is fickle Barry. They are trying to humliate her now, but then tomorrow could be idealizing her.

    • Posted By: loriw @ 09/02/2008 2:21:20 PM

      Obama is underestimating Palin just like the incumbents that Palin beat in the elections did.
      Obama had the AUDACITY to call Palin's home town WASILLY last night on CNN. A "dis' !
      Or was it that because he didn't have a teleprompter he couldn't remember the name of the town.
      Without a teleprompter he can't remember what town he's in... was it St. Louis or was it Kansas City...and that one was during the convention also on national television

  • Posted By: NY gal @ 09/02/2008 1:54:09 PM

    Abstinence is the only 100% effective method at pregnancy and STD prevention. Condoms and birth control are 99.99% effective at preventing pregnancy when USED PROPERLY. Thus, the only real effective way to combat unwanted pregnancy is information and accesibility. No mother, even a great mother, can be with her daughter 24 hours a day to make sure she's not having sex. But a great mother will make sure her child comes to her and tells her they're sexually active so that every measure can be taken to ensure they're safety in their decision. It doesn't mean she's a bad mom, it just highlights the fact that sexual education needs to be done properly and it needs to stop being taboo to protect young girls and their future.

    • Posted By: loriw @ 09/02/2008 2:12:19 PM

      NY gal you are very correct.
      Might I add that condoms are not 100% effective against STD's...Latex condoms have tiny holes that can allow the AIDS virus to pass through. Condoms are far better than not using them but the aren't 100% either. Abstinence is the only 100% effective method to preventing both STD's and pregnancy.

  • Posted By: RiversideWarrior @ 09/02/2008 2:04:47 PM

    Given the lower IQ and lack of education associated with the majority of GOP voters, the selection of Palin will do little to dissuade them from "staying the course". However, for this independent voter and many others this choice really gives us pause for thought. Think about it, just 20 months ago this person was the Mayor of Wasilla City, pop. 5,500 (and maybe some bears and caribou thrown in for good measure). I can think of a few municipalities in the US that can provide a greater degree of executive-level experience than that offered by Wasilla City (from Austin to Tallahassee). She is also extremely conservative, even on issues of concern to women such as the right to choose, birth control and gender equity on equal pay between men and women for performing the same jobs. In short, she is no Hillary. Do I want the Mayor of Wasilla City a heartbeat away from being my next President if the old guy (he turns 73 next August) keels over? Any voter, man or woman, would be pretty crazy to vote for such a ticket given the risks involved and it says a great deal about McCain's lack of good judgment on making important decisions.

  • Posted By: carla cook @ 09/02/2008 1:55:22 PM

    It obviously didn't work for her daughter.

  • Posted By: loriw @ 09/02/2008 1:47:28 PM

    LudwigVanBeet...there is no Troopergate. Wooten the BIL took his department issued TASER and taser'd
    his TEN YEAR OLD stepson. Wooten should have lost his badge for that piece of bad judgement and then should have been investigated by CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICS. My guess is that the department tried to cover it up. Then there is the accusations that this Wooten also threatened to shoot either his mother or father in law...perhaps with his se department issued gun also.

  • Posted By: LudwigVanBeet @ 09/02/2008 1:38:39 PM

    As typical of the Repig Party, it did not take much digging to find a lying, corrupt, phony, Bridge to Nowhere, dictatorial Troopergate, ties to Stevens, Nominee. That is just for starters. You Repig's took a beautiful Black woman (MIchelle Obama) and viciously smeared, distorted, lied, while foaming at the mouth, and now it is payback, Don't back off Dem'sIndependants Chicken-Hawks can not stand it

  • Posted By: renmen @ 09/02/2008 1:18:55 PM

    Regarding VP choice Palin, she has been opposed to sex education in Alaskan schools and preached abstinence. Well, her own child didn't listen as many teenagers do not. Is it time to evaluate sex education in schools? Can we use this platform to discuss this topic? The issue isn't that her daughter is pregnant at 17 or not, but whether we have to get off our high horse and acknowledge teenage have premarital sex and teach them sex ed in school. Lots of teenagers have sex, but not all of them get pregnant. Responsible teenagers use protection. That's what the issue should be... why wasn't sex education and using protection preached?

  • Posted By: Micky Marsh @ 09/02/2008 12:13:59 PM

    Seriously speaking, Bristol is five months pregnant, she's very young, the media should not continue to stress her. The media should be more cautious taking into consideration the stress that a pregnant teen goes through, especially with the family in the spotlight, please help her get through this difficult period of her life.

    • Posted By: kshortSD @ 09/02/2008 12:21:26 PM

      You're right, and unfortunately, her mother has put her in the spotlight by accepting the VP spot.

  • Posted By: kshortSD @ 09/02/2008 12:08:42 PM

    If Sarah Palin is so ambitious that she is (1) willing to somewhat abandon her infant child to hit the campaign trail and (2) subject her teenage daughter to so much media scrutiny during a difficult time, then what else is she willing to do for power??

  • Posted By: willnotvoteobama @ 09/02/2008 11:50:21 AM

    EVERYONE WHO IS OPPOSED OF PALIN GETTING THE V.P. POSITION HANG ON TILL OCT 2 AND SEE HER DEBATE BIDEN THEN MAKE YOUR CHOICE I THINK YOU WILL BE SURPRISED BY HER ! GIVE HER A CHANCE SHE IS MORE LIKE THE AVERAGE AMERICAN THAN ANY OF THE OTHER POLITICANS THAT WE HAVE NOW !!

  • Posted By: chigger @ 09/02/2008 11:44:19 AM

    I question her parenting because she accepted this extremely high profile position knowing that doing so would place a vulnerable 17 year old in the spotlight and hold up for ridicule. This whole issue could have remained a private family matter if the mother's ambition hadn't trumped her concern for her daughter.

  • Posted By: AskPlus @ 09/02/2008 11:41:22 AM

    Teach abstinence only. If that doesn't work, go to the drug store. Nothing like hard-line religion to mess up your day.

  • Posted By: benluclar @ 09/02/2008 11:39:44 AM

    As a disappointed Democrat almost-turned Republican, I have to add something. Yes, I believe that Palin's private family life should be off limits, and, no, I do not think it in any way affects her governing capability.
    HOWEVER .....
    For a woman Governer who was AWARE of an unwed daughter to ACCEPT A VEEP SLOT, knowing full well that her daughter would be EXPOSED and JUDGED WORLD-WIDE, does not sound like a good judgment call, but, instead, an opportunistic verification of her OWN ambition, despite the cost to her poor daughter.
    No, I see this as a big problem for Palin, and for myself as one voter to support this MOTHER's behavior.

  • Posted By: benluclar @ 09/02/2008 11:25:50 AM

    Ok, I was half-excited about McCain picking a woman, and had hoped she was the cream of the crop like Hillary Clinton I already know is. But now all this.... she is giving women a great big BLACK EYE.
    Now I have nobody to vote for. I am sick at heart about this whole picture.
    The only think credible and RESPONSIBLE I have heard was hearing that Obama, whom I never liked at all, said that families and especially children were off limits. Now that was a comment I can admire.
    What a mess this election is.
    I like competence and ethics. I am becoming quite surprised where it MIGHT be at this point.

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