Sarah Palin, Republican Vice Presidential Candidate

[Elvis]

I think people can see those contradictions Sera. That's the first thing that came to mind when the story broke.

McCain and Co. are already downplaying the entire thing. I wouldn't say they're spinning the pregnancy in their favor but they're not going to focus on the fact that it contradicts Palin's stance or that it was irresponsible and ironic. Oh and of course, these evangelicals they happen to get a quote from say it's all good since she's marrying the guy who knocked her up.

[Zilong]

True story: during the graduation for my Associates Degree I was given the honor of leading the Pledge of Allegiance; apparently, they didn't know that I'm quite the vocal atheist. So, the day comes and I get up there, and I start leading it. When I get to the "Under God" part, I skip right over it; I don't even pause. It took the crowd about 10 seconds to understand what just happened, and then all of a sudden the entire crowd starts booing me throughout the rest of the Pledge, through me sitting down, and wouldn't stop until the President of the school himself got up to the podium and asked them to stop. I got booed at my own graduation; this was the greatest day of my life.

That's fucking awesome.

But seriously, what's with the booing, it's not like you're in BYU or anything.

[Sera]

you didnt know? evangelical christianity is the next big thing
atheism is so 2006

[Elvis]

I love how we're not supposed to politicize the pregnancy though. The standard rebuttal is either stating that no one is "perfect" or that the kids of these candidates should be off-limits. Something like this will reflect badly on the parent for obvious reasons. They should at least question whether she herself promoted her stance to her children since you know, they can reproduce.

[Sera]

I love how we're not supposed to politicize the pregnancy though. The standard rebuttal is either stating that no one is "perfect" or that the kids of these candidates should be off-limits. Something like this will reflect badly on the parent for obvious reasons. They should at least question whether she herself promoted her stance to her children since you know, they can reproduce.

but it really isnt about bristol at all. that's the thing. its about sarah. she's clearly a really bad mother (running for VP when she has a baby with downs who really deserves her attention?) who has no problems dragging her daughter through a really scary and very embarrassing situation in the PUBLIC's eye. if she were any kind of person, any kind of woman, any kind of mother, she'd resign and give her full attention to her family, because its clear that they need her more than this country does.

Even GOD says family before all. McCain is the one who says country first.
I guess in this case, I don't agree. Family first, country second.
And really? I'm not even sure that i'm religious anymore. But I do know right and wrong.

[Elvis]

Thats what I meant. It's not the kid so much as it is the bad parenting and the general irony of the situation.

[Beckwin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qUVQDmLf7s

[SwampdonkeyPLD]

I think the fact that the left is attacking her with such intensity means she was the right choice. I mean, Moveon.org is offering 5k for dirt on her husband lol. I didn't think the GOP picking a women VP was such a huge threat.

[Beckwin]

"wow a ton of relevant criticism is rapidly surfacing about our candidate, this must be a good thing!"

delusional.

[SwampdonkeyPLD]

The only relevant one I've read is the firing of the state trooper.

[Sera]

The only relevant one I've read is the firing of the state trooper.

You're a complete idiot. Clearly her support of abstinence only sex ed is also an issue here, considering it ... DOESN'T WORK, both statistically and in her own home. Bristol is a non-issue, but the situation's conflict with Sarah's policies IS.

[Tyche]

The freakiest girls are the preacher's daughters. That isn't a stereotype out of thin air, in 3 cases I've been close to, it's damn true. Parents can't control what their children do. My catholic parents had me unwed. They were married before my sister was born. She (my sister born to wed catholic parents) dropped out of high school and got knocked up by a married man. I went to college, had a child, and got married. Calling her a bad parent because she preaches abstinence and her child gets knocked up doesn't make her a bad parent, it makes her a parent in today's society. Saying she should give up the VP to take care of her daughter is absurd. Her daughter got knocked up by an 18 year old, Bristol herself is soon to be 18. Her daughter can take care of herself.

And Sera, no, her child's pregnancy isn't relevant. Sorry, it's not. Her daughter is an adult.

[Deejay]

The freakiest girls are the preacher's daughters. That isn't a stereotype out of thin air, in 3 cases I've been close to, it's damn true. Parents can't control what their children do. My catholic parents had me unwed. They were married before my sister was born. She (my sister born to wed catholic parents) dropped out of high school and got knocked up by a married man. I went to college, had a child, and got married. Calling her a bad parent because she preaches abstinence and her child gets knocked up doesn't make her a bad parent, it makes her a parent in today's society. Saying she should give up the VP to take care of her daughter is absurd. Her daughter got knocked up by an 18 year old, Bristol herself is soon to be 18. Her daughter can take care of herself.

And Sera, no, her child's pregnancy isn't relevant. Sorry, it's not. Her daughter is an adult.

She wasn't an adult 5 months ago when she got pregnant. And just because you're no longer legally bound/dependant to your parents at 18, it doesn't mean you're not financially dependant. And besides, if her daughter getting knocked up only makes Palin a normal parent in "today's society".... shouldn't we be teaching our kids how to be responsible in "today's society"? Perhaps, I don't know... maybe by telling her kid to use a condom?

You're missing the point by a mile here.

[Sera]

And Sera, no, her child's pregnancy isn't relevant. Sorry, it's not. Her daughter is an adult.

Not yet she isn't. 17 =! legal adult, if you want to be technical about it, and these days, barely anyone just "grows up" miraculously the day they turn 18. Bristol's only relevance is that it shows how the statistics are real, and how it is irresponsible to just assume kids will do what you tell them to do. Giving a teen the proper education and tools to stay safe and protect themselves is more than a moral issue, its a health issue. Like I said, the baby will only prove to be one of those "awwww she's so brave" stories for conservatives to pander around, but what if she'd gotten AIDS instead? People focus so much on the morality that they forget its a HEALTH risk. I believe that anytime you voluntarily put your kid's health at risk, its not just poor, irresponsible parenting, that's child neglect. It should be considered nothing less. When you have the knowledge to share and withhold it because of morality while endangering health, its stupid.

edit: PS i think she actually was knocked up at 16 (at projected time of conception, iirc) and the father is 25ish. NOT appropriate, statutory rape, isn't it? why isn't the dad being penalized legally like any other young man would? also,
My point isn't necessarily her being what i perceive to be as a bad parent. MY point is that she'd be potentially trying to make her own irresponsible policies the practices of EVERYONE in the nation. Let her endanger her own child's life, not mine or anyone else's. I'd be teaching contraception to my own child anyway (because of the health risks) but there is no reason for it not to be taught to everyone. PS: there IS the opt-out option for sex ed, also. Always has been. If she doesn't want her kids taught, she has that option. Why is it that conservatives always want to strip us of our options?

[Beckwin]

The issue isn't that she's entirely a bad parent, but that promoting abstinence-only is obviously poor policy/judgment.

and I'd also take a look at her claims at fiscal conservatism and reform against her actions as the Mayor of Wasilla (she got a 22m federal earmark and then took the town of 7,000 into 20m debt beyond that) and as governor where she likes to point out she turned down the "bridge to nowhere"... despite supporting it while she campaigned and then more or less just diverting the money to other projects instead of sending it back to the federal government. she also was a director on a Ted Stevens 527 :/

[SwampdonkeyPLD]

You're a complete idiot. Clearly her support of abstinence only sex ed is also an issue here, considering it ... DOESN'T WORK, both statistically and in her own home. Bristol is a non-issue, but the situation's conflict with Sarah's policies IS.

This is getting retarded. If her daughter proves abstinence doesn't work, then Obama proves "we are our brother's keepers" doesn't work/he's a hypocrite. No wait swamp, that was his half-brother, he said brother, so you're wrong.

There are two reasons I think Republicans preach abstinence, neither of which includes because it works. The bible said so, and so people who can't afford children don't have to live off the government. So unless she supported abstinence because the bible said so, then her daughter isn't relevant. Even then it wouldn't be. It's also important to note that she supports school choice, thus leaving it up to the parent to decide what their children learn.

[Xno Kappa]

Political ideologies solely based on what the bible says is retarded, Republican or not.

[Sera]

The bible shouldn't have a god damn thing to do with government policy. End of discussion. This country was never intended to be a theocracy (and shouldn't be one,) that much is made VERY clear.

edit: yeah, she does promote school choice, fine -- then let her send her child to a private christian school where they can push their christian values on people who actually want it. keep it out of our public schools, separation of church and state etc. abstinence should be taught as an option, the only 100% option, i'll give you that (but only because science and medicine state so, NOT god) but an option nonetheless.

[Maxxthepenguin]

so people who can't afford children don't have to live off the government.

...But pro-abstinence only increases unwanted pregnancy and thus promotes more welfare.

(It's really the bible thing)

[Beckwin]

she's a fundie creationist, swampy. of course the biblical reason was (one of) hers as well.

you going on about Obama's brother in kenya is silly as hell. which way do you want it swampy? individuals being responsible for themselves or leeching off someone? Can't have it both ways. The two were separated for many years and the younger is his own man with his own life in kenya. I'm pretty sure if he asked his brother for help he wouldn't be denied, but it doesn't seem that's happened yet.