As I've said before, I think it's wrong to use the pregnancy of child as any sort of political tool. It doesn't belong in the conversation. But maybe that's just me being silly and naive:
Gov. Palin and her husband "have embraced the grandchild about to be born," Gary Bauer, a social conservative activist and onetime presidential candidate, told the Texas delegation. "They already are teaching America a lesson about the sanctity of life," he added, as the delegates jumped to their feet in applause.Good to know Gary. I'm not going to get into the twisted morals of dude's statement. But these sanctimonious fucks kill me. Either it's wrong for the kid to be a political football--or it isn't. For the record, this doesn't change how I feel. It's cruel and arrogant to use a child's pregnancy to attack a political foe. It's blind and arrogant to use a child's pregnancy to bolster a political ally.
The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood 
Wrong? How can anything the Gary Bauers of this country do be wrong? They have God on their side! Therefore, nothing they do in His name (e.g. Keep the White House in GOP hands) could be wrong. Procedure and consistency mean nothing. Walking 'in the light' means everything. They work their way backwards from there.
Smokescreen.
Josh @ TPM has the best take on this stuff. They're the ones bringing up the baby over and over and over again. Sure, there was some stuff on the blogs, but come on, what's not on the blogs? You can find people who believe the earth is flat "on the blogs."
But instead you hoist this relatively underground stuff up there and say, "aren't those folks awful for attacking Saint Sarah and then people talk about that, instead of asking, "um, what exactly has she accomplished?"
And when somebody asks that then you accuse the press of being sexist and use that as an excuse not to answer questions anymore.
It's the same old bait-and-switch smokescreen (oooh, look....shiny object over there) the Bushies have pulled for the last 8 years. Wherein if you questioned the judgment of the leaders, all of a sudden the debate was about whether you are patriotic and whether you love America.
And guess what, it's working. Again. Sorta. But I don't think completely.
Bingo!
When Carville was on CNN on Monday night he refused to use the baby story, refused to comment on it. The idiot woman he was sparring with (a Representative from MN??), then turned around, and used it as a "Plus" for her candidate. I wanted so badly for him or Larry King to call her on it.
But for some reason the conversation stops there. Oh, if only I could be an interviewer for a day!!
This is what I'm saying. The right is falling all over themselves praising both Palin and her daughter for "doing the right thing" and keeping these children despite one being born with Down's Syndrome and the other to a 17 year old, girl.
Big fucking deal, if you're as pro-life as you say you are, you never have any doubts about keeping the child under those circumstances whatsoever. You don't deserve extra credit for being what you claim to be.
Plus they throw out bouquets because Bristol is going to marry the father, a "fuckin' redneck" who by his own admission doesn't want kids. So forcing a 17 year old girl to marry the father of a child that at least one of them "doesn't want" is a good idea? That's worthy of applause from the right?
Being such a staunch supporter of the NRA, we know Palin's already got her shotgun picked out for the wedding.
I'll second that emotion.
Although, based on Big Fred's speech to the convention and Obama's new radio ad, it looks like we're about to be dragged into yet another edition of 'The Culture Wars'.
In understand that after Palin's speech the stage background is going to be changed to a blow-up of the latest ultrasound of the Palin fetus. And they'll zoom in to see if there's a willie or not.
USA! USA! USA!
"Big fucking deal, if you're as pro-life as you say you are, you never have any doubts about keeping the child under those circumstances whatsoever. You don't deserve extra credit for being what you claim to be."
Word up, Mikel.
Carville can be pretty slimy, but he owned that Rep. from MN on Larry King the other night. She kept saying he was being disrespectful to women and Carville ket having to remind her that he supported a woman for President for months and months. She was out of her league. But she sure did smile real bright!!
Josh @ TPM has the best take on this stuff. They're the ones bringing up the baby over and over and over again.
I've really noticed this lately.
Interviewer: Let's talk about her opposition to the bridge to nowhere, which actually came quite late, contrary to what...
Rep surrogate: It is just horrible how you people keep dragging her poor child into this. A child who has made a difficult decision...
Interviewer: Military command experience through being Commander of the Alaskan National Guard? Now, we've talked to the guard commander...
Rep surrogate: That is sexist. We will not stand for sexist criticism of Governor Palin. As for the way her family has been dragged into this.
It's quite irritating. Of course, it will show up most clearly if the leftern blogosphere follows Obama's lead (I'm looking at you, Sullivan) and quiet the noise* and the news media ever do their job, which involves saying "That has nothing to do with the question I asked. Let me repeat..." until they either answer or are made to look as much a clown as Tucker Bounds.
We should be discussing the legality of abortion, the abstinence-only plank in the Republican platform, Palin's veto of funding for unwed teen mothers, and other issues without bringing in her child--that turns the conversation from "your position is out of step with the independents you want to win" to "attacking her daughter who is a minor." It's obvious why they want to make this play as the latter; we need people making the former stick.
*I agree that it's a private family issue. I expect that standard to be applied to me and will apply it elsewhere without whining about how turnabout is fair play.
On a related note, one thing that's been bothering me quite a bit is the amount of emphasis that's been placed on John and Cindy McCain's adoption of their daughter. I was adopted myself, so I do have some familiarity with the kinds of emotions involved. The way they emphasized it yesterday - with the gentleman who adopted the other child they'd brought back, speaking at length about it - is coming off as extremely distasteful to me. This is somebody's life and identity we're talking about here. She's a person, not a prop.
Does anyone even know what Bridget thinks about all of this being spotlighted in public? I just can't help but put myself in that position. I wouldn't have wanted anyone, parents included, to use my adoption as a political talking point. If she understands and wants to help out, that's another thing altogether. More power to her; she'd be far more at peace with it than I was at her age. But something is striking me as really, really fake, and I just hope she's not been hurt by it. Taking all that into account, it really doesn't surprise me about what's happening with Palin's daughter and grandchild.
The worst part is, I generally agre with what they've been doing. Adopting a child is a good thing, deciding to keep a child is a good thing. That's good, that's great! I wish more people would. But then taking that and blowing a trumpet about it ... ? It just doesn't seem right.
That's good, that's great! I wish more people would. But then taking that and blowing a trumpet about it ... ? It just doesn't seem right.
Interestingly enough, Jesus spoke out against just this type of behavior. The pharisees used to make grand shows out of themselves praying, fasting and giving money. Jesus said that those things should be done quietly with no fanfare. The reason being is that making a big public spectacle is designed to make men approve of you, when the reason for doing it is supposed to be to have God approve of you.
This is slightly off topic but what offends me about the Palin sanctity-of-life crap is that it implies that people who aren't pro-life are cavalier about abortion. I am uncomfortably pro-choice--meaning that I think that abortions are horrible, have unintended consequences, and I would never have one myself. I'm not pro-life though because I don't think it's my place to tell someone that she may or may not have one. But my stance doesn't mean that I'd even consider aborting a baby because it had downs syndrome, or pressuring my daughter into having an abortion because she's young. You take the cards the life deals you, act responsibly, and make the best of them. I can say with certainty that my liberal friends feel the same way. The suggestion that Palin is a hero because she decided not to abort her downs syndrome child, or because her daughter is keeping her baby, seems to imply that the rest of us pro-choice women would act differently. And that's just plain wrong.
Interestingly enough, Jesus spoke out against just this type of behavior. The pharisees used to make grand shows out of themselves praying, fasting and giving money. Jesus said that those things should be done quietly with no fanfare.
And strangely enough, that's the only section of Bible verses evangelicals don't quote ad infinitum. Can't imagine why.
The only relevance that the Palin daughter pregnancy should have is on how it reflects on Sarah Palin's policy choices as Governor. Consequently, talking about whether she's a moral hypocrite should not really be made into an issue. On the other hand, the fact that Governor Palin used her line item veto to slash funding for programs to provide shelter and support for unwed teenage mothers is extremely relevant. It dovetails nicely with Obama's critique of the Republican ownership society, i.e. "you're on your own."
Governor Palin is perfectly happy denying critical monetary and emotional support to women in similar circumstances as her daughter because she and her family have the financial and emotional resources to support Bristol in her decision. In other words, Sarah Palin believes that women like her daughter should be able to raise their child with the help and love of a supportive family, but for those mothers who lack the same nurturing environment, "you're on your own."
"Good to know"-comma-"Gary." With "that" understood. Taking liberty with grammer is fine. Implying that it is a good thing to be acquainted with Mr Bauer--not a good thing. Please try to be understood on a quick first reading.
There, my inner-English-teacher feels better.
I thought the Republican party was all full of tough guys, so why do they cry like b*tches every time something doesn't go their way. It's ALWAYS someone elses fault.
NUT UP And accept the fact that we are trying to find out about who this woman is. It hasn't even been a week...stop cryin punks.
Seriously, Herr Bauer is a sanctimonious fuck, and I think it is inappropriate that he capitalize on this. But he isn't Sarah Palin or Todd Palin, and they have asked for privacy. Just because some GOP shithead is trying to score easy points, doesn't mean that you have to continue the argument. Until Mrs. Palin herself breaches that trust, then feel free to criticize her.
Is it really that hard to just not say anything? Can you really not help yourselves?
TNC, you seem like a really classy individual and I enjoy your commentary immensely more than your liberal predecessor. But sticking to your word means to make tough decisions, and this is one of them.
The GOP lays these traps for you guys time and time again, and you consistently fall in. It's like watching a party of Elmer Fudds.
Seriously, Herr Bauer is a sanctimonious fuck, and I think it is inappropriate that he capitalize on this. But he isn't Sarah Palin or Todd Palin, and they have asked for privacy. Just because some GOP shithead is trying to score easy points, doesn't mean that you have to continue the argument. Until Mrs. Palin herself breaches that trust, then feel free to criticize her.
So if she mentions her miracle baby tonight, then the gloves can come off?
There is something so wrong going on here. The Republicans and Fox News are trying to make the impending marriage between Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston and how the Republicans are exploiting them okay. They are going to parade these children out to the nation like pieces of meat and Sarah Palin is willing to do that to her daughter. What kind of parent is she to take such a private matter (regardless of what the media wants) and exploit her child in this way. And what the hell is this girl's father doing about this travesty.
Now let’s put a bit of reality on this scab: It’s The Economy Stupid!
If these were normal teenagers (not a Governor’s daughter) they couldn’t afford health care or even to buy groceries, he would probably be a blue collar worker, so his job more than likely is going overseas; and next year when he turns 18 I see Iraq in his future. They are still in high school and one or both of them would have to drop out of school in order to work and take care of the baby they are about to bring into the world.
They are only 17, and I know some adults who can’t handle the responsibilities about to be thrown on these kids. It’s a difficult situation for any family and these knuckleheads are making it worse by playing it out on a national stage.
I would not let my baby be subjected to this kind of relentless scrutiny and trust me, it will be relentless.
Be well, CF
Fundamentally, this was the problem I had with the whole teen pregnancy angle: assuming either Senator McCain or Governor Palin knew of the young girl's pregnancy prior to last Thursday, the job was offered and/or accepted with the understanding that the poor girl was going to be forced to go through public and lengthy exposure. Assuming they both knew, the only reason I can come up with for the job to still be offered and accepted would be that they intended to use this (as they did with the story of the new born) as a way of politicizing her role as mother. It is what politicians have done for decades (at least): using their families as props to further their own political ambitions.
As for whether we would ask these same questions of a man, I'd say, maybe we wouldn't. But that's not an indictment on the question as much as it is an indictment on our frame of reference. Maybe we wouldn't ask these questions of men; then again, maybe we should. Maybe that's one of the advances we face in accepting women into the roles traditionally held by men: we're allowed to think of things from a new perspective. Why don't we ask men whether their roles in government or in campaigns bring undue stress upon their families?
To me the issue with the pregnancy is not how it reflects on Palin's parenting, but how it reflects on her support for abstinence-only education and her lack of support for programs to help teen parents. We're talking about that over at the CA NOW blog: http://www.canow.org/canoworg/2008/09/sarah-palin-and.html
This entire slobberfest by the right-wing media over the adolescent humping by the pretty white girl is making me physically ill.
If this were sixteen year-old Shaniqua from SE DC, the media would imply that she's a whore and that her boyfriend's pants are too baggy.
This little POS knocks up a wannabe Abercrombie and Fitch girl and he's a fuckin' hero?! Fuck that! Two teenagers bonin' and leavin' an oyster on the basement couch ain't heros in the projects, so they aren't heros in middle-America, either.
If the black girls across America are basically thought to be sluts by the "moral majority," then (begging the McCain-Palin campaign's pardon,) but that means ALL of these little panty-droppers are. If Bristol Palin gets a pass, then so do the black and Latina girls getting preggers. And the girls doin' the dirty dirty in a trialer park with my man BRabbit.
The great Juan Cole said it best: "Off limits is off limits, you partisan hacks!"
To me the issue with the pregnancy is not how it reflects on Palin's parenting, but how it reflects on her support for abstinence-only education and her lack of support for programs to help teen parents. We're talking about that over at the CA NOW blog:
Well, it shouldn't be an issue since you haven't the slightest idea what the Ms Palin was taught at school or what she was taught at home by her parents regarding sex. Do you you know why you don't know? Because that's private. This is one of the reasons people ask for privacy, so people like you don't go off making bald assertions and unfounded assumptions regarding a person's life.
@DDP: Um, I do believe he was referring to Palin's positions on such matters as governor, which one would assume would reflect her beliefs as a mother. Unless you assume Palin to be a boorish hypocrite, of course.
Also, the curriculum taught at Palin's daughter's school isn't really a private matter, so chill with the pearl-clutching for a spell.
Um, I do believe he was referring to Palin's positions on such matters as governor, which one would assume would reflect her beliefs as a mother. Unless you assume Palin to be a boorish hypocrite, of course.
Also, the curriculum taught at Palin's daughter's school isn't really a private matter, so chill with the pearl-clutching for a spell.
Um, I do believe that your point is utterly irrelevant. To suggest that Ms Palin's pregnancy is the embodiment of the failure of abstinence-only education is absurd. You haven't the slightest details of her knowledge about sex before engaging in it or whether she did or did not use a contraceptive. You don't know. Nobody does. And nobody should because it should remain a private matter.
You people becoming just as depraved as those you denounce.
@DDP,
Depraved? Why? Because people have the gumption to ask the Republican party about their long and distinguished history of trotting out the stock character of the black welfare mom to "energize" their base?
Sorry, sonny chim, it don't work that way at this rodeo. If an inner-city gal on welfare is an enemy to these people, so is a trailer-park queen from West Virginia. BOTH live off the taxpayer's dime to a degree.
The reason that Palin's daughter is getting a pass is because she's white. And that's about it. I, for one, am sick of the hypocrisy of the evangelical right who are going to vote for a woman who will be a heartbeat way from the Oval Office knowing full well that her daughter left a wet spot in the back seat of her boyfriend's Jeep that she is currently carrying around in her belly.
If the Republicans want to bash young unwed mothers, then they damn well better do it in the white neighborhoods just as well as they lob their venom into the black neighborhoods. And don't think we didn't see y'all snickering during the last Bill Cosby eruption, either. According to your hero, a pregnant teen mother is an indictment of a parent AND a culture.
But as long as the adolescent boning is done by people that look like the kids on "The Hills" or "90210," it's OK. When it's the black or Latino kids, it's feral, it's nasty, it's seamy and disgusting. You people make me sick.
You people? No, sorry kiddo, you lose.
One good turn deserves another? Won't get my vote, but obviously you don't care anyway.
@ DDP,
You actually used the term "you people" first. I recommend that you, like the GOP, practice what you preach.
And if you don't want to answer the legitamite questions, I asked, then you don't have any business in this forum.