My conservative friends are right. If I agreed with Sarah Palin's politics, I'd probably think that was all just fine (see Sarah Fenske's column in this issue).
But I don't share Palin's politics. And I've got my own daughters to think about.
Yes, I'd love for them to have role models, to see women aspiring to the highest office, the best job, to do it all in heels and backwards and better than any man.
But I can't indulge in symbolism — not this week, anyway. I don't have time. The world's going to shit. The air here in Phoenix is so thick with pollution it hurts to breathe. The other day I took a sip of tap water that tasted so bad I spit it out. Later this week, I have to go to Sophie's public school to try to convince everyone from the principal on down that my kindergartner's safety is in jeopardy. She keeps escaping from the playground at recess. They say there's no money for a part-time aide. I get that. This year, budget cuts cost the school its full-time librarian.
And you expect me to rely on Sarah Palin, a woman who wants to ban books and teach creationism, and John McCain, a man who wants to ban government spending on almost everything but war, to help me take care of my kids?
I often joke that I'm closer to being a socialist than a social conservative, but actually, it's true. I do believe that government has a role in our lives, and more than ever since I had kids, particularly Sophie. I never had to navigate a government agency 'til Sophie was born, and let me tell you, there's room for improvement. There's never enough funding — that's a given — but worse, the whole system is so poorly managed you practically need a Ph.D. in public policy (or another parent who's already been though this, or a lawyer, or all three) to help you get services for your kid.
Just last month, I met a mother with a 6-year-old son with Down syndrome. He's pretty much never had any therapy at all; he's not speaking, he isn't potty trained. The mom gave up after someone told her there was a waiting list for services (not true) and several of her calls went unreturned. All you need to do is drive to the center of any large city in America and watch homeless schizophrenics push shopping carts to see the effects another social conservative — Ronald Reagan — had on another disenfranchised group, the country's mentally ill.
Maybe Sarah Palin means what she says, and she really will devote more resources to helping people with developmental disabilities. Right now, there's a heated debate on the Internet over whether she's cut funding in Alaska. Frankly, I don't see it as a good sign that there's any question at all.
Sophie's one of the smartest kids with Down syndrome her teachers have ever seen, but the reality is that she'll never be completely independent. And if something were to happen to me and my friends and family, Sophie would have to rely on the kindness of strangers — namely, the government. I don't know if Sarah Palin would create a safety net strong enough to catch Sophie, but I do know one area of my daughter's life (both my daughters' lives) that interests her greatly.
Reproductive rights.
It's the elephant in the middle of the room. I know, I know, if I were against abortion, like Sarah Palin, the woman would be my role model. I'd think she was one badass chick, and I'd want to go out drinking with her.
But I'm pro-choice. When the obstetrician told me I had a significantly higher chance of having a baby with Down syndrome (not just because I was 36, but because of what a blood test indicated) I called my husband and said, "What should we do? Should I have an amniocentesis?"
"Why would you do that?" he replied. "It's not like you'd get an abortion."
As soon as he said it, I knew it was true. That was my choice — our choice — to make. Now Sarah Palin wants to make it for me, and more important, she wants to make it for my daughters.
We won't be teaching abstinence-only at home (though my husband will surely tell both girls they can't date 'til they're 40!), so I don't expect Annabelle to get pregnant at 17. But if she does, the choice of what to do needs be our family's choice, not our government's.
When it comes to this topic, to be honest, I can barely bring myself to think of Sophie.
You should meet Sophie. She is one of the most engaging human beings I've ever encountered. I know everyone always says that about people with Down syndrome. But with this kid, it's true. Then again, I'm not so sure I want you to meet her. Not 'til you've had an FBI background check.
Just yesterday in Costco, she introduced herself to the woman in line behind us. "I'm Sophie!" she announced, eager to make a new friend. The grandmotherly woman smiled and nodded. Now, I know she's only 5, and believe me, we're trying to teach Sophie about Stranger Danger, but if you've ever been around a person with Down syndrome (or, at least, my little person with Down syndrome), you know there is a very real threat here.
What if — and I can hardly type the words — someday Sophie meets a bad man? Sarah Palin does not believe in abortion under any circumstance, including in the case of rape.
I am clearly not done shrieking.
1 Like
I think it is funny how you argue how poor the system is then in the same breath you argue for more it. Are you a conservative attempting to make liberals look stupid? As a parent with a downs child I would never wish the European socialist style health care for my daughter or yours. I prefer the best doctors in the best hospitals. Look what socialism has done to our educational system. When you write on a topic please use logic in your argument.
YES , WE CAN...YES , WE CAN...WE WILL WIN IN WAR ON TERROR (30 whities or what are terrorists will never come back alive...thank you lord....aaamen).
What do you mean tragedy! It was just a birthday present for planet apes president !!! That's all ! Feels great to flip hamburgers and hip hop atop of good news...makes you feel vibrant and energized !!!
ARIZONA = UTOYA = GOVERNMENT‘S "AFTERLIFE" CASH & $$ FLASH MOB (there was no shooting in Utoya or Arizona, but tear gas and theater instead on faces of multiculturalism maniacs..your guilt or blame and shame weapon against us and our families in our own countries atop of forceful unemployment during so called "ECONOMIC CRISES" during which third world foreigners are allowed to rape, kill, and still is nothing else but fast way to early retirements for government related criminals/ terrorists...$$$ extra bonuses, and newly issued state identities while calling you a terrorists) !!! http://stateofterror.blogspot.... or http://stateofterror.wordpress...
OBAMA = STALIN = BUSH or USA = SOVIET UNION http://avsecbostjan.blogspot.c... or http://avsecbostjan.wordpress.... Whitie is fighting war on terrorism just to come home and be pronounced as terrorist...turned in Timothy, jobless, homeless ...YESSS, WE CAN...YESSS, WE CAN...GABBY OPENED HER EYES (Obaminator’s psychotic speech in Tucson = failed “Apocalypse Now“)
WAKE-UP !!! WAKE UP PEOPLE BEFORE IT GETS ALL TO LATE ON PLANET APES !!! TEARS WON'T DO YOU ANY GOOD !!! AS BUSH STATED "THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE PAID FOR"(to die ) !!
EVEN IF IRAQ WOULD HAVE BEEN WAR FOR OIL ONLY, VETERANS WOULDN'T NEVER EVER HAVE TO BE HOMELESS PEOPLE THE WAY THEY ARE AND NOR WOULD OUR PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE ALLOVER THE PLACE THE WAY THEY DO TO VERY TODAY(never ending “war on terror” story). BECAUSE EVEN IF WAR WAS FOR THE SAKE OF MONEY, MONEY SHOULD BE USED FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS AND NOT WHAT THE CASE IS OR AGAINST WHITES(to destroy us allover the world) !!! You don't really proof for 911, just put your sht together in your heads...THIS IS PLENTY ENOUGH TO HAVE O(B)SAMA INDICTED FOR CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST WHITE AMERICAN HUMANITY TOGETHER WITH HIS ZIONIST MASTERS) !!!
Don't worry O(s)bama, you have just saved USA what is lots of Dollars in your DEBT DEALS as those best of America or Navy Seals would also grew older and then you already know how it goes...DEAD & ILL = DEBT DEAL !!!
HOW MUCH FURTHER ARE WE WILLING TO GO IN ORDER TO PLEASE VERY SAME PEOPLE WHO DENY US EVEN THE RIGHT TO EXISTENCE(what is to you country without laws or lawless country in respect to your personal rights, but the one that in contrast to your denied basic human rights recognizes you extremely liable when payments are due) !!?
IS IT INDEPENDENCE THAT WE CELEBRATE OR DEPENDENCE (what are your credit card bills or alimony saying about it) !!? HOW IS YOUR DIABETES AND LOST MARRIAGES !!? FORECLOSURES AND JOB SEARCH !!? THAT IS THE QUESTION TO BE OR NOT TO BE !!! IS IT LAND OF THE FREE OR STATE OF TERROR AGAINST OWN POPULATION !!? IT IS TIME TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT COLOR ARE THE STRIPES ON OUR STAR SPANGLED BANNER !!! TIME TO DETERMINE WHOSE INDEPENDENCE/AMERICA, WE CELEBRATE TODAY(who wants to erase us and denies us the right to exist) !!! IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHOM WE ADDRESS WITH "PRESIDENT" (STOP HUMILIATING YOURSELF) !!!
VOTING POLL:
DO WE NEED MORE PROOFS TO INDICT OBAMA AND BUSH ADMINISTRATION FOR CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST WHITE HUMANITY !!?
1)NO, THEY ARE CLEARLY GUILTY AS OIL WAR NEVER EVER WAS REAL ISSUE IN GENOCIDE AGAINST WHITES. REAL ISSUE ARE FACTS OR WHAT WE WITNESS TODAY WHEN VETERANS ARE HOMELESS, JOBLESS, KILLED, ETC.
2)NO, AS 911 ALONE AS WELL AS ACTIONS IMPOSED AGAINST WHITES IN USA (as well worldwide) ARE CLEARLY INDICATING ACTS OF GENOCIDE AGAINST WHITE HUMANITY
3)YESS AS JUST YESTERDAY(for over 15 years to very yesterday), WE (news/media = vacuum world of lies) WERE TELLING YOU THAT UNEMPLOYMENT WAS AT 10% WHILE TODAY ONE IS AT 50% (HOW COME NO ONE QUESTION JOURNALISM LIKE THIS OR WHAT IS WORLD OF LIES AND DEMENTIA)!
4)I AGREE WITH FIRST TWO ANSWERS ABOVE. IT IS TIME TO PRESS CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST BOTH ADMINISTRATIONS DUE TO ACTS OF GENOCIDE AGAINST WHITE HUMANITY FOR THE SAKE(SAFETY) OF US AND OUR CHILDREN(DO NOT TURN THEM IN WHITE REFUGEES ON PLANET APES OR WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE WHEN VISITING ABOVE PAGES) !!!
Wow. I'm so happy you think the world is such a cold hard place. You know what it is like to have a down syndrome child, so why would you talk so much smack about a woman who is a real? Obama has done nothing but lied since he walked on the stage. How can you talk smack now?
Yeah! How come I'm only allowed to choose to kill my son or daughter if they're a fetus! I think abortion should apply until they turn 18! Sarah Palin would have taken what few liberties we already have. Go OBAMA!
If this new health care bill stands, you and Sarah Palin are going to see first hand how a real socialist takes care of his people. You may not wish to call them death panels but whatever they are, they will dictate whose life is of value and whose isn't. The aged, the infirm, the terminally ill will all be given pain pills instead of treatment (whether they are in pain or not). No, it won't be Nazi Germany's health care plan (master race); there won't be cattle cars for the homeless, but some 24 million people will still not be covered...want to guess who they will be? Your Sophie and Sarah's Trig will be in the same boat and the only one I see fighting for them is Sarah...where the hell are you????
I loved your article. I am part of the bizymoms.com Phoenix community and I know they would love to read it. http://www.bizymoms.com/phoeni...
In their news page you can submit news either as an article or as a RSS feed. http://www.bizymoms.com/phoeni... Keep up the great work!
I am so heart broken for your voice! Wow God gave you 2 children and this is how you value life? Abortion is cruel and it needs to stop because it is just killing or murder. I had an abortion when I was young and I never recovered from what happened! This world is cruel and mean people are everywhere. Sarah Palin was a vessel for change!!!!!!!! I have 4 children and value my sons struggles in his 3 year old life with his Downs Syndrome health issues. Adam is amazing!!!! Where is your compassion for those lives that are mutilated? Get on your knees lady and be grateful for your hands and feet and brain. I do not think you should be concerned about your daughter's choice about abortion. Help make change for more education in the schools and lives of our youth about sex and protection.Where is your heart? People like you just keep the anger in this world and keep out the love and kindness! I will pray that you go to heaven. Nicole
Thank you for such a realistic view. The report you wrote about could have come from me directly. We have a daughter age 19 with Down Syndrome. Maggie voted for the first time Saturady in the early voting option here in Ohio. She definitly had an opinion on who she wanted to vote for and on the issues she had to make choices regarding. I too have had to make sacrifices, fight the battles and make career changes based on our family needs. We have a son 23 and another daughter age 15. I hope my legacy will be that I raised productive wonderful children who will have great opportunities because of the choices my generation has made. I hope that we will be celebrating this evening the election of a Democratic president who will bring the much needed change to our country.
We knew just before her birth, that our daughter had Down Syndrome. The thought of termination never crossed our minds. This was a planned and much desired addition to our family. If, however, Maggie or my other daughter found themselves in a situation where they were faced with an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy, I would prefer that we as a family could make a decision rather than be forced in one direction by the government.
Let's hope the shreiking tonight is a shreik of joy when Obama and Biden are elected to office.
A Baby is a gift from God and no Man or Woman should kill a Baby just because you dont want it or because you have that RIGHT .What if your Mom had wanted to kill you just because she thought life would be better for her self? Iam a mother of five children and every one of my kids is the Best GIFT any one could want.Iam so sorry that you feel the way you do about ALASKA .I moved my family up here from ARIZONA and i will never go back down there to live.People in the lower 48 will never understand OUR FREEDOM we have up here .Thanks to people like you jobs ,homes,kids,and our NATION is in big trouble
I'M NOT ALONE - I'M NOT ALONE!! Since September all I hear is that Sarah Palin has a child with DS...People, members of my own family say "I guess you are voting for McCain since Palin has a son with DS"
Finally, someone else said it....finally - Palin has NO IDEA what it takes to raise a child with DS, not just the more physical aspects of having to work harder to achieve the same goals, but the emotional strain as well.
I'm lucky if I have time to shave both legs - after P/T, O/T and Speech, meetings with our county board of mental retardation, IFSP's and of course I have another daughter who goes to brownies, dance and I'm the room mommy..
Sarah Palin is not my advocate - not my hero - and not a part of some exclusive club simply because she has a child with DS...
Now Palin is breaking camp with her own "handlers". Will this woman stop at nothing to further herself? Set herself apart from the pack? Will she use anthing, including her own children to this end? One scary pseudopolitician. McCain must be cringing about now.
Palin is a regressive... a gun toting, anti-intellectual pentecostal, backwoods primitive.
The fact that my formerly admired (pre-Bush) Republican Party nominated her for VP is astounding.
The woman has fluff for brains and a mean high school cheerleaders sense of political maneuvering.
Attacking Palin is not an attack on women, but an attack on stupidity, vacuousness, and the kind of ignorant viciousness the Republican Party has come to embody.
Criticizing a stupid, ignorant, shallow, selfish, manipulative woman is not an attack on women... it's legitimate criticism of a stupid, ignorant, shallow, selfish, manipulative person, who just happens to be a woman.
It's a fine distinction, but one which needs to be made, and made until the masses understand the difference.
Stupid, dangerous, empty-headed imbeciles with political ambitions need to criticized, whether they be male or female, white, black, red, yellow or brown, or even a hermaphrodite.
A persons gender, color or sexual orientation does not exempt them from legitimate criticism of their character, behaviour, personality and governing style and record.
We've got to make this crystal clear to the masses of voters and opinion shapers in this country, or we are in for a long, and potentially dangerous and destructive future.
People are judged on their character, and it's Palins character that sucks... not her genitalia.
Amy Silverman,
As the father of a child with Down's and a child who has Asperger's, your rambling is nothing less than disgusting. I feel sorry for your children, they both deserve better than to have trash like you as a parent. I only regret I'm not in front of you right now to say these things to your face. Maybe someday you'll grow up, but given what you wrote I highly doubt that'll ever happen, you're too selfish.
I am amazed at the number of people who supposedly believe in the equality of women who think Palin should be kept at home because of her family situation. This hypocrisy proves that these people care only about their own politics, not about women's equality. Vote or don't vote for McCain/Palin based on their political stance, but how dare anyone who claims to be "progressive" say that they won't vote for Palin based on her family situation? I won't be voting for McCain/Palin (nor Obama/Biden either for that matter), but I command McCain's brave choice of Palin. Palin is a shining example of a woman doing it all and anyone who supports women should be supportive of Palin's right to live her life as she wishes, at her skillful balance of family and work.
I am amazed at the number of people who supposedly believe in the equality of women who think Palin should be kept at home because of her family situation. This hypocrisy proves that these people care only about their own politics, not about women's equality. Vote or don't vote for McCain/Palin based on their political stance, but how dare anyone who claims to be "progressive" say that they won't vote for Palin based on her family situation?
I won't be voting for McCain/Palin (nor Obama/Biden either for that matter), but I command McCain's brave choice of Palin. Palin is a shining example of a woman doing it all and anyone who supports women should be supportive of Palin's right to live her life as she wishes, at her skillful balance of family and work.
Just because you can't do it, doesn't mean Sarah can't. She proves she can. Just because a 17 year old is too young to have a child, doesn't mean she can't and doesn't mean she'll be a bad mother. Been a mom for 19 years and have four amazing daughters! Just because your child was born with down syndrome doesn't mean you were. Just because you believe in the liberal socialist immoral practices in life doesn't mean the welfare sucking pigs of congress can steal our hard earned money.
Just because you say it doesn't make your sheeple believe what you spew as the truth. Lady, get a grip and be a better mother to your children. Aboman-ation is NOT the right choice for your childrens' future... if you want them to have one.
Are you willing to give equal unedited nonpartisan play-time for any future candidates, local state and federal? Do you agree with the Fairness Doctrine? Better get used to two sides to every story and both sides of the politics and not being able to spew your garbage for much longer. As soon as your messiah is born, er, uhm, elected, you will not have the luxury you think you are so entitled.
If you have a future... according to ole' Joe (that's a three letter name, right?) you only have six months left before the world tests Abomanation... he guarantees it will happen - mark his words... a NATIONAL CRISES!
I hope the African Press International will reveal some incredibly moving tapes... I think their work is to be commended; yours... nope.
Good luck!
I HAVE A DAUGHTER DIAGNOSED WITH DOWNSYNROME AT BIRTH. HER NAME IS JACQUELINE. SHE IS NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN.SHE HAS FOUR OLDER BROTHERS, WHO ARE HER FAVORITE ROLE MODELS. WE GET HELP FROM THE COUNTY AND I AM SATISFIED WITH OUR WORKERS.THE COUNTY THERAPISTS ARE SURPRISED BY HER DEVELOPMENT. I HOWEVER DO BELIEVE AS YOU DO THAT SHE WILL NEVER BE INDEPENDENT ENOUGH TO BE ALONE. I DREAD THE DAY SHE ASKS TO BE ON HER OWN. SARAH DOESNT KNOW THE CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR HER HUSBAND. I HAVE NEVER VOTED BEFORE,I HAVE CHOSEN TO VOTE THIS YEAR AND HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED. FAMILY AND FRIENDS PREFER OBAMA, I WAS SWAYED TOWARDS PALIN WHEN I FOUND OUT SHE HAD A SON WITH DOWNSYNDROME, UNTIL I READ THIS. I WAS EVEN GOING TO FORGIVE HER FOR FIGHTING AGAINST NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN CEREMONIAL HUNTING AND FISHING IN ALASKA. BUT AFTER READING THIS I DO NOT FEEL SHE COULD EVER BALANCE HOME AND WORK SINCE WORK WOULD BE OVERWHELMING HER. WHY WOULD SHE WANT TO BE AWAY FROM HER CHILDREN OR PUT THEM THROUGH SO MUCH.I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A STAY AT HOME DAD IN THE PICTURE, DOES HE KNOW WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR HIM AND CAN HE DO IT ALONE? I DONT SEE MYSELF VOTING FOR HER AS WELL AS THE REST OF OUR 5000 MEMBER NATIVE AMERICAN NATION. OUR PEOPLE DO HAVE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND WE TREASURE THEM AS YOU DO. I THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS AND FOR BEING THE MOTHER YOU ARE. THE MORE A CHILD IS DEVELOPED ONLY SHOWS THE LOVE AND SUPPORT A CHILD HAS AT HOME.
Woman - your life is obviously out of control. That isn't McCain nor Palin's fault, you need to look a bit closer to home. Maybe you shouldn't be an "editor", maybe you shouldn't be working, etc., etc., etc.
No, I applaud you for doing all those things, but your critisms are totally misdirected as I think your intent is. Get it together or find a life. You aren't the only one in the world with problems, and believe me yours are faily simple compared to most.
Wow - Do you really think she planned to have a DS child? ... to help her campaign I mean. That really is opportunistic - not mention just plain wrong.
Personally I think JM's choice was more because of her sex than her DS child.I would think you would hope and pray SP becomes VP ...She will probably have help with the house chores and rearing of her normal kids - and special help/care for her DS kid - maybe she'll even get potty trained.I just hope her hearts well enough to cope with the excitement of the paparatzi.Personaly, the advent of a Female in charge scares me ... I hope they'll lock her up for one week each month. But Obama scares me even more ... socialism? ... free mortgages for poor people? unmitigated racism? unmitigated defeatism? unmitigated pro-islamism? anymore 'isms I didn't mention?hmmm something else is bound to break.
You are so right! I have said almost the same words as you, it scared me. I don't get it thou, nobody in the public or interviewers have brought up why Ms. Palin has grand standed her kids and dragged that poor baby on stage till all hours of the night. Do her kids go to school? Palin is into only herself and has madde it known she wants to run in 2012, it's dispicable she has used her children as pawns to get votes. Hopefully, the public will see right thru her.
I see where your come in from and i agree our son has down syndrome tracheomalacia brochomalacia laryngomalacia and esophageal atresia, he spent the first 7 months out of the 10 he has been alive in the hospital. and he has been in and out ever since, i work 6 days a week 10 hour days all the while everything is piling up at home. I dont see how she could make the world work and give her 5 kids the attation they need itis not going to e possible whih is probably why her teenage daughter is pregnant i an speak of that getting pregnant myself at 16. my son is now 7 my daughter 5 and our youngest is 10 months i have my hands tied and couldn be any busier, then i think what else would i be doing with life?? I love our kids so much. Thanks so much for writing i loved reading it, kaylapearson.com
Wow! After reading your very powerful article, I began to shriek yet once again! Why is it that we cannot even think of questioning the issues the candidates bring to the table themselves? Such as Sarah being a mother of five, which includes a pregnant teen (poor girl!) and a very sweet Down syndrome baby. Now certainly the children themselves should not be judged or criticized, for they are just sweet innocent pawns in Sarah's big adult game of ambition. Sarah presented being "a hockey mother of five" as one of her main qualifications for running for the second highest office of the land. Perhaps she can explain how she proposes to do that--be the mom and the VP of the U.S., I mean, the VP of the U.S. is not a 9-5 or even a 9-6 job, it is a 24/7 job--HOW? I know men can be as effective as parents as women, but there is still something inside me, (sexist?) that feels that nothing compares to the care, insight, instinct and touch of a mother. Dads are great, everybody needs a dad, but they have not been 'wired' by their own parental experiences to be able to do what moms do (as primary parents)--you know, the intangible things...am I way off here?By the way, who is the hockey player in the Palin family that has made Sarah the "hockey mom"? Just wondering.In any event, I shriek at the thought that someone like Sarah might be a heartbeat away from the highest office of the land. Her views would take women back 50 years, her intellectually incurious mind reminds me too much of Gw Bush; her record as mayor where she was fine with charging rape victims for their forensic rape exams, leaving the town with a 20 million dollar debt, and her record as governor where she has been found guilty of abuse of power, and has been untruthful about her policies such as those with lobbyists, earmark requests, fiscal conservative claims, and not paying taxes on an enormous per diem travel and living expenses reimbursement amount from the state causes me to shriek even louder. Please, we all must remember to vote on Nov. 4th and send Sarah back to Alaska!
Wow! Your right on, I do not have a child with downs but I did have a home daycare the gave the greatest gift when a little with downs came into my life. I don't watch her anymore but I miss her dearly and I know how much care she needed, thank god for you she had two great parents that spent alot of time with her and got her therapy to help her develop. The main that upset me with Sarah Pallin she took state funding away from special needs in Alaska before she had Trig, and has not given it back. I also was very irrate during the debate when handed Trig to her youngest daughter that appeared to me to be about 6 or 7, this to me was like the time Michael Jackson and Steve Erwin did things that were unimaginable, did you notice her trying to look around the baby to go down three steps. I feel she is terrible mother, I feel sorry for her husband and other children as they are her pons as you stated. I hope God will be with them in their time of needed. Also I would love know if we the people will be paying for the birth of her grandchild, and if she's making her daughter get married, being pregant is not reason to this especially when 50% of all marriages end in divorce and it's even high for those in this situation. I feel she set her daughter up for a lot of heartache and I pray that someone will protect her maybe the boyfriends parents can protect this family just starting. I would love to see a woman as V.P. but this is clearly not the choice for America, this woman and her family are being used and I wish she was smart enough to see this, but didn't it take her six years to get a journalism degree? I wonder what her grades really were. To her children I wish the best to them and hope that their lives will be normal for them and that they can hold their heads up soon and the pain of having their lives interogated is in the hands of one man, McCain and one woman their own Mother. You did a great job on this article and as woman I feel better about my own choices that there are people out here in America who balance a real job and have time for the what matters most the children. Sarah I plead to you to wake up and be a mom, you are clearly only a mud slinging govenernor of a state that didn't know what they were voting for, a hypocit that didn't thing they would have a child with needs, a grandmother at 42 because you didn't teach your child, and clearly you abuse your power as the eithics committee has found. May my God be with you!!!!!!!
Thank You for writing this insightful article. It is time the American public open their eyes and get past the cutsie, wink, blink persona of this very scary and dangerous woman in line to possibly run our country. I too shreik at the thought!! And furthermore also was aghast that John McCain would even entertain the idea of this kind of inexperienced running mate let alone really take her along for the ride. Health care issues are bad enough but in my eyes, Palin sitting down with any of the foreign leaders would be our demise. They would have our ass in a heartbeat! Eyes Open America this is our shot at true change and survival! Linda Duprest (concerned American Citizen).
SENDING SMILES-n-LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN ... and giving you huge hugs for doing all you do for your children. My son's father whacked HARD his little 3.5-year old bottom (no diapers) three times (his dad was 250 pounds)AND I left Michigan to drive to Florida in a beat up old car a week later with only $98 to my name -- BUT WE DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE FOR YOUR CHILDREN!
Feel almost the same about Sarah Palin and accept that she's living in a "barbie world!" She is the last person in the world I'd want as vice president ... and how "SOON" president. Let's help make that NOT HAPPEN!
Blair
Hey fellow Americans:
It's about smart, it's about accountability and it's about responsibility.
If a candidate fails all three tests - then the party behind them must be called into question, right?
I read all the comments here - NOBODY has claimed Palin has any kind of intellectual gifts at all. Her performance in interviews and in debates drives that home.So we all agree she's not smart. After 8 years of the bozo from Crawford - SMART IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT IN THE HIGHEST OFFICES IN THE LAND.If you can't figure that out for yourself, maybe YOU shouldn't vote this year; doing so is extraordinarily unpatriotic.
Accountability - if you advocate abstinence only and your child fails at it - who is accountable?I know full well what MY MOTHER would say.Palin has no personal accountability - hence no honor.After 8 years of Chaney, the grand champion of non-accountability, ENOUGH ALREADY.
Responsibility.Bridge to nowhere anyone?
She fails all three tests - nowhere near as badly as McBushafter all appointing a talking hairdo with no track record of achievement and no verifiable expertiseis proof positive of failing all three tests.
I personally would love to see a talented, brilliant woman assume the presidency.
We do have one, of course, Cynthia McKinney running on the Green Party ticket.
But Palin.Her name says it all: she's totally pale by any reasonable test of competency you would care to name. The quicker she goes back to moose hunting and leaves the national political stage to competent adults, the better for all of us.
And McCain?Her appointment is an insult to every capable woman in the country. But then Johnny boy isn't really interested in WOMEN. He digs girls.
I as an adult man [61 years old] find that the most reprehensible thing of all.
First, I am a middle- aged, middle-class, woman with a master�s degree. Politically I am an Independent, I value my right to choose in ever area and do not want to be locked into any certain ideology. During my graduate studies I wrote many research and thesis papers on feminism and I am a staunch women�s rights advocate. I am also a mother of two children who are now young adults. My career sailed with the ebb and flow of my family life, I chose to put my family at the helm of my life through it all. Of course, every woman has a right to choose what is best for her and I will always defend that right, however I am also a realist. With the right to choose comes responsibility -the ability to respond thus I am aware of my own human limitations and the crucial need to set boundaries in my personal and professional life. Governor Palin said in her speech �Children with special needs inspire a very, very special love.� No doubt about that, but she omitted they also require a lot of time, attention and sacrifice from BOTH parents. I speak from experience, my son was born with a birth defect and I put my career on hold and my husband had to use many family leave days to help care for our son especially during the first four years of his life, in addition we needed my mother-in-law�s support because two parents weren�t even enough at times. Both my husband and I had to make sacrifices in our professional lives so we could put our son�s developmental needs at the top of our priority list, taking him to various therapies and working with him at home was a full time job in itself, there was no job on earth that could have lured me to work outside my home at that time. Today, my husband and I have a very strong bond with our son, even with all the challenges we faced I would not have traded that time in my life for anything. Our daughter is now an Occupational Therapist and works with pre-school children who have autism, Down�s and other congenital abnormalities, she tells me early intervention and parental involvement in therapy insures a better future for these kids. This has proved true for my son, he has overcome many difficulties in his life with the aid of various therapies and parents who teamed together to diligently implement these therapies at home. He has exceeded all medical and educational expectations and is a functional adult who has embarked on his own career. McCain even admitted in his speech �the pleasures of family life can seem like a brief holiday from the crowded calendar of our nation�s business.� Being a parent of a special needs child, a pregnant teen, and three other children requires more than a �brief holiday�. As I said earlier, I am a staunch woman's rights advocate but I�m also a realist. I also strongly disagree that my view is �sexist� and am offended that my opinion would be labeled as �misogyny�. This applies to men also as indicated on �The Reality-Based Community� blog bio of a professor and author, �Until three years ago, he had hobbies that included chess, swimming, movies, history, and English and American literature. Now, he is the proud father of a three-year-old son.� If any other male politician was facing the same challenges in his family I would definitely be questioning his decision to put his career before the immediate pressing needs of his family. Also if Governor Palin was not facing such serious family issues I would have a different view. I do not think she is a �bad mother� as suggested in the above email, I have no idea what kind of mother she is but I do disagree with her values. My opinion is not based on a political agenda, feminist theory or rhetoric it is based on my own personal experience. I think every voter evaluates candidates based on their priorities and values. I care deeply about our country, the needs of my fellow citizens, my own rights and duties as a citizen and believe strongly in community service but if I were in Governor Palin�s shoes I would be holding a sign saying �Family First�, her decision to join the campaign at this time in her life may be in line with her values but it conflicts with my values and that is a legitimate issue for me to consider when choosing the next president. While special interest groups may disagree, I defend my right to have an opinion and value my freedom to express it publicly.
Kate from London, you mentioned several things about Obama that are just not true. What experience does he have in foreign policy, veterans affairs, ect? He was a community organizer and in the senate for only 4 years. Then you didn't even mention that Palin has been mayor and governer and has produced many acceptable policies that have worked for her state. She has foreign policy because she governs the Alaska National Guard. She has more experience with that than Obama. I hate when people are so biased they don't even get their facts straight.
If you were the boss, who would you hire???
OBAMA: Harvard law professor, Juris Doctor of law degree, constitutional law expert, Senate committees: foreign affairs, homeland security, veterans affairs, family, education, health.
BIDEN: Juris Doctor of law degree, Senate committees: Foreign affairs (chair), economy, health, crime, women's affairs, education, technology, environment
McBUSH: graduated from the naval academy in the bottom 5% of his class, senate committees: economy, environment, official conduct (arguably the 3 biggest Republican failures!!!!!!!!!)
PITBULL PALIN: went to 6 different universities before finally getting a BA degree in journalism, no domestic or foreign policy experience but can see Russia from her house.
SERIOUSLY, THIS IS A NO BRAINER!!!!
If you vote McBush/Pitbull, the fate of your country will be in jeopardy. Everyone here in Europe is laughing at Americans--- America has become the butt of all jokes--- people are asking, how can they seriously consider voting for McBush and his Pitbull for another 4 years of Bush's failed policies? Don't they ever learn???
Remember the frontpage headline of London's Daily Mirror newspaper back in 2004 when Americans re-elected Bush: HOW CAN 59 MILLION PEOPLE BE SO DUMB?
I've seen NO mention of this in the press but you may want to look at it. It's a video on youtube of disabled people being arrested for protesting at John McCain's Campaign HQ.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Thanks for writing this article!
While I do not have a special needs child, there have been others in my family. I can sympathize with the author of this article. That said, I think there are more issues here. How Palin manages her family and personal life gives a clear indication of her management and decision-making style.That she chose to board a plane to fly across the continent while in labour, that her chosen pastimes include dog-sledding on the Iditarod, hunting moose, etc. tell me that she is basically impulsive,rash, reckless, enjoys taking risks, and often doesn't consider the possible consequences before making her decisions. I certainly wouldn't hire her as my babysitter so why would I want her as president?Whether mothers can work and be good mothers is not the question. Most jobs do not require constant travel with family along for month after month, neverending commutes from Alaska to Washington and all parts in between as does being on the campaign trail or acting as VP or (God forbid)President. She's gained two things from this - the limelight for her ego and guaranteed financial support for her child. Will the U.S. be safe in her hands? I think not.
If Sarah Palin had kept her children out of the spotlight you would have accused her of some other misdeed, unacceptable in your eyes. The bottom line is that you don't like her and so any excuse will do. Personally, I think she has the energy and drive to both perfectly fine. But your anger towards Palin is an indication of your own personal anger towards life itself...I hope you find peace and happiness in your life without being angry towards others who you know very little or nothing about.
I suspect you spend most of your life shrieking. You seem to be a really angry person. I'm sorry for you.
I also have a special needs child. I have not stopped living, nor have I utilized this child for my own personal platform. Who are we to judge Sarah Palin for her family dynamic and her ability to manage her career. Look at the Sharon Stones, Alec Baldwin's, Brittany Spears who apparently cannot manage a career and raising a family. John McCain made an intelligent choice. She is the only one running who can probably tell you the price of a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk. She is real. Her child's condition also real. To accuse her or Mccain of using her 5 month old baby is ludicrous. Someone using their child to gain public attention is the mother of the three year old Caylee who is missing in Florida. Just because you have a down syndrome child does not make you an expert. It makes you the parent of a down syndrome child. This country has serious problems, she has compassion and understanding for your very circumstance. My guess you want to remain a victim and instead of having hope and the possibility of an advocate in the White House for special needs children you'd rather barf up politics. I am voting for MCain so he can fix the economy. Sarah Palin is the bonus. Obama is an elitest crook. Ask his friend who made 90 million over 6 years while at Fannie Mae. When you drive down your street of foreclosures know you will want someone to satbilize this country,someone who cares about more than their own rockstar status. Get real!
You go, girl! I'm the parent of a child with Down syndrome, and I've been screaming too, as I've read and heard more. I know, first hand, for the past 24 years, the degree of work involved.I have a son, 24, Zander.http://www.flickr.com/photos/r...http://www.flickr.com/photos/r...
and yes, I had a career, resumed when he was 2. But I made sure there was plenty of time for him. I basically took a year off from my career. And I delayed continuing graduate school (to get a PhD, since I finished my Master's while I was pregnant with him) until he was 12. When I knew things would be going good for him. And yes, we were also 2 parents.
My son rides the bus to and from and between his two jobs, and is quite functional in the world. He gets around quite well.
And that's precisely because I and others worked very hard with him in his early years to get that good start. And of course, throughout his whole life, for that matter.
And I had my career.
But that first 2 years is crucial to have hand-on development. The brain and peripheral nerves mature in those two years AFTER birth. How do I know this -- well, 25 years in science, and 16 years in neuropathology research, and 20 publications, I better know the simplest facts!
And as an activist in the community, with many contacts, and having given many seminars and what-not, I can tell you that it's a lot of work. and quite rewarding. and it is WE who spend our time advocating, enabling and all -- it's part of the mother-child and parent-child bonding.
I don't see that in her. Again, that's her choice. But she lost my respect by making that choice, to spend even less time with her new-born. When Trig was born, I applauded her. I don't applaud any more. I'm appalled.
What I have trouble with is the "pro family and pro family values" stance, when it appears that she's been largely an absentee mother, depending on the rest of her family to pick up the slack. "abstinence education" and any sex education should be done in the family home -- so why didn't her daughter use birth control, if it's up to the parents to educate?
And I'm not saying she should have resigned as Gov, of course. But she does NOT have time for her family's needs by taking on this additional, totally unecessary thing. She CHOSE to continue in discussions for Veep. The honorable thing would have been to have waited.
Palin choses to move from the governorship of Alaska, where she has free time, according to the AK legislators, to the VP campaign, essentiall totally deserting her son, Trig, who needs her advocacy and help at this time more than anything. She chose to add to her oustide distractions, running for Veep. Instead of respectfully declining, saying she had her plate very full. she's only 44, after all. That's not family values, that's blind amibition.
And I had a career. 25 years in science research. But I chose to help my child when he needed me most...and my career took off just fine after that time was taken care of.
And let's just talk about Trig and his care. Has anyone ever seen him awake? He's 4-5 months old and should be alert and looking around, not sleeping constantly. And that tongue thrust! Poor baby, every picture I've seen shows his cute little tongue sticking out. Just touch it, and he'll close it...something our kids need help with, for eating, breathing, palate and speech development. Have they sought any advice at all? Or just pass him around like a cute doll? That doesn't serve him well.
And I'm not done screaming, either!
On the issues I simply cannot see how anybody who works for a living can vote for McCain/Palin (unless they believe the lies). Obama will increase taxes on the WEALTHY to help fund needed government services and pay down the deficit. The ordinary working person will see no negative effect and the improvement of the Federal economy could be a benefit. McCain will leave the rich alone and TAX THE HEALTH INSURANCE of working Americans. I realize I am lucky to have emplyoee paid health care, but the idea that someone who CLAIMS to be for no more taxes proposes this infuriates me! And, it isn't as if he's given any plan for covering everybody with the money he gets from taxing my health insurance. Add this to the fact that working people always do better under Democratic administrations than under Republican ones, why would anybody vote for McCain/Palin unless they are wealthy?As a woman I do believe that how the Palins deal with their children is a private matter. I always feel sorry for the families of politicians and it is hard to say whether their public service is because they want a better world for their children or just want an excuse to get away from them. However, I do not see how any woman who cares about women's issues can vote for a ticket that is led by a man who voted against equal pay for equal work and a woman who believes that rape victims should be forced to bear their rapists'children. As for foreign policy, does anybody really believe we would be safer with "Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran" McCain and "Kills things for fun" Palin leading our country?
Nope, don't have to get personal at all. Just vote on the issues.
Beautyfull..Thank you a great read and your opinions..i come around so many articels/websides/videoclips stumblingthrough the WWW created by obviously smart and good naturedpeople just like You..but still its very possible that MCcainand Palin win.
Just a huge LOL for wierd-religious grossly overambitious Alaskashootingstar - where the fuck, (may i say that "FUCK" ?..Mr.TortureSherriff u decide Joe"ToughTent" you are thechief/a fucking sadistic semi-sociopath..right?!),did they found her in some odd village far out alaska?!
Are there (in the US) still people beeing imprisoned only for consuming drugs (even for years on end)..3 strikes your out is that one still active/enforced..tell me hows it going accross the ocean..best i come visit and see by myself, amazing country u have there afterall.
This is to Sophie Mom. I wish I could hug you and Sophie and all your children. you are the kind of woman that I have always respected and look up to.
When I saw tidbits of the Pit Bull - Barracuda, Hockey wannabe be President, on stage insulting the Real News Media and promising those women who had children with special needs that she would be a voice for them. That pissed me off to know end.
Here is a Moose eating, NRA card caring killer, who like to kill animals for fun, wearing her $500.00 glasses and with her size 6, looking like she never had a baby, while her 17 year old sat holding her child, looking like a real caring Mother. I think the baby is a doll. but can someone tell me why would the so called Hottest Governor, from the coldest state, Alaska, let her beloved son, who she claim to love, be passed around on stage , where the entire world can see, and when the little sister was holding him, she was licking her hand and patting his hair down. How Gross! But what tick me off, was the fact that this darling baby had no shoe or socks on.
They said that when she run for Governor and was asked about her children, that she replied, Daddy would care for them. Just another lie that came out of Sarah's mouth. If she is not willing to take care of her own children, you think she will give a fat rat about your children.
Wah, Wah, Wah. Who's minding the family. What the hell is that to you. Next you'll want to know if she uses single-ply or 2-ply. Off brand or name brand. Live or memorex. Thank God there are less people like you in this country. Mind your own business and stick to the ISSUES. Mommy help me, I'm a Democrat and can't make up my mind without someone else's influence. Obama? Obama? Are ya'll crazy? A man who won't put his hand on his heart to state the pledge of allegience. A man who won't state the pledge of allegience. Won't wear a pin of the flag of the United States. Want's to change the presidential seal. What's next? Sorry to say you Obama supporters don't see what he really wants to do to this country and it's more than raise taxes. He's got things he wants to change, but it doesn't concern the majority of you.
Someone should trail around after the Palins for a week or two and see just who is minding the family, re children. She seems too busy to be at home very much, but the first Dude guy seems to always be at her side. Just who is taking care of the children? Related to this, First Dude seems to be more involved his wife's job and decisions than Hillary was was Bill. What is going on with that?
Amy--I'm am shrieking right there with you. I have a 10-year-old with down syndrome. Sarah Palin will not win my vote because of her son's extra chromosome. I love my child with all my heart; but unless you've raised a kid with downs you are clueless to the difficulties, frustration, and exhaustion you go through on a daily basis. I'll talk to Sarah in 10-years after she's experienced a few public meltdowns, when you have to wrestle with a child who's almost your own size. --oh but I forget, I'm sure she can afford to hire support personnel--unlike the rest of us--the middle class who don't have that luxury--or the luxury of knowing how your child will be financially cared for when your gone. Sarah come visit my world sometime! Quit playing on the sympathy of the American public. Poor Sarah's baby--boo hoo!
PS. Because I am still reeling on this topic. I was raised by a single FATHER after my mother died from Cancer when I was 5. No, frankly, it's not the same. My Dad, a Psychologist, is one of the most sensitive, caring, nurturing, "in touch with his feminine side" men you would ever meet. YET, there are many holes in my life that I still deal with from that loss. And yes I had a Grandmother "filling in", later a stepmother, blah blah blah. But it was my father who had to deal with my first period, growing breasts, Mother's Days, cupcakes at school, etc. etc. He was amazing, but still. And no Palin isn't going to be "dead" if she , God forbid, lands in this job. But, will she be available for these day to day issues to her YOUNG and VULNERABLE family? And she's the one preaching family values, not me! My point? Her husband , even if he does choose to "stay at home" for the time being, will not take up all the slack esp with ALL the slack going on in that family. No one makes up for a mother. And given the choice MOST mothers would choose to do everything in their power to be there for their families, family values proponents or not. It's just hard wired in to most mothers.
But something else is driving this chick...and again, that is what scares me.
Oh and the freaky commenter above who claimed Silverman is "jealous" of Palin? Uh, what, jealous of her ability to balance on high heels? Put her hair up on her head? Get real. I think it's pretty clear this author has made her professional choices and wouldn't go for that kind of stratospheric launch of her professional life if it was even offered to her. Ya think Silverman wants a position in the White House? HAHAHA! The great thing about those kinds of absurd comments is they reflect a certain desperation going on to support this ABSURD choice of McCain's (who, by the way, I've been neutral on until this Palin deal). That can only be a good thing in my opinion.
Oh my. This column just took my breath away. I know Sophie, I"m not a seriously "political" person but this chick Palin scares the living shit out of me.
Family values? Isn't that supposed to mean, in their vernacular, putting your family first? Wouldn't a MOTHER, in a FAMILY CRISIS (yes having new a baby with Down Syndrome and a pregnant teenage daughter qualify as a family crisis) be looking to DOWNSIZE her outside-of-the-family responsibilities? Not UPSIZE them to the freaking White House for God's sake?
Hypocrite, scary freaking hypocrite.
Amy your decision to adjust your professional life, etc. as you have, to a new baby with a disability, no matter how mild, is the appropriate choice. Choosing that moment in your life to launch yourself and your vulnerable family on to a global stage esp at THIS time in American history is, in my mind, nothing short of one word: Narcissism. Period. I would go even so far as to say Malignant Narcissism.
Again, this grandiose, delusional chick scares the living shit out of me. And she's enough to drag me out of my non political status and shriek on behalf of Sophie, Palin's OWN kids and whatever. Shriek away girl. I'm with you.
Kinda funny that Obama would pick Joe Biden as a vice president. He ran for president twice and lost out twice which I would say means Democrats don't want him as president. Now if something was to happen to Obama, the same guy they didn't want as president, would be the president. Democrats must be smokin' some pretty good stuff to go with that decision but they have to cause NOW they're stuck with a stupid decision by someone who wants to be president. Obama, less knowledge of politics than Palin. Way less. They want to say he signed 165 pieces of legislation but that's all he did was sign. He has not created anything and John McCain has. I wanna understand this. He says he'll raise taxes on people making over $250,00.00. Isn't that ALL of hollywood. Why is hollywood so stuck on this guy? Makes no sense. GO JOHN AND SARAH!!
The point of feminism was to give women unlimited choices � not to absolve them from the choices they make. I haven't spoken with a single mother who would similarly make the choice to leave two kids who were in acute need of as much familial support as they can get right now. Whether Todd Palin is a stay at home dad or not doesn't matter where Sarah Palin had the opportunity to use her "thanks, but no thanks" line to turn down what may amount to the largest promotion of all time in favor of giving to her children the most support she can offer to them. The answer to the double standard is not to suggest that working moms are immune from any criticism for their judgments as mothers. The answer is to similarly criticize men who advance their careers at the expense of their children. And no, Barack and Obama and Sarah Palin are not equals on this point. Barack Obama does not have a special needs infant who was has only been in this world for four months and he does not have an unwed pregnant teen who is due to become a teenage mother in a few short months. There is no question these two children need as much care and support as they can possibly get right now, and there is no question that Sarah Palin did not have to accept the nomination. Women aren't asking for preferential treatment - just the opportunity to be treated and judged equally. As one working mom, I question Ms. Palin's judgment no more or less harshly than I would of a male in the same position as her. I would expect all mothers and fathers in their family�s circumstances to put the brakes on the career ambition during a time when their children need them most.
An old editor of mine used to say, "Smart conservative writers are a dime a dozen. Liberals are everywhere, but you'll be hard pressed to find one that can write an argument worth reading."
The same holds true here.
Sarah Fenske wins. And so does Palin.
Todd Palin is not a stay at home dad. He is taking a leave during the campaign.
In 2007, in order to avoid a conflict of interest relating to his wife's position as governor, he took a leave from his job as production supervisor when his employer became involved in natural gas pipeline negotiations with his wife's administration. Seven months later, because the family needed more income, Todd returned to BP. In order to avoid potential conflict of interest, this time he accepted a non-management position as a production operator. He is also a commercial salmon fisherman at Bristol Bay on the Nushugak River. Financial statements filed in 2007 show that Palin earned $92,790 from BP and fishing.
Palin paraded her 17 year old, pregnant, unmarried daughter, Bristol, around the stage at the RNC. (In fact, Sarah Palin�s first child, Track, was born when she had been married about seven months). Sarah Palin�s admitted marijuana smoking, the abuse of office accusations. All of the above happened while Sarah Palin professed to be a Christian.
John McCain, fifth from the bottom of his Naval Academy class of 899 members, and widely known as an adulterer, married Cindy one month after he divorced his first family. Cindy�s admitted drug addiction and drug theft charges.
These two families in the White House would provide fodder for the tabloids for years to come.
Such a terrible example for our young people.
"Mc Cains spokes person Tucker Bounds did confirm on MSNBC that in fact Todd Palin is a stay at home dad. Check your facts !"
Marjorie: It is a hilarious sentiment to me that you would throw this back at the commenters of this story. McCain's spokesperson said it so it must be true? Do you believe everything that politicians utter in press-release language? You should use some of that brilliance not going toward spelling and punctuation to think for yourself. Yikes.
1 Like
Silverman,
You give women a bad name. Basically you are telling all women that they should stay home and raise babies and be the one to deal with the problems of a special needs child. Why doesn't the man stay home and raise children? Women are dynamic, ambitious, and motivated today.
And bringing in the personal life of Palin is deplorable. I know plenty of successful business people, politicians, etc that have horrible personal lives, issues with their children, etc. Yet they can do their job great. Don't you know some great people that are parents, yet one or more of their kids turns out bad?
NOBAMA - "Keep the Change"
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