I never blog about world events or politics on here because the one time I did it I got death threats. It was a fun time for me, having my family, my home, my life, hell even my dog get threatened by the audience of another blogger who is apparently anti-death threat. Still, it convinced me further that my stance of keeping my blog politics-free was the way to go.
And yet I feel a bit trapped. This site is where I come to figure things out, to record them, to bash a bit. If I don’t address some things on my site, does it mean that the blog owns me?
I am not silent on politics. In our home we have lively discussions (and when I say lively, I mean lively, not heated. We agree on everything but one area, and so when we discuss current events it tends to be on the line of “And another thing – ” to “Yeah, I totally agree!” I object to Gordon Brown and his national ID cards. I object to getting screened 100,000 times before getting on an airplane. I object to a system of only privatized health care.
But I’ve been following the U.S. presidential elections at a bit of a distance. I’ll vote, I always vote, but I know what that means – a mail-in vote doesn’t get counted until after the election, and if a state has a large margin between the majority party and minority party, then mail-in votes get ignored. So since I’m mailing in my vote to a state that is about as Republican as they come, my vote will wind up in the shredder.
I love feeling like I have a voice.
I was having a discussion with my stepmom on Saturday. She and I watched Obama’s address at the Democratic National Convention (I’d recorded it) and talked about it. I come from a long line of Republicans – my parents, my grandparents, all of my aunts and uncles. I think there’s a large attribute to military families being Republicans, I think of the Republicans as being very regimented much like military life. And this isn’t an insult – I grew up in the military and agree that control has its place. Me, I’m the rogue, I’m a lifelong democrat. I’m not pushy about it, I’m not rabid, I can’t not be friends with someone who supports another view (even the Tories!) I don’t really feel the need to get into debates on it, it’s just how I vote and the views I support.
But here’s the thing – I’ve been doing a lot of reading about the current candidates in the U.S. election since the nomination of Sarah Palin. I’ve been reading because for the first time in as long as I can recall, I’m actually uncomfortable about the current situation. McCain doesn’t bother me, he simply supports a few issues I don’t, but it’s not like I expect to be 100% with all candidates or anything. Before he was elected I used to say that should George W. Bush ever become president I’d leave the country (and I met him twice, actually.) Now I wonder if McCain and Palin get elected if I’ll ever go back.
Hear me out here, for just a moment.
There’s been all kinds of talk about Sarah Palin being the grandma of her son, who was born in April. I don’t know if that’s true or not, I don’t even think it’s relevant or something that the media should speculate on and I detest mud-slinging campaigns with a passion. She’s a woman and a mother and she had the baby knowing he had Down’s, she made that choice. But it’s a choice she wants to take away from women, which I have a problem with. Kids are expensive. Kids are time-consuming, draining, hard on relationships and limit your lifestyle, all in both good and bad ways. Take away the right for people to do something about it – even in cases of rape and incest – and you impact people’s lives more severely than if you just took their household income and cut it in half. And I know this is where people will chime that the teen mothers, the unweds, the people not in a position to have children should “just adopt”. Those words are not words I recognize. There is no “just adopt” either in adopting a child or in giving yours away.
I have a problem with a woman who would decide that polar bears, who are indeed on the list as a threatened species on the Endangered Species Act, would campaign to have them removed on the list (I know, bears seem to be the least of the issue opposed to corruption). Sure, hate the aggressive white beast that’s not easy to live with. But one thing’s important here – they are endangered and removal of one species has severe impacts on the surrounding animal habitat. But that doesn’t seem to worry her, seeing as she has wolves culled in order to have a larger moose population to lure in more hunters. Moose, wolves, and polar bears all have their issues (the moose issue being that the animals are perfectly designed to, when hit by a car, have their giant heads come hurling through your windshield) but don’t fuck up the ecosystem. There are consequences.
It’s completely churlish but I have a problem with a woman who’d choose such whimsical names for her children. That’s right. I have a problem with it. Did you choose “Trig” for “Trigger”, part of your pro-gun stance? Was “Track” for track and field, or track marks, or did you mistake it for Tuck Everlasting? Mostly, I have a problem with Bristol. Like a little nip of the sherry then, do we? Or did you name it for the rough portside town over here, the one that’s guaranteed for a rowdy night out on a Friday? I can’t decide what’s worse – Palin in office or a First Lady named Cindy. Will the Secretary of Defense be named Dan-O? Shall we expect a Secretary of Agriculture named Candie?
I have a problem with a woman who would outright campaign to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a long-debated controversy. No, I don’t have an answer to the energy crisis. Yes, I pay a lot for gas. No, I don’t think ethanol is the way of the future. What I do know is if Palin wants to plunder her own State what’s she going to do if she gets her hands on the nation?
My biggest problem with Palin is something I actually partly admire her for. She has a reputation for busting down doors to get things done, and I like that in a person. But she also has a reputation for changing her mind at will, and for removing whole cabinets of administration if they don’t agree with her. People who are not “team players” with her get sacked. There are 305 million people in America, not all of them are going to agree with Palin. Her former brother-in-law was allegedly nearly run out of a job she claims by her staff, though they did that without her knowledge (according to her). Shouldn’t a leader know what’s going on in their ranks? Can you really run a government with one hand and not know what the other hand is doing? Because in the business world that kind of behavior means you’re either a weak manager or a liar, neither of which are attributes I want my leader to have. This is something she’s under an official investigation for – is that government material?
Above all, a vice president needs to be a diplomat. The president is the head honcho, yes, but McCain’s not exactly the picture of health, and should the vice president be called into office there are some examples to be set. Firing people because they don’t agree with you is not how policy is made, it’s not how interests get protected. This is where the yokels would jump in and say “We’re America, we don’t have to answer to anybody!” Well yes, actually you do. Is it no wonder that when the U.S. economy tanks the wave hits the rest of the world, too? Did you know that we really don’t get any other election information from other countries here, except for in-depth reporting on American politics? There are a lot of people who have represented America and not seemed to have the first clue about what happens outside of those shores. Palin, it would seem based on some of her less-wordly comments, makes them all look like National Geographic editors in comparison.
So I have a problem with this candidate. Not like anyone asked my opinion, not like anyone (apart from the people who’ll leave scathing comments or send me death threat emails, so I’m glad I can’t get into my email account just now) cares what I think. I have a vote and my vote is thrown away.
But yours isn’t.
-H.
PS-disagreement is fine, but let’s play nice in the comments. And I’d be mighty appreciative if I didn’t get death threats again, m’kay?
Go on – just watch this for the NSPCC!
Make me feel loved! Go on! Sign the Guest Map!
From what I read yesterday, Track is indeed for track and field, Bristol is for Bristol Bay, where Todd Palin was born, and Trig is supposedly an old norse word for strength. None of those fit my list of rules for baby names, but they evidently were chosen for reasons.
I actually love the idea that she is an ideals person, someone who got into politics to make change, and I am interested to see where she will go and how this boils out. I think what we know about her views are what we see through the eyes of the media right now, and I am waiting to see what she has to say for herself.
That being said, I am a fan so far, although I await an actual statement of her politics from the horse’s mouth. Until I hear otherwise, I will support her.
trying again since it didn’t post the first time…
I’ll sum up what I said before:
I am a Palin fan, so far, but I understand where you are coming from. I am concerned about her stances on abortion, etc. But that’s not the issue I am most worried about this time around. I remain cautiously optimistic that she’ll turn out to be the candidate that I think she’ll be. And I really want to hear directly from her, not just quotes in the media.
well, never mind then. Stupid Fluffy!
Word. That is pretty much exactly how I feel.
I completely agree with everything you say… The abortion issue absolutely terrifies me – if, say, McCain and Cindy got in, and they somehow managed to ban abortion (which is unlikely to happen nation-wide, I know, but still), what implications would that have for the rest of the world? Ultimately, what happens in the US affects us all in one or another, and the idea that the most powerful country in the world could just jump back in time and completely erase forty odd years of women’s fighting for their rights… Pretty scary. To me the right to abortion is such a fundamental issue, I could never, ever vote for anyone who even remotely suggested they were against it. But that’s just me.
…And the polar bears thing! Seriously!
What I don’t understand is – is this really such as a cheap political ploy as it seems? Does McCain really expect women to vote for him just because he’s got a woman behind him, regardless of actual politics (see the references she made to Hilary and glass ceilings during her acceptance speech)? If that’s the case, I hope American women can prove him wrong…
For pretty much the same reasons as you, I tend to shy away from religion and politics, too. People tend to get nasty, which means then I have to get nasty. How ’bout I agree to disagree with you on some issues, but still say you rock, Helen?
Obama did say one thing that I admire. He pretty much made it clear that smears against the family (Palin’s) had no place in his campaign and he wouldn’t tolerate it from his own people. That’s not nearly enough to make me vote for him, but it did reveal class.
…Cindy? Scrap that, got a bit confused with names! I meant Sarah Palin, of course. :)
I find it hard to cope with the media that is saying ‘This woman is pro-life and she chose to continue a pregnancy depsite knowing about the Downs Syndrome beforehand.’
I am pro-choice and yet, I would continue a pregnancy even if I knew I was going to be dealing with a disabled baby!
[Thankyou, I have been yelling this at the TV for days. Now I can write it somewhere]
Phew. Last time I weigh in on American politics I think.
I do not think that from what I know so far she is qualified for the position. However, my biggest beef with her is personal. Your daughter is pregnant at 17 years old. You choose to accept a position that will make her personal struggle public (no matter how kind the media is==and we know they are not). I think that since her primary job is parenting (or should be), this is way off base.
I’ll be casting a blue vote in a red state–knowing that it counts even if it is a bit in vain.
I don’t think it’s possible for me to shut up about politics. I’ve gotten death threats many times…sadly, most of them from my friends, who continue to threaten to toss me into oncoming traffic if I mention the Clintons, countries other than France, the election, or health care one more time.
I think the Palin pick was strategically brilliant for the election, at least until the dirt started surfacing – he wants Hillary supporters to swing his way, as well as the religious right. I also think that it was completely stupid in terms of the country’s welfare, since she’s about as ready to head the country as…well, a polar bear. I also won’t vote for anyone, as a rule, who thinks that they have the right to appoint a bunch of elderly men to decide the future of my girlie parts. I started a Facebook group called “Pro Choice: Why Don’t You Try to Pass A Cantaloupe Through Your Urethra?” – you should join.
It took me a solid two months to change my support from Hillary to Obama (I’d previously insisted upon writing in for her, as I live in a blue state and my vote wouldn’t matter). Now I’m voting for Obama, for many reasons – mostly for the reasons you stated, though I’d have to include my complete and utter opposition to teaching creationism in schools. You’d think that Bush would be enough of an example of monkey-human resemblance to put an end to the controversy.
I’m in Canada, we get quite a few US tv stations and end up knowing more about the US election than our own (announcement possibly coming today, but it’ll only be six weeks of campaigning). As a Catholic I’m supposed to be against abortion, and I am for personal reasons, but I understand that it will happen regardless of my feelings about it. If you take the choice away, backroom abortions will continue. Women will die, or be maimed for life (not all, but even one is too many). When we were asked to sign a petition to take away Henry Morgentaler’s Order of Canada I declined, as he did help women get something they wanted in a safe way. It won’t go away just because you remove the availability.
The rest of Palin’s politics I can do without, but my own views tend to ride quite far left of centre (from a US viewpoint I might be called a socialist, voting NDP and all). We are affected by what goes on to the south of us, and most people I know in Cda are hoping for an Obama win…or rather, a Democrat win. I don’t know that it matters to us who the leader is, to tell the truth, as long as it’s the more liberal party that’s in power.
I think it’s crazy the way some people get all worked up when someone dares to express a political opinion different than theirs.
That being said, I agree with caltechgirl about Palin. So far, I don’t hate her! (Not exactly a ringing endorsement maybe, but I’m still learning about her). I disagree with Republicans on some issues, but I’m still hopeful.
Isn’t it hilarious that people threaten us for political beliefs but go silent on everything else, say when we need some emotional support? I had Twittered, before the DNC, that I was still thinking about writing in HIllary Clinton. I got 20 very nasty Twits (heh) back, telling me how stupid I am. I know no fewer than four of those people voted for the Libertarian candidate in the last election — their votes could’ve earned us John Kerry instead of another 4 years of Dubya. Hypocrites, I say!
Your blog post was as thorough as it was thought-provoking. What a strange election cycle this is. I am truly hoping my fellow Hillary supporters see straight through this ruse and don’t go voting for the McCain/Palin ticket “just because” she’s a female. Even if she were perfect, which clearly she is not, she’s really nothing more than the media sensation of the moment and nothing more. I’m still shocked that McCain would take a woman of childbearing age out of the kitchen (where she was barefoot and pregnant), where he seems to think she belongs.
I used to always get angry when my friends would say they were moving to Canada if so-and-so did/didn’t get elected. Now I’m starting to see where they’re coming from.
I may not have been 100% sold on Obama, but after this little stunt, he’s got my full support. One day, I wish politics could be about voting FOR someone and not voting AGAINST someone else.
I disagree with one of the earlier commenters that it was a strategically brilliant move on the part of McCain to appoint a woman to be his VP given the situation with Hillary. It is beyond lame that McCain chose a woman not because of the strength of her history in politics, but due to the fact that she’s a woman and he wanted to appeal to the disappointed Hillary voters. Pick the strongest candidate for fuck’s sake, not the one you think will stick it to the bastard Dems. Ugh.
I wish I had your maturity in regard to politics. It’s woefully immature of me, but I would really, really struggle to be friends with a staunch Republican. There, I said it. As for being married to one, forget it. My husband is less liberal than me (very much a Tory fiscally though), but not an insufferable amount, thank god. I can’t fathom being married or close friends with someone who is vocally anti-choice.
Now who is going to get death threats?
I’m with Caltechgirl. I like Palin – not everything about her, but I do like her. As for her being her kid’s grannie, not true as the same daughter is actually 5 months preggers now. As for “Cindy” being the name of a first lady . . . Ummm . . . Can’t say that bothers me at all :)
As for drilling in the Artic Wildlife Refuge, as far as my research shows, no one, not one of the opponents has actually ever been there. It is a dank and desolate place where Caribou live. Caribou have taken to other pipelines like flies and have thrived. I’ve no problem there.
Lastly, I love strong women. It is her strength that I want to see tested. Biden is a mushmouth and Obama can’t be trusted as far as you can throw him (my opinion only) I fear what I see from Obama and Biden – I relish Sarah and her possibilities.
Ok I’m going to preface this by saying I’m pro-choice. It’s a choice I would rather didn’t have to be made, but sometimes it does and I believe it’s a choice women should have.
That being said in your paragraph about abortion and Palin wanting to take a way a woman’s right to have an abortion, I’m not sure it came out right. Because while children are expensive and stressful and I can’t even begin to imagine the emotional stress that could be involved adoption, I can’t believe that abortion is an easier or better option that giving a child up for adoption. Maybe that’s not what you were trying to say, just that was the impression I was left with.
And I also don’t think that Palin on the ticket is just a ploy to grab the Hillary voters any more than saying Biden was just a pretty face to fill to “old man whose been in the Senate for 500 years” slot on Obama’s ticket. They may appeal to a certain group of people but I hope they were also chosen (on both sides) for their ideals, their vision and their accomplishments.
Please don’t flog me now! ;)
Ok, if this winds up posted twice I’m sorry, but it said it failed the first time so I figured I’d try again and hope for the best.
Ok I’m going to preface this by saying I’m pro-choice. It’s a choice I would rather didn’t have to be made, but sometimes it does and I believe it’s a choice women should have.
That being said in your paragraph about abortion and Palin wanting to take a way a woman’s right to have an abortion, I’m not sure it came out right. Because while children are expensive and stressful and I can’t even begin to imagine the emotional stress that could be involved adoption, I can’t believe that abortion is an easier or better option that giving a child up for adoption. Maybe that’s not what you were trying to say, just that was the impression I was left with.
And I also don’t think that Palin on the ticket is just a ploy to grab the Hillary voters any more than saying Biden was just a pretty face to fill to “old man whose been in the Senate for 500 years” slot on Obama’s ticket. They may appeal to a certain group of people but I hope they were also chosen (on both sides) for their ideals, their vision and their accomplishments.
And lastly if Obama wins I’m moving to Canada.
(or not.. haha?)
I just felt the need to point out that the statement Sophie made “since her primary job is parenting (or should be), this is way off base” implies that a) women should not both work and raise children and b) men are incapable of raising children.
Palin and her husband seem to be doing a fine job with her children. Yes, Bristol is pregnant at 17, but to imply that it is because her mother isn’t doing her job is misogynistic at its core. 17 year olds make choices despite their parents, and these choices are often not what one would wish. So what. That doesn’t in any way reflect on Palin (except possibly on how effective her “abstinence only” education stance is).
I have a lot of problems with Palin, but her daughter’s pregnancy isn’t one of them. If Palin’s husband were the nominee, I doubt anyone would even try to imply that he should keep out of the public eye for the sake of his children.
Sorry – back to lurking now. Just needed to say that.
I just felt the need to point out that the statement Sophie made “since her primary job is parenting (or should be), this is way off base” implies that a) women should not both work and raise children and b) men are incapable of raising children.
Palin and her husband seem to be doing a fine job with her children. Yes, Bristol is pregnant at 17, but to imply that it is because her mother isn’t doing her job is misogynistic at its core. 17 year olds make choices despite their parents, and these choices are often not what one would wish. So what. That doesn’t in any way reflect on Palin (except possibly on how effective her “abstinence only” education stance is).
I have a lot of problems with Palin, but her daughter’s pregnancy isn’t one of them. If Palin’s husband were the nominee, I doubt anyone would even try to imply that he should keep out of the public eye for the sake of his children.
Sorry – back to lurking now. Just needed to say that.
You just said it much better than I ever could…
I was also raised in a Republican home. I was already supporting OBAMA before the Palin pick, but now I’m definitely supporting him.
Wow, just wow.
Hilary-absolutely agree that abortions would continue back alley, or else women would stay in horrible relationships. This is why it’s important to me that abortion stays legal.
Erin-I do indeed need to clarify. I think both adoption and abortion are hard on women, neither are easy ways out. That message wasn’t clear in my post, sorry about that.
No death threats on my part! Although we’ll have to respectfully agree to disagree, because I will proudly be voting McCain/Palin come November, I’m glad that you’ve taken time to at least research her background – that’s a lot more than most everyone else I know can say! I think it was a brilliant strategic move on McCain’s part, regardless.
Pony-I also agree that Palin’s daughter’s pregnancy is a non-issue for me. I hope her daughter is supported and cared for by her family, but the personal lives of politicians are unimportant. Gay? Straight? Have a lover? Illegitimate kids? I don’t care. I care how the country is run. And agree that should Palin be a man, I doubt this would be no more than a blip is his political portfolio.
I’m actually a fan of Palin–there are things that bother me about her, but there aren’t any politicians who don’t rub me the wrong way at SOME point.
On a lighter note, Track IS actually named after track and field. Heh. (source) I mean, damn, I’d hate to be the third Katie or Becky or Jessica or whatever in a class, but… Track?
My family is split – my dad & stepmom are staunch republicans (even though it goes against their own economic interests), my mom – a far left liberal. Me? I’m somewhere in between. I would have far preferred McCain back in 2000 to Bush. In this election, if McCain had picked a woman like Kay Bailey Hutchison, I think far more people would have been swayed.
Admittedly, I was very interested in the stories about Palin’s own pregnancy. Her decision (on her 5th pregnancy) that it was a wise to give a speech, go to the airport & wait in security lines at DFW, fly to Seattle – then to Anchorage and then drive to her hometown (which didn’t have a NICU) to deliver her son with Down syndrome (who often need close observation after birth) after leaking amniotic fluid concerns me. If she’s so willing to potentially endanger her own child (and her own life – as sepsis can set in with that length of time) because she simply wasn’t going to not give a speech – I worry about how she actually values life.
I’m sure Trig is a blessing to their family, and I’m happy that she made the choice to have him. I’m actually delighted for her that her daughter made the choice (allegedly – some of her earlier comments that she would compel her daughter to have the child conceived out of a rape make me wonder how much choice the child had) to keep the pregnancy. HOWEVER, those facts are relevant to the public at large because she’s made it clear that other women shouldn’t have the ability to make the choice that is right for their particular situation (even in cases of rape and incest).
Furthermore, I worry for her daughter now, being thrust into the international spotlight while dealing with a very difficult personal issue and wonder if perhaps another mother would’ve chosen to bow out and protect her family rather than further her own political aspirations.
My son is two weeks younger than Trig. I’m going back to work next month, and it is breaking my heart. I can’t imagine toting J all across the country for campaigning, or assuming the duties of the Vice Presidency while tending to a 6-7 month old special needs infant waiting for me at home. I’m all for mamas in the White House, but think that there’s more to being “pro-life” than simply giving birth to a child.
While she’s certainly a fresh face for the Republican Party, I’m simply not comfortable that she has the experience and honestly the good judgment to lead the country. I’ll eagerly be watching the RNC coverage in the meantime.
Politics. I hate politics. My father was a politics freak while I was growing up. A fanatic. I had his opinions (of course the only right opinions) drummed into my head. So of course I did the rebellious thing when I got older and pretty much disagreed any place I could! Then when I moved out on my own and didn’t even have to have the conversations or watch it on the TV if I didn’t want to, woo hoo, I dropped the ball. Forswore politics and paid very little attention to them. Just enough to feel that I could make a somewhat educated vote when the time came. but refused to get into discussions or voice my opinions. But in the past several years I have begun to voice my thoughts a little more (I think mostly because of my BF and I not agreeing even remotely has made me come out of my shell a bit. He is a lot older than I am and has what I would call an old fashion view on things lol) since Bush was re-elected. I will admit I voted for him the first run. And I had a very hard time when it came to the second time around. I am not a Kerry fan at all. It was tough.
I was a registered Republican for many years, then I went Independent (and I will stay there) I just can’t jump over to the other side completely lol. I have both Democrats and republicans in my life and they can be a bit overwhelming at times. All are die hard to their parties which makes it very hard lol. ( BF on one side, best friend on the other. wooo)
This is not going to be any easier than the last election for me. At least I didn’t think so. I kept going back and forth. McCain and his experience even if I didn’t agree with everything he does, a lot actually. Obama young, new and fresh ideas, healthy lol, but not enough experience in my opinion, and I don’t agree with him on some things. I hate politics. Did I mention that? My head was/is? spinning!
I have to chuckle at the statement that you make about the leaving the country and or not coming back. It has gone through my head lol. If this keeps up I don’t think I will be retiring in this country lol.
Palin? I think I know who my vote will be for. Unless I see some serous miracles come about in the nest couple of months. But I haven’t formed enough of an educated opinion of Biden yet to seal the deal. To me is is just as important to support the vice in an election as it is the president elect. Especially in this race. because there is, sad as it is to have to say , feel, or think, a good chance that the vice could be president before the term is up. There I said it.Wooo. I am not looking forward to election day. But grateful that I have a vote, and it will count.
Here here! I’m a resident of Virginia, and the state usually goes Republican, but this year we have the potential to go Democrat. Which means my vote may actually count! So I can sympathize with your feeling that you don’t have a voice, as I never felt I had one before.
Oddybobo said it best for me, as far as trust for all the other candidates and ANWR.
As for abortion… I have every doubt that Roe v. Wade would get overturned, but if it did, it wouldn’t outlaw abortion. It would simply allow states and their people to vote for or against it.
I agree with you.It scares me to death to think of her being a heartbeat away from the Presidency.
Mmmm…love political discussions and debates – HATE debates that turn into insult slinging rather than actual points being made.
As others said, I don’t hate Palin. I have enough faith in humanity to think that McCain didn’t select her solely on gender – she’s more conservative than he is, and known for some serious ball busting of corrupt politicians. I LOVE that about her. I also like that she’s a strong career woman, who also cares about family.
I have a hard time believing that she could single-handedly bring about a change in Roe V. Wade, because I believe there are enough of us pro-choicers out there that it would never go through – but it’s possible that I’m naive on that.
As far as ANWR – I say drill away. I’ve seen the research. The enviornmental impact, if any, is negligible.
I would have to do more research on the culling of the wolves, because I know in other places of the country we’ve had to do some culling due to overpopulation. (Wolves who were once protected bred a little more than expected, thus causing their own threat to the ecosystem. Oh, and people.) I’m not informed on her policies in Alaska, so I’m not saying either way – just that I know in other places, it’s been necessary.
I don’t know. I consider myself a pretty strong republican, and yet, pagan and rabidly pro-choice. (And I think Ted Nugent is a god.) So…I don’t know…for what it’s worth, I don’t hate her yet. I’m not sold on McCain either, but just have a bad, bad taste in my mouth about Obama. If he can put solid action plans behind his campaign promises, I’d consider him.
Biden and Palin both were strategic picks, not just for their experience. While I agree that candidates families should be off limit when it comes to the mudslinging, it does make me question her staunch “abstinence only” sex-ed, not because I’m judging her daughter b/c she’s underage and pregnant, (that happens, it’s nothing a parent really has control of). It also makes me wonder how much choice her daughter really had, with mom walking into a high profile political arena not only claiming a firm anti-choice and abstinence only belief, but also being very vocal about it.
I’d have the same question if it was a male candidate who had been as vocal on these issues and his daughter had also been pregnant. The rumors about Palin’s youngest son being her daughters, that never would have been in the media had Palin been a man, and if it had it would have only been a 5 second blip.
I feel sympathy for her daughter having to be in the limelight like this already when I’m sure she’d probably prefer to have dealt with this in the privacy of their home and home town only.
I’m judging Palin in the terms that McCain is old, and it’s very likely Palin will end up as President, which I don’t personally think she is ready for.
I only know about what the mudslinging public tells me, which I take with a huge grain of salt, however, the woman just scares me. And that’s all I have to say about that.
I also find it kind of funny that all of these rumors have surfaced on Palin and I have yet to hear much about Biden. But, I also haven’t really followed much of the campaign news to be honest, the Palin stuff has just been so in your face since McCain has announced a candidate, that it’s hard not to know what’s going on.
The Republican leadership is loving this stuff about Palin’s daughter. It keeps everyone from talking about how frighteningly unqualified she is to be vice president. I actually heard a conservative commentator say [paraphrasing] “She has plenty of experience – governor, mayor, PTA board member..”. Great.
*claps* Thank you for saying everything I was thinking, but sounding much more eloquent.
Much better when you post about things other than politics, IMHO.
Poking at what her kids’ names are is beyond the cheap shot, only surpassed by you expressing the horrors of having a First Lady named (gasp) Cindy. So now she is responsible for what her PARENTS named her? This is so off-topic and irrelevant as to seriously cheapen your arguement.
I’ve raised two daughters and gave it my all and did a damn good job of it, but they have done some crazy stuff along the way. I wouldn’t want to be judged by the choices they’ve made and I don’t think we should judge her on that either.
Re the other points in your post, they are more legitimate yet I disagree.
Two questions though – you continually refer to resenting the frustrations of high security screenings at airports. I appreciate the inconvenience of it but I’m take the better-safe-than-sorry school. Do you think there are not threats out there, or that we are going about screening those threats in an improper or inefficient way? I am truly curious about this. Since you are somewhat of a frequent flyer, I would think you would want every precaution taken before you and/or your loved ones board a plane. No?
Also, you mentioned several times that your vote will be ‘shredded’ or not count because your state goes the other way in national elections. I find that a very disappointing attitude to take. We don’t vote because our candidate will win, but to have our voice heard and our vote counted. We participate in a system that others bled and died to establish and maintain. There are many other statewide and local races that your vote can help determine. Plus the national popular vote count is important as well, whether it determines outcome or not. Please keep voting, and stop complaining that your vote will be ‘shredded’ or ‘not count.’ It counts whether your candidate of choice prevails in your state or not.
One thing I hate more than anything in the world is a hypocrite and I think that McCain wants it both ways – criticizing Obama’s lack of experience and then choosing Palin as his pick for VP who he touted on one interview as having lots of experience, including her time as PTA president. I’m sorry, when did PTA experience qualify anyone for VP (and probably President) of the US? And while I don’t think that the issues with Palin’s family should be held against her necessarily, how can you tout the efficacy of absitence only sex education, when you can’t even convince your own children that abstinence is the way to go? When you have it under your very roof that it doesn’t work?
And I’m sorry but mayor of a tiny town and governor of the least populated state does not equal true executive experience. No matter how close that state is geographically to Russia. Sheesh.
this is my life and what I do… and pinkie commie bastard (a fellow black sheep of republican royalty… having grown up in that state with “certain” kids) that I am you know I agree with pretty much everything you said. As a feminist (but not the bra burning kind) I found this to be a ploy (temperamental toddler tantrum- I want to be historical TOO!) and insulting.
Yes I said insulting, in one of the most offensive ways possible. Assuming I would vote for a woman simply because there isn’t something between her legs, is appalling to the whole of the feminist/egalitarian movement over the past century (and more). I will not sacrifice my position to a gender ploy. I want a woman who is capable not one who is there to sit on a glass shelf (there were a handful of other more qualified and capable female Republican Governors he could have chosen… he chose something to placate right-wingers and religious righties, might hit the nerve of a spiting “feminist”, that was “pretty” and who had little to no experience for what the job requires).
Hypocrisy is embedded everywhere, and for those who aren’t concerned about her being one step away from the presidency- remind yourself this the same person who is not only under investigation for corruption and abuse of power but also asked what does a VP do? But in very simple terms she doesn’t have the ability nor the track record to prove that she qualifies for this job. And there is nothing factual, or potential I have seen that could convince me she is anything other than a placebo trying to placate the ignorant.
In my opinion, this election is too risky to be taken in by ploys or petty games… And a sugar pill is not going to cure any ills here!
Yeah I just posted about Palin on my other blog, and I got a reverend that made a comment telling me I’m going to hell because I’m pro-choice. My resposne? Thanks buddy, I’m an atheist. I’m ALREADY going to hell. Didn’t ya know?
Anyhoo, I don’t like Palin because she is anti-choice, and because she is a conservative Christian, which gives me the heebie jeebies a hundred times over. Don’t get me wrong, believe whatever you want, but the thought over overtly religious people trying to legislate their dogma scares me!!
I do wonder what kind of mom (or dad, it’s not a sexist thing) would run for the 2nd most important job in the US when they have a 4 month old Down Syndrome baby and a 17 year old daughter who is about the have a baby, and get raked through the coals by the press in the process. Hey, to each his own.
I’m a fiscal Rep and social Democrat. I’m never going to be fully happy with either candidate. But Obama’s got my vote this time around.
And hey, you have every right to talk about whatever you want on your blog!
I talk about politics on my blog fairly often, and I have definitely aroused some ire, particularly among the Men’s Rights Advocates. Threats and the like are pathetic schoolyard bullying: “I don’t like what you’re saying, so I’m going to yell real loud to drown you out.” I’m sorry you’ve dealt with that.
I would be appalled if McCain/Palin won the election. Besides my plethora of reasons for disliking McCain’s positions, Palin’s anti-choice, anti-environment agenda is the last thing I want a heartbeat away from the presidency. And as someone else said, it’s sheer hypocrisy to berate Obama for lack of experience and then choose Palin for VP. But I have also been disgusted by the sexist BS being hurled Palin’s way. It’s not like we can’t find enough to criticize without dragging her family and motherhood into the spotlight.
Clarification: I didn’t mean YOUR comments about Palin were out of line, Helen. While I could care less what the woman names her kids, I kinda doubt you would refuse to vote for her on that basis alone and I wasn’t referring to your critique of her child-naming. I was talking more about the stuff I’m reading on other blogs and hearing on the radio/TV. The DJ of the morning show I listen to called Palin a MILF today, and there ensued a discussion about her f*ability. Revolting.
I didn’t have time to read all the other comments but I hope people are playing nice. I agree with what you are saying and I will be voting democrat, although I most always do anyway.
The one point that you didn’t mention but that came to my mind imediately when the VP pick was announced: Do you think he did this because Obama didn’t pick Hillary? Was he trying to get the woman’s vote and thought that he could swing some votes from the people who wanted Hillary in office? Just a thought.
By the way, did anyone else notice how many times the tv commenators threw out that she was formerly a beauty pagent contestant when McCain announced Palin as his running mate? It made me cringe with annoyance, because really, having been a pagent contenstant makes all the difference in the world when you’re running on a Presidential ticket.
I don’t blame Palin for that, I just think that just further indicates the craptastic media coverage of politics.
Also, I second the remark from Diamond Dave about Obama showing class with his statement that family, especially children are off limits and should not be used as the basis for judging Palin as a candidate.
Just to clarify on my point regarding McCain’s strategy – a lot of moderate and conservative voters had supported Hillary solely on her ability to shatter the proverbial glass ceiling, and now McCain hopes that they’ll swing his way. Some liberal women, specifically those whose political beliefs are based entirely on superficial press coverage, will vote McCain just to see a woman in the White House. It’s not much different than the overwhelming support for Obama from black voters (90% of support is not politically representative), it just IS. And be advised that I’m not some crazy making crap up, I’m actually posting from a political comm lecture (shame on me).
I finally got a chance to read other people’s comments & opinions, which I tend to love about this blog since there are often diverse views.
I don’t think Helen is saying her vote will be shredded because it’s a Republican state, only if there is a substantial lead between the majority and minority party. Also, she indicates that mail in votes do not get counted until after the election, so in theory her vote doesn’t count for the initial figures reported on who won the election. Helen also clearly said she’ll vote anyway, and encourages others to vote because their votes count (more).
Also, I second Diamond Dave on Obama showing class by stating that family, especially children are off limits in the mudslinging.
Literally my 2 cents.
Amy – Wow, I haven’t heard such disappointment since last speaking to my mom. Wait a minute….Mom?
Just kidding.
I never critiqued Palin for how she’s raised her children and in fact feel sorry for her 17-year old daughter who probably isn’t feeling too comfortable under this horrific media attention and doesn’t deserve it. Pregnancy is hard enough without a presidential campaign hanging over your head. I did a tongue-in-cheek critique of what she named them but yes, I am actually serious about it. Children are a huge responsibility. Life is hard enough without giving children monikers that will make life harder. Naming them cutesy irreverent names may seem like a good idea but children are inherently cruel to each other, and if you can’t even arm your children with a defense on the name front, how is your seriousness on other issues? And yes, I do think Cindy is a ridiculous name for a First Lady. In the world theatre people take names seriously, look at how Cherie was viewed (she not only has a weird name but is a bit nutty and involved in a few scams, which didn’t help.) When you sign up to be a politician or a politician’s wife you are signing up to represent people in a larger sense of the world.
I’m not going to address the airport issue in this post because I’ve been there, done that, had a pseudo-journalist link to it and sent her minions to my site and offered up the death threats. But my stance on airport security is unchanged.
As far as voting, I think you misunderstood me – I’m still going to vote. I always vote. I always will vote. Voting is a privilege and a right, but forgive me, I’m going to keep “complaining” that my vote isn’t counted because you know what? It’s not going to be. And it’s about fucking time the States knew and understood that people outside of the States get their vote counted up to six weeks AFTER the election results are announced. Am I going to keep “complaining”? Goddamn right I am. Our votes, I was informed, are shredded if the state is taken by a majority. Teas is overwhelmingly Republican and, in fact, in the 2000 election I remember I even had to tick on the outside of the envelope which party I voted for, as though it made a difference. Our votes weren’t even private. An embassy official told me at the time that Texas would receive an average of 11,000 mail-in votes, but if the Republicans took it as a majority (which they always do) that 11,000 isn’t even bothered with. And bear in mind that the mail-in votes aren’t just represented by ex-pats (a term I loathe) like myself but by students, military servicemen and women, and people based overseas for business. So you’re absolutely wrong about my vote or any other mail-in vote making a difference.
I’m still going to vote.
But fucking-A I’m going to keep complaining about our votes not being counted because wouldn’t you be angry if you knew your vote was going to be thrown away?
I think McCain picked Palin as VP for the same reason Bush picked Cheney. The odds of an assasination attempt are probably greatly decreased with those choices.
I like her – a lot. I don’t think McCain picked her to appeal to Hillary voters. Clearly, from what people have said here and on other blogs, almost all will blindly stick to the party. I think he knew this, and picked her because she was conservative, new and a maverick, just like McCain. I wasn’t excited about voting for him before, but there was no way I was going to vote for empty suit Obama. Now, I’m really excited about the election. I just hope that eventually someone in the press will put Obama under the microscope instead of giving him a pass all the time.
As to polar bears – there are five times as many polar bears today as there were five years ago. They are not endangered. The reason for banning was based on global warming estimates that if global warning ‘continues’ the polar bears could be threatened. Based on that reasoning, I’ll have to move out of my house and give it to the ‘endangered’ mice soon.
Funny, in light of all the sexist talk about “How can this woman be VP when she’s a mommy!!!!!” all I could think of was your Mama,PHD post. And if she was Obama’s choice none of this trash about her family would be out there in this ALL HANDS ON DECK way.
Just look at how long the media was in PROTECT ELIZABETH EDWARDS mode. Elizabeth is one tough lady, mature woman, mother, cancer survivor, old political hand. But Bristol Palin? GET THAT SLUT!!!
What’s amazing to me is how many Sarah Palin-related topics there have been in the past five days.
First there was “who the hell is she?”
Then there was “oh, he’s SO transparently going for the disaffected Clinton supporters for whom gender matters more than policy.”
Then there was “DAMN I didn’t realize exactly how conservative this woman is!”
Then there was “Trig might actually be Bristol’s” which of course leads right into “Bristol’s knocked up but it’s ok because she’s marrying the Baby Daddy.*”
The Bristol situation is of course the one that’s consuming the media the most at the moment… and while I had my schadenfreude moments (Bristol Palin: showing why abstinence-only sex ed is a bad idea since 2008) now I just feel sorry for the kid. She’s in a shitty situation, and now she has to be in a shitty situation in the public eye, and on top of that the political machine is exploiting her shitty situation for its own ends. Poor kid.
*Oh, yeah, that language is so very intentional, becuase I’d be willing to bet that the people who referred to Michelle Obama as “baby mama” are all shinyhappysupportive about Bristol’s decision.
There’s a great article by Rebecca Traister called Palin, Pregnancy, and the Presidency. I can’t post a link here, but it was posted yesterday on salon.com in the Broadsheet section.