Uh-oh. As the Republican Party readies for its National Convention, the news has broken that his vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, has a family values issue. “The 17-year-old daughter of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is pregnant, Palin said on Monday,” according to the Washington Post.
“Bristol Palin, one of Alaska Gov. Palin’s five children with her husband, Todd, is about five months pregnant and is going to keep the child and marry the father, the Palins said in a statement.”
Oh boy – no bueno! And the shocker in this tale is that “Senior McCain campaign officials said McCain knew of the daughter’s pregnancy when he selected Palin last week as his vice presidential running mate, deciding that it did not disqualify the 44-year-old governor in any way.”
Oh really? We’ll see. We certainly can’t question the Palin family’s committment to life. However getting preggers out of wedlock at the age of 17 doesn’t fit into the GOP’s “family values” platform.
And here we thought the GOP’s biggest problem this week was going to be Hurricane Gustav…
It happens every day. Non issue for me….actually puts me more in touch with her as then she, like the rest, of us deal with teenage angst. Teenagers aften do stupid stuff.
I find it concerning that you would judge her on this Art, the City you are running for council in has a very high teenage pregnancy rate. Is this how you plan to represent your City?
And the rightist fundamentalists are in favor of eliminating sex education for minors to teach responsible behavior.
Family Values…..?
Right!!!!!
Centrist Republicans for Obama/Biden
The McCain trainwreck just started……
will not last the week on the ticket…..
Flowerszz
Well said.
Art I’m starting to wonder about you. I know a deacon of a church that found out his son had impregnated his girlfriend. They plan to marry, but if you are going to start going this route, I’m going somewhere else.
Flowerszz,
Looks like we have a red ant infestation! Why is it your friends at the Red-faced County have not blogged about this? Hmmm…
I am not judging anyone – just reporting the news in this case. This story sure makes it look like the Palin pick was rushed and not well thought out.
As for local implications, the fact is that we have had quite a few discussions about this issue over at the SAUSD. Rosie Avila and her minions believe in teaching abstinence only. The problem with that is what you referenced. We have a very high rate of teen pregnancy in our city. Apparently abstinence only education isn’t working, is it?
I had a conversation the other day with a progressive friend of mine about the problem of teen pregnancy in our city. It goes beyond that. We have a problem with men who abandon their pregnant girlfriends. In many instances these men are far older than the women they are abandoning.
Clearly the SAUSD is failing in this regard. And we need a broader effort to compel men in our town to be responsible.
Teen pregnancies have a huge social cost – and they can derail young people just as they are figuring out what to do with their lives.
And there are other costs as well. These kids grow up quite often without father figures. That can have very negative long term implications.
Kudos to Bristol Palin for doing the right thing and marrying the father of her baby – I hope the marriage works out. So many of these relationships end up in divorce.
#3,
? Your statement does not appear to make any sense. What route are you talking about?
It is my political observation that this story is bad news for the GOP. It is hypocritical for the family values party to have something like this happen, isn’t it?
Teens will be teens, but this is something we as parents have to stay on top of. I talk to my older kids about this all the time.
There is no surer way to guarantee a life of poverty than to get pregnant as a teenager. The implications not only doom the teens but also their kids.
You just have to wonder how McCain thought this was not going to be a problem for his ticket. And take this one step further. The powers that be in the GOP doomed the pick of Joe Lieberman as the VP because he is pro-choice. But Joe would have been a dignified VP – and he would not have had any baggage.
I thought the Palin pick was a good one – but this story and the emerging story about how she tried to get her brother in law fired from the state police in Alaska is making me wonder about the wisdom of picking Palin.
SCR,
Are you saying that McCain can dump Palin and pick someone else? I have never heard of that option.
Remember, they’ve been touting Palin as a working mom who can ‘DO IT ALL’. Obviously not. How will the Dr. Laura republicans react to this? She better not “whine” about unfair coverage, cause she’s on record excoriating Hillary for “whining”! Poor Sarah, she was a big fish in a small pond and now she’s swimming with the sharks.
Art
His back is against the wall….No matter what he does, and he has to do something, he is doomed.
If he drops her, he better have a replacement that has both the gravitas and the resume to match Biden.
If he keeps her, everything about her is under the magnifying glass. The most minuscle of things/actions will generate intense scrutiny.
Everything she said or did, as a councilmember, small town mayor, commissioner, and governor, and, unfortunately, as a parent, comes under scrutiny.
If he keeps her, the scrutint shifts to her and away from him. Undecideds will watch to see what else pops up and not on the issues he stands on.
Unfortunately, the campaign is back into a defensive mode. He knows it. And he knows what he has to do decision-wise.
She is history.
The facts are important, I’m a father of three teenagers. IT SHOULDN’T HAPPEN EVERY DAY Ms. Flowerz. And the reason why it does is because people who let it happen have either lost or never had family values and principles. What does that tell you about McLaims VP. Art Pedroza is the man that will help instill family values into those young teenagers in SA.
An interesting comparison…….
While I may not agree with his political philosophy, I can say that Dick Cheney was a good choice as VP for one reason: his resume–he could step in, and be President, in the evident that something unfortunate happened to W.
Biden has the same experience and gravitas……
And Palin?
Does one really think that she has the experience and resume to step in?……..
I dont think so…….
How Can \Sarah Palin\ run our Country when she cannot her home?
Frey spoken like someone who has #1 forgotten what it is to be a teen and #2 someone who does not have any teens in the home. I have 2 teen boys…I do not believe it is the schools job to educate my boys about “no glove, no love” or abstinence…it is my job!!!!! However, I am not opposed to sex ed in the schools as I know there are many parents out there that think once their kids hit high school they are done and dont educate their kids.
I used to have a big ol suburban and tote 10 kids around (all boys) and since the early ages of 7th grade tried my best to tell these boys (including ones that were not my own) to abstain and/or protect themselves. They all remember, not all followed I am sure. I am not naive with my kids but I have had very open communication with my boys…it is a shame not all parents do that. I can only hope that it worked(s) and I dont become a grandma anytime soon.
Flowerszzz,
Exactly. It was Sarah Palin’s job to teach her kids not to get pregnant as teens. And she apparently dropped the ball.
Which is why parents need help from schools on these issues.
Art – I think Palin was a perfect choice, and I think this situation proves it. She is a mom like everyone else. Doing the best she can….and sometimes kids do another. You know as well as I do, that all your kids are not the same…some more rebellious….just part of being a parent.
LOL Art…you have young ones…just wait. If they have any of what you have in them you will have your hands full for sure. How about Parent Education instead.
In all the non-partisan studies of teens who participated in Programs that advocated that abstinance is the one true way, the rate of teen pregnancy far exceeded the norm for the general population…..What does that say?
Forget the non-partisan studies: The Fed Health and Human Services have conducted similiar studies over the last 7 years given the amount of Fed $$ put into these programs. Conclusions have been the same.
Flowerszzz,
I commend you for teaching your kids to exercise personal responsibility and to educate them about self protection.
What is your view of the Bush Admin’s proposed regulations to designate condoms as abortion mechanisms and outlaw them? If you say that such is not the case, you need to familiarize yourself with the proposed HHS regs unveiled by the Bush Admin in the last month. That would mean that your boys would not be allowed to purchase condoms.
Your thoughts???
Flowerszzz said:
“Art – I think Palin was a perfect choice….”
WAS in the operative word and correct tense.
Palin=gone by the end of the week=reason: to concentrate on the issues facing Alaskans and on private family matters.
Gustav provides the perfect cover for McCain to rescind his choice.
Palin=BTA*
Back To Alaska
Oh you like me know even tho I smoke? 🙂
I disagree with teens not being able to purchase condoms however I know from experience that they usually will not purchase them anyway – out of embarrassment. I make sure there are condoms around….which embarrasses them as well. My teens are 17 & 19, I have told them that I do not approve of them having sex…but I know I can not always be there breathing down their necks. I can only hope that my nagging works.
Flowerszzz,
“LOL Art…you have young ones…just wait. If they have any of what you have in them you will have your hands full for sure.”
What do you mean by that? I have been married to the same woman for 21 years. I am not like your pervy friend Mike Carona – I don’t cheat on my wife. I love her very much.
As for my kids, my daughter is 17 and she is very pretty. Believe me I worry about her – but I don’t have to worry about her. She is smart and she knows that getting pregnant as a teen is not a good idea. She already started college and is working hard to finish school. She says she wants to start a business.
I also have a 15 year old son who is one of the brightest kids at his high school – and he pitches on the baseball team. Plus he can play Led Zep songs on his guitar, which makes him a triple threat!
Yes, I do talk to my 15 year old quite often about these issues and about staying away from drugs. That is what we are supposed to do as parents.
My other two boys are younger so I don’t have to worry about them just now.
I know you don’t like me or my politics but you shouldn’t impugn me as a parent or as a person. You don’t know me so please don’t be so presumptuous.
Flowerszzz
First, I commend you for continuing to smoke. Do I like you because you smoke? Not at all.
Have at it. That is your choice and your decision to pay the consumption fee.
Re: condoms, you obviously are not up to speed on the proposed Bush regulation. No one, not just teens, would be able to purchase condoms, or iuds, or any other device because they would be defined as abortion tools and ruled illegal.
Next time you wish to engage in the debate, answer the policy questions I pose to you.
Dont run and hide and avoid the question.
Keep smoking and paying the fee. I do know that those fees pay for a number of health programs run by the County of Orange Public Health Department, tobacco cessation included, but that would mean you would be receiving governmental aid even tho you qualify for such assistance.
And we know how you red ants react to governmental assistance, don’t we?
I don’t see the big deal. This just shows that McCain and Palin really are mavericks. I’m kidding of course.
Although it does bring up an interesting parallel. What will Palin’s response to this be over the course of the campaign? Will she accept her grandchild, do the ‘Christian conservative’ thing and publicly bemoan the situation, or do the Dick Cheney thing and ignore it all much like he ignored his lesbian daughter for the better part of the last 8 years because he’s ashamed for some reason?
Flowerszzz –
I like your pragmatic view of how our young people should be taught sexual responsibility. A parent doesn’t have to put condoms in their teens’ hands to make the point that they should be used. They simply have to be made available.
You may irritate and nag your kids now, but when they finish college without having babies or STDs, I’m sure they’ll thank you!
SMS
#3 AnonAlso
They plan to marry, but if you are going to start going this route, I’m going somewhere else.
Is that any way to win an argument? Just run off if you don’t have a response?
Better do yourself a favor and skip MY recent thread starter on the Christian Taliban. You’ll not like that one, either 😉
For everyone else,
What happened to that great program, the Abstinence-Only approach to family planning? If the pious can’t keep the standard, then why should the non-believers have to subscribe to that particular nonsensical burden?
Lee Stranahan of HuffPost says this of Daily Kos’ rumors that Palin’s most recent son is actually her grandson:
‘The whole story is based on an insulting view of fundamentalist Christians; that they’d be so freaked out by a teenage pregnancy that they’d have the Governor — the most highly visible and public women in the small fishbowl of Alaska — fake a pregnancy to cover up the sins her of daughter Bristol.‘
They actually did this storyline on Desperate Housewives last season. I don’t remember hearing anything about calls to ABC in protest, so somehow I doubt that this theory is ‘based on an insulting view of fundamentalist Christians.’
SMS
PS: What kind of names are Bristol, Track, and Trig???
#19 Flowerszzzzzz
disagree with teens not being able to purchase condoms however I know from experience that they usually will not purchase them anyway – out of embarrassment. I make sure there are condoms around….which embarrasses them as well. My teens are 17 & 19, I have told them that I do not approve of them having sex…but I know I can not always be there breathing down their necks. I can only hope that my nagging works.
I admire your determination to keep your kids safe as they enter adulthood. Teen pregnancy is the fast track to poverty for the overwhelming majority. Planning for a family, when ready, should be a serious and conscious decision. You have courage and you should be commended for being a great parent.
We took our children (now adult) to a sex education class that was held at the local Presbyterian Church. It was the S.H.A.P.E.S. program, and they were ages 8-10. It was enormously helpful, because it put discussions about sex in a “normal” light. There were teens in the classes, but to tell you the truth, by the time they are teen aged, they are terribly inhibited and upset to be in a sex class with their parents. I believe that the classes were still of some benefit for the teens, but it was VERY beneficial for our younger children to start that dialogue YEARS before they began dating.
Let’s try and guess how old the guy that knocked her up is. My guess: 23.
My guess:
15 years old
Flowerpower- I believe your point is that it is the parents and not the schools responsibility to teach responsible sex ed. How did Palin do? If she can’t protect her daughters geographically limited southern borders, how will she take care of our thousands of miles of national borders?
Everyone knows that the selection of Palin was 100% pure “BUZZ”.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF IMAGES, CLESHE’S AND EMPTY SUITS.
Argue all you want, Palin did’nt know her daughter was getting boned because she was too busy running Alaska. You know it’s cold up there.
Is this the time in history for the VP of the USA not to know or be aware of the most simple things in life like… “my 17 year old daughter is getting laid”? I wonder how old the boy friend is?
Art should get a blog award for writing a story that has been commented on 30 times and is not just the Trannies and the Jannies going back and forth about some “alleged” wrong Janet Nguyen committed.
Congratulations once again to Supervisor Janet Nguyen for saving us from Dina and Trung. (I just had to add that)
“If she can’t protect her daughters geographically limited southern borders, how will she take care of our thousands of miles of national borders?”
rintrah, that was genuinely funny.
Art, what is the date of the photo you posted? A Kos blogger is saying late 2007, which would be problematic – to say the least.
David –
Please see comment #24.
SMS
David,
Good question! I found that picture on Google Images. I could not find any other family shots of the Palins.
Rintrah is pretty funny! Here’s a thought – perhaps instead of building walls on our borders we need to hand out chastity belts to our teenage daughters…maybe Palin can make that suggestion at the Republican National Convention!
Boy, that John Edwards! He gets around doesn’t he?
SCR I’ll have a smoke for you! I am not a policy wonk like yourself…I am an average person, working for a living to support my family. So forgive me if I talk “normal people” talk. I dont need to fluff my posts to make others think I am smart, I cut to the chase and just say it like I see it. And besides that would never pass so get over it. Not all Republicans think like that and not all Republicans are old curmudgeonious (sp) religious zealots.
Art I did not know you had older ones…I only ever hear you talk about the younger ones. I never asked you how long you were married. And as far as me supposedly attacking you on parenting….I wasnt…but is it not the same as you attacking someone else for their family issues. Like Palin, or Dina Nguyen, or Villasenor? I personally think family attacks should be out of bounds…dont YOU?
Thanks Red!
rintrah my point is that all we can do as parents is give our kids the tools for life. Unfortunately we cannot be with our kids every minute of the day (believe me I have tried – and do pester – thank god for cell phones!) I do not think it is the schools job to educate my kids on sexual behaviour, I bear that responsibility. However, I have always allowed my kids to take the sex ed classes offered (under “Health”)
Flowerszz,
If that is true then why did you say this about me: “If they have any of what you have in them you will have your hands full for sure.”
What did you mean by that comment? To me it appears that you are insinuating something about my character. Would you care to explain your words?
My point in posting this article is that it is news – and furthermore this entire episode is an awkward one for your party. Your party had taken a rather harsh stance on sex education. Your party likes to sell itself as the family values party. Then this happens.
The fact is no political party has all the answers – and none of them should be trying to convince us that they have a handle on family values. From Larry “Wide Stance” Craig and Mike Carona to Bill Clinton and John Edwards, both the red and the blue parties are replete with examples of pervy politicians.
Attack me all you want – but the real issue here is that your party’s Talibani platform has backfired this time.
Flowerszzz
Let me give you a hint about your behavior and comments: You sound like Sarah Palin.
Congrats on having a smoke. Im sure that you will do it around your kids. We are assurred of a continued revenue stream of consumption fees for purchasing tobacco products.
Working hard and supporting a family is not limited to non-policy wonks like yourself. I do the same every day.
It seems that others understand what I write. The fact that you dont, or make uninformed statements is your responsibility and not that of others. When you get into the policy arena, and you are ill informed about the discussion, whose fault is that? I believe in knowing both sides of the arguement before a judgement is made. It pays to understand the many facets of an issue in understanding its complexities.
You probably think that Sarah Palin in intelligent and experienced and doesnt “Fluff” her position statements.
Thats why she will resign from the ticket within the week. What you interpret as “Fluff” is experience and reason.
The bottom line question is this: you post on Red-Faced County regularly. Here in Sacramento, Red County is viewed, as well as Fleischmann’s Flash Report, as a source of grass root ideologuish comments. Its not a source for substantive policy discussion. If one is seeking to get a sense of the mindset of the conservative religious fanatic base, all one needs to do is read either.
If I am looking for a substantive policy discussion, I dont look to either as a source for such a discussion. In my interactions with colleagues in the Govs office and amongst legislators and policy people, I can safely say that they dont look at either as well. Despite what Craig DeLuz may say.
Since you are a regular red ant poster, why are you here? What makes sense is that you are posting here as a fill-in for Jubalito since he is in the sanctuary cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul
this week.
This ticket is exactly what the Republican Party needs. I, for one, hope that McCain keeps Palin on the ticket. In doing so, the Republican Party is heading to a massive defeat.
Friends of mine in NorCal involved in registering voters are swamped with Republicans livid with this choice. To the point that the number of Reeps changing status to DTS and Dem for the general election this November has blown them away. It parallels contacts of mine who are telling me about the level of discontent and dissension over the Palin pick at the RNC convention.
The polling numbers this coming week will be very interesting.
Centrist Republicans for Obama/Biden 2008
watching the trainwreck rolling down the Alaskan glacier
Flowerszzz:
Food for thought for the future:
The Question that Talibani Reeps ask in 2008:
a. Where did we go wrong with Dan Quayle?
The Question that Talibani Reeps ask in 2018:
b. Whatever happened to Sarah Palin?
Answers:
A. He couldnt spell Potato
B. She consumed to many potatoes while at the University of Idaho-it stunted her intelligence. She couldnt figure out the difference between Creationism and Evolution; between family values and instilling a sense of personal responsibility in your children.
Sarah Palin supported the Bridge to Nowhere; then she changed her mind when all the dust in the air was raised over the Stevens earmark.
When the earmark language was changed, she was happy to take the $450 million in Fed $$$
Sarah Baracuda out of water
Flip Flop Flip Flop
WOAH, SCR … don’t go all nuclear on us. Tell us how you really feel.
I have to say that with the exception of neglegent parents, no parent is responsible for what their kids get into on the spur of the moment much less for pregnancy. Its not like she could have given her daughter some drug or something to prevent her from becoming pregnant. Well not and still be consistent with her beliefs. She wouldn’t even make use of such drugs herself after age 40 when genetic risks spike for a pregnancy.
So the positive in this situation is that while she can praised on having such firm beliefs and moral certitude, those issues as well as the myriad of issues surrounding pregnancy for both party’s are now open for discussion. What do the parties think about these issues and what do the caucuses within the parties think about these issues? Will someone at the RNC or many from the RNC enter the dialog? How about the DNC?
What kind of ‘mother’ sacrifices her daughter on the alter of her own personal ambition? What planet is Sarah Palin living on that she didn’t know that the press is going to have a field day with her daughters private mistake? Family values, my ass!
I wish all you pirranhas would stop making this breeder think about Palin Jr.’s “southern borders” and the physical act of knocking her up…
mmm…
STOP IT!
Vern –
Dude. 17.
SMS
Creationism. Unwed,teenage s-e-x. Troopergate. Admits she inhaled. Brand spanking new passport. Bridge to somewhere, er,i mean nowhere. First Dude’s DUI. And I quote: “What does a VP do, anyway?”
Someone alert Tina Fey! I can not wait for the new SNL’s.
Vern – pretty sick comment (43) – you have some issues dude. Where is the respect for women you progressives proport?
“If she can’t protect her daughters geographically limited southern borders, how will she take care of our thousands of miles of national borders?”
Sometimes a preposterous and facetious analogy can be funny. I fail to see the humor in this idiotic comment.
Brilliant move Rove/McCain.
In one fell swoop, he just reintroduced the abortion arguement into the 2008 race. and about a million Jesus Freaks too.
Next thing you know we’ll have people knocking on the door warning about homosexual marriage. Oh sorry that already is happening.
Well, at least Art labeled the picture with “It’s a baby!” and not “It’s just some byproduct of conception from which Obama seeks to ‘protect’ his daughters.”
Very good pro-life message, Art!
Art I meant that you are a dramatic pain in the ass. Nothing more or less. I would never attack ones family members and character assinate someone for their family members behavior….much as I have seen done here. Although I was not insinuating anything about your character, nor your family, you sure did not like it did you? Perhaps you should consider that before the next time you write about someone here.
SCR I did not say I did not understand your drivel…..I just said you bore me. Say it like it is cabrone….quit rambling. You remind me of Ben Stein….anyone, anyone…..