The first thing that came to my mind when I learned about her infant son's condition was sympathy. But then I found out that she has four other children, all of whom seem to be healthy. "What was she thinking?" I asked myself, but then the question morphed into "WHY?"
Surely she must have been warned of the risks (for women only 4 years older than herself, the risk is staggering 1 in 10 pregnancies!). I could understand her desire to have children this late if she had none, but with four other children this just seems a little selfish, especially knowing the risk.
I will not delve into the family values of Palin's, but I will seriously question her impulsiveness (bordering on irresponsible) in decision-making when I consider who will get my vote.
Between McCain's hot temper, and her impulsiveness, I really wonder if there is no other (better) talent in the Republican Party? This is all we have to offer?
I also wonder what McCain was thinking when he chose her. Does he really think her gender by itself will do the magic of attracting Hillary's supporters?
She is a Gun Lobby member, eats moose burgers, hunts, fishes and is pro-life, and wants creationism taught in schools. How is she going to attract largely rabbidly feminist, secular, pro-abortionist, liberal NRA-hating Hillary supporters?
She comes in already on top of controversies (real or made up) which will only get thicker and uglier, motivated by anything from envy to revenge, because the media thrive on scandals.
It's only a matter of time before her competency is tested in public debates and news conferences.
If something happens to McCain, do I want someone like her, impulsive and egotistic, as Kolo observes correctly, making top-level decisions? I have yet to be convinced.
I believe that citizenship is a right ot be a qualified voter. I believe all voters should take voting-qualification tests and be issued a license to vote, the way all drivers require a license because our vote determines which way the country will drive.
The test would establish a minimum of literacy (!) and understanding (comprehension) of the issues involved both domestically and globally. How can someone who can't find a place on the map, let alone spell its name, know what is "right" if not by guessing? Is this what our elections are? Blind guesses? Or beauty pageants? Is this what democracy is all about? Blind guesses?
Above all, such tests should disqualify anyone who thinks that race or gender or being a POW or religious affiliation alone or in combination is a qualification to be president.
>>> But then I found out that she has four other children, all of whom seem to be healthy. “What was she thinking?” I asked myself, but then the question morphed into “WHY?”<<<
“WHY?” What??
That she decided to have marital relations with her husband that ended up with a new life?
That she and her husband decided not to kill their unborn baby?
And what on earth does the fact that she and her husband have four other seemingly healthy children have to do with high cost of oil on the spot market?
It HAS BEEN - and she came out a determined, accurate, thinking-on-her-feet winner!
Above all, such tests should disqualify anyone who thinks that race or gender or being a POW or religious affiliation alone or in combination is a qualification to be president.
Er, uhm, exactly WHAT are Obama and Biden’s qualifications? THEY (both of them) have been exactly WRONG on every issue, on every decision they have EVER addressed?
You folks are on this poster’s ping lists. Perhaps you can pound some softness into the heart of this somnambulent dolt. I’m afraid if I tried to post to this one I would not be gentlemanly about it ... not that he/she/it deserves to be treated with anything more than disgust.
Well, Kosta, before the mid-1960s, there were “literacy tests” used in certain Southern states as part of a package of “qualifications” used to keep African-Americans from the polls. Then we had the success of the Civil Rights movement. Thus, whatever the merits of voting licenses, we shall NEVER see them. I agree that our elections have become decided on much less than what they should be, but not just because of the lack of qualifications of some voters.
As for Sarah Palin, I am MUCH more concerned with the gross deficiencies of Biden, Obama, and McCain. Biden said that all Serbs should be put in Nazi-style concentration camps, and that they were “rapists, degenerates, etc.” Then I find out about his Ustashe connections. He’s pretty close to being a Nazi!
McCain may not be a Nazi, but he’s a KLA supporter who helped fund these terrorists, among other things. And he has documented Soros connections. So he’s not much better.
Obama has been advised by Brzezinski (and his son), Soros, and Samantha Power from the beginning. He is VERY slim on qualifications, and his rapid rise (often against opponents who suddenly become involved in a scandal) is VERY suspicious. Like McCain, he’s promised to “stand up to Russian aggression”. Either one could lead us into a new Cold War.
So there you have it—not a pretty picture at all. It all makes Sarah Palin’s family situation not much of an issue, and not one I’m qualified to judge, anyway.
kosta,
I don’t know anything about Palin’s pregnancy history, but perhaps the pregnancy was unplanned. That does happen. My sister is Palin’s age, with four children, and her husband REFUSES to get a vasectomy. She has an IUD, but if heaven forbid, she were to get pregnant, she would carry the baby—no matter what—to term. I am the same—although thankfully my spouse had a vas—and I think I am totally unprepared to care for another special needs kid.
McCain is not trying to appeal to the hard-core, single issue female voters. They wouldn’t vote for him if the other choice were a cow. McCain is trying to appeal to people like I—I was not excited about voting for him, and had he chosen someone like Ridge or Lieberman, I would have stayed home.
As for Creationism in schools, that is truly unfortunate. Let’s hope that a little schooling in preparation for the national stage tones that one down a bit. Otherwise, she is the perfect person to appeal to those bitter, religion-clinging, gun-totin’ white rednecks living in flyover country.
Peace, kosta. Thanks for weighing in (you and kolokotronis both) with a different viewpoint.
Kolo: ...... As the father of a now 25 year old with Down Syndrome, I must say that Gov Palin is deluding herself if she thinks she can run for, let alone serve as, VP and be a good mother to a baby and youngster with mental retardation and the health challenges usually presented with it. She may not know it yet, but unless her plan is to “farm out” that baby, her life, the life of her husband and those or her other children have been profoundly changed by this birth...for the better I might add. Gov. Palin, however, seems to have rejected this gift of God in pursuit of her own ego. She’s no example of family values so far as I can see if her brand of Christianity tells her that what she is doing is right, then it is profoundly different from mine! (emphasis added)
Kosta: The first thing that came to my mind when I learned about her infant son's condition was sympathy. But then I found out that she has four other children, all of whom seem to be healthy. "What was she thinking?" I asked myself, but then the question morphed into "WHY?" Surely she must have been warned of the risks (for women only 4 years older than herself, the risk is staggering 1 in 10 pregnancies!). I could understand her desire to have children this late if she had none, but with four other children this just seems a little selfish, especially knowing the risk.
All I can say to both of you is WOW!!! :) I would have lost a lot of money if anyone had bet me "Who said these quotes?".
Like Palin politically, fine. Don't like Palin politically, fine. But who in the universe are any of us to judge God's plan for Gov. Palin, her and her husband's procreation, or her future (or her family's future) with the gifts God has given them? I can think of little else more inappropriately presumptive. Do you both think God can only raise a child to fulfillment if mom spends "X" number of hours per week at home?:
Ex 4:10-12 : 10 Moses said to the Lord, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." 11 The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
Do you all suppose God only did this because the non-believer who raised Moses spent enough time with him? How about God makes these decisions? How about God has the power? Sarah Palin's son, Trig, will be exactly what God wants Trig to be, whether she is Vice-President or not.
Kolo, do you really feel qualified to judge whether Gov. Palin is rejecting God's gift by not following your prescription of being a good mother? Do you feel it is your place to declare it is not God's intention for her to be Vice-President because of this baby? The Bible says that's NOT your job:
Jer 1:4-5 : 4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
Dan 2:21 : 21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Rom 13:1-2 : 1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Against whom is your REAL criticism here? You both say Palin is no good for running, but of course that is by your own standards. Perhaps God has His own standards and is taking care of ALL of this is His own perfect way. Would that be so terrible?
If you think about it, leaders are called upon to make sacrifices. Many times that includes not being able to be the perfect mom or dad by your standards. The Bible is FILLED with examples of people God has called who were then required to be away from their families for extended periods of time. Does that mean they should have said "NO"? Of course not, God has it all under control. The point is not that God appeared to Palin in a burning bush and told her she must do this. The point is that there is plenty of precedence for God's plan TAKING precedence over the normal course of a person's life for a specific purpose. It is not for us to judge whether God is doing that in this case based on whether or not she has a special needs child.
And as to her motives, Palin was pregnant with this child long before anyone in the world thought McCain had a snowball's chance in hell of being the nominee, OR that Palin would even remotely be considered as VEEP. She didn't lobby for the job. She did a couple of interviews and filled out some paperwork. So did a bunch of other people. Then she was asked, to the shock of most. For you guys to attack her for accepting the call to service, when it is GOD who decides, is beyond me.
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Kosta: I could understand her desire to have children this late if she had none, but with four other children this just seems a little selfish, especially knowing the risk.
And Kosta is the decider of this? What if she only had three children before, or two? I don't see ANY understanding on the part of the Orthodox that God actually is involved with these situations.
I also wonder what McCain was thinking when he chose her. Does he really think her gender by itself will do the magic of attracting Hillary's supporters?
Political issue, totally separate from my above rant. :) I think he wanted a woman, who was a younger McCain ("Maverick"), and would appeal to the base. Home run. I don't think he expects a zillion new women voters, but he will get some. He does give up something on the experience issue, however he can always point out that his ticket is at least right side up. I don't like Biden, but at least he is qualified to be President, Obama is not. Finally, she appeals to middle America voters as a regular person, more so than the other three. Of course the proof will be in the pudding, and she will either perform on the trail and in the debate or she won't. But for right now, THIS Christian conservative fully supports her! :)
She is a Gun Lobby member, eats moose burgers, hunts, fishes and is pro-life, and wants creationism taught in schools. How is she going to attract largely rabidly feminist, secular, pro-abortionist, liberal NRA-hating Hillary supporters?
In large numbers, she won't. If you think this "PUMA" thing is probably a fraud I would agree with you. But, she will get some, especially if Obama doesn't play his cards right. As of yesterday, Obama seems hip to the Lazio mistake. We'll see if it lasts. But in any event, she WILL have some built in shielding which is valuable.
I believe that citizenship is a right to be a qualified voter. I believe all voters should take voting-qualification tests and be issued a license to vote, the way all drivers require a license because our vote determines which way the country will drive.
I feel that way too many times. I just can't think of a way to pick judges of the tests. :) What constitutes "knowledge" of an issue?
Is this what our elections are? Blind guesses? Or beauty pageants? Is this what democracy is all about? Blind guesses?
Now Kosta, such harsh sentiments for blind faith? :)
“WHY?”
Your advocacy of and obvious belief in Eastern Orthodoxy(as per your tag line) leads you to conclude that Sarah Palin should have been using affective Birth Control to avoid having a 5th baby? That she was selfish before Christ and God?
Do you want to go out on that limb?