Trig's Breakthrough

The Washington Post Op/Ed ^ | 9/10/08 | Michael Gerson

[gridlock]

In addition to Barack Obama making history as the first African American to be nominated for president and Sarah Palin taking her shotgun to the glass ceiling, there was a third civil rights barrier broken at the political conventions this year.

Trig Paxson Van Palin -- pronounced by his mother "beautiful" and "perfect" and applauded at center stage of the Republican convention -- smashed the chromosomal barrier. And it was all the more moving for the innocence and indifference of this 4-month-old civil rights leader.

(snip)

Yet the pro-choice radicalism held by Kennedy and many others -- the absolute elevation of individual autonomy over the rights of the weak -- has enabled the new eugenics. It has also created a moral conflict at the heart of the Democratic Party. If traditional Democratic ideology means anything, it is the assertion that America is a single moral community that includes everyone. How can this vision possibly be reconciled with the elimination of children with Down syndrome from American society? Are pro-choice Democrats really comfortable with this choice?

The family struggles of political leaders can be morally instructive. Contrast the attitude of Joseph Kennedy with that of Charles de Gaulle, who treated his daughter Anne, born with Down syndrome in 1928, with great affection. The image of this arrogant officer rocking Anne in his arms at night speaks across the years. After her death and burial at age 20, de Gaulle turned to his wife and said, "Come. Now she is like the others."

And now we have met Trig, who is just like the others, in every way that matters.

[gridlock]

Go to the link. Read the whole thing. Bring tissues.

[EyeGuy]

God is speaking to the world through Trig, and the decision of this fortunate child’s blessed parents.

[EyeGuy]

God is speaking to the world through Trig, and the decision of this fortunate child’s blessed parents.

[geege]

This kid is too cute....when I see him on TV I start to tear because his mother gave him life.

[Leg Olam]

Sarah Palin may share some of the qualities of a pit bull in courage and toughness but thats where comparisons end for her and pick up for Democrats that support abortion. A pit bull will kill and eat a pup that is not normal or unwanted.

[Tailback]

My 3rd cousin Janet is also a Down’s Syndrome person. She’s the sweetest person you’d ever meet with such a great sense of humor.

The Rats are digging their own graves over this issue.

[gridlock]

The eugenic abortion of Down’s Syndrome babies is another aspect of the way our modern society is flirting with a utilitarian evaluation of human life. Parents are urged to weigh the “value” of the life of the child against the costs of high levels of care and support that the child will require. The vast majority look at this calculation and come down on the side of death over life.

Similarly, in the debate over Embryonic Stem Cell Research, we are encouraged to consider the value of the supposed miracle cures that could be realized, and weigh that against the human life value of the embryos destroyed (if any). It seems that most voters are coming down on the side of death on this issue, as well.

And now, “medical ethicists” are discussing changing the criteria to determine when death has occured, with an eye to a more permissive standard in order to facilitate organ transplants. Again, people seem to be concluding that the value of the organs outweighs the value of the individual life involved.

We are heading down this road along multiple lanes. If government siezes control of medical care, we can count on them applying a utilitarian standard when it comes time to ration care. They will literally sieze the power of life and death, and the people will willingly give it up.

Against this tide stand Sarah, Todd and Trig Palin.

[kanawa]

fyi...http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2078965/posts

[gridlock]

This (the voluntary termination of Down's Syndrome babies) is properly called eugenic abortion -- the ending of "imperfect" lives to remove the social, economic and emotional costs of their existence. And this practice cannot be separated from the broader social treatment of people who have disabilities. By eliminating less perfect humans, deformity and disability become more pronounced and less acceptable. Those who escape the net of screening are often viewed as mistakes or burdens. A tragic choice becomes a presumption -- "Didn't you get an amnio?" -- and then a prejudice. And this feeds a social Darwinism in which the stronger are regarded as better, the dependent are viewed as less valuable, and the weak must occasionally be culled.

Gerson really hits this nail on the head.

[gridlock]

Oh, thanks. I did a search! (yeah, yeah... they all say that...)

AM, please nuke this duplicate thread.

[keats5]

Children with Down’s Syndrome

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/health_shifting_perspectives/img/1.jpg

[aMorePerfectUnion]

1 out of 10 families in America has a person with special
needs in their family. Huge voting group. First time anyone
noticed in Washington.

[Salvation]

Trig's Breakthrough
The Importance of Trig Being
RUSH: Family with Down Syndrome Child Meets John McCain and Sarah Palin
Palin helps McCain with evangelicals, doesn't ensure their vote: analysts
Choosing Trig (A symbolic leap ahead for children with Down syndrome and their parents)
Family With Down Syndrome Child Meets John McCain And Sarah Palin (Ruush Awesome!!!)
McCain camp says Biden 'sunk to a new low' [Biden/Obama care more about special needs kids
Courting Catholics (Republican Convention Targets a Key Swing Vote)

Is Trig at the Heart of Media's Reaction to Palin?
(Unnamed)Vatican Official: Palin 'Dream' for Pro-Lifers
A Stark Choice on Abortion
Sarah Palin's Trig-ger: Is Post-Abortion Grief Driving Criticism of Pro-Life Gov?
Pro-Abortion Groups Renew $30 Million Campaign Against McCain, Sarah Palin
Palin Helps McCain With Religious Right
Palin's Radical PASTOR [Satire]
Sarah Palin: I Have Always Known Abortion an 'Atrocity'
Zogby: Catholics Swing To McCain by Double Digits
History of Church Teaching on Abortion

Palin reignites culture wars
What Puzzles Chinese People About Governor Sarah Palin
Team McCain Hits Back on Palin, Vetting
The Battle Of Bristol: John McCain Has The Upper Hand
Attacks on Sarah Palin Over Abortion and Pregnancy Unwarranted and But Not Surprising
Evangelicals rally behind Palin after pregnancy news
A Candidate for Our Daughters [Sarah Palin]
Social conservatives hail McCain’s choice
Sarah Palin: Babies, Guns, Jesus
Evangelicals in Israel back McCain

Trig Paxson Van Palin (Rich Lowry)
McCain, Palin going to region threatened by storm
Sarah Palin- links, from the beginning
Down syndrome
Alaska - Chabad Rabbi: Sarah Palin a Great Friend To The Jewish Community
Integrity in Politics [Sarah Palin]
Calling All Pro-life Dems
Sarah Palin: member of Feminists for Life
Don’t Blame the Bishops - Catholic means pro-life
Sarah Palin Wants Creationism Taught In Schools

John McCain & Sarah Palin on Shattering the Glass Ceiling (People Mag. Interview Today)
Laura Ingraham - PALIN: The PERFECT Conservative Choice!!
Sarah Palin's Feminists for Life Membership Points to Pro-Woman, Pro-Life View
Gov. Sarah Palin discusses son Trig's Down syndrome diagnosis
Governor Sarah Palin's church and a list of sermons she may have heard
Conservative leaders react to McCain’s VP choice of pro-life Gov. Sarah Palin
McCain chooses pro-life Sarah Palin for veep (updated facts about Palin)
Palin Pick Causes 'Elation' among Evangelical Leaders
Beauty and the Beast? (Insightful Analysis of McCain's potential pick for VP)
National Right to Life calls GOP platform "Strongest Ever"

McCain Himself Accuses Obama of Courting Infanticide
GOP takes a hard line on abortion for its platform
John McCain Criticizes Barack Obama on Abortion, Opposing Infanticide Bill
McCain Goes There (Takes On Obama’s ‘Above My Pay Grade’ Remark)
McCain attacks Obama on pro-abortion stance
McCain, Vietnam, and a cross in the dirt
Pro-Life Expert on Population Issues Says McCain Better on Abortion Than Obama
US Bishops Look at Election
Vote for Real Hope and Change [Archbishop Chaput]
Stopping Abortions, Protecting Human Life Not Above a President's Pay Grade

RNC: McCain Won’t Choose Abortion-Supporting Running Mate
Real Change ("Catholics don’t stop being Catholic at the voting booth.")
McCain and Obama try to navigate the politics of abortion
Obama and McCain Woo Catholics
Editorial: At the Saddleback Forum, Senator McCain and Pastor Warren took the Gold
Religious Voters Favor McCain, Poll Claims
Sen. McCain holds private meeting with Archbishop Chaput
John McCain's Remarks on Abortion in Speech to National Pro-Life Convention
McCain campaign plans ‘very aggressive’ outreach to Catholic voters
McCain Meets with Selected Catholic Leaders

[brushcop]

Against this tide stand Sarah, Todd and Trig Palin.

That my FRiend, leaves me speechless, thank you very much.

In our extended family we have a number of children born with disabilities (some quite severe) and their parents are held in high esteem. Now, those children are grown adults, nothing has changed, they have taught US much and have kept us humble and our feet firmly planted in reality as to what's important in life and it isn't the square footage of one's home or shiny vehicles...

Their sweet natures and ways are a blessing, some can't understand that but that's their loss, our gain. The photo of Gov. Palin holding the little girl with Down has kept my screen blurry every time I think of it and I'm supposed to be an ol' macho senior citizen.

I am a firm believer in that one should beware of how the disabled are treated; Someone is taking note, He is an advocate of the infirm, handicapped, widows and orphans and that can send chills down my spine.

[mattdono]

I was about to say that every Downs Syndrome person I have ever met is happy and has a great sense of humor.

That’s not to say there aren’t challenges; I’m sure there are (and challenges that most of us would have trouble meeting). But, every time I have been around anyone with Downs, I always leave feel just better than I did before I met thing.

The Lord works in mysterious ways. And perhaps calling someone “special” should really be a lift up, not a cut down.

Perhaps it’s why the left’s insistence on abortion is so heinous (diabolical even).

[sweet_diane]

Growing up with a mentally handicapped sibling was very difficult in the 1960’s. I know from personal experience. The stares, the taunts. When I found out the revered Kennedy clan had one they kept hush about, it was even more difficult as I felt I should be ashamed too! I remember my sister asking me “are they going to cut out part of my brain too?” when we overheard adults talking about the Kennedy lobodomy (which we looked up in the dictionary).

[oneamericanvoice]

Trig has done more for the pro-life movement than anything since it’s inception.

Show a picture of that precious little boy to the next lib you meet, and ask them if they could have aborted him? Make sure you stand back though. Exploding heads are so nasty.

[BigEdLB]

Show a picture of that precious little boy to the next lib you meet, and ask them if they could have aborted him? Make sure you stand back though. Exploding heads are so nasty.
Particularly Big sister Piper smoothing his hair during thier mother's speech...


Charles DeGaulle with Anne

[Issaquahking]

Got to love your sister! "Mentally challenged" often times leaves me wondering...they lack easy communative skills, and therefore, are often considered "challenged", when at times, left with a keybord, some have dazzled the world with how sharp they are.

Your sister sounds sharper than any lib out there!

I have a great-nephew that has downs-syndrome, and he does pretty well.

[Issaquahking]

Got to love your sister! "Mentally challenged" often times leaves me wondering...they lack easy communative skills, and therefore, are often considered "challenged", when at times, left with a keybord, some have dazzled the world with how sharp they are.

Your sister sounds sharper than any lib out there!

I have a great-nephew that has downs-syndrome, and he does pretty well.