Breaking: Bristol Palin Pregnant!
Posted on September 1, 2008
Update II: Ed Morrissey’s excellent post, We Have Walked in Palin’s Shoes!
We would all do better just to admire the Palins for their love and support for Bristol, Bristol’s courage in pursuing motherhood when faced with a difficult but hardly unusual situation, and agree that this has little to do with whether Sarah Palin will make a good Vice President. Families have been dealing with this since … there were families. Neither side should use Bristol to score political points. Keeping them in our prayers would also be the kindest action we can take.
Update: Scrapple Face dares to throw humor in the mix! Obama Begs Palin Not to Punish Bristol With Baby!
McCain knew when he picked her too!
The 17-year-old daughter of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is pregnant, Palin said on Monday in an announcement intended to knock down rumors by liberal bloggers that Palin faked her own pregnancy to cover up for her child.
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 released by the campaign of Republican presidential candidate John McCain…
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…
McCain officials said the news of the daughter’s pregnancy was being released to rebut what one aide called “mud-slinging and lies” circulating on liberal blog sites.
It certainly quashes the conspiracy theories, but will it hurt McCain? I don’t think so. It certainly isn’t of the magnitude of any kind of scandal. One thing is for sure. We know this baby won’t be aborted. It’s a common thing that many American families deal with. She will be marrying the father as well.
“We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We’re proud of Bristol’s decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.
“Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi’s privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates.”
I think any attacks from the left on this one will backfire. Her daughter is taking up the responsibilities of her actions. I’m sure Obama will look at this baby as punishment.
I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby. I don’t want them punished with an STD at the age of 16. You know, so it doesn’t make sense to not give them information.”
Hat tip: Hot Air
Wow. First Sarah herself is asked, in the early stages of her pregnancy with son Trig, whether she would like to abort him because he had Downs Syndrome, and now her 17 year old daughter who could have very easily aborted her child without her mother’s permission, and who, like thousands of girls across this country every year is faced with a pregnancy which could, undoubtedly end her future without the support of her family, chooses to bring her baby to term. I’m pretty impressed. None of the other candidates in this race, regardless of their position on abortion, sex education and the rest can claim to have such personal experience with “reproductive choice” as the woman who is currently the Republican’s Vice Presidential nominee. She and her family are dealing with the very real effects of choosing life, of rejecting abortion. She and her family are taking responsibility and showing the rest of the country how it’s done.
I’m also intrigued as to how the Obama campaign reacts given Obama’s own broken home background and that former President Bill Clinton also came from a broken home. This does nothing to disqualify Gov. Palin as VP running mate, but it definitely will add yet more salaciousness to the political process at a time when it appears that everything imaginable is fair game in politics, especially when it comes against the GOP.
I don’t think think Palin got her daughter pregnant to rebut rumors.
It is a joyous occasion. A shotgun wedding? Perhaps. But a wedding nonetheless and the grandchild is not being killed to avoid “punishing” Bristol Palin.
Children are a gift from God, not a punishment.
Michelle Malkin: Bristol Palin Chooses Life, Now Leave Her Alone!
One ticket sees this as a blessing. The other sees it as a curse. Could the core differences between the two be any starker?
I’m sure lots of people will take their shots at the pro-life Christian woman but hold on a moment. If you think Evangelicals are going to ditch her for this, you’re totally misreading the situation. As a matter of fact, they are ready to fire back at any potential critics…
Look, this development will actually be positive for the most part with Evangelicals. First they hear that Sarah Palin chooses the life option even though she had a Downs Syndrome baby and once again the family (and Bristol) has chosen the life option in this recent case. That’s a double “ca-ching”. Let’s call this the Evangelical daily double. If anything, this whole situation will probably make more people around the country relate to her and her family. It makes them more real. Will there by some turned off by the whole pre-marital sex thing? Of course but this type of story doesn’t sink her at all with Evangelicals.
This Aint Hell who actually hat tipped me first:
The Palins are about a nanosecond from seeing what the news media calls “respect”.
Gribbit: Leave the poor girl alone!
When will Obama release the statement about distractions, leaving the family out of it, and getting back to the issues?
Ol Broad: Congrats Granny!
The Anchoress has a nice roundup.
» Filed Under 1st Amendment, Abortion, Elections, Liberal Media/Bias, News, Parenting, Sarah Palin, religion
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So will anyone ask Obama if Palin’s daughter is being “punished with a baby”?
Amazing. We now have a VP candidate who faces the reality that thousands — if not millions — of American families have and will face!
How refreshing that Sarah and Todd approach this reality responsibly — without attempting to hide, “remove” or deny it!
errrr …. on a political note — for those who want to “go there” — Too bad Barry Soetoro (aka Barack Obama) didn’t have parents as supportive as Bristol’s …. and I’m not so sure that Biden wants his “other” son’s legal probs made a political issue, either ….
Wanna throw stones at children? Heave on!
My reaction:
Granny Sarah
http://olbroad.com/2008/09/01/granny-sarah/
Sorry, don’t know how to do the link thingy in comments.
Any other surprises? I’m worried.
This is what I said over at Spree’s:
According the buzz at RCP, Stinky and No Brain are already being called out over this. The main comparison is Sarah standing behind her child with love and compassion and Stinky saying he didn’t want his kids punished with a baby.
Good for those showing Stinky’s hypocrisy and the stark contrast between REAL parents and elitist snobs.
Ok, so Bristol is now pregnant. She and her bf are going to marry. Good for them. She felt comfortable enough in her relationship with her parents she could actually go to them and talk to them about this, knowing perhaps her parents would be disappointed in her yet also knowing they love her and will be supportive of her.
That’s called parenting folks. Your children are going to make choices as they grow, some good, some bad, some life changing. Whether or not your children can come to you and talk to you when they realize the ramifications of their choices is the measure of what kind of parent you are.
I like what Sarah says here:
We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi’s privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates.”
This also shows the Palins are well aware of the idiocy being tossed around by the left. They have given their “warning”–so to speak–of our children are off limits. I don’t think they’ll be so polite should it continue and yet I also think they’ll be able to make their point VERY effectively–should they need to–if this bashing of their children continues.
Good for them. Bristol–congratulations on your child and your upcoming marriage. It’s going to be hard, but you have a loving family backing you up, and knowing that, you and your fiance and your child are going to be just fine.
Isn’t it a gas, though: Obama and his bots want everyone to leave his wife out of the smears (even though she willfully and deliberately placed herself in the public arena, as a proxy for her husband and, therefore, a legitimate target) but they get all warm and tingly and gooey inside trying to destroy the reputation of a 17-year-old girl who has willfully and deliberately tried to AVOID the spotlight…. The level of hypocrisy is coming to new heights.
Yes, shouldn’t Obama be coming out and making a statement to leave the children out of this election?
The important points from articles I’ve been reading:
1.Five months pregnant and is going to keep the child and marry the father, the Palins said in a statement released by the campaign of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.
2. A senior McCain campaign official said the McCain camp was appalled that these rumors had not only been spread around liberal blog sites and partisan Democrats, but also were the subject of heightened interest from mainstream news media.
3. “The despicable rumors that have been spread by liberal blogs, some even with Barack Obama’s name in them, is a real anchor around the Democratic ticket, pulling them down in the mud in a way that certainly juxtaposes themselves against their ‘campaign of change,”‘ a senior aide said.
My thoughts?
Every small-minded, vicious Obama supporter in the country is already coming out of the woodwork to dance all over what they believe is the grave of the campaign.
The rumors will not stop, the attacks will not stop, they are just getting warmed up.
The Democratic Nutroots will have a field day, and there is nothing, absolutely nothing, Obama can do to put a lid on it, and keep the rest of America from coming to some very important conclusions about who is better for the country…and Conservatism will win.
The Liberal double standard is revealing:
It’s OK for Bill Clinton to cheat on his wife because it supposedly has no bearing on his ability to lead the nation.
It’s OK for a disgracefully high number of African-American babies to be born out of wedlock, and let’s attack Bill Cosby for ripping the Hood a new one over this tragedy, and other disgraces that have ruined inner-city communities since the 60’s.
But let a woman, especially a Conservative woman, try to become Vice President and acknowledge that her daughter (NOT herself, mind you) is pregnant at 17?
Everyone gets their Knickers in a bunch, and starts jumping up and down, screeching that she can’t lead the country!
What a bunch of damn hypocrites.
I agree with Bill Kristol:
“It should allow Palin to deal with the charges directly and resist the temptation to try to shield her from the media. Palin is potentially a huge asset to McCain. He took the gamble–wisely, we think–of putting her on the ticket. McCain’s choice of Palin was McCain being McCain.
Now his campaign will have to let Palin be Palin.”
Lord knows the woman is not perfect, her family is not perfect, and I have issues with some of her beliefs, but…
God help the country if Obama, and Socialism, enter the White House.
I do not like the values this is presenting. Do we want to be represented , around the world by a woman who could not manage her own household and has a young girl who is pregnant. I think that as a private family matter, this is nobody’s business, but the role of vice president is not a private one.
How nice that Gov. Palin knew about her daughter’s pregnancy and decided to accept VP nomination. “Hey, Bristol, you think having a baby at 16 will be hard. How about I turn the entire country’s ire on you?” What mother would do that to her daughter? You gotta question Palin’s judgment. That is just mean to parade her daughter through the mud for her own opportunity.
Nice, McCain. What kind of soldier uses a pregnant 17-year-old girl as a political shield? You knew what this was going to do, how it would divert attention away from your policies. You are throwing Bristol under the bus.
How is she going to be vice-president with a special needs child who has the tendency to get sick easily? Now a GRANDCHILD & unwed underage daughter??
What has McCain done to the party?!?! AGH!!!
Nice to see that the morons of the sphere have decided to show up and drop some drive-by hate riddled comments.
Val, she’s 17 not 16 and Lucas, go pander your hate at the Daily POS, or the Dummocratic Underpuke where you came from.
Obama has made a statement saying that this topic is to be left “off limits” as reported on FOX. Now, although I think this is a private matter as Obama has suggested, I think it does raise some interesting discussion regarding the implementation of abstinence only vs responsible sex education. A previous post stated that children make mistakes, they experiment… if this is the case, shouldn’t they be well educated to make better decisions – e.g. birth control and safe sex. While I cannot state whether or not Palin had these conversations with her kids, or if Bristol was using contraception, I know that these discussions do not always occur in the home. I am a believer of sex education in our public school system – something Palin has supposedly not backed.
I believe that Wrong-winged Conservative Republicans will do more to discredit McCain’s choice of VP and use anything they can to discredit him. I don’t believe he vetted his candidate because he thought she was “squeaky clean.”
However, America was not looking for a “squeaky clean candidate choice” but one that could give the proper attention to the demands of the second highest office in America. For me, I don’t see how Palin can give adequate attention to the office of the VP because the demands of parenting five children (one pregnant and a baby with Downs). What or who will be neglected – the office of the VP or her family?
My prayer is that she steps aside so as not to put her family through the additional scrutiny that will come at her and her family. I pray that her daughter will not be forced into marrying just because she is pregnant. May God bless this family and all families that struggle with teen pregnancy and teen parenting challenges.
I think that most of the people who are condemning Palin have not really thought it thru. The only *real* arguments they have is that because of this (i.e. down syndrome baby & pregnant daughter) she will not have her attention focused on the nation but on her family.
My rebuttal is to remind people that Governor Palin MUST have had many serious and long disscusions with both her husband & daughter to decide wheather or not to accept the VP nomination.
Just a thought.
Be careful Obama would be the doctor on hand to cut the throat of a child that made it through an abortion. “Obama would say, I dare you baby come out in this world you will not live in my world”
mccain is stupid to have choose her he just lost my vote.
Here is my problem with this… I don’t think it is refreshing that Sarah is dealing with a problem faced by other families. Her outspoken moral values should be reflected in her own family. Lead by example… don’t just talk the talk.
As a conservative, I want someone who actually practices what they preach, and whose message is truly effective, and since it was not effective in even her own family, I cannot say she is walking the walk.
My problem is we were all in agreement when Jamie Spears was found to be pregnant, out of wedlock, at 16 (Bristol was 16 I believe then during conception), that this was likely a result of not enough true guidance and parental involvement, along with instilling the proper values which led to her irresponsibility.
Now, because Sarah claims to be a conservative, it is OK and she should be applauded? I just don’t get it my fellow conservatives, this is not examples we want set for our country or children. The example she is teaching and you are all reinforcing is it OK to have sex before marriage and as a young teenager, because “these things happen”.
Wrong… when you follow a moral code and pass those down properly, and stay involved it doesn’t happen. Even liberals in my community, they don’t have the same moral compass as me, but they do know how to set example and keep their kids from making the kind of irresponsible choices like this.
I hold her higher because she claims to be conservative, but the fact she can’t keep her own kitchen clean so to speak tells me she has no authority to lead the rest of us on this issue.
McCain made a terrible mistake, and unfortunately this issue and a couple others are making it very hard to vote for him.
We need leaders who lead by example, not by telling us what we want to hear.
So frustrating…
PS- Let’s stop turning this into an abortion issue. It has nothing to do with it. The bottom line is she has failed as a conservative parent to keep her daughter on the right path. There is no upside to this. We expect her to keep the baby, duh. The problem is under Sarah’s watch, her daughter:
Was having sex, unmarried, at a young age, and if that wasn’t enough, she didn’t even have the sense to at least be safer about it to prevent bringing a child into the world under the wrong circumstances for her and the baby.
A baby should be born to a couple who is old enough to know they are truly in love and will spend the rest of their life together, because they are already married. Anything else is not only a sin, but totally selfish and irresponsible.
How do I explain to my children that Sarah is a model for America, but she can’t even keep her children on the right path of the lord, or even just the common sense for those who don’t lend as much credence his teachings?
babies having babies is now a GOOD thing
Just one question here–how many of you with children have had your children completely obey you, without question, without rebellion, in total lockstep like a good stepford child, regardless of what you taught them and the foundation you laid?
‘Nuf said.
The father is the baby is a young african american man.
So what? How is that relevant?
Candidate for “Vice” President Sarah Palin has finally fessed up that her unmarried teenage daughter has been running around town having unprotected sex. Truly, the Lord Jesus is showing us two things by this sad example of teenage harlotry:
1. That a mother who also engages in sexual activity outside of a traditional, Christian marriage (if you doubt this, check out the birthday of Sarah’s first son — April 20, 1989 — and the date she and her handsome hubby eloped — August 29, 1988!) sets an appalling example for her own children. Indeed, studies from Focus on the Family have proven that harlot mothers wind up with harlot daughters 93.4% of the time. Similar studies by the godly gals at Concerned Women for America have concluded that these poor, impressionable girls learn to strut, show inappropriate décolletage and beguile like pushy prostitutes in their very own living rooms.
2. And a mother who values her career (to the point of abandoning a newborn to campaign 24-7 for a new job in another state) above raising her precious family should not be surprised when she FINALLY steps back inside her family home (if she remembers the address) to find that it has been filled with bastards in her shocking absence!
And, honestly, what is happening to our once-godly country when REPUBLICANS are getting all giddy over a unrepentant harlot? I expect Demoncrats to go for that nonsense, but not the party of God. Please join me in praying to the Lord Jesus that Mr. McCain kick this trash to the curb!
http://bettybowers.com/betty4president/
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone…..Focus on the Family supports Palin. And you have no proof she abandons her son for her job–that is pure speculation on your part and a sin in and of itself. Look in the mirror before you start casting stones at others.
This story only fuels the fire behind the rumors of who is the real parent of the Palin kid with Down Syndrome. If Bristol is five months pregnant then she can not be the mother. If Briston is really three months pregnant than she can be the mother of both babies. The latter would confirm Sarah Palin’s cover-up attempt and clearly mark her as unqualified for vice president. Stay tuned. I believe Briston is three months pregnant and is having her second child.
And you became a trained OB-GYN when? Capable of making such proclamations based on pure speculations without being the personal physician of Bristol?
Each adult of child bearing age makes reproductive choices. To suggest that Sarah Palin has “more experience” in this regard is to deny the experiences we all have on a daily basis. The Palin’s personal choice to bear their son Trig, and now Bristol and Levi’s choice to have their child are just that – personal choices. I will neither applaud not condemn them. To simply dissolve the discussion into “babies are a blessing” or “babies are a punishment” is to deny what any parent can tell you. Even to parents who are prepared and desire their children, child-rearing is an incredible task – difficult, expensive, painful and wonderful at the same time. I will not try to assume how Bristol Palin was educated about reproductive health, but I will say she is fortunate that this choice doesn’t have to end her life. Many young Americans do not have such resources. To deny them access to information is harmful to the well-being of our country. “Abstinence Only” education functions on the assumption that the individuals will magically never reach a point where they no longer wish to abstain – and they are taught this by people who all reached a point in life where they no longer wished to abstain, presumably by adults who know about birth control, and incorporate this knowledge into their reproductive choices. I am entirely in favor of people abstaining from sex that risks a pregnancy or disease they are not prepared to handle. Today, quite luckily for all of us, the impetuousness of youth need not mean we become parents, or perhaps even perish entirely.
“Nice, McCain. What kind of soldier uses a pregnant 17-year-old girl as a political shield? You knew what this was going to do, how it would divert attention away from your policies. You are throwing Bristol under the bus.” -Lucas
How has McCain used her as a shield? So far I have only seen cowards who want to use the girl as a weapon. If you want to lay blame for the girl’s current plight, look at the media and every conspiracy spewing idiots out there.
Hey Washingtonpost- Senator Edwards wasn’t criticized for having the affair- He was rightfully criticized for his abhorrent actions during his wife’s fight for her life because of cancer, and he was also rightfully criticized for his despicable denials and attempts at covering the issue up- Bristol and her future husband made a mistake, and they are honorable and responsible and moral enough to recognize their mistake immediately, and to do the honorable thing by marrying. There is nothing to criticize- We ALL sin- but it is how we handle our mistakes that makes ALL of the difference! Period!
Out of all the trash comments I want to address “mirror”. First of all, don’t come claiming anything without evidence. Second…why would that matter and how is it relevant?
I agree with Obama and McCain on this one: the candidates’ children are off limits.
Nothing about this young woman’s situation is my business or any of yours. Pregnancy happens to children of the best parents and the worst. Nothing about this situation is newsworthy.
I don’t agree that dems are “dancing on the tables” about this, and I’d guess most parents whose children engage in premarital sex hope their children won’t be punished for that choice with a child they are illprepared to rear.
Shame on each any every one of you for speculating about Bristol Palin and her young man, and the pain that your uninformed musing may cause them.
Once again, lots of speculation and rumor mongering, finger pointing and supercilious, holier than thou attitudes.
“Mrs. Palin-Harrassing her sister’s ex-husband, no apparent bonding with her children after giving birth. I hardly consider 1-3 days enough time to spend with your newborn.”
Do you know the actual facts behind these situations or are you just repeating the nonsense floating around the blogosphere? Do you have the background? Were you present in their home when these issues were being addressed? No, you weren’t.
Apparently you agree with her sister’s ex-husband beating her sister up and tasing her son–her 11-year old son. Says a lot about you as a woman you would go after Palin for going after a criminal as her brother-in-law’s record is criminal in and of itself–regardless of the badge he wears. You also apparently don’t know–and don’t care to find out–her son goes with her to work and she spends a significant amount of time bonding with him. It’s just easier for you to judge her from what you hear online. And as for how soon she returned to work? How is that your business? I was back to work 1 week after my youngest was born and 3 days after a full hysterectomy.
Y’all are really stretching to find something, anything to complain about aren’t you. Why don’t you find something with substance and leave the children alone? And get off your moral judgments unless you’re totally without sin yourselves.
nder investigation and soon oughtta be in prison,
You’re on the grand jury for this and have all the facts in your back pocket?
Palin is taking her child to work with her each day. Is this to be the new face of politics?
Why not? Millions of other women do.
woman of questionable moral and leadership values in the highest office of the land
Is it your place to sit in judgment of her or anyone else for that matter? No.
Joyce:
“When dealing with certain moral issues, any reasonable person will make some sort of judgement.”
Judge not lest ye yourself be judged.
I choose to respect all of the candidates (right and left) and leave their children out of the equation when determining who is best prepared to lead this country. What right thinking person would put themselves out there for public service if the media and the other candidates didn’t maintain a modicum of respect when it comes to their children?
Three days ago, you knew NOTHING about Gov. Palin and her family. Now, you are comfortable pontificating about Gov Palin’s morals? Her mothering? The quality of love that she, her husband, and children share? And these things are “obvious’ to you?
I encourage you to think about the thing in your family life that disappoints you most. Then consider the likes of you or me opining to the world about what is obvious about our situation based on a few days of weekend blogging.
Joyce-
PS- I have no idea what the “conservative viewpoint” is. Once upon a time (was it as recent as Reagan?), the “conservative viewpoint” was limited government. Now it seems to be that government should be so unlimited that the choices of an Alaskan teenager– who isn’t even old enough to vote, is relevant to this election, and woe to this nation if her mother becomes vice president.
You don’t know she did that Joyce–you are speculating based on blogosphere. You have no actual facts, you were not there. Further, as Governor, public officers serve at her pleasure. She doesn’t need a reason–but he’s still there. As for the rest of your pontificating of what should or shouldn’t be happening, again, you are simply passing judgment where you have no business having your nose and you are further spreading lies and filth. Does that make you feel good somehow, like you’re superior?
George, apparently you were Arlington over at Spree’s–you have been reported for advocating and promoting a death threat against a teen child.
Dander Jim, prove it or quit spreading lies.
At 62, the mother of 3 children and a member of the republican womens committee, I–personally can not understand what is going on in this family that allowed this to happen. Yes a baby IS a blessing, so was my first grandson born when my son was 30, my youngest grandson born to my youngest at the age of 35, the values that myself and their father passed on were that you HAVE to be responsible to #1 yourself and the world you live in, therefore, no one ever had an abortion, or an unwanted child, or ever HAD to marry. Why did Palin never instill these attributes or values in her children. 17?????? I truly believed that only the lower level of the population had babies having babies. I’m so disappointed.
A Forever Republican, BUT horribly disappointed.
Susan, you were lucky then. The stark reality is no matter what kind of foundation you give your children there are going to be situations like this, across all spectrums of the populace. Does it make it right? Of course not. But harping about it isn’t going to change it. Publicly throwing your child under the bus isn’t going to accomplish a thing. Moving forward will.
Making rash speculations, even to calling for CPS? That’s absolutely ludicrous. Calling for the child’s death in a public forum based on the Old Testament? That’s what islam calls for. How insane is this nonsense? And since when is it acceptable to do this to a 17 year old CHILD who is facing some seriously difficult times ahead of her–it’s up to the blogosphere and the media to make her life hell? How does that help?
And instead of people seeing reason, they’re winding further and further out of control.
How does any of this help a thing?
I posted on Spree’s:
A couple of points:
1) How do any of us know that THEY were not using birth control? Any of the nay-sayers: Were you with the young couple?
2) I count a child born as a blessing, no matter..NEVER a punishment.
3) People questioning Palin’s parenting skills/reactions to this.
IF the Palin family hung their heads in “shame”, that tells the unborn child they are a mistake. WRONG!
Obama says a baby is a punishment. Palin says a child is a blessing.
As parents we teach our children values, so they can make wise decisions. Should we turn our backs on them when they make choices we don’t agree with? I dare any one of those slamming the Palins right now to assert that they have never made an unwise choice. SOME choices carry far-reaching consequences. Conceiving and having a child SHOULD be a private, family matter. Yes, even for public figures (especially their children).
Finally, to all those self righteous critics: Let him who is guiltless cast the first stone.
*Note: I cannot believe the depths of depravity some of you are prepared to sink to. Have YOU no shame? It is obvious you have no brains.*
You’re hopeless Joyce–you are bound determined to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong, go after children–what’s your nonsense about calling in CPS, are you accusing Mr. Palin of incest? Is that what you’re implying? And if so, how dare you? No, I wouldn’t go after Stinky, but then we don’t go after kids–dems do. And apparently you do as well, including libeling and defaming and accusing a father of criminal activity.
You’ve stepped over the line and you can’t defend it–and you know it. Just quit trying to defend what you can’t and just drop out of the conversation. Accusing others and projecting onto them what you have no problem doing is disgusting.
I once read some where — “Let him who has not sinned cast the first stone”. Apparently some leftys are sinless!
Well, Joyce, maybe we should call you Jesus because you seem to think you have never done anything wrong and are free to not only cast ridiculous aspersions on people, you also feel qualified to accuse them of incest (Todd) and dredge up a lie from 200 about McCain’s “love child” who was actually his adopted daughter.
You make yourself look ridiculous. Please. Leave.
So you never said this?
Speaking of which, child protective services should get involved to find out who the real father of that baby is, before the truth is covered up with shotgun wedding
Dander Jim may have said the incest and if so, I stand corrected, but for what purpose would you want CPS involved? You’re obviously implying some sort of abuse as that is CPS’s mandate–don’t be coy, you’ve certainly made plenty of other idiotic accusations, go ahead and spit out what you’re saying here.
You still haven’t answered the CPS question and what does strom thurmond have to do with Bristol Palin and all the venom you’ve directed at her today? How is that even remotely on topic?
I see–you refuse to answer a question on a topic you specifically brought up. Interesting, that.
Must not fit your agenda to answer.
Actually, CPS is not interested in a pregnancy such as this because the kids are either over the age of consent or close to it. They have much more important things to do protecting children being beaten, killed, etc., than to go on a witch hunt to satisfy someone with a sick sense of self-righteousness.
They worry about real crimes as that is their mandated purpose. Had Bristol been raped, that would be a different story. She wasn’t. No need for CPS.
George, above, quotes the bible, and it is considered a death threat? Only Muslim religion calls for violence? Religion truly is a drug, and you people are STONED. You would love to put the 10 commandments in every courthouse of your nation (At least Palin would, she’s a dominionist), yet most of you have no idea what the 10 commandments are, much less the proscribed punishments for their violation. Does thumping a bible preclude one from reading it?
Of course, even if you read the bible, you won’t find one “10 commandments”, there is at least 2 (Tell me that Ex. 2 and Duet. 5 are exactly the same). The Jewish reading finds at least 163 commandments, why not post all of them? Afraid of putting Supercuts out of business? Or having to make football illegal (touching pigskin….on the Sabbath!) Jesus himself says that one of the commandments MUST be violated in order for one to be a christian.
Luke 14:26 If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. (This is your jesus speaking)
Duet 5:16 Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
It’s pretty easy to understand how Palin herself, and christians in general, can behave as if they are consistent and non hypocritical, as they have to delude themselves every day to the hypocrisy contained in their own “scriptures”. Just because you can delude yourselves doesn’t mean that others will be as delusional. Good luck to you in November, I actually though McCain had a shot at this, but he gave in to the fundamentalist psychos. When will you people learn, the rest of us have? (I mean the rest of the world, who used to believe that the USA was a shining light on a hill, where torture was what the bad guy did, where the government didn’t spy on it’s own people, the country that wasn’t afraid to defend itself but would never attack unprovoked, where the government was FOR the people, and secret talks among energy industry executives and the VP wouldn’t be considered “open government”, stuff like that.) You used to be the best country on earth, if you keep working at it, maybe you can surpass Afghanistan as the most religious, at least? I bet that they don’t teach American children how Hitler used the christian right to gain power in 30’s Germany, do they? I’ve even heard Americans say that Hitler was an atheist. Who is it that is in charge of the brainwashing over there?
American business is the best on earth, bar none. Since they have the highest skill set and the most power on earth, they are the best at corrupting a government, as well. Including your own. Do people there even know what the meaning of fascism is? And, by the way, does anybody who has read this actually believe that things will be any different, or better, if Obama wins? Why are you fed such poor excuses for candidates? Where in your constitution are the Democrats and Republicans? Party politics? Wake up America, you’ve lost what my family, and yours, killed and died for; the constitution of the United States of America. And all you can do is debate about if it’s less moral to get a blowy from an intern or have a daughter knocked up at 16? Just who’s taking the high road? Disgusting. What a waste. What a shame.
News flash–Christianity is from the New Testament. It doesn’t preach killing your children. It preaches let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
News Flash- “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or tittle shall nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.” ~ Matthew 5: 17-19
It DOES preach killing your children. If you don’t like it, maybe you can find a different ancient text, but you can’t deny what the one you say is the word of God and the truth says. Not anymore. Not since the laity was allowed to read. Remember, christians tried for over 1000 years to keep that reading thing illegal because it might cause problems when people were actually allowed to read the stories they were only until then allowed to be told. I know it’s difficult, but anyone can do it. Open it up and READ. Anywhere the bible says that they Old Testament doesn’t apply any more, ask yourself, “Who is saying this?”. It’s not Jesus.
Show me exactly where Jesus condones killing children.
Brynn,
Sincere answer, I appreciate what you are saying, but realize that as an outsider, my concern over your housing affordability, health care, and wages are tangential. I am much more concerned that you now live in a country that imposes its’ power on sovereign entities at will. That’s not what your country is supposed to be about. Unprovoked warfare? Extraordinary renditions? The people of your country seem unconcerned. How about the massive criminal enterprises that your drug war has created that now overwhelmed countries are supposed to fight against? And if any country disagrees with current US policy, they will be punished. Do your people even know what your War on drugs is doing to Central America, Southern Italy, Mexico, etc.? Does anybody there care about anything other that how big a home they can afford or the price of gasoline? America comes off as a bit overselfindulgent, I’m sorry, but it looks like the end times of the Roman Empire from out here. Nero fiddling.
Well, I’m assuming that you believe in one god, that Jesus is part of the Holy Trinity, right? So the words of the old testament god are the words of the same being, right? And since you read what I said earlier about the old testament applying, read this:
Then I heard the LORD say to the other men, “Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity! Kill them all – old and young, girls and women and little children. But do not touch anyone with the mark. Begin your task right here at the Temple.” So they began by killing the seventy leaders. “Defile the Temple!” the LORD commanded. “Fill its courtyards with the bodies of those you kill! Go!” So they went throughout the city and did as they were told.” (Ezekiel 9:5-7 NLT)
Yes, Jesus, member of the one god of three, condones, nay demands, the murder of children. I’m so sorry you haven’t read this part of your book until now. But this is only one example of hundreds that I have read in the “holy” book. Do you want more, or do you have faith that these parts of the bible can’t be read literally? Putting faith in goat herders that would be overwhelmed by the technology of a wheel barrow might not be the smartest choice one can make.
I said show me. Now.
I like John McCain a great deal but it’s time to own up here, folks: The campaign made a terrible mistake in choosing Sarah Palin. 1. Palin is a terrible lightweight, without any obvious indication that she has the horsepower, experience, or judgment to occupy the Veep’s office. She has no training or experience in law, business, or military matters–and, unlike Reagan, say, no foundation in the conceptual underpinnings of conservatism, nor any network in the movement’s better thinkers–and displays no obvious evidence of any mooring in a political philosophy. 2. Her experience as an executive is (McCain’s cartoonish objections to the contrary) laughable; she was mayor of a hamlet smaller than most any county seat in Iowa, and even as governor presides over an appartatus that’s dwarfed by any decent-sized city in the lower 48. 3. Her family’s travails are their own, but her very public invocation of them involves all of us, and it’s hard for me to find anything but glaring selfishness in her decision to subject a young family with obviously tender needs to the soul-plundering meat-grinder of the national media and politics. The notion that she asked a 17 year old–and one with the demonstrably poor resolve of this one at that–if it was OK? Well, that’s pathetic. Who’s the parent here? Whose RESPONSBILITY is it to do what’s best for this child–not to mention her OWN 4-month old (Down’s or no Down’s)? I applaud the decision to offer loving support to this young lady, but there’s no way I’ll ever be convinced that INVITING this glare was a responsible adult’s decision.
C’mon people. We’re picking a Vice President of the United States of America here, not a Sunday School teacher (which is a bar she wouldn’t get over either) or a President of Kiwanis. There is NO Cartesian universe in which Sarah Palin should be standing in wait to become the single most powerful person on the planet.
Yess, Brynn–I knew about the OT passages–Blood was saying it was sanctioned by Jesus himself in the NT.
Brynn,
I’m sorry to say that although you are an intelligent person, as I can tell, you have been influenced by propaganda. Before the creation of drug laws in the United States, what you now call drugs existed all over the world, just as they do now. Making them illegal made their trade more risky, thus more profitable. You don’t blame beer makers for Al Capone, do you? Of course not, it was prohibition that caused all the killing. Since alcohol is now sold in stores, nobody shoots anybody for it. It is the same as heroin, marijuana, and cocaine. All three were sold over the counter at the turn of the century in your country. Can you explain to me how people in foreign countries to yours caused this situation to change? And just in case you’re interested, you do know that it was the CIA that was importing cocaine into your country in exchange for arms to be illegally shipped to central america, right? I think the CIA’s main pusher was named Freeway Ricky or Highway Ricky, or something like that? You’re country started the war on drugs, and woe be to any country that doesn’t support US prohibition. (Remember Coca-Cola? Made with real coca. Nobody shot anybody over it, did they? Know why? It wasn’t illegal) I’ve been put in touch with a legal lobby in your country called LEAP, it’s a group of ex drug police that agree with exactly what I am saying, but they are not allowed to say it as a police officer. How does this fit with your second amendment? Aren’t you disgusted that the government actually doesn’t allow freedom of speech, as they claim? That the separation of church and state that made your country what it is is being destroyed? All that’s left of America is marketing, and you’re the best. A lot of us on the outside see it for just that. We wish you luck, you’re the best hope for the world, but hope won’t get us anywhere. The tree of liberty is fertilized by the blood of patriots and tyrants, or something like that, said Thomas Jefferson. His words apply just as much today as ever.
Oh yeah, and god is a killer:
And at midnight the LORD killed all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn son of the captive in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. Pharaoh and his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died. (Exodus 12:29-30 NLT)
Jesus came to fulfill the law, not destroy it. He said it himself.
I see–you refuse to answer a question on a topic you specifically brought up. Interesting, that.
Must not fit your agenda to answer.
Is not Jesus God? Did not God kill? Explain how, therefore, Jesus is not a killer.
BettyBowers,
Having babies out of wedlock doesn’t make people trash. YOU ARE HATEFUL!! By calling people names, you are sinning. YOU AREN’T PERFECT! AND NO CLOSER TO HEAVEN EITHER!
In other words, Blood, you have no proof and cannot specifically point out where Jesus sanctioned killing children in the NT. It doesn’t exist.
How ’bout you get on topic now?
I am a young woman, a few years older than Bristol, and I’ve recently moved to the state of Alaska. I think it is the obligation of parents to support their children in such matters, and though it may have not been ideal timing, I hope that Bristol is happy with her decision…its a little too late to not be happy about it!
However, her mother, Sarah Palin has made statements that if her daughters ever became pregnant as minors (in the state of Alaska you need parent permission to get an abortion if you are under 18) even in the case of rape, she would choose life and not sign for any abortion.
I admire women who have children in difficult circumstances, but I do not believe their is shame in seeking a different path for yourself. Children are wonderful and human life should be treasured, but it is also a very personal and permanent matter, that I hope Bristol chose for herself. Bristol is 17 years old, and I hope the decision to have her child was not forced by her mother.
There is just a lot of hypocrisy in the idea, that a child is not old enough to decide NOT to be a parent, therefor we must force them to do the right thing and BECOME a parent…I love babies, and hope to have one someday myself, however I know that when I was a teenager my mother would never have FORCED that bravery on me. I hope this was Bristol’s own decision. I also hope that she was involved in the conversations and decision making process of her family entering the national spotlight at this fragile time.
In this country, there are many different political views, none with absolute truth. It is important to respect the views of others when holding executive office. That would entail that you respect the opinion of your daughter. I’ve also believed that involving the abolishment of abortion in politics comes to close to violating the separation of church and state. There are many different types of families, circumstances, and lives. The truth of the matter is, that whether its a choice you would make or not, abortion has been a constant in various human cultures throughout time. Be it through herbs or ancient practices, there have been women who have controlled their reproduction in the endless and various circumstances that inevitably arise in populations of human beings, for thousands of years. There are Chinese records of royal concubines who have had abortions. Ancient Japanese, southeast Asian, Greek, and Egyptian records all show the social acceptance of abortions in dangerous health and poor situational pregnancies. This is not a dark part of history, it was just the first records shown. The aspect that has not changed about it, is that it is a personal and often secretive thing…probably not often involving the opinions of men and their knowledge of its occurrence.
To conclude, I hope that BRISTOL decided to carry this baby, in the bravery and sacrifices it will entail.
I must add, after reviewing some comments on this page, that the debate about abortion is a legitimate one….but not one that holds place in politics.
No stranger, political official, friend, family member, or even partner can force me to make that decision. My father is a very republican conservative whom I completely respect, and I am surely not a radical of any political spectrum…nor am I anti-religious (in fact I named my first baby doll after the virgin Mary and the one thing I hope to accomplish in my time on this earth is to have and raise a child)…but if there was ever a President who disallowed me to make that choice for myself, I would leave this country that I love, because no stranger will ever make that decision for me.
My question is simple and has only to do with the law. Was Bristol Palin of age to consent to having sex as she is a minor, was she 16 or 17, as she is five months along, which matters in many states. This is a law enforcement issue because clearly Bristol Palin is a minor child and so have statutory rape charges been considered, by the self-styled, maverick Governor of Alaska? I hope that Nancy Grace does her job on this question.
Only Bristol or her parents could press those charges on “Levi” if they were even in breech of that…and obviously neither of them are going to do that.
They obviously have a relationship and he is young himself….I don’t think its an issue…why add more drama to Bristol’s situation?
Bristol keep your head held high. Do not let the sneaky public judgement of you bring you down. Look inside you and take each day with patience. As a pregnant woman myself, there are lots of challenges without the challenge of dealing with public judgeing. Do not worry about what others say, you are a wonderful young lady and yes you will have a baby young, but you have a wonderful family full of love and encouragement and you will get through this. Life is a blink of an eye and this drama to shall pass, and you will have a baby that is not only loved dearly by you, but by your mother, father, siblings and so many others. Life is a miracle and you will be blessed daily.
I am embarassed of Sarah Palin. The McCain campaign said yesterday that they KNEW that Bristol was pregnant.
Why on Earth would they subject their family to national scrutiny like this. I truly question their judgement and values.
It is amazing how people rise from the muck to sling muck. Some of you are the same people who defended Bill Clinton for his acts of indicretion before he was president and while he was president. Now you attack a 17 year old and her parents. I don’t applaud Bristol decision, it was a poor one and one that she will have to step up.
As for her mom being qualified. She was taking care of Alaska with four kids and had a fifth while governor. She sounds pretty tough to me. Or maybe that is the problem here. All of you muck throwing, slimballs are afraid of someone with strong values and compassion enough to accept someone they love when they make a mistake and not condemn her eventhough that decision throws everyone into the awful, vindictive media spotlight that feeds the sick hunger of people who have not substance or values.
Sarah Palin, hang in there and stand strong. You are the kind of person we need more of. Working women everywhere should take notice. You’ve been there and done it. And she will do it again. Just give her the chance.
How is Sarah Palin going to be supportive of her daughter and assist in running this country. At 21 and married the most important person to me was my mother when I had my daughter. Where is Sarah goig to be when her daughter needs to ask pertinent questions. Palin has too many irons in the fire and I don’t think she is ready now for VP…maybe later.
Blood of Patriots and Tyrants,
What country do you live in? Wherever you do live I want to know. I’m ready to leave the U.S. as I’m fed up with both sides of the equation. You are 100% correct about the coming downfall of “America”. For some reason, the fog has gotten so thick that people can’t see through it anymore. I used to be proud of this nation but have been embarrased by it for almost a decade. The constitution has been ignored and we and the rest of the world are suffering because of it. I believe that religion and mis-guided righteous thinking is to be blamed. It is time to move away from the teachings of the bible. I left it when I was 8 years old as even then at that early age I could see the silliness in it.
Have you ever considered that the bible, whether real, legend, or fiction, was written down by someone who believed in that faith, tryst of blood..? Might I also add that legends come from some fact, and when passed on generation to generation, is prone to fabricated detail. Just a thought.
People need to get behind poor Bristol and tell her that she is doing the right thing. This poor girl doesn’t need to be hearing all these bad things people are saying about her. She deserves better than that. A friend showed me this website where people are leaving positive comments for Bristol. I left mine earlier tonight. You should leave one too!
http://www.bristolpalinpregnancy.com/
So what! This happens all the time. You should really be excited that she kept the child. Open your eyes people.
Being an 18 year old, I was shocked to hear that Bristol is pregnant. Do they not have condoms or birth control pills in Alaska? This family has enough children, and having a baby at 17 is certainly not something to be “proud” of, as Palin said she was. Getting married at 17 is even stupider than getting pregnant at 17. Bristol just ruined her life, and no one is picking on her by telling the facts. If Palin cannot even run her own family, how can she run the country?
Is this blog moderated? [Yes]I posted a comment and it didn’t get posted. [and it's still not posted]
I think that the main matter here is simple. What kind of an example does this set for the teens in this country. Especially the younger teens at 13 – 15. The Palins could be the “Second Family” of this country and should therefore be expected to set an example. A pregnant 17 year old, married or unmarried is a very poor example. Let’s face it, Bristol Palin obviously did not practice abstinence. This is the message to young teens, it will be ok to have pre-marital sex, when you get pregnant it will be celebrated as long as you don’t have an abortion. This is a very poor example. Very poor example. There are many qualified persons for this position, many of them woman. McCain needs to ask Palin to step aside and bring in another qualified person who has their family business in order. A teenage pregnancy is not the end of the world but it is not something that should be celebrated. What are people thinking. Now the teenage dad and his family are coming to the convention, this is just inappropriate. Are we now going to celebrate this teenage dad as well? This is tragic. I am glad to see that the family is going to support these children but they should be supporting them in private. Sara Palin had no business accepting this nomination knowing that her teenage daughter is pregnant. Our party needs to set a better example for our children if we really expect them to respect our support of abstinence only until marriage.
Why is Bristol Palin being pregnant big news! It has nothing to do with who her mother is or how she would be a good or bad vice presidential canadate. Teenage girls don’t always listen to their parents even when brought up in a good home with good moral/values. I am living proof of that. Children are not punishments, they are a gift, and sometimes that gift makes you grow up a little faster than plannd, but at the end of the day, even on the bad days that child is the number one thing that keeps most young parents going. Yes Bristol is pregnant, but what about those other YOUNG parents out there? You dont see them making the news. I don’t see how her being pregnant and getting married to please the US population is any of our concern. I didn’t see the media being alerted when I had my son at 21 or when my classmates in high school at age 16-19 got pregnant.
Why is having a child before you are 20 such a frowned upon thing in our society when our parents parents were havnt children younger than that?
No matter what the GOP says, Liberals aren’t scandalized–they are angered by your blatant hypocrisy–how many of you would take off into the streets citing a dip in American Moral Decency of Palin was a Democrat?????
Where are you FAMILY VALUES picket signs and marches now????????
How many of you trashed Britney Spears sister Jaime for being pregnant at sixteen “What kind of mother would let this happen?” You cried into available microphones, blogs and boards–and when someone tried to point out that mistakes in life happens with even good parents, you shouted them down calling them immoral and haters of American values!
And how about Lakeisha of the ghetto who found solace in sex because of how deplorable her life in poverty is—I grew up there so I know what is like and what the despair is like. I am now successful, but I haven’t forgotten what it was like to be there, unlike you guys who talk about how easy it is to rise from the ashes when many of you went to school on daddy’s dime and don’t know anything about what it means to come from nothing.
I made it yes, but many others were trying just as hard and didn’t!
No, Lakeisha gets labeled and called names and isn’t viewed as a girl who made the choice to have her baby despite being poor.
Think about it! How many times have you pushed FAMILY VALUE mantras down peoples throats–called Mothers shameless and worthless if they had to work even if that same mother made the choice to have her child as opposed to abort despite being poor. No, instead of lifting her up because you were pro-life, you would trash and vilify her.
You guys talked about bringing the stigma back to teen pregnancy, now, all of damned sudden “its life?”
I have been saying that for years and you people acted like I was advocating teen pregnancy. I wasn’t! I was saying it was “life”…
I mean–ever day the Dr Laura Schlessinger ’s, people that you support, tear women like Palin and her daughter anew one when they call her stupid, man hating show, but now, all of sudden, you understand how MISTAKES HAPPEN???
All I know is the next time I get flack from one of you conservatives for protecting the virtue and reputation of a poor black or poor white working mother who got pregnant young (as I did in the past to your scathing rebukes) and I get your family values, hate filled rhetoric I am going to scream foul so loud the angels in heaven will hear it!
I at least respect conservatives, small group that they are, who have said they don’t like Palin for the fact that she wasn’t there for her daughter due to “work” and must not have been around to see what she was getting into– I don’t agree with them because I think in today’s economy it behooves both parents to work, but at least they have the courage to stick behind the stuff you guys have been spouting and amen-ing for years.
Liberal bias???!!! How about a big convenient 360.
I mean the only thing you know how to do is trash talk when someone make a valid counterpoint — so I await the vilification, but the reaction will be because you have spent years saying the very opposite of what you are saying now, and now that the spotlight is on your own human fragility (and you now know you can’t act self righteous and holier than thou because anyone, no matter how good a parent they are, can make mistakes) now you have been caught with your pants down and shown for the two faced liars you are!
You stand for nothing and your VALUES can be sold to the highest bidder!
And no, I am less than perfect myself, but I was thirty-five and married before I had a child even though I am a low life Liberal.
Also, I acknowledged I am not perfect and pone to mistakes whereas you stone throwers were always able to walk on water –
Didn’t realize you lived in a glass house eh?