Posted by fishmixon on September 6, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess by that woman's comment, we actual know who the stupid person is.

Posted by ropers40 on September 6, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sharion I have worked with the challenged for nearly two decades now and I love what I do.
People never realize what could happen to their families, my step daughter was a vibrant young lady when she was accidentally hit by a car and received major brain damage and now has to be cared for around the clock.
I would hope people would realize that it could have just as easily been them.

Posted by TxBetts on September 6, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Seems to me that Gov. Palin made a choice to have her baby. I honor her choice; thanks to Roe v Wade it is a right of all women to make those private choices. But choice comes with the responsibilities to live with the outcome of individual decisions.

She was so concerned about her special needs child that she took 3 days of maternity leave when he was born. As governor of the small in population state of Alaska, I guess that is acceptable. After all, Alaska is populated by quirky people who place great favor on individualism.

From news articles, I understand she is breast feeding the baby which is certainly in his best interest and that her husband has quit his job to be a stay home dad due to Mom's political job choice.

She has now chosen a career path that would require a 24/7 commitment to the United States first, family second.

I'm concerned about a electing a woman to high office who places such emphasis on human life, but chooses personal political gain over nurturing the life she chose to preserve. Seems like her values are more than a little out of whack.

Posted by apricottx on September 6, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I was right with the letter writer, in so far as special needs are people too, until she wrote, "that for the grace of God..." You think God graced you and not that child? How arrogant of you to feel God favored you somehow and not that, or any other, special needs child/person. They are greatly graced and blessed by God.

However, Palin's choice to have the child does not sway me one bit regarding her experience or ability to be VP. No to Palin...

Posted by saltydog on September 6, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Palin is still a 100% better choice than Biden the plagiarist.

Posted by apricottx on September 6, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TxBetts, in this day and age when we encourage acceptance of a woman's right to choose to work and a man's right to be the "stay at home" parent, I am afraid your statement that you are concerned about electing a woman that would choose a demanding career, demeans the progress we women have made. Could you not say the same thing about the men who choose to run?

It is clear from my posts that I do not agree with Palin as the choice for Repub VP (there are sooo many better qualified women out there). I do support her right, along with any other woman, to pursue careers, demanding or no, whether they have one child, no children, or 20.

Again, Palin is a poor choice, for reasons of her lack of experience, not that she is a working mother.

And throwing stones at other candidates (saltydog) does not change her record, or lack thereof.

Posted by hspower2003 on September 6, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Apricottx, you are completely confused!

Posted by hspower2003 on September 6, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My dad, who is 92 and has always voted for Democrats his whole lifetime, is voting for a Republican president this year. He watched both the Democratic Convention and the Republican...He says, "Obama's inexperience is a sign that the Democratic Party has no leadership or direction." also he says, "Never has the Democratic Party chosen a junior senator with just two years experience."

Palin knows about hardworking people from her life experience. She knows how to make rational decisions. She made the right choice with her pregnant daughter, even though she made a mistake, showing that even when there are mistakes made, she will work with those who have made that mistakes. She reaches out to people, even on the the other side of the isle, just like McCain. Obama and Biden have refused and both ignored the other side of the isle.

It's easy to see, if you look, at who can make a difference for our country.

Posted by donny on September 6, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John F. Kennedy was close.

Posted by donny on September 6, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Never mind he a few years in the house and 7 in the senete at 43 years of age.

Posted by TxBetts on September 6, 2008 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

apricottx,

I totally agree with you about an individual's right to choose where and how they work.

The problem with Palin is her judgment, not her choice. It seems to me that she failed to consider the consequences of her choices.

She made an ethical choice to stand for abstinence-only sex education and for no abortions for any reason other than the life of the mother. Her ethical choice is not for me to question.

Her ethical choice should have influenced her real-life choices and her sense of personal responsibility. I stand by my statement - she chose political gain over her family.

Posted by greatsociety on September 6, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Republicans had better start showing their compassion by funding programs to take care of disadvantaged children of disadvantaged families. They love the fetus, but could care less about the child.

Posted by apricottx on September 6, 2008 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TxBetts, I see your reasoning. Thank you for your response.

Posted by hspower2003 on September 6, 2008 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Most Republicans believe in taking care of their families just like Palin. Democrats want "funding programs" and someone else to take care of their disadvantaged.

Already within the public schools are programs that help those with just about every problem there is. Special school buses will pick up your disadvantaged and bring them home..., help them on and off the bus. They will feed them at school also.

My wife teaches many of those kids to help themselves, and many of their parents don't give a rip, or get mad when the child learns, because they fear loosing all that public assistance they get for having that special kid. But there are some of those special kids that have special parents who love the learning their kids get at school. That's what makes my wife's day when they appreiciate what she is able to do.

I really think compassion for the taxpayer is where Democrats need to be thinking. There is to much waste in to many programs on administrative people who do nothing...

Posted by pcdrs on September 6, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hs, nonsense, you are doing what republicans do, exaggerating the circumstances, what programs have the waste you speak of and how many administrative people do you know that do nothing?

Who are those people that don't care or gets mad that thier child learned? How much public assistance do those people get? Should we get rid of those programs you say are a waste? Since you know so much about these things shouldn't you make them public?

Posted by hspower2003 on September 6, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pcdrs, many are ignorant of what is out there for the disabled. If you can drive to a Community Services Center and you have disabilities or your child has, you can get help, and assistance. There should be someone there who will sign you up, and help with the paperwork...Do your homework... Special needs kids can enroll at their school district office or school...The state allows funds from the state level for this help at school...

Posted by hspower2003 on September 6, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Our assistance programs for the needy are not sufficient and need to be studied and refined for each person getting assistance. One problem is gridlock in not only Washington, but Austin also... Doctors and lawyers siphon off a lot of taxpayers hard earned dollars. If you have ever experienced using an assistance program of the government you know this, because they charge the government a lot for checking and submitting the records needed to get you on assistance... It's almost an impossible fix with the type people we elect, and the very little time they spend working on assistance programs. Usually a lawyer or other government workers are left to work out the details, before a bill passes, and all the details can be confused and hard to change.... It's really a mess and sometimes those really in need can't get help, because they may not have the mentality to get the help they need...I think real compassion comes then from someone who helps those who can't help themselves...Most social workers are overworked and can't get to those who really need a social worker...

Posted by bennett236 on September 6, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Its a mother's choice, If you would have aboarded a baby because of its disability,you ought of been aboarded before you was born. You were born with out a heart!!! YOU OBAMA LOVER!!!!

Posted by robertwp on September 7, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Its a mother's choice, If you would have aboarded a baby because of its disability,you ought of been aboarded before you was born. You were born with out a heart!!! YOU OBAMA LOVER!!!!"

You shouldn't have aborted your public education.

Posted by Gus on September 7, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TxBetts: Amen and say it again. Your comments regarding Palin are spot on.

Posted by wild_bill on September 7, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good post TxBetts. I would suggest what you see as "political gain" others might see as "personal service". From my understanding of the VP position, SHE was approached by McCain; she did not seek out the post. If your party's Presidential candidate sought you out, would your agreement be based on personal/political gain or would it perhaps be an opportunity for a greater public service? Would you turn down a chance to help more than just local or state government but national government and a chance to influence the international situation because of your home or family situation? (I would turn it down, but then I'm no politician nor likely to be asked).

I neither know, nor claim to know, Sarah Palin's reasoning on this matter. I just offer it up as a different angle to consider.

Posted by ropers40 on September 7, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am so SICK of seeing Palins face on tv that I wont even watch the news anymore.
Its like the dish network's stupid commercial, I just want to put my foot thru the TV.
That also goes to the free credit report dot com commercials.
Sorry had to get those three over played cows off my chest.
If I somewhat liked her to begin with I now loathe the thought of seeing her on tv repeating her battle cry.
I have an idea of what she can do with her lip stick.

Posted by TxBetts on September 8, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wild - you ask a good question. I think an individual has to count the cost when any life changing decision is thrust upon the person. I'm in a totally different place in life than is Ms. Palin, so whether my decision would be hers is a moot point.

Again, my point about all this is Ms. Palin's judgement.

In the past year she has come under investigation for ethical violations in her home state, delivered a baby with a life-time disability, has learned that her teen-age daughter is pregnant and is watching her son deploy into a war zone. I would think that was enough change and stress for a lifetime. To add to that running for national office speaks to someone that really didn't count the cost when the call to serve came.

I happen to be a Christian. If I had been in Ms. Palin's shoes earlier this summer, I would think God was trying to get my attention. That it might be time to take a hard look at my priorities and set some boundaries on outside demands. Then when a call to national service came, I like to think I would have known that I had a higher calling to the responsibilities I had already encumbered.

Political gain vs. family, spiritual and personal well-being. She sold out.

Posted by blueevo on September 8, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TxBetts wrote:
"I'm concerned about a electing a woman to high office who places such emphasis on human life, but chooses personal political gain over nurturing the life she chose to preserve. Seems like her values are more than a little out of whack."

Do you know what the hell you just said??? You are concerned about someone who places a high value on human life??? I guess you would say the sams for your mother? Who is a little out of whack???

Posted by blueevo on September 8, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And here's a link for you Obama Bin Laden supporters....
http://wnd.com/index.php?a=PAGE.view&...

Posted by huckster on September 8, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the double standard of the left is staggering. no one has ever claimed that bho is irresponsible for making such a large commitment while having two small children at home.

is michelle going to become a stay at home mom since her husband is making such a big commitment?

Posted by apricottx on September 8, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hardly conclusive blueevo. he was probably thinking about all the smears and lies that he is Muslim, rather than Christian. Nice try, doesn't fly.

Posted by apricottx on September 8, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)

huckster, try reading all the posts. I did question TxBett on that very same thing, not calling the boys out, repub or dem, for choosing career. Its the left that has repeatedly worked for the right for women to work and not be castigated by the likes of James Dobson, et al, for choosing to work.

This Obama supporter doesn't think there is anything wrong with Palin's choice to pursue a career in politics...

TxBett's concern was the choice to take on so very much stress as VP along with the needs of her special needs child. She didn't say she shouldn't work at all.

Really, read the whole thing first.

Posted by huckster on September 8, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i did read (but i love that a supporter of bho is so arrogant), and i stick by my assertion that this is the left who is calling out a woman for entering a "man's" world.

it's sexist to say that it's not good enough that palin's husband is becoming a stay-at-home dad. cracks me up to see the libs doing this. they are cutting their own throats.

and just so you know ... i am the dad of a special needs child, and we do pretty well with our kids. thanks for the concern.

Posted by TxBetts on September 8, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey ya'll.

I never indicated I was an Obama supporter. I'm not. I'm not a McCain supporter either.

I'm concerned about the judgment of any candidate who has so many current family and personal problems and still chooses to campaign for a 24/7 job.

It wouldn't matter it if was McCain, Obama, Biden, or Palin.

This is not about gender or party. This is about judgment.

Posted by greatsociety on September 8, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Republicans are the biggest hypocrites in the world. They're stupid.

Posted by Gus on September 8, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's hilarious that the Cons (conservatives) have suddenly and spectacularly decided that inexperience is a virtue! They have proven they can flip-flop with the best of 'em. And now...they are all about change! It's the train they are riding to the White House. Eeehaw...y'all get on board. What happened to all that rhetoric about America is just fine just the way it is and we don't need change...we need experience??

Oh yeah...ya gotta justify Ms Palin. Her "executive" experience is a hoot and the Repubs now have to get all of you Cons talking about CHANGE!

Sarah Palin's resume is so thin, I wouldn't hire her as a mid-level manager.

Posted by Imp on September 9, 2008 at 5:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TxBetts, I understand your concern about having a vice president - and possibly president - who had such strong family sentiments as to neglect state duties. This is something that people should consider seriously when deciding for which ticket to cast their vote. I would like to point out that Palin is married, and it appears her husband is willing to pick up the parenting where she is incapable due to time restraints related to the profession they decided was appropriate for her and their family. Are you trying to imply that only women can effectively parent? If so, is that not reverse sexism? I think this choice was up to both parents, as they are both responsible for the child they created. If the father is willing to do the majority of the parenting, where is there a problem with the woman pursuing a career? I guess I do not see a problem with the situation so long as one parent is devoted to being a full time parent while the other has a career as well as being a parent. Does gender really make that big a difference when voting – basically hiring our officials – if that work is not neglected and the children have all their necessities met?

Posted by accessdenied on September 9, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

above all this, I found the following quite interesting:
http://www.socialviability.com/boycot...

Posted by huckster on September 9, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

yeah, gus, you continue to sound like a life-long conservative who's had a change of heart. keep beating that drum because it's so believable.

at least you have the arrogance down to be an obama supporter.

Posted by TxBetts on September 9, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

lmp

Nope, my concern about her judgment is not reverse sexism. And it is about her placing political gain over prior commitments.

If any of the other three candidates had similar life and family situations, I would question their judgment too.

Anytime, so many problems are on an individual's or family's plate, then the parent or parents need to remember that their commitment to children precedes their obligation to country.

If Gov. Palin desires national office she should postpone her desire to serve until such time as her pressing obligations to family are resolved or are more manageable.

That is called being responsible for the choices and ethical stands an individual or in this case a family chooses.

Mrs. Palin has exhibited poor choice and a lapse in judgment. By the way, her poor judgment is not limited to her personal life. There is a report this morning that Palin billed state taxpayers “for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a ‘per diem’ allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.”

Posted by mbs0606 on September 9, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

greatsociety- Is that all you have to say after all that has been written? Hmm.. sad. And I think I remember that same post in several of your comments. Now tell us why you think Republicans are stupid, huh? I'd love to hear your insight on this topic.

Robert- You really cracked me up with the aborting education comment. Thanks for the laugh.

Posted by Gus on September 9, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Huckster: See, you have to make it personal because you can't argue for the Con cause anymore. You never know, you could see the light too.

Posted by huckster on September 9, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i hit too close, huh? gus, you couldn't carry palin's water. your jealousy is truly ugly.

the libs are rearing their ugly head. they want to be the party of women, but they excoriate a woman who doesn't know her place. typical lib behavior.

you want to be the party of minorities, but you have to be the right kind of minority. if the party line is not towed, then the person of color is not worthy and is, in fact, a sell-out.

keep on, libs. cut your own throats! you are forcing those of us who haven't supported mccain to become his supporters. LOL!

Posted by wild_bill on September 9, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gus, at least the Republican ticket's "lack of experience" is with their "back up" candidate rather than the front end of the ticket like the Dems. It's not like being VP is all that big of a deal anyway. What has Richard Cheny done other than shooting a lawyer (and not even killing him at that)? What did Al Gore do while he was in office? Or Dan Quail and so forth. Naw, VP's only purpose is to keep the Speaker of the House from being President. Nixon blew that one without even dying.

I've heard it mentioned elsewhere that the VP's residence is "a good place to raise kids". Todd Palin seems willing to play stay-at-home-dad. It's also not like she'll have to worry about the "3A.M. phone call" either. Do any of you really think she'll have to work any harder as VP of the USA than she did as Governor of Alaska? Or her previous job as Mayor of Wasilla? It's not that hard a job folks. Dan Quale did it. Are you saying Sara Palin is likely to do worse than he did? Or Sprio Agnew? McCain is healthy after all.

Personaly I think we are long overdue for a woman in the White House. VP isn't exactly what I had in mind but it is a good start, if the McCain/Palin ticket wins in November.

Posted by krprilliman on September 9, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Choice is a wonderful thing...I support Palin's choice as much as I do anyone who might have made an alternative choice. Why don't we all just mind our own business and lead happy lives?

"Judge not others lest YOU be judged"; too many holy-rollers fail to recall that portion of the Bible.

Posted by Imp on September 10, 2008 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TxBetts, I still somehow do not believe your argument against Palin is not, at least in part, sexism.

While I might not be one of her supporters, I do not see why someone should be shunned from basically applying for a job. If it was her husband running, I doubt people would feel the same way. Having someone running for office while trying to rear a young special needs child is not nearly as bad as electing someone who had been repeatedly accused of adultery during periods of time when he was scheduled to be taking care of state business (a.k.a. – on the clock). Why can we over look that then condemn someone for an unfortunate circumstance. I do not see how having kids will affect performance.

No one has to vote for the McCain ticket, but there are many better reasons than because his running mate has a young child with special needs whose father is willing to be step up to the challenge and be a full time parent.

Posted by TxBetts on September 10, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

lmp,

Let me say this one more time and I'm finished. This is about judgment.

From the reports coming out of Alaska, it appears she found a way to be a part-time Governor, which is a great job if you can get it - especially for someone with a pregnant teenager, a special needs child, and a son deploying to a war zone. She is running for a 24/7 job a heartbeat away from the Presidency.

Poor judgment; poor choice for America.

Posted by Gus on September 10, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

huckster: How very sexist and typical Con male of you to acuse me of being jealous of Sarah Palin. You wouldn't even think of saying that to a man...

This is not about Sarah Palin being a woman. It's about her thin resume, the fact that apparently, the Rebub party can't let her take a walk on her own and have to keep her on a very short leash. And the fact that the Repub party has now in Palin exactly what they bashed in Obama. It's a hoot watching all y'all spin as fast as you can to justify this choice for VP.

I echo TxBetts: Poor judgment, poor choice for America.

Posted by apricottx on September 10, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wild-bill, my concern about her inexperience is that she is just a heartbeat away from Presidency. McCain has health issues, and advanced age. What if something happened to McCain???

Posted by huckster on September 11, 2008 at 12:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

she has a thicker resume than obama. and, gus, go back and do some research. i have accused men of being jealous.

but you've "gone" to the dark side (yeah, right), so don't let the facts get in the way of your accusations.

Posted by wild_bill on September 12, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

apricottx, that's part of what I like about her. :)