I have heard from several of my relatives and friends who think that Sarah Palin is the best choice the republicans could have made for the vice presidential candidate. I have also read and heard a lot of the news media’s comments about her daughter, Bristol, being pregnant at 17 and how “tragic” that is, and how Bristol’s life is over. What?
First of all, life is NOT over for her. It will be a different life, a harder life, one that includes diapers instead of dances, but certainly not OVER. She and the boyfriend have made a CHOICE to raise the baby together. (If indeed it was her choice and not her mother’s, who is pro life and not pro choice.) OK, so Mom, the vice presidential candidate used the word “decision” and not the word “choice”, but they mean the SAME THING!!! Also, I am of the opinion that poor little Bristol will still have a comfy life, what with a well to do family and all, I don’t think she will actually be the one taking care of baby. She will either have a nanny or her Mom and Dad will be doing the actual child care.
Second, and a very important item to me, is how can she say that this is a choice her daughter made, and that the news media should respect her privacy, and then campaign against choice for the rest of the women in this country? She said “We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi’s privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates.” Yet, she brought them to the convention, paraded them around for the public and news media to see, even had Levi in a photo op with McCain. Don’t want them in the spotlight? Don’t put them there yourself. She refers to Bristol and Levi as children, but let them make a very important adult decision.
While I personally would have never chosen abortion, (and I did get pregnant at 17 before I was married, so I know for sure I wouldn’t choose abortion,) there are millions of women who deserve the chance to make their own decisions. If Palin wants the people of this country to leave her daughter out of the spotlight, to accept that her daughter has the right to make this choice, then Palin needs to understand that EVERY woman has the right to make the choice of whether or not to have a child or an abortion. EVERY woman has the right to decide what to do when faced with an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy. And Palin’s position on the pro life side of that particular issue is what makes her daughter’s “decision” important. The very fact that she was allowed to make a choice, whether it was for keeping the baby or not, is what keeps the spotlight on Bristol.
Not every woman has well off parents who can help them. Not every woman has a man who will stand beside through it all. Not every woman is capable of taking care of five or six or seven children. But, every woman should have the chance to make the decision of what to do for herself, without interference from government. The same as Bristol Palin.
Wow! I totally agree. We are not all at the same place in life at the same time, if ever. In my heart I honestly believe that every woman makes the choices that are best for them at the time and then live with the consequences later. However, we have to have the ability to make the choices that best fit who we are. Cathy
Great post, Karen! I agree wholeheartedly. Thanks for sharing your opinion.
I completely agree. I know you’re shocked.
Excellent post Karen! You have spoken for so many of us. Thanks!
I am personally against abortion when it is used as a means of birth control, but not when it is medically necessary (cases of rape, incest, major birth defects, etc). And I do struggle with the decision of whether or not Roe v. Wade should be overturned. Not because I agree with abortion, but because it could signal that the government can exert control over other aspects of our lives.
For example, here in VA I would not be able to get my tubes tied unless I had Peter’s permission. That’s just crazy!
While I don’t agree with you, I respect you and your beliefs. And I’m enjoying your blog! 🙂
I wish I could remember how I got here, but I’m glad I stayed to read. I couldn’t agree with you more. In fact, I don’t think it’s up to me to decide what another person should do to her body — ever. Having just had a friend who couldn’t conceive adopt a child from a woman who had 4 already and couldn’t deal with another (seriously…)there is quite a lot that can be said for those who carry their children to term. But I’m tired of politicians harping on the issue when there are far more serious matters going on everywhere.
You said it perfectly! Nobody has a right to tell me what choice or decision is best for me…
Perhaps if we were open to educating teens more about sexual responsibility (as opposed to only teaching abstinence)…
If we gave them the tools and info to make educated decisions we wouldn’t have as many instances where unplanned pregnancy was an issue.
I have concerns about her possibly governing women, telling them they have to be prolife and in my opinion having a child when she is so darn busy already and at age 44 it is a known fact that the chances of having a special needs baby exists…she frustrates me with her women can have it all message and I keep wondering who is taking care of Trig and all that…sexist? I don’t think so…being responsible..oh well…thanks for letting me VENT…hugs
I agree with your post completely. I don’t think that moral issues should be decided by government, least of all such personal ones. I am not necessarily pro abortion (as another poster said, abortion as birth control is wrong), but I am pro choice. The era of back street abortions seem like the Black Plague for women. The deaths that occur by these back street abortions are no less a form of murder than an abortion is. If you value life, you must value it completely in everybody.