Female Mccain''s VP pick

[luckystar112]

Date: 9/10/2008 11:17:25 PM
Author: MoonWater
Andrew Sullivan on Palin's choice to keep Trig: http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/why-trig-matter.html

What a refreshing outlook on something so serious. That was really a breath of fresh air.

I have a lot to say about it, but I know I have to choose my words wisely.

The opening paragraph (quoting the Michael Gerson column) made me sad. It's complicated because sometimes I wonder how my life would be different if I gave birth to a child with Down syndrome (and not in a positive way), but then I see other mothers and fathers doing it with such strength and love--and not because they have to, but because to them there is no question as to what to do. I think it is very inspiring. Do we know if Sarah Palin had the amnio test before trig was born, or did she decline it and only find out that Trig had DS afterward (or is it mandatory for a woman of her age?)? The statistic surprised me. Ninety percent of women with those results choose to end their pregnancies. Can I judge? No. I've never been in that situation and I really hope I never have to. But whoa....90%. 9 out of 10 women aren't up to that challenge. And from what I understand the results have been wrong before...but that's another topic for another day.
Sarah Palin isn't the first to raise a baby with Down's, and she most likely won't be the last, but I will absolutely say that at the very least, this part of her life is pretty inspiring.

 

[diamondfan]

Wow, Lucky, great post.

I have a cousin with Down''s. She was born in about 1960. No amnio then, she was their first. They went on to have two healthy kids. My uncle could not love her more, but it is challenging for sure.

I could not handle it. I so admire those who know and chose to keep the baby. I make NO judgments about anyone and really respect their ability to know their strengths. It is tough when your kids are mostly fine. As a mom, you learn to handle things that occur, but from the outset, knowing there is an issue, really tough. I do believe she knew it? Not sure. I mean, if you would have the baby no matter what would you do an amnio? Maybe she had the triple screen mandatory blood work and found out that way? Either way, that is her baby and she will love him. Whether or not I could do it does not matter, she chose to and I am sure he will get a lot of love in that house.

 

[Linda W]

I agree Lucky great post.

Our neighbors down the street have a son with Downs. He is 18 now. He is the most loving boy I have ever met. When she was pregnant, she and her DH knew he had Downs, they chose to keep him. They are so glad they did. They had two other children besides him.

Was their life different? You bet. They both are loving devoted parents. Their son will be with them for as long as they live. They never regretted their choice.


Linda

 

[miraclesrule]

Moonwater: Thanks for your ability to be objective. I love that about you.

That sure did hit the nail on the head. Say what you will about anything else, she definately walks her talk. Even when she moonwalks<----no pun intended. I just wonder how strongly she feels everyone should walk her talk. At the rate she is going, if they are elected, I know a lot of people that are hoping McCain just goes away. Not harmful or dying, just somehow becomes obsolete. That is how much they love her already.

One guy at my office said: "Oh yes, I love a woman who can kill our dinner. I vote for that gal." I had to remind him that he was voting for McCain. It was funny.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 9/10/2008 11:07:45 PM
Author: joflier

Date: 9/10/2008 8:23:34 PM
Author: luckystar112
If anyone is interested here is a video of Sarah Palin on Glenn Beck back in June (she shows up around the 5 minute mark but the whole video is interesting). It basically addresses the energy crisis, polar bears, and untapped sources in Alaska.
Bonus Glenn Beck question about if McCain had contacted her about running for VP. Surpising answer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3jnbiHAMuY

Speaking of Glenn Beck, I was going to make a post about this...but I really feel like he is the one I relate to the most. When I watch his show I tend to catch myself nodding in agreement a lot. I''d be interested in hearing who everyone else''s favorite talking-head is.

ETA: Ignore the ridiculous comments section that will make your head explode.

Glenn Beck is my personal fav. I agree wtih a good majority of what he says. Plus his humor just kills me sometimes!

yep!!

 

[zhuzhu]

"One guy at my office said: "Oh yes, I love a woman who can kill our dinner. I vote for that gal." I had to remind him that he was voting for McCain. It was funny. "

Actually it is rather disturbing too...
Remember how Mccain made fun of Obama being a "celebrity" using Paris and Britney in that TV ad? Ironically, McCain is the one using the celebrity strategy, by picking a "female VP", to get his popularity back.
It is scary to imagine how some Americans will follow all the "hype" to decide their vote for this most important election for the future of this nation. I fear for not just the nation, but also our mother earth.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 9/11/2008 2:46:23 AM
Author: zhuzhu
''One guy at my office said: ''Oh yes, I love a woman who can kill our dinner. I vote for that gal.'' I had to remind him that he was voting for McCain. It was funny. ''


Actually it is rather disturbing too...

Remember how Mccain made fun of Obama being a ''celebrity'' using Paris and Britney in that TV ad? Ironically, McCain is the one using the celebrity strategy, by picking a ''female VP'', to get his popularity back.

It is scary to imagine how some Americans will follow all the ''hype'' to decide their vote for this most important election for the future of this nation. I fear for not just the nation, but also our mother earth.

Unfortunately, it''s universal. I know plenty of people who are voting for Obama due to hype. They know absolutely nothing about him..but are voting for him because he''s "cool." Isn''t that just as bad? It is to me.

 

[Anna0499]

Haha I think Obama is the one who needs reminding that he's running against McCain & not Palin.

I think all the media-generated "news" about Palin is helping McCain immensely. Some criticize the hype given to her yet complain that she hasn't given more interviews...double-edged sword.

ETA: I agree Sarah (if that's your real name lol). Up until Palin was picked it was *all* Obama hype with all the celebrity sighting and concert-like rallys. McCain had to do something to "shake things up" and it's paid off well.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 9/11/2008 9:14:21 AM
Author: IndyGirl22
Haha I think Obama is the one who needs reminding that he''s running against McCain & not Palin.

I think all the media-generated ''news'' about Palin is helping McCain immensely. Some criticize the hype given to her yet complain that she hasn''t given more interviews...double-edged sword.


ETA: I agree Sarah (if that''s your real name lol). Up until Palin was picked it was *all* Obama hype with all the celebrity sighting and concert-like rallys. McCain had to do something to ''shake things up'' and it''s paid off well.

Haha yeah it''s Sarah! Yaaay! There''s like a million of me out there.

haha. So many Sarah''s..

 

[partgypsy]

When I lived in Chicago a person I worked with had a down syndrome daughter (another older daughter as well). She was a modest and devoted Catholic. I had a great admiration for her because of her character to do this (which is something I don''t think I could have handled). The child had a more severe form of it and still wasn''t walking and had a couple heart surgeries. Despite all this the child was the sweetest thing. She loved both of her children very much, and even commisioned my sister to do a family portrait of the 3 of them (she and her husband divorced over the stress of this). Whenever I hear the phrase "God doesn''t give you any more than you can handle" I think of her because that was something she said.

 

[vespergirl]

Date: 9/11/2008 12:01:39 AM
Author: luckystar112

Date: 9/10/2008 11:17:25 PM
Author: MoonWater
Andrew Sullivan on Palin''s choice to keep Trig: http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/why-trig-matter.html

What a refreshing outlook on something so serious. That was really a breath of fresh air.

I have a lot to say about it, but I know I have to choose my words wisely.

The opening paragraph (quoting the Michael Gerson column) made me sad. It''s complicated because sometimes I wonder how my life would be different if I gave birth to a child with Down syndrome (and not in a positive way), but then I see other mothers and fathers doing it with such strength and love--and not because they have to, but because to them there is no question as to what to do. I think it is very inspiring. Do we know if Sarah Palin had the amnio test before trig was born, or did she decline it and only find out that Trig had DS afterward (or is it mandatory for a woman of her age?)? The statistic surprised me. Ninety percent of women with those results choose to end their pregnancies. Can I judge? No. I''ve never been in that situation and I really hope I never have to. But whoa....90%. 9 out of 10 women aren''t up to that challenge. And from what I understand the results have been wrong before...but that''s another topic for another day.
Sarah Palin isn''t the first to raise a baby with Down''s, and she most likely won''t be the last, but I will absolutely say that at the very least, this part of her life is pretty inspiring.

I do think it''s great that they decided to have baby Trig, but I also understand and accept that not everyone is up to that type of challenge. From what I read, she found out that he had Down''s during her amnio (mandatory for women over 35). But, the only person that she told about the Down''s was her husband until the baby was born, and her children & the rest of the family were surprised.

Even though I am pro-choice, I think that I would want to keep a baby with Down''s too. Maybe because one of my first cousins has a mental disability, and I still loved playing with her & being around her growing up. I have to say that before I had my son I would have absolutely terminated a pregnancy of a Down''s child, but now that I have one child who brings so much joy to my life, I can''t imagine loving a disabled baby any less. I was talking about this with other people, and the very valid point was raised that it may be a lifetime of suffering for the child, and that''s also something to consider ... it''s just such a difficult situation to be in, and I admire them for having the courage to have that baby.

An interesting fact that I''ve heard about from parents of mentally disabled children - now that so many couples are opting to terminate Down''s children, there are so few being born, that existing kids with Down''s are having far fewer chances to meet and be around people with the same challenges. So I think that some of those parents are saddened by the fact that there children won''t have many peers years down the line.

I look at my cousin, who is now in her mid-30s, and is married with two children. She met her husband, who is also mentally disabled, in a vocational learning program for young adults. Nobody wanted them to get married, but she got pregnant anyway (my family is so old-school that she knew that if she got pregnant her parents would insist they marry she got her way They got married, and her husband is a working member of the doorman & elevator operator union in MYC, and holds down a full-time job with benefits. Her & her husband now have to beautiful, normal, healthy kids. Their whole family do live with my aunt and uncle, so I know that they worry about what will happen when they pass away someday, and that is a valid concern, but it also fills me with joy to see how happy my cousin is with her life. Her mother never dreamed to see her daughter get married & have children of her own, and those grandkids bring such joy in their lives, I do know that they feel it was worth all the difficulties.

 

[partgypsy]

No, amnio is not mandatory for women over 35, though it is highly encouraged. With my second child (I was 3 I declined an amnio.

 

[Anna0499]

What sweet & touching stories vespergirl! Thanks for sharing!

 

[luckystar112]

For those who can''t wait...here''s a teaser.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=5782924&page=1

 

[zhuzhu]

It sure took her a long time to answer a simple question.

 

[trillionaire]

Fiscal conservative? I think not...

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/09/11/kaye.palin.honest.cnn

 

[joflier]

Date: 9/11/2008 7:54:38 PM
Author: zhuzhu
It sure took her a long time to answer a simple question.

Nothing is ever simple in "politics"

 

[MoonWater]

Date: 9/11/2008 7:54:38 PM
Author: zhuzhu
It sure took her a long time to answer a simple question.

Seriously.

I don't know. I thought she would do better but she really did appear to me as a student who had just crammed for her final exams. I wish there was more time before this election because she needs to be fleshed out. Also, she reminds me a lot of George W. in what she believes and the evidence she uses to support her beliefs/opinions. The main difference being that she speaks better.

 

[goobear78]

Date: 9/11/2008 8:51:49 PM
Author: MoonWater

Date: 9/11/2008 7:54:38 PM
Author: zhuzhu
It sure took her a long time to answer a simple question.

Seriously.

I don''t know. I thought she would do better but she really did appear to me as a student who had just crammed for her final exams. I wish there was more time before this election because she needs to be fleshed out. Also, she reminds me a lot of George W. in what she believes and the evidence she uses to support her beliefs/opinions. The main difference being that she speaks better.

MoonWater, I agree with you completely.

 

[Anna0499]

She answered very well, IMHO. I''m actually glad that she isn''t on every single news source giving interviews left & right; this way people listen when she talks. Most of the people criticizing her for not giving interviews are Obama supporters & wouldn''t vote for her no matter what she says, so it doesn''t matter. They just want her to slip up & give soundbytes that they can spin later. If Obama keeps concentrating all of his energy on criticizing Palin he''ll be watching McCain from his couch in November.

 

[goobear78]

Date: 9/11/2008 9:37:26 PM
Author: IndyGirl22
She answered very well, IMHO. I'm actually glad that she isn't on every single news source giving interviews left & right; this way people listen when she talks. Most of the people criticizing her for not giving interviews are Obama supporters & wouldn't vote for her no matter what she says, so it doesn't matter. They just want her to slip up & give soundbytes that they can spin later. If Obama keeps concentrating all of his energy on criticizing Palin he'll be watching McCain from his couch in November.

Actaully, I want to hear her talk so I can make an informed decision on election day. I want to hear from both sides. I've been able to learn about McCain and Obama over the primary season, but Gov. Palin is new and as a voter, I want to hear from her directly.

Here's a link to part of her interview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z75QSExE0jU

ETA: These are the dates and times of the Gov. Palin's interview with C.Gibson.
Thursday, Sept 11, 6:30 pm Eastern time - World News Tonight
Thursday, Sept 11, 11:30 pm Eastern time - Nightline
Friday, Sept 12, 7:00 am Eastern time - Good Morning America
Friday, Sept 12, 10:00 pm Eastern time - 20/20

 

[Anna0499]

Date: 9/11/2008 10:04:51 PM
Author: goobear78

Date: 9/11/2008 9:37:26 PM
Author: IndyGirl22
She answered very well, IMHO. I'm actually glad that she isn't on every single news source giving interviews left & right; this way people listen when she talks. Most of the people criticizing her for not giving interviews are Obama supporters & wouldn't vote for her no matter what she says, so it doesn't matter. They just want her to slip up & give soundbytes that they can spin later. If Obama keeps concentrating all of his energy on criticizing Palin he'll be watching McCain from his couch in November.

Actaully, I want to hear her talk so I can make an informed decision on election day. I want to hear from both sides. I've been able to learn about McCain and Obama over the primary season, but Gov. Palin is new and as a voter, I want to hear from her directly.

Here's a link to part of her interview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z75QSExE0jU

I said "most" people, not all, so there's room for the undecideds in there.

Obviously there are some who are undecided & the VPs might sway their votes, but the truth is that a lot of people made their minds up about who they are voting for a long time ago by researching the actual presidential candidates and only want to see Palin stumble in interviews. I already decided who I'm voting for, but if I was looking at VPs I would definitely choose Palin over Biden...he's too prejudiced & discriminatory for my liking.

 

[goobear78]

Also, ABC has the transcipt too and some clips.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5782924&page=1

 

[luckystar112]

I think she answered very well, but I also think she was trying to come off as strong and it ended up looking like she was playing the defense a little bit.
Also, the question about the Bush Doctrine scared me a little bit at first. It was right smack in the middle of the interview and made her look like she had no idea what Gibson was talking about. But apparently what happened was at the end of the interview he asked for two more minutes and then asked her that question. So it was after she had already addressed the Pakistan/Afghanistan question as well as the Georgia/Russia question, and by her answers it was pretty clear that she does indeed agree (with at least some parts) of the Bush Doctrine. So she was probably wondering what his point was in even asking. The left blogosphere is having a field day with that though.

They're also having a field day with her comments about if we would defend Georgia if they joined NATO. A TOTAL set-up, IMO. She was saying that yes, IF Georgia joined NATO it would be our (as well as many other countries) obligation as allies to defend them in anyway that we can--and then she went on to say that it didn't even have to result in an all out war. Yet people are already calling her ignorant and saying that she WANTS to go to war with Russia.

What'd they expect her to say? "No, we'd go against our treaty obligations and tell them thanks but no thanks"?

Kind of off-topic, but did anyone watch McCain and Obama on the 9/11 conference?
I watched McCain but had to leave right before Obama came on (grocery store---hurricane coming RIGHT FOR ME!!!!

)
I recorded it so I plan to go watch Obama in a couple of minutes.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I think McCain did a WONDERFUL job. He was charming, funny (pretending to doze off), on point, confident...it was just great. I like him so much better off the cuff then when he is reciting speeches. His intelligence and passion comes across so much better.

 

[goobear78]

Just to clarify, it wasn't a 9/11 conference. It was a forum held at Columbia University on Public Service. I saw both McCain and Obama and found it informative. Although kind of ironic that it was a talk on public service and Gov. Palin put down Obama on his role as a community organizer. But they asked McCain about that and I was interested to hear his response. I'm all for public service, but then, who isn't? LOL.

ETA: LuckyStar - hope everything works out okay with hurricane Ike. Are you in Texas?

 

[luckystar112]

Date: 9/11/2008 10:32:28 PM
Author: goobear78
Just to clarify, it wasn''t a 9/11 conference. It was a forum held at Columbia University on Public Service. I saw both McCain and Obama and found it informative. Although kind of ironic that it was a talk on public service and Gov. Palin put down Obama on his role as a community organizer. But they asked McCain about that and I was interested to hear his response. I''m all for public service, but then, who isn''t? LOL.

Sorry. You''re right. The bottom of the screen said the 9/11 Presidential Forum so I wasn''t quite sure what to call it--but it certainly wasn''t centered strictly around 9/11.
Anyway, the was a good question (about Obama) and I thought he gave a great answer.

 

[luckystar112]

Thanks goobear. I''m in Houston, and it looks like it''s coming right for us. Luckily I live pretty far north. Watching the news right now and it looks like we''ll get rain and 68 mph winds. Kind of scary, but I think we''ll be okay. We have this closet under our stairwell that is right smack in the middle of our house, so I think we''re going to make a mini shelter in there just in case.

I''m mostly worried about losing power and not having any gas.

end threadjack!

 

[miraclesrule]

I dont think she knew exactly what the Bush Doctrine was but that shouldn't be held against her. She is isn't a Federal politician right now and was probably far more focused on State politics. Senators would know it, but Palin is gutsy. I would have said. "Which Bush Doctrine are you refering to Charlie? Doesn't he have more than one? I don't recall a specific piece of legislation named the Bush Doctrine...is that slang Charlie?"

Owwww, Charlie bit me.....

 

[luckystar112]

Date: 9/11/2008 10:45:57 PM
Author: miraclesrule


Owwww, Charlie bit me.....

hahahahahahahaha!!!

Are you referring to this video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHBQqvvKBxo

 

[miraclesrule]

Yep luckystar I was wondering who would catch on to that....

I

that video.....