Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

I know that some of you may think this is just one more attack on McCain and Palin...but I just learned something that truly worries me!
I know that families all have issues...that we all have things that should be kept private...however she is running for VP of the USA and I am concerned of the way it may appear to our children!

I just read that on of Sara Palin's daughters is pregnant. She is 17 years old and still in High School. The media and moms everywhere went nuts when we found out about certain tv stars that were pregnant at such a young age! They have handled it very well as a family and are not hiding anything....however I just don't think that in this day and age that our VP's 17 year old daughter should be "ok" about having a baby.

I am not even discussing the family values campaigns....about the "unmarried" pregnancy....not my point and I don't care personally....BUT she is only 17!!

This is something that we are trying to curb in HS across America! Safe sex, birth control, abstinence....

I am not judging Sara P...nor am I judging her daughter....this is a family issue for them to deal with in whatever way they see fit...

HOWEVER....I do not think that the children that are learning to follow this campaign and pay attention to both sides should have to hear that the possible VP's 17 year old daughter is pregnant, in HS and will be getting married!!

Again this is NOT a personal attack on the campaign...this is a concern from a mom....

I do not want my soon to be teenage daughter to think it is ok for a teenager to be get pregnant!!! I know I can teach her that...but our politicians should be examples. We have a hard enough time sheltering our children/grandchildren from the inappropriate things our politicians do themselves....

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Your point is VERY WELL TAKEN...if you can get the media to stick to the subject it would be the greatest thing since slice bread :) I am always taken back by the media's concentration on stuff like this and then they turn around and critique the candidates for not sticking to the issues, when they get them on the defensive on such stupid stuff.

YOU are right....I dont think this has a party bias to it.....it sure has a media bias to it and I agree with you !

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Bucco...YEAH!! We did it...we agree!!

I too think the media will handle this horribly and I am sorry for the family!

However...I am more concerned about our children...grand children...thinking that it is ok for them to get pregnant so early...married or not....they are in HS!! Scares me!! I have seen success come from early pregnancies and while some moms (sometimes dads) can get through it well....and live a good life and raise good children....BUT this should not be the norm...or seen as ok!

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

I agree that this should NOT be a media focus. Nobody 'wants' their teenage daughter or son to become parents at that time in their life. However, things happen. We can teach our children everything we believe. When the kids walk out of the house they do what they want to do and at that age usually think ' it won't happen to me'. All we can do is pray that they are strong enough to stay away from all forms of temtation.

Early pregancies can happen to anybody. How many TV ers had an early pregancy in their family? Let's not condem...we all live in glass houses.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

As I stated...I am not condemning anyone!!! I am not asking to find out if any other people have had early pregnancies...I believe you have missed my point!!

I am concerned that our children and grand children and 17 year olds across America will see her pregnant or read about it and think that if it is OK for her to be pregnant and have family support...then well it must be ok for them too!!

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

My point exactly. Parents can teach children their beliefs...but when they walk out of the house, they are their own person.

Some 17 yr. old may think that a certain life style is OK because of what they hear, read and see people in the news doing. But, I personally don't think it is the majority of teenagers.

I don't believe that this pregnancy that the media has decided to put 'in everyones face' is not as important, nor will it 'give' the teenagers an OK to do certain things. What the rock/music/Television stars sing, wear and act on a daily occurrence are much more influential

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Hopefully, there won't be too much of a spin on this subject. Obama has told the media and his crew to leave the families out of the mix and this was said in direct reference to Palin's daughter. It would be so nice if everyone would just focus on the issues and not their personal lives.

I do agree it's not the best message for our kids to hear but they'll hear far worse ones from their idols. The best we can do is use items like this as a way to discuss the issues that are important to us. Even the worst news can have a teaching tool in it.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Red -- right you are
Obama had the right idea on one subject --- the issues facing our country are not about Pailins daughter. That is so far down the list of issues it rates just below pumping up my tires.

Bernie

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

I really hope pumping up your tires is WAY higher on your list. That's important for safety, tire life, gas.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Perhaps because of the values I am trying to teach my daughter...this has hit a sore spot for me....but it is my opinion....and I shared it...again thanks for sharing yours.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Before we take Mrs Palin out in the town square and stone her, we should check the facts .
The Smear
Mayor Sarah Palin Banned Books and Fired the Librarian
A librarian accused former Mayor Palin of banning a list of books in 1996 in a blog post at Librarian.net [2].

Others, including the New York Times [8], claimed that Mayor Palin fired librarian, Mary Ellen Baker (aka Mary Ellen Emmons), president of the Alaska Library Association at the time.

Time Magazine furthered the smear in their article, "Mayor Palin: A Rough Record" [6]. Also, Obama's own website is furthering this fraudulent list [7].


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Truth
Sarah Palin Never Fired The Librarian and The Banned Books List is Bogus [1]
The website where the original smear started, Librarian.Net [3], says the banned books list is bogus [2] and came from an old University list of banned books [5].
there appears to be no truth to the claim made by the commenter, and no further documentation or support for this has turned up.
The "banned books list" includes books that were published after 1996 (like Harry Potter).

The librarian, Mary Ellen Baker, was not fired but instead resigned [4] in 1999.

We ask Mr. Obama to denounce these smears and to remove them from his website immediately.

Sources:
[1] Main investigative work by Michelle Malkin
[2] Librarian.Net
[3] Librarian.Net Poster Jessamyn West
[4] Pacific Northwest Library Association Resignation announcement August 31, 1999
[5] Florida International
[6] Mayor Palin: A Rough Record Time Magazine article.
[7] Obama's website furthering the smear
[8] New York Times, Palin's Start in Alaska: Not Politics as Usual says "Ms. Plain fired Ms. Emmons shortly after taking office"
[9] Alaska Daily News article

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Red -- I meant to say my bicycle tires.
Cassie -- understand your positioin. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Bernie

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

drr47, we know she never fired her. But she did threaten to fire her. When there was public outcry from a well-liked librarian, Sarah Palin backed off and said it was a "test of loyalty". What????

The more I learn about this woman, the more cancerous she becomes to me. Just my opinion.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

(1) The link originally given here did not say Palin had a list of books nor did it say the librarian was fired. It did have direct quotes of people who heard Palin asking about the possibility of banning the books.
(2) I looked at the official Obama website and could find no mention of the book banning (doesn't mean it's not there, just means I couldn't find it). Could you please provide a direct link to where Obama is smearing Palin?

Where did you get your sources from? It really does help to provide links when claiming that things were said by other sources rather than just "Time Magazine," etc. Most of what you said sounds more like it was copied from a blog than something you actually wrote. I don't mind that you copied, but it is always nice to see the source.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

I can explain to my daughter a lot easier (unfortunately) that a movie star or rock star just gets carried away with all the money. Not that any of it is right! They were wrong and their life will be very hard now. Disney took one girl off the air ASAP when she got pregnant at 16!

That they think they are grown ups faster then they should be....

BUT it will be a lot harder to explain that a Governor's (possible VP), 17 year old daughter is pregnant....and that her parents support her and that she can go off into the sunset to get married.....isn't this wonderful!! :dontknow:

It really bothers me!! AS A MOM!!! :'( >:(

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

THANKS BERNIE!!!

PS.....bike tires need air too....unless it is sitting in the garage doing nothing.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

I suppose it would be rude of me to ask if all the libs on totv who have been smearing Sarah Palin and blowveating for days on" allegations " ,when proven wrong, to appologize. Or would that be journalistically unfair.

And for all you dems who are bent out of shape because one of Palins daughters is pregnant and might send the wrong signal to our kids, If your lefty pals had not put her kid up to journalistic scrutiny in the press , it would never have been an issue. Benj

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Ok.....not sure when the smearing began...in fact I started this post stating that I was not trying to slam anyone....I was concerned about the teenagers of the world!

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Having raised 5 children....3 girls & 2 boys.....with 11 grandchildren....and 2 great grandchildren.....it is imperative to establish early on the real core values, virtues and some religion what is wrong or right in their upbringing. However, once they become teen agers...and heavily dependent upon the company they keep (their friends)...they form their own views, opinions and desires. No matter how hard we try to influence their thinking, their needs (right wrong or indifferent) form their standards.
The influences they are exposed to daily...school...television...the movies...some friends...THE INTERNET...have been influencing them long before they ever heard of Sarah Palin.
All one can do as a parent is the best possible in the loose morals society/environment we they live in today.
I know....our first great grand child was concieved and born out of wed lock. Our grand daughter (the mother) a perfect model of what every parent would like a daughter to be.
They (mother and father) both finished high school. They are now married...both going to college.
As much as I/we were upset and shocked.....it happens in the best of families.
Until such time as core values are returned to that which they are exposed to and bombareded with every day...it will continue to happen...including in the best of families.

Palin's daughter is yesterday's news to most people already. The other influences mentioned are on ongoing and continuous. Want a good (or bad example)? Some schools offering condoms to assure safe sex.

I say good luck to those raising kids today. The prognosis...it can only become more common place...unfortunately!!!!

BTK

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

At one time I taught sex education to 5th graders. Boys in one class, girls in another. I thought, the parents thought, the district thought that was a good age. We didn't discuss birth control. My husband taught high school and taught sex ed. The curriculum covered birth control methods as well as abstinence.
When my son was about that age he and I looked at a few good movies about "bodies" and read, together, some books. Later, when he fell in love in high school I didn't treat it as "puppy love." We sat together and talked about everything: IF he should decide that he loved this young lady enough to make the commitment to her and become intimate how SHE would feel. (She'd start writing Mrs. XXX XXX on her notebooks, she'd be thinking about wedding gowns, she'd be picking names for her future children, etc.) I told him girls react differently to intimacy - at least I did. I told him that IF he and she decided to be intimate he needed to use protection because... one sentence we would never, never hear in our house was... Ma, XXX is pregnant. I told him I would buy condoms if he made that choice so he wouldn't have to face a pharmacist. We talked about how teen pregnancy forever changes your options. How teen moms are more likely to not finish their educational plans and are likely to have a second baby within two years of the first. We talked about teen parents and poverty. We talked about respect for him. Respect for her. We talked about "urges" and "needs". I told him I would like for them to wait but I couldn't follow them around and in the end I couldn't make their decision. It was a look-me-straight-in-the-eye conversation. It was a conversation which we repeated frequently. There was no yelling, no embarrassment, no scolding, nothing "out of bounds."
Schools can only do so much. I don't think an "abstinence only" curriculum is best for teenagers. We delay adulthood for a long time in this country. I think we need to take a deep breath and have a real conversation with each of our children - starting early and repeating it often. I think we need to understand the difference between what we wish would happen and what is likely to happen. As adults we know that teen love isn't the same as mature love, but they don't.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Again...I state to you....I don't care that she is not married....I care that she is 17 years old!!! The marriage thing means NOTHING to me as I am not even allowed to be married to the one I love...however I can be upset about the fact that she is 17 years old and is shown in the spot light of the RNC as a wonderful pregnant grown up with her fiance at her side.....

:barf: SHE IS 17~! WHAT DOES EVERYONE NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM SAYING!

I KNOW IT HAPPENS....I KNOW KIDS HAVE SEX....I KNOW KIDS GET PREGNANT.....

I still feel that this is VERY scary for the teens of the world....a message needs to be sent that it is HARD to be a mom at 17.....and not every parent is going to support their teen in pregnancy like the Palin family....Bless them for being able to.....

I am not sure what more I have to say.....I guess it doesn't matter!

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

CMJ...thank you for sharing this...I agree that communication is important! My daughter (at 11 ) knows more than I ever knew at her age...and she knows the truth and knows it from ME!

Thank you for sharing your insights as a parent and teacher!!

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Cassie, any time I hear of someone under 25 having a child it bothers me. Few are mature enough before age 25 in today's society to be a parent. Even so, it happens. We can't stop our kids from having sex if they're bound and determined. I much prefer that Palin is supporting her daughter in this than leaving her on the roadside to figure out what to do on her own. I'm not going to condemn her for her daughter's pregnancy and I will applaud her willingness to stand by her daughter. That doesn't mean she approves (I doubt any sane parent would be thrilled).

Yes, it is hard to explain this to our daughters but it really isn't something Palin has a lot of control over. Her daughter is pregnant. She's lucky enough to have a boy who wants to step up and be a father and a husband. These are not easy choices for kids nor for their parents. This is a private family matter that should stay within the family. It is something that happens to many families -- some of the best and some of the worst. As I said, to me this should not be an issue of this campaign. Parents are going to have to decide how much to discuss with their children about this issue.

What you can do is discuss how hard it will be for Palin's daughter. She's not going to have a lot of privacy through this pregnancy, the birth nor the marriage. No matter how powerful her mother is, she's going to have to live with her boy friend/husband and lose out on college, sororieties, dances, football games -- all the joys of emerging adulthood. Instead, she's going to be changing diapers, listening to a baby cry at all hours of the day and night, sacrifice for the baby. Being a teen parent is hard regardless of who your parents are.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

I agree with you 100% Red. I hope this opens discussions between parents and their children.


Shirleevee

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Do you really think this boy wants to marry now? This is a high profile shotgun wedding if I've ever seen one!

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

chels

As keeper of all liberal knowledge, I just wondered what makes you think 'This boy" doesnt want to marry now. I think it's kinda uppity for you to jump to that conclusion not knowing the truth. Or the truth as libs see it. Benj

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Oh for God's sake Benj, his blog has been reprinted everywhere! Do some research on Levi Jonhston! And don't call me uppity just because I have an opinion that doesn't parrot yours.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Chells
Here is the truth. Neither you or cassie have a clue wether That Boy wants to marry or not, Blogs or not you dont know. Having inserted yourself in the Palin family business doesn't give you any insight what so ever as to what they want or decide to do. Bringing personal private Palin business up as an election issue Is unfair and anything you might guess they might be thinking about is just your postulating with no knowledge what so ever, Just an opinion. Really a guess.
In your opinion that That Boy stepping up and taking responsibility is to you some sinister plan by Palin. And not a showing of moral fortitude from That Boy. I'll bet if she had an abortion you would have applauded that as an open minded decision. And if That Boy had run off to some far away place, you would of said he made a good decision. Benj

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Gee, as an Obama supporter it must be difficult to know Levi and the Palins so well that you KNOW Levi doesn't want to marry now and this is a shot gun wedding.

Give this family some privacy. This situation should not be part of the election. Anyone who thinks that other teenagers are going to look at Palins daughters pregancy as an OK for them to get pregant, you certainly are giving the Palin family lots of 'power' What we need to zero in on is the music, idols, young stars dressing as young adults and other stuff teenagers are drawn too.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

I cannot understand why anyone would want to "Do some research on Levi Jonhston!", the boyfriend of the VP candidates daughter.

Time better served researched Sen Obama's background and his ties to the radical left. or Sen McCains background or the candidates stand on health care !

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Bucco, it all counts. It all matters. The Republicans are trying to fill a position that is a heartbeat away from the Presidency. EVERYTHING is an issue on both sides.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

You know...I will state once again that this is MY opinion.....that is what this forum is for....and I am glad it is here. It is good to look at other postings to hear what other people think....however in regards to my concerns....I will stand by them and I have a right to do so.

I feel horrible for Palin's family...the media...the 17 year old pregnant as she is running for VP....but that does not mean that I am worried about the stigma this will leave for young teens.

Keep in mind I am not really talking about the teenagers that have families that will support like Palin. I am sure she will have help from the nanny etc....

I do have a concern as a mom....as a voter....I don't think it is right! I am all for womens rights to have good jobs and equal pay...however if a mom is never home for her teenage daughters....and they have 4 other kids and are the Governor.....well.....what do we think will happen if she becomes VP!!

I don't think she should kick her daughter out into the street, I don't think she should make her have an abortion, I don't think she should make them get married....

As for the teenage boy who is the father....he should have responsibilities to the child.....but honestly how many 17 year old boys do you know now a days that would get married....just because she is pregnant....and stay with the marriage....

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

If that's true, Chels, then we really need to examine Joe Biden's son getting a great job with the same institution that gave Joe a hefty campaign contribution and for which Joe nicely responded by passing very strict bankruptcy laws in favor of that institution. As I sort through the candidates, that makes me extremely unsettled. He passed it off as, the institution is a big employer and it wasn't a very big donation. Not the explanation I wanted to hear for his, IMHO, tarnished legislation.

And, Cassie, I think for that argument... we need to examine every working mother, every family, every working woman for that matter to determine if she should be employed. There are female physicians, engineers, line cooks, actresses, heavy equipement operators all with families or responsibilities and we haven't told all of them how they should manage their lives. It is obvious that women must be totally scrutinized and judged by our very skewed opinions as to whether they should hold the job they seek. (Men, you get a free pass here...) It is very elitist to suggest that some woman should stay home with their children and others better get to work if the income is needed. Let's get to the meat of the election and not examine Palin's private life lest your private life or my private life be examined too!

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Peachie, new neighbor! ;D I will agree to disagree.

MNBA is one the the 2 biggest companies in Delaware. Joe Biden's son Hunter turned down jobs on Wall Street for much more money, to be in his home state. And Biden's contributions from any lobbyists are less than 2%. As opposed to McCain's campaign being surrounded by lobbyists. See link:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4210251

Senator Obama's funding came from the American people, so he has no one to answer to but the citizens.

As far as working women go, I have been one all of my life. And it really depends on the position or job they are accepting. I don't think any statement on working women should be a blanket statement or as black and white as you have put it. Just as I don't believe that "just being a woman" will win Hillary voters.

I was alone raising my daughter, then taking care of my father. When my dad became ill, I had to leave advertising, which I dearly loved, to take care of him. The traveling and time put in was too much. And hiring someone to do it just isn't the same. I have lived both sides of this issue. However, I just want to repeat. My issues are not with Sarah Palin being a working Mom, my issues are with Sarah Palin's non-issues.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

MY private life is a wide open book...in fact I have been more than honest here on this forum...then most really to know but that is me....so I am really not worried about it...
However....I am not talking about ALL women....I am talking about one that has 5 children...one of which is now pregnant and is running for VP! BIG difference. If the husband was the one supposedly taking care of the children...shame on him to for not knowing what was going on.....

My parents had 8 kids.....Dad worked and Mom worked and went back to school for her Masters....but you better believe they knew what was going on with their kids....and we paid the price if it was not right!!

I guess my real concern is not her as a Mom...that is her problem to deal with....BUT

I honestly think she is not the right person for the job....if you can not manage your own

household and family....and work at the same time.....how are going to run the country if you have to give one or the other up?

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

"If you can't run your own household and family... how are you going to run the country?" I guess it's a good thing Hillary didn't get the nomination. She supposedly did'nt have a clue as to what Bill was doing in the oval office, etc.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Cassie, this isn't about your life being an open book, this is about everyone else dictating what happens in your life because of the open book. Do you believe everyone would approve of how you live your life? I'm sure there is something someone would not like about mine and insist I do otherwise.

I know a very wonderful couple that were blessed with a beautiful daughter with Down Syndrome recently. They already had a little girl and a little boy. They wept and then rejoiced at how truly wonderful this little girl is in their lives. But Mommy went back to work immediately when recovered and worked double shifts to help cover the gaps in their income when Daddy was laid off from his job after baby came into their lives. They have no staff, are unable to schedule her hours to work for her to be home when they would like, she cannot take baby with her to work but their family is so viable and so wonderful. These arguments tell her she is an awful mother to go to work to cover the bills. Or is that option only for the elite? Did anyone see the live telephone call where Barrack's little daughter asked him what city he was in today and just wanted to talk with him? He has a wonderful family but running for president or the presidency will exact a price from him too, is he less important to his family? We need to drop Palin's family life and look at the issues and the candidates, to continue this moral judging is to invite judgement of every woman and tell her how her life should be lived.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Sally Jo, we need a bigger argument than where Clinton was putting his _____ Fill in the blank. ;D

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

That's such an old subject to me, Sally Jo. I think the only difference between Bill Clinton and many men is the fact that he got caught. I don't endorse what he did, he was a hound but I am tired of the rerun of the ugly moment in history.

Re: Just my concern....as a Mom!
 

Peachie, very well said. I sincerely doubt that the pregnancy of Palin's 17 year old daughter is going to lead to the deterioration of the moral fibre of the nation's teenagers.