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....

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 !

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!

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.

Originally Posted by meriboo

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.

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!!

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

Bernie

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.

Originally Posted by drr47

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

(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.

Originally Posted by redwitch

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.

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!!! :'( >