Monday, September 1, 2008

Beauty Queen Turned Drama Queen

So the "Maverick" Senator John McCain has picked his running mate. His pick, former Beauty Queen (Miss Wasilla 1984) Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska, has managed to really stir up some stories in since his announcement on Friday.

During her acceptance speech Palin commended Hillary on a historic campaign then tried to use the 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling to say that the women of this country are not out of the election yet. Well...I agree there is a female still in the presidential election...but not one that is anywhere close to having the same views as Hillary Clinton. Those 18 million votes were for equal pay, and the right to choose and a universal healthcare plan. Not what Sarah Palin brings to the table.

Then things got real exciting. Just as everyone was learning how really inexperienced this woman is Replicans were trying to stand up for her knowledge on foreign affairs. Cindy McCain has actually appeared on interviews and tried to make the case that since Palin is the Governor of Alaska, and Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia, then Palin understands foreign policy. Huh? So because I live in the southwest I understand the problems of Mexico and am qualified to deal with them on behalf of our country. While I have shopped in Nogales and had some good negotiations in the markets there, I don't think I am America's best bet to handle the immigration issues we are trying to deal with regarding Mexico. Location doesn't determine policy understanding and a working knowledge of how foreign policy is to be handled. Meanwhile Barak Obama sits on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee with the Chair of that committee being his VP Candidate Senator Joe Biden. Hmmm now that is experience you can count on.

Then I hear that Palin thought she was playing the character of Bree in Desperate Housewives. Rumors started flying that Plain's 5th child was not hers but her daughters and she was covering up a teenage pregnancy. If this isn't drama I don't know what is. That turned out to be a cliffhanger. The real story was revealed in a statement from the Palin family,

"We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.

"Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates."

What I find most interesting is the part about them being "proud of Brisotl's decision to have her baby." That implies somewhere someone made a choice. I believe this could get interesting. So their can be a choice and people choose to have the child. Not everyone that has a choice chooses abortion. Huh well there is a concept to be discussed in a debate. Also, can we please have an honest conversation now about abstinence only being taught in our schools. This is an issue that Palin is big on and I would like to see how she thinks that is working for her family and their 17 year old daughter. There is so much federal funding that goes to abstinence only education and the bottom line is it doesn't work.

Well Maverick all I have to say is so far you have the edge in the Drama Queen competition for the Presidential Campaign. Not sure if that's what you were going for but when you picked the Beauty Queen but you got it.

3 comments:

  1. All good points! There are so many people with "single issue blinders" on in this country.

    I can't see her making it to the end. I think the spotlight, and pressure will do her in.

    I am sure Alaska appreciates all she has done for them. Let them keep her.

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  2. Great points! And let's not forget that her 17 year old daughter had a legitimate, real choice. She has wealthy family, and will never have to live in subsidized housing or suffer the embarrassments of foodstamps and medicaid. For many American teens who "chose" abortion, it is the ONLY realistic option.
    Please Ms. Palin, don't insult us, by insinuating that since your daughter is having and keeping the baby, every other young girl should too.

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  3. Good post! I agree with HeidiTri's as well...many young woman do not have the opportunity for support like Palin's daughter does. I hope she made the decision for the right reasons. Being a mom, I had no clue of the true responsibilities and sacrifices involved in adequately raising a child when I was 17.

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