Comments on: Pondering Palin

By: Conlan

Conlan — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:04:49 +0000

Jeff, to clarify, I think Palin would even characterize herself as “pro-abstinence”. You’ll get no argument from me on that. But the issue at hand is whether she supports abstinence-ONLY programs. It appears she did not.

The Newsweek and Rock Richard blogs you linked to referenced Palin;s answer to a survey, “Yes, the explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support.” This answer was clarified in the LA Times article I linked to above, where Palin says contraception is not “explicit”, and she supports teaching about it.

The California Faultline blog references incorrect information about Alaska’s public-health division applying for a federal abstinence program. The Newsweek article it references, the same one you also linked to, was updated to state this was incorrect (see Editor’s Note at bottom).

I appreciate the concerns about Palin, but I really think the “abstinence-only”/hyprocrisy/whatever argument does not hold up based on the facts. Unless I see something other than the over-interpretation of the “explicit sex-ed” answer, and a refutation of the LA Times article, I have to conclude that Palin favors a education about contraceptives as well as abstinence.

By: Jeff McCord

Jeff McCord — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:08:10 +0000

Conlan -

These are just a few – check them out. She is absolutely PRO-ABSTINENCE.

http://californiafaultline.wordpress.com/2008/09/01/sarah-palins-abstinence-only-education-policy-fails-in-the-worst-way/

http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/09/01/palin-s-record-on-family-issues.aspx

http://rockrichard.wordpress.com/2008/09/01/sarah-palin-abstinence-only-ed-works-daughter-bristol-begs-to-differ/

By: Conlan

Conlan — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:45:45 +0000

Links to sources would help a lot. In my research, I’ve still yet to see any evidence that Palin supported abstinence-only education. In fact, it looks like she did not. Quoted, from 2006, in the LA Times: “No, I’m pro-contraception, and I think kids who may not hear about it at home should hear about it in other avenues. So I am not anti-contraception.” (http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-sexed6-2008sep06,0,3119305.story)

Regarding the God’s will stuff, it’s more questionable, because it’s open to interpretation. About Iraq, she said we “should pray ‘that our national leaders are sending them [the soldiers] out on a task that is from God, that’s what we have to make sure we are praying for, that there is a plan, and that plan is God’s plan.’” (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/us/politics/06church.html?_r=1&em&oref=slogin) Praying that God’s will be done cannot be considered fringe Christianity. The only concern would be if she was certain of what God’s will is. So far, I haven’t seen conclusive evidence of that either.

By: Jeff McCord

Jeff McCord — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:35:12 +0000

Neal,

With all due respect… you don’t know Sarah Palin and you choose to watch things that are pro Palin just as much as I watch things that are anti Palin, so lets not act like we know her.

And, you’re absolutely incorrect – look it up – she DID back abstinence only sex education programs. It’s all over the media about what she did and did not back.

She’s as hypocritical as the next one. And NO, I don’t think she’s this Christian girl that you choose to believe.

For God’s sake, she said the Iraq war and the pipelines in Alaska were GOD’S WILL. Seriously? She’s a freaking whack.

By: Neal Campbell

Neal Campbell — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:54:45 +0000

As an update … It’s very interesting to note that Sarah wasn’t for abstinence only education. That was a story her opponents created. Like me Sarah is a Christian who has her own values, but doesn’t impose them on her politics. Based on every video I’ve watched of her, she is 100% a real Christian and 100% real Christian’s are not a threat to gay Christians. I way more focused on judging myself. I don’t have time to judge you.

By: luculent

luculent — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:08:40 +0000

Palin has definitely stirred up emotions in most of us. How strange….I guess that is probably what McCaint wanted…

By: Jeff McCord

Jeff McCord — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:25:47 +0000

Wow, I am absolutely shocked at all the comments and how many of you agree. Thank you. If even you didn’t agree, this is obviously a hot topic to a lot of people from all diverse backgrounds.

Time shall tell.

By: Atlas

Atlas — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:12:40 +0000

“I can bet my last breath on earth, that if the tables were turned, the GOP would be salivating with their “family values” tongues and literally licking the blood from Obama’s wounds.”

Without a doubt, if this were happening to Obama’s children, people would be exploding with outrage, probably more so than they are with Palin (and you can guarantee that conservatives would be leading the charge with a vengeance).

Bottom line, though: both parties contain their fair share of hypocrisy. I’m much more concerned about Palin’s potential abuses of power than I am about her family issues.

By: Ruinous Right

Ruinous Right — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:00:21 +0000

I’ve avoided giving this issue much attention, but I believe you have approached it well. I agree with Obama that families should be off limits, but you and others have raised an interesting point.

I was also going to add this, but you’ve said it quite well:

“I can bet my last breath on earth, that if the tables were turned, the GOP would be salivating with their “family values” tongues and literally licking the blood from Obama’s wounds.”

By: Luculent

Luculent — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:33:57 +0000

I completly agree with you. This has been a topic of conversation with me and several friends/coworkers the past few days. I think that the hypocrisy is what is at the center of this entire vp selection.

You have hit the nail on the head.

luculent
http://web-justice.blogspot.com