This business about the little fellow with Down Syndrome may well become a problem for Gov. Palin and Sen. McCain, the Daily Kos garbage notwithstanding. As the father of a now 25 year old with Down Syndrome, I must say that Gov Palin is deluding herself if she thinks she can run for, let alone serve as, VP and be a good mother to a baby and youngster with mental retardation and the health challenges usually presented with it. She may not know it yet, but unless her plan is to “farm out” that baby, her life, the life of her husband and those or her other children have been profoundly changed by this birth...for the better I might add. Gov. Palin, however, seems to have rejected this gift of God in pursuit of her own ego. She’s no example of family values so far as I can see if her brand of Christianity tells her that what she is doing is right, then it is profoundly different from mine!
The VP and family live in a very nice house in Washington DC close to the WH. I’m sure Trig will be with his mom alot. Also I think in Alaska she took her children to the office with her. Besides he has a very devoted father. He will be very well taken care of. How do other politicians handle children while in office?
You wrote:
“She may not know it yet, but unless her plan is to “farm out” that baby, her life, the life of her husband and those or her other children have been profoundly changed by this birth...for the better I might add.”
Her husband and daughters do much of the child care I believe. I wouldn’t be surprised if they bring in a fulltime nanny if they don’t have one already. It’s not the best situation, but it can be managed. Also, I think it is clear that she will be running everywhere the next two months, but after the election (and a McCain vistory I hope) she will settle down, travel much, much less and probably focus on getting major reforms through the Senate. McCain and his staff must have realized all of these considerations ahead of time of course, so I think looked at her natural limitation (her child’s needs) as something they could work around. At the same time, knowing the child’s needs means they must be envisioning more of a “stay in Washington” VP career for Palin.
It will be busy and tough and require sacrifice on the part of the whole family, but this can be done and done well.
I haven’t walked a mile in your shoes, however.
I’m just waiting for the Democrat rhetoric to go from “She shouldn’t be running if she has that baby to take care of,” to “She should have had an abortion.”
What if everyone with family values took your advice? Would we then be left with no one of any worth running for office? Perhaps sometimes God calls a few talented people (mothers as well) to be MORE than the average person. This woman has already shown that she can multi-task very well. Fathers go off to war to protect our nation's freedom, are they too neglecting and abandoning their children for their own egos.... I think not!
There it is! Looks like maggief just posted exactly the sort of sick “abort that kid” statement from Democrats I’ve been expecting.
Sick.
Talk about being out of line here....
She’s no example of family values so far as I can see if her brand of Christianity tells her that what she is doing is right, then it is profoundly different from mine!
My aren't we judgmental today. I'm a Christian, too, and IMO, as long as her family is caring for the little tyke it's none of our business.
Your self righteousness and claim to a hot-line to Christ are nausiating in the extreme.
You are a Christian? Passing judgement are we? You do not know what capacity Gov. Palin has to be a mother to her child do you? If what you are saying is true, why not sugggest that she not only refuse the offer to be VP, but resign as from her office in Alaska too. Perhaps she should just shack up in a house with her chldren and let her husband support the family eh?
It will, without question, be a challenge for her and her whole family to deal with the campaign and with the obligations and pressures of the office of the Vice President of the United States of America. Ae you implying that because she’s a woman that she’s not up to the task?
I would suggest you focus on doing what’s best for your family and your situation, and show that same respect for the Palin family.
I have good friends who have a 40 year old Downs Syndrome son. They have nurtured him along with all their other children, of which 5 are teachers/educators (the other two successful businessmen) and both of them have had successful careers. I know there are many things that can and do happen with these special children that require special talents. I firmly believe God allows only special people to have these special children. I praise you and your family for your dedication to your child. My thought on Gov Palin’s situation is that maybe, just maybe, God put her in this position to help other people realize just how abhorrent abortion is and that all life is indeed precious to Him. God bless you and yours.
OK, for starters, mental retardation is not necessarily a part of Down’s Syndrome, it's usually a result of the many health problems that accompany it. VP Palin will have the very best medical care available, and so will her children. Could still be a problem, but not as likely.
Having a Down’s child in the VP’s house will give Down’s Syndrome visibility like it has NEVER had before, which is likely to have good effects for all people with disabilities.
My son has Asperger’s Syndrome, so I have some experience in the caring for children with disability. Also two years as a special ed teacher.
I've decided not to address your attack on her religious beliefs, but you might want to go read your scriptures again, just in case you missed something about “cast the first stone.”
Romans 8: 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Do you presume to know the mind of G-d ?
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai
From the interview with People Magazine yesterday. I think the whole family is ready to deal with this, and not just leave it to her alone.
As a new mom, how are you going to juggle all this?
SARAH: I am thankful to be married to a man who loves being a dad as much as I love being a mom, so he is my strength. And practically speaking, we have a great network of help with lots of grandparents and aunties and uncles all around us. We have a lot of help.
Mr. Palin, you have this tiny baby with special needs. Do you worry that people may wonder if she'll be giving short shrift to her family?
TODD: She's heard that her whole life – the challenges of being a female and mother in the work force. I remember the first time she ran for mayor one of her fellow council members told her you can't run because you've got three negatives: Track, Bristol and Willow. Those are the three kids we had at the time. So when you tell her that kind of stuff, she just gets fired up. We're an Alaska family that adapts.
So if you have a child with Down Syndrome both parents have to quit their jobs and be stay-at-home parents? It seems to me that in the case of the Palins, this move may give them (especially Todd) *more* time to care for Trig. But don't let that stop you from saying Palin's an evil Satanist.
Poignant, I pray that your burden has more of a blessing than not.
Gov. Palin, however, seems to have rejected this gift of God in pursuit of her own ego. She’s no example of family values so far as I can see if her brand of Christianity tells her that what she is doing is right, then it is profoundly different from mine!
As I understand it, Mr. Palin has taken the leadership of raising the children as Mrs. Palin's political duties have expanded. So it's no different than homes where the Mom stays home only this time the Dad is staying home.
Please don't say such things. Saying someone is rejecting God is a very serious matter for the one speaking such things. I can only hope you don't really mean it.
So...I guess you quit your job and got on welfare just so you could stay home and take care of your Downs Syndrome child? If not, I guess you rejected your "gift" too! Her husband is a stay at home Dad, so their child is not rejected! What's the difference which parent is the stay at home parent to this precious child?
The first thing that came to my mind when I learned about her infant son's condition was sympathy. But then I found out that she has four other children, all of whom seem to be healthy. "What was she thinking?" I asked myself, but then the question morphed into "WHY?"
Surely she must have been warned of the risks (for women only 4 years older than herself, the risk is staggering 1 in 10 pregnancies!). I could understand her desire to have children this late if she had none, but with four other children this just seems a little selfish, especially knowing the risk.
I will not delve into the family values of Palin's, but I will seriously question her impulsiveness (bordering on irresponsible) in decision-making when I consider who will get my vote.
Between McCain's hot temper, and her impulsiveness, I really wonder if there is no other (better) talent in the Republican Party? This is all we have to offer?
I also wonder what McCain was thinking when he chose her. Does he really think her gender by itself will do the magic of attracting Hillary's supporters?
She is a Gun Lobby member, eats moose burgers, hunts, fishes and is pro-life, and wants creationism taught in schools. How is she going to attract largely rabbidly feminist, secular, pro-abortionist, liberal NRA-hating Hillary supporters?
She comes in already on top of controversies (real or made up) which will only get thicker and uglier, motivated by anything from envy to revenge, because the media thrive on scandals.
It's only a matter of time before her competency is tested in public debates and news conferences.
If something happens to McCain, do I want someone like her, impulsive and egotistic, as Kolo observes correctly, making top-level decisions? I have yet to be convinced.
I believe that citizenship is a right ot be a qualified voter. I believe all voters should take voting-qualification tests and be issued a license to vote, the way all drivers require a license because our vote determines which way the country will drive.
The test would establish a minimum of literacy (!) and understanding (comprehension) of the issues involved both domestically and globally. How can someone who can't find a place on the map, let alone spell its name, know what is "right" if not by guessing? Is this what our elections are? Blind guesses? Or beauty pageants? Is this what democracy is all about? Blind guesses?
Above all, such tests should disqualify anyone who thinks that race or gender or being a POW or religious affiliation alone or in combination is a qualification to be president.
You are scum. you are a DU troll.
I believe God raised her for such a time as this. Be careful how you judge her. God is never happy with that.
I have to admit — as a single mother of four adopted siblings — I was sad to hear that Gov. Palin accepted the VP nomination for our party. I love her politics and probably agree on most of her beliefs and policies. However, as a mother of five — one infant severely special needs — and a teenage pregnant daughter — her children desperately need her to be AT HOME with them, focusing on their needs — being available to sacrifice for THEM as mother’s do and should do every day. When she gave birth to this latest baby, I expected to hear that she had resigned to take care of him full time. Now she is taking on the 2nd biggest job in our nation. As a mother, I don’t think that is the kind of role model I want to set up before my children as something I want them to follow.
It has zero to do with her politics (I applaud her professional accomplishments) — it’s simply that I see how much her children and family need her NOW to be there for them. I am her age — 44 — and I gave up a thriving career to adopt these four who no one else wanted. I hate that I am single doing so, because I believe so strongly in marriage, but I know God called me and prepared me to do exactly what I am doing.
I wish Gov. Palin could see the same worth and value that God has placed before her now. Doesn’t mean I won’t vote for her, but I will do so with a heavy heart, for sure.