Posted on 09/01/2008 5:14:21 PM PDT by tcg
First of all, Sarah Palin is a woman who lives what she proclaims. She is truly pro-life. She and her husband Todd knew that their last child, Trigg, had an extra chromosome. He was a “Downs” child. What did they do? They welcomed him as a special gift and showed the whole world that every human life is a gift to be received and not a “problem” to be “dealt with” by the always deadly “choice”, of abortion.
Now, the news has emerged that Sarah and Todd’s seventeen year old daughter, Bristol, is pregnant with her own child. Yes, pregnant outside of marriage. Well, I understand what they are going through. Having raised five children, including three daughters,it does happen. We cannot make our children’s choices for them. We can only pray that when one of those choices results in the gift of life out of the ordinary course, they will choose to respect the life of the child conceived. I have lived this as a father, and as a grandfather, and I resent the arrogance of those who now raise it in an effort to discredit Sarah Palin.
In fact, the Palin's have only confirmed me in my conviction that the Governor of Alaska is a great asset to John McCain and just the kind of leader which we need to stand at the side of the next President of the United States.Bristol Palin acknowledges that she is five months pregnant and unmarried. She and the father of this child have properly exercised their freedom of choice. They have done so morally. They have chosen life.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.org ...
Of course I have heard of surprise pregnancies. And, her pregnancy may indeed have been unplanned.
But most women who are truly motivated to avoid pregnancy can do so. And, again speaking in generalities, avoiding pregnancy when the risk of birth defects is greater seems a reasonable course to take.
If the pregnancy was planned, it was done with an elevated risk of Down Syndrome, which to me seems irresponsible.
I have read many comments on the appropriateness/morality of her choice, but none about potential, and I emphasize potential, irresponsibility. Being responsible is also a virtue.
Dear Fellow FRs:
I went to Office Depot today...They had a sale on DVDs...You know stuff that no one wants...2 for 1?
In this discount bin was John McCain’s life story.. Faith of My Father...I bought it...
I watched this tonight and thought...
My God, we do not know this man. We have no clue...yet we all need to learn from him.
Go to Office Deport tomorrow and buy the DVD... 9 dollars for two...Watch it and pass it on....
I’m sick to death at the small people still on this forum who continue to bad mouth McCain...I’ve come around... He’s a great American and we should be all proud that he is our candidate...
I have 60 days to promote this man...I’m tired of hearing the negatives from the bloggers here....You know who they are...
Let’s work to get our ticket elected...
Whether they did so out of ignorance, or stupidity remains to be seen. What is the difference you ask?
This:
Ignorance can be cured with education...
As for stupidity, well, I'll let the late Robert A. Heinlein speak to that:
"Stupidity is the only universal capital crime. The sentence is automatic, and there is no appeal."
the infowarrior
That is one of the most vulgar and disrespectful statements I've ever seen. And you joined FR today to post that?
So every mom who gives birth in her 40's is irresponsible? Cut me a break.
Welcome to FR. You guys are out in force with the agitprop tonight, huh?
You're a coward. Call her stupid if you want. Hide behind a question. Either way you're a libtard with a short tenure.
If another shows up, LL, let me know. I’m going to the brickyard.
I could smell the sulfur as soon as I started reading its post.
The battle is on, that's for sure. Human wave troll attacks. I've got to get some sleep, but I feel like I'm walking away from my post. Gonna be an intense 60 days.
So, to you, it would be responsible to get rid of defectives like Downers?
BTW, welcome to Free Republic.
considering the fact that we don’t know the situation, I think discretion is the better part of valor here...
Let’s face it ...abstinance or irreversible sterilization is the only guarantee against pregnancy (though I personally know two women whose husbands had vasectomies, yet they became pregnant).
I had my third child at 33, certainly not late, but was constantly asked if “I wanted it” and faced disbelief because even though it was a surprise, I was thrilled. In my own case, I felt it was none of their business....just as I think it is NONE of ours in regards to the Palins.
Absolutely not. Nor would I necessarily label or call a child with Down Syndrome a “defective”.
Your questions seems fair, though. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify.
I do, however, believe that it IS responsible to do what one can to have a healthy child or, if you prefer, to reduce the risk of birth defects. Just my opinion.
BTW thanks for the welcome. After years of lurking I finally decided to raise a point I had not seen.
Your comments to me sound like you think that a woman who is pregnant with a child with Down’s Syndrome should abort the baby, since you say it is irresponsible. That is so utterly disgusting to me. I hope you don’t really mean that.
Nope. See Post 42. I think that planning a pregnancy in a situation where there is increased risk of Down Syndrome, or other birth defects, is irresponsible. I am not advocating abortion.
BTW the facts, as I understand them, are that women at the age of 40 have a 1 in 106 risk of having a child with Down Syndrome. This compares to 1 in 385 at the age of 35, and 1 in 30 at the age of 45. Source: Mayo Clinic website.
I already read post 42, you smarmy jerk.
You should keep your evil opinions on childbirth to yourself. No baby that is born to a loving home is unwanted.
To imply that Sarah Palin is irresponsible because she has a baby with Down Syndrome is just beyond the pale. You are right in line with all the other media people right now who are making comments and assumptions and judgments that are totally out of line.
No need to reply to this, you’re not going to be able to convince me of your kind-heartedness or that you are in any way a reasonable person.
Since Down's Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder there was nothing she could do to reduce the risk of this birth defect.
That is of course unless you are Alan Colmes and think that by getting on a plane she could have caused the Downs Syndrome in her child.
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