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And here I am. Sort of.
*sigh*
I was trying my best to stay out of political blogs/posts. Sure I'd read some opinions - agree with some, disagree with some, wonder about the facts of some, marvel at how mean spirited some were, and some, would, quite honestly make me sick. Okay.
One post that I read a few weeks ago just made me sick to my stomach. Basically, it was posted just after McCain announced his running mate. It was posted somewhere I don't normally visit - and honestly I can't remember where - it was just a blog I happened upon one evening. And there was this quote (as I remember it), "Palin is so Pro-Life that she has a one-year old daughter with Down's Syndrome." Um. Excuse me? So Pro-life that she decided not to terminate her pregnancy because her child had the possibility of being born with a disability? So Pro-Life that she choose to bring this child into the world and to see what this child could offer her family? That sentence that I read, and in the context of which I read it, made me sick. To me, it appears that the author was disgusted by the fact that a women, in this "day and age" - the day and age where we know more than we've ever known about pregnancy and prenatal care - had to have a baby with Down's Syndrome. And this author was scared that such a person would be elected to office - and I know there's many reasons why many of you are scared of Palin being a V.P., but to site the fact that she is so pro-life that she had a child with Down's Syndrome - well, like I said, it just made me sick. And I've been able to keep my mouth shut (or my fingers quite) for quite awhile. Until someone posted this video on twitter.
And oh my gosh is it a cute video! So cute! The babies! The smiles! Obama looks comfortable with all of them! And as if he's really thinking about their future as he holds each of them! BUT! What's up with this? It's cute, adorable, great, that Obama knows how to hold babies and chidren and clearly cares about each of them, but no way should we elect a v.p. who is, "so pro-life she has a one-year old daughter with Down's Syndrome." And yeah, these two things could be totally unrelated, but I guess I haven't been able to "let go" of the way that post made me feel and seeing this video just stirred up those emotions.
Some of the policital posts I've been reading have been great - well written, researched, etc. However, others have just been down-right nasty, hateful, and totally uncalled for. But whatever. I suppose that's politics.
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7 comments:
I could play Devil's advocate but I don't want to tick you off.
You could play Devil's advocate - it takes a lot to tick me off. =) I grew up arguing points and married a man with different politic views and a man who loves the Cubs while I love the Sox - I'm used to the Devil's advocate stuff. Plus, since it's all over the internet - you CAN'T YELL AT ME! =) As it stands I think the GOP pretty much messed up by choosing this woman - and I surprised myself by how much I didn't like the pro-life comment. I've always considered myself pro-choice, but knowing that my choice, no matter the circumstance, would be life (unless my own life was at risk). So I guess hearing someone who is also apparently pro-choice say it that way, just got to me more than I thought it would. Anyway - feel free to play Devil's advocate - it could be interesting. And if anyone needs to know I can't decide who to vote for - but honestly, some of the hateful posts/articles against McCain/Palin make me almost want to vote for them. Or just not vote at all. Maybe that doesn't make any sense - it's just how I feel tonight after a long day and months and months of this. But really, I'm in Illinois - Obama's got this State.
I was more upset that they choose to use a special needs situation as a pro-life pitch. Here's how I took that whole thing: Look how great I(Sarah Palin) am... I chose to have my kid EVEN tho I knew that he was going to have special needs. I had the ability to make a choice and even tho my kid has down's, I STILL chose to have him--that's how much I believe in pro-life. I think it's arrogant and ignorant to anyone that has a child with special needs. That's what makes me sick, I think that the GOP was/is basically exploiting children with a disability--at least that's how it goes in my head, they were the one's I heard boast that Sarah Palin was so pro-life she even had a special needs child. Altho I know what my choice would be, you and I both know how much work and devotion is needed to raise children in general, especially those with special needs...I can't fault anyone who knows that they aren't up to the challenge--it's not my place to pass judgement or cast stones. Just my 2 cents and a different pov!
I'm almost wondering if the person who wrote that didn't take a minute to consider how it might be read. It does seem rather ridiculous to be mad at someone for giving birth to a child with Down's Syndrome. And, if you're truly for choice, I'd think you support every decision, regardless of what was actually decided. I've decided I'm not in the mood to play Devil's advocate. Got cookies in the oven and a baby who doesn't want to go to sleep. Perhaps there will be more later. But before I leave let me just say that the thought of a demonstrably rigid pro-lifer in the White House scares the bejesus out of me. It's not that she choices to be pro-life for herself but rather that as a rigid pro-lifer she'd likely try to make it impossible for me to make that choice for myself. (Read: by placing pro-life, conservative folks on the U.S. Sup. Court bench.)
Amy - Good point. I haven't read any conservative posts using her pro-life position as a "leverage." Maybe that's where this person (I wish I could remember where I was!) got the idea from!?
Christie - mmmm....cookies. I'm almost wondering if the person who wrote that didn't take a minute to consider how it might be read. It does seem rather ridiculous to be mad at someone for giving birth to a child with Down's Syndrome.And, if you're truly for choice, I'd think you support every decision, regardless of what was actually decided. That's exactly what I'm thinking.
hi there. i got to you from susie, and since i was the one who posted the babies for barack video, i figured i'd respond to your post.
i agree, the comment about palin was out of bounds. but i also agree with amy about how some of the pro-life/anti-choice movement has used palin's son's down's syndrome to promote their own agenda, and that makes me ill. as an aunt to a special needs nephew, i was personally offended by this tactic. really, what does it say about your own child to be touting him as such a burden that you are to be commended for not aborting him instead of celebrating him as you would any other kid? who knows what this child will be capable of when he is older but if he can comprehend his role in this election, it might be a very bitter pill to swallow. the right's behavior however, doesn't make it ok to comment the way the blogger who so upset you did.
as far as the babies and barack video goes, i agree that it is wonderful to see him so comfortable and seemingly invested in each one. i think it is also very powerful to see so many young black children embraced by or looking up to him. what a moment in our history.
nice to find you and thanks for listening.
Cathy---
I wanted to let you know that I didn't forget your note to me about this topic.
The video you showed was cute. but at the end of the day? it does nothing to sway or solidify my vote. The other super-awesome-everyone-loved-it video of the celebrities saying not to vote had no impact on me, either, other than to possibly disturb me even MORE to think that someone's vote will be influenced because mass-media tells them to do something.
I agree that there has been too many spotlights on mudslinging and trash talking of the opposing candidate and their party... from BOTH parties. The amount of MONEY that each candidate has spent on these specific kinds of campaign tactics is mind-boggling... and disheartening.
As an engineer, you get trained to systematically dissect things when problems occur. Root cause analysis. Often, whether in corporate america, in personal relationships, or in the case of our government.. we apply 'band-aide' fixes. They may cover up the bleeding, mask the problem, or slow the damage from spreading.. but these topical fixes are not what needs to be done. At least they can't be the ONLY thing that's done.
anyways.. not even sure I'm making my point... but a new president is not the fix-all nor the CREATOR of the issues we see in America. as a Catholic, I have a hard time buying into Papal Infalability... much less, like I said, the entire future of the USA being up to the next president elected. (yes, I do recognize the president elects the supreme court justices, and we're looking at for sure one, possibly TWO new justices being named this upcoming presidential term.. I also understand that whomever gets named COULD have an impact on roe v wade if the newly named are of the mindset that they would be willing to try a case that could possibly overturn roe v wade. but I'm just making a general example that illustrates the president as ONE PIECE of the puzzle.)
Whether or not we agree with the votes cast, you can bet there will be a LOT of UNEDUCATED votes made... and that's just pretty damn sad. By this I mean people who will not vote for Obama simply on the premise that he is black, or people that will vote for him because he IS black. Or on the pro-choice/pro-life platform. ANYONE who casts a vote on one platform alone is not making an educated vote, in my opinion.
My only hope is that after November, regardless of who wins the oval office, when all the hype and media-driven-group-think has died down, that the citizens who are REALLY vested in our future will continue to vote for and on the issues and congressional delegates which will truly shape our futures.
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