Posted by
Yubaduck on Monday, September 01, 2008 3:02:49 PM
As the father of three daughters, I cannot express how sick I am about the far left and their willingness to smear and lie about a child in an attempt to discredit a candidate. They are scared to death of Sarah Palin because she represents what many of them fear most: A woman or minority of accomplishment who is off the liberal reservation. To discredit her, they will do anything, including starting rumors about her children. The fact that her daughter is pregnant does not lessen the "crime" here, it adds to it.
I had often thought that perhaps in my fifties, I might retire early from teaching and run for congress. I have long believed that we were meant to be a "citizen government" and that therefore citizens ought to consider serving in politics. I have thought I would wait until my children were at least out of high school, to avoid subjecting them to the rigors and ugliness of a political life. But I don't think I can do it. I am the father of three daughters. They are currently 9, 7, and 1. They are wonderful little girls. Do I really want to see Daily Kos and Huffington Post spread filth about them in an attempt to discredit me? Worse, if one of them does make a mistake and ends up in drug rehab, being an unmarried mother, or cheating on a college exam, do I really want to put them through this kind of hell?
I am a Christian, and I am raising my daughters in a Christian home. But all have sinned and fallen short, despite my best efforts and despite their best efforts, they will make mistakes. Apparently, those mistakes will be broadcast far and wide.
In the Bible, two of Jesus' disciples made huge mistakes. Judas betrayed Jesus to the authorities, Peter denied Him for his own protection. Both felt remorse after realizing what they had done. Judas then went out and hung himself. Peter was broken, and cried out for forgiveness and it was granted him. He went on to lead thousands to saving grace and even if he hadn't, he was forgiven. Judas turned his back on forgiveness but it was there for him if he'd have asked. That is the lesson I would have my daughter learn. To err is human. To forgive divine. Gods love is unconditional, and our love as parents ought to be as well. Sarah Palin and her husband appear to be living that way. My prayer is that I will do so as well.
Bottom line, kids ought to be off limits. Whether they are very young like Obamas daughters or adults like McCains, they should be a non issue. Unless something criminal is done to cover for them or unless they are exploited for political purposes (for example if Palin or Biden, who both have sons going to Iraq were lying and their sons were not serving in the military, that is newsworthy because of their lie, not their sons service or non service). I am sickened by this past 72 hours and even further disgusted by the complicity of "respectable" media outlets and members such as Alan Colmes and Andrew Sullivan in perpetuating these sick comments. Some things ought to be sacred, even for politicians. But I guess not, and the sad thing is, our nation will be far weaker for it if good people refuse to serve because of the toll on their families.