Bristol Palin is accepting the call to motherhood with class and honor. However, the fury of criticism and exploitation leveled against her by the media is despicable. Several pundits have asserted that her pregnancy reflects the hypocrisy of the Christian right. Some have even suggested that her pregnancy is the fault of inattentive parents. Such charges are appalling. Bristol Palin is 17-years-old. She made a mistake. As a private citizen and a minor, the media should butt out of her life. She has enough things to think about; she shouldn't have to worry about the media assaulting her reputation.
Being a pregnant teenager is rough. A young expecting woman is subject to many societal pressures. For instance, in today's America the Supreme Court says she can abort her child. Tragically, some women feel pushed to choose that option. But for those who rightly acknowledge that life begins at conception, abortion is not even on the table.
For those those young teenagers who decide to keep their babies, among the many questions they must field are: "How will I afford this child?" "Will I have to drop out of school?" "What will my parents say?" "Will my boyfriend leave me?" "Where will I live?" "How can I possibly give my child everything he needs?"
In the midst of such a sensitive situation, the last thing expecting mothers should have to worry about is being shamed by friends and relatives. Sadly, Bristol is being condemned by elements of the mainstream media before a worldwide audience.
She has made the commendable decision to keep her child and marry the father. As a result, Bristol's child will grow up with both of his or her biological parents in the same household. Bristol is making a very pro-life decision. But, she still has a difficult life ahead. She should be able to live that life outside of the media limelight.
Criticizing Sarah Palin for policy decisions and inexperience is fair game. It is all part of running for elected office. But to use Bristol as ammo against her mother and the Christian right is unacceptable.
Bristol is not a criminal. She is a minor, a private citizen, and thus has THE RIGHT TO BE LEFT ALONE.
This guy Ive never heard of before is right! Leave the prego alone!!! Seriously! Things happen! Im not a fan of Palins by any means but it doesnt mean she is a bad mother! The girl just rebelled against everything her mother tried to shove down her throat.
Besides we will all get to know Sarah and her daughter better. Im sure after the election they can both pose for playboy to stay in the public eye!
Id buy it! a semi-hot librarian looking cougar and her ho daughter! Thats gold man!!!!
Posted By: Connolley Sucks! (Guest) on September 03, 2008 at 03:33 AM
Yes, she SHOULD be left alone. But no matter how wrong it is, the media is not going to let something like that go. It makes Sarah Palin look like a hypocrite. And that's what people want.
All credit to Bristol for owning up to her mistake and doing the right thing.
But the fact that Sarah would decide to be McCain's VP pick, and that McCain would pick her, KNOWING that the media was going to jump all over this and put Bristol through even more pain and embarassment than she already is, proves one of two things.
1) They are ignorant of the situation that was GOING to happen, and were stupid enough to assume it wouldn't. This shows they have no idea how the media works. BIG problem.
OR 2) They were fully aware that the media would jump on this, and decided to go through with it anyway. So they either didn't KNOW that this would hurt Bristol, or they don't CARE.
Bristol having pre-marital sex and getting pregnant does not make her bad person. Owning up to her mistakes shows character. And the pregnancy does not make Sarah a bad parent.
Being ignorant or apathetic or what the media would do to her daughter once they started looking for dirt after Palin decided to accept the VP nomination makes Palin a bad parent.
Posted By: Aaron (Guest) on September 03, 2008 at 02:07 PM
There's something not right about the idea of Bristol Palin as reasonable fair game. How Sarah got the job OTOH ...
Posted By: David Gerard (Guest) on September 03, 2008 at 07:05 PM
STAY CURRENT