The news is everywhere. McCain VP pick Sarah Palin’s 17-year old daughter, Bristol, is five months pregnant. The Obama and McCain camps call for privacy for the family, and the press… well, the press digs in.
And dig in they have. New York Magazine calls Levi Johnston, the 18-year old father, “sex on skates,” referring to his skill in hockey and his skill in being sexy, at least according to the writers at the magazine:
There are so many questions: Did McCain even know the woman he picked to run the Free World in case of an emergency? Isn’t Sarah Palin so brave for standing by her daughter? Will this boost or bust McCain’s standing with independents?
We have a different question: How hot is the baby daddy?
Johnston is basically the quintessential example of that guy who you are constantly worried is going to impregnate your daughter (and occasionally does). He’s a handsome stud, an athletic star, and he has a criminal record…
With the sexiness of the Republican ticket now an issue (see VPILF), will Levi’s “fuckin’ redneck” hotness boost the turnout for McCain among the nation’s population of cougars?
In Alaska, it wasn’t statutory rape.http://blog.laborlawtalk.com/2006/10/18/alaska-statutory-rape-laws/
In Alaska, it wasn’t statutory rape.
http://blog.laborlawtalk.com/2006/10/18/alaska-statutory-rape-laws/
AAAAHHHH!!! This is too funny!!! If Mr. Palin was half a man, he would’ve gone out and beaten this little punk to a bloody pulp for taking advantage of his daughter. Whatever happened to statutory rape laws? Where is N.O.W. and why have they not demanded that Bristol be forced into having an abortion?
AAAAHHHH!!! This is too funny!!! If Mr. Palin was half a man, he would’ve gone out and beaten this little punk to a bloody pulp for taking advantage of his daughter. Whatever happened to statutory rape laws? Where is N.O.W. and why have they not demanded that Bristol be forced into having an abortion?
@3:44 PMYes, I do believe it. Evidence of how well abstinence can work in light of the sexual urges of young people is right in front of her face, and she will likely not learn from this. It is immensely dangerous thinking, and the fact that she refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem with this situation is frightening. Her daughter’s life is COMPLETELY changed because of this. She (and the father) could have avoided this with a condom (read: without killing a baby or destroying a fertilized egg).Of course if it’s what she wanted, more power to her.
@3:44 PM
Yes, I do believe it. Evidence of how well abstinence can work in light of the sexual urges of young people is right in front of her face, and she will likely not learn from this. It is immensely dangerous thinking, and the fact that she refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem with this situation is frightening. Her daughter’s life is COMPLETELY changed because of this. She (and the father) could have avoided this with a condom (read: without killing a baby or destroying a fertilized egg).
Of course if it’s what she wanted, more power to her.
@ 3:34:you *nailed* it.
@ 3:34:
you *nailed* it.
Jacon,You seem to operate under the assumption that all press is good press, but at least in this case I don’t think that is so. Governor Palin is a largely unknown figure to the country, even to hardcore polticos, so this was, in a sense, her introduction to the country. An introduction frought with stories that only seem to undercut her credibility, and at the very least, don’t help to assuage concerns about her credentials, can’t be good for the McCain. Coverage like this is how you get retractions, like Eagleton and Harriet Miers.
Jacon,
You seem to operate under the assumption that all press is good press, but at least in this case I don’t think that is so. Governor Palin is a largely unknown figure to the country, even to hardcore polticos, so this was, in a sense, her introduction to the country.
An introduction frought with stories that only seem to undercut her credibility, and at the very least, don’t help to assuage concerns about her credentials, can’t be good for the McCain. Coverage like this is how you get retractions, like Eagleton and Harriet Miers.
^^Jacon, that was my thought, at first. But, now my attitude is more like, hey, if the Republicans want to have this completely unscripted, irrelevant, conversation at their own expense — let them.
^^Jacon, that was my thought, at first. But, now my attitude is more like, hey, if the Republicans want to have this completely unscripted, irrelevant, conversation at their own expense — let them.
No, Justin, the real issue here is that Obama and the Democrats got a solid week of coverage during their convention. Now McCain gets his, unless the networks want to go back to reporting the weather again (“I’m standing here in the wind and rain where it’s windy and raining! As you can see by the footage of wind and rain!”)Anyway, it’s part of the cycle. Real race starts with the first debate. This is all just two weeks of stagecraft. Remember, this is America. They sell us our president like they sell us cars, soap, American Idol etc.And so it goes….
No, Justin, the real issue here is that Obama and the Democrats got a solid week of coverage during their convention. Now McCain gets his, unless the networks want to go back to reporting the weather again (“I’m standing here in the wind and rain where it’s windy and raining! As you can see by the footage of wind and rain!”)
Anyway, it’s part of the cycle. Real race starts with the first debate. This is all just two weeks of stagecraft. Remember, this is America. They sell us our president like they sell us cars, soap, American Idol etc.
And so it goes….
The real issue here, which the previous comments don’t seem to appreciate, is the strategy behind all of this. Obama gave a remarkable acceptance speech; the next day, McCain announced Palin. Since then, every single story on the campaign has been about her or her daughter. Obama has gotten zero coverage.The point: this can only help the McCain campaign. Furthermore, it is a strategy designed to later insulate Palin from any sort of attack. So maybe we should start thinking about how we, as consumers of information, can stop the tide so the campaign can go back to, you know, issues.
The real issue here, which the previous comments don’t seem to appreciate, is the strategy behind all of this. Obama gave a remarkable acceptance speech; the next day, McCain announced Palin. Since then, every single story on the campaign has been about her or her daughter. Obama has gotten zero coverage.
The point: this can only help the McCain campaign. Furthermore, it is a strategy designed to later insulate Palin from any sort of attack. So maybe we should start thinking about how we, as consumers of information, can stop the tide so the campaign can go back to, you know, issues.
The criticism of Bristol’s behavior as out of control seems rather hypocritical. As young people, we should realize that 17 year olds having sex is in no way out of the ordinary. The only difference is that Bristol was unlucky enough to get pregnant and, because of either her or her family’s views on abortion, chose not to terminate the pregnancy. The legitimate line of criticism here is the misuse or non-use of birth control in this situation. Or the choice not to have an abortion. The problem with Governor Palin’s views on abortion and sexual education are that they tend to lead to these types of situations.More explicitly, when teenagers don’t have access to birth control or aren’t taught how to use it, they are more likely to have unplanned pregnancies. Further, when the option to terminate the prenancy is removed, you get a child raised in a less than ideal environment and a mother bound to care for a child she hadn’t planned for. In this case, Bristol’s shotgun wedding just brings a third person into an easily avoidable situation. Marriages out of social or political necessity rather than genuine choice aren’t the kind of family values I stand for. But they’re exactly the kind of family values that Governor Palin’s policies would advance.
The criticism of Bristol’s behavior as out of control seems rather hypocritical. As young people, we should realize that 17 year olds having sex is in no way out of the ordinary. The only difference is that Bristol was unlucky enough to get pregnant and, because of either her or her family’s views on abortion, chose not to terminate the pregnancy.
The legitimate line of criticism here is the misuse or non-use of birth control in this situation. Or the choice not to have an abortion. The problem with Governor Palin’s views on abortion and sexual education are that they tend to lead to these types of situations.
More explicitly, when teenagers don’t have access to birth control or aren’t taught how to use it, they are more likely to have unplanned pregnancies. Further, when the option to terminate the prenancy is removed, you get a child raised in a less than ideal environment and a mother bound to care for a child she hadn’t planned for. In this case, Bristol’s shotgun wedding just brings a third person into an easily avoidable situation.
Marriages out of social or political necessity rather than genuine choice aren’t the kind of family values I stand for. But they’re exactly the kind of family values that Governor Palin’s policies would advance.
Homeboy’s wearing a Wesleyan sweater. Sweet!
Homeboy’s wearing a Wesleyan sweater. Sweet!
“The own views that she champions have been shown to not work through the person closest to her who is subject to her direct influence. If Palin can’t educate her own child properly, we can’t expect her to be an effective leader on the issue.” This is disappointingly unthoughtful commentary. Do you (and the many others who have been making such remarks around the web) really believe this?
“The own views that she champions have been shown to not work through the person closest to her who is subject to her direct influence. If Palin can’t educate her own child properly, we can’t expect her to be an effective leader on the issue.”
This is disappointingly unthoughtful commentary. Do you (and the many others who have been making such remarks around the web) really believe this?
Why are politicians’ romantic affairs an issue at all?Honesty.Why is this an issue? Palin can’t control her own daughter. The own views that she champions have been shown to not work through the person closest to her who is subject to her direct influence. If Palin can’t educate her own child properly, we can’t expect her to be an effective leader on the issue.
Why are politicians’ romantic affairs an issue at all?
Honesty.
Why is this an issue?
Palin can’t control her own daughter. The own views that she champions have been shown to not work through the person closest to her who is subject to her direct influence. If Palin can’t educate her own child properly, we can’t expect her to be an effective leader on the issue.
It’s not like you haven’t already read something about this on 10 different sites. Quit giving wesleying shit about it
It’s not like you haven’t already read something about this on 10 different sites. Quit giving wesleying shit about it
I’m sorry–but when an political party and an individual politician promotes “family values” and pushes for “abstinence,” when the parents fail in their obligations to their children, then they are fair game for criticism. You can be sure that if Chelsea Clinton was some unwed single baby mama, the right wing would have pilloried Hillary and any other Democrat in the vicinity. I am pleased that the family is so understanding and accepting of their daughter (I know of many families who would have thrown the girl out because of the disgrace)and therein they are setting a wonderful example. But the elder Palins have clearly failed as parents in ensuring that their daughter was taught the appropriate behavior. They obviously failed at teaching the Republican value of abstinence.Also, I seriously wonder how long this marriage will last once the stud on skates decides to seek out a new puck.
I’m sorry–but when an political party and an individual politician promotes “family values” and pushes for “abstinence,” when the parents fail in their obligations to their children, then they are fair game for criticism. You can be sure that if Chelsea Clinton was some unwed single baby mama, the right wing would have pilloried Hillary and any other Democrat in the vicinity. I am pleased that the family is so understanding and accepting of their daughter (I know of many families who would have thrown the girl out because of the disgrace)and therein they are setting a wonderful example. But the elder Palins have clearly failed as parents in ensuring that their daughter was taught the appropriate behavior. They obviously failed at teaching the Republican value of abstinence.
Also, I seriously wonder how long this marriage will last once the stud on skates decides to seek out a new puck.
hahahah this is hilarious
hahahah this is hilarious
this is stupid. it’s obvious that this is a political non-issue and should remain an issue only within the palin family. shouldn’t you be doing your part to *keep* this story private?
this is stupid. it’s obvious that this is a political non-issue and should remain an issue only within the palin family. shouldn’t you be doing your part to *keep* this story private?
hmm, if even obama is calling for stops on criticism of palin’s personal life – why is wesleying doing it?
hmm, if even obama is calling for stops on criticism of palin’s personal life – why is wesleying doing it?