Comments on: Palin backed abstinence education

By: Derrick - Houston, TX

Derrick - Houston, TX — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:52:19 +0000

Well, we can see how well it works, then, can't we? I'd rather my tax dollars go towards teaching more art, music and SCIENCE.

By: Joe G

Joe G — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:50:15 +0000

As a conservative McCain makes me sick. I'm not happy about his VP choice. Interestingly enough though – she's got more executive experience than Obama. Neither Obama OR Palin are qualified or experienced enough to lead our nation. Shame on both parties.

By: Taylor

Taylor — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:48:20 +0000

Oddly enough, it is common among holier-than-thou evangelicals to have children who end up rebelling against their parents very backwards and unrealistic beliefs. The fact that her daughter remained uneducated about how to protect herself makes this rebellion all the more tragic.

By: Tara

Tara — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:47:56 +0000

I have to laugh at the right wingers try to spin this by saying "they are a normal family"

By: patricia

patricia — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:47:55 +0000

This just underscores McCain's bad judgment. Palin has no experience to be VP, let alone president. He rushed to put her on the ticket with out vetting her background and personal life history, just as a political ploy. I feel sorry for Pallin's daughter, but this just reinforces to me that McCain as president will bring the same the same politicized, and misguided, bad judgment as the Bush regime.

By: April in Texas

April in Texas — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:47:53 +0000

Well isnt that nice. Now only had her daughter payed attention or better yet had sex education and if they were not going to show abstinance then please use birth control of some sort.

Obama/Biden 08

By: Luis

Luis — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:47:31 +0000

So cute, isn't it? She isn't a soccer mom, she is a politician... Even more, she is a Republican politician. They only have "values" to impose to everyone, not to themselves. Where was her daughter at the campaign 2 years ago? Didn't Palin tell her that wasn't just rethorical? Bristol might have given Sarah a lesson about sex education.

By: john

john — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:47:29 +0000

Anyone who thinks abstinence education will stop teenagers from sexual experimentation has incredibly poor judgment and should not hold elected office.

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:47:16 +0000

The facts speak for themselves on this, it is up to voters to decide for themselves where they stand and what approach they think is more effective. Personally I favor birth control and education and that is one of the reasons why I am voting Obama. Hopefully all Obama supporters can take the high road on this and have the election decided on the issues.

OBAMA BIDEN 08!!!!!!

By: greg in Oregon

greg in Oregon — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:47:07 +0000

if she can't Lead her family well she never lead the Nation except into more trouble than we are already in after 8 years of lies and deception.

By: Lissa in Montreal

Lissa in Montreal — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:46:50 +0000

Education is NOT a selective process – if you teach one side of it, teach the other – kids need to know what it's about and it need not be explicit but it MUST be informative. We can't rely on PSA's to educate our children, but we have to do it at home AND the schools have to offer open, honest education.

By: Democrats you are looking foolish

Democrats you are looking foolish — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:46:48 +0000

I can not believe the democrats are actually doing this....

Is abortion really a better, more desirable "failure" than the failure of abstinence teaching?

Pregnancies happen – even to Obama's mother. I bet her parents tried to teach her, abstinence as well. She could have aborted your darling Obama.

Hmmmmmnnnnn?

Democrats... do you REALLY think that is a BETTER option?

By: DISGUSTED

DISGUSTED — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:46:38 +0000

ISN'T THIS JUST LOVELY- SUCH A SHINING EXAMPLE FOR TEENS ACROSS THE COUNTRY! WAKE UP AMERICA- THIS WOMAN CAN'T TAKE CARE OF HER OWN HOME AND BE A MOTHER HOW CAN SHE POSSIBLY TAKE OVER IF MCBUSH KEELS OVER!?! I AM A FEMNIST AND A HILLARY SUPPORTER BUT THERE IS NO WAY THAT MCBUSH AND THIS LOSER FROM ALASKA WOULD EVER GET MY VOTE- THIS SEALS IT- I AM VOTING FOR RESPONSIBLE PARENTS AND LEADERS- OBAMA/BIDEN IN '08!

By: Overseas

Overseas — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:46:38 +0000

Poor Girl, really, all kidding aside, this is a 17 yr old girl at a difficult time in her life, and she has to share this with the entire world because of her absent mothers ambitions.... And to top it all off, she is making her marry this boy! What if the boy doesn't want to.... then what? Palin KNEW when she said yes to McCain that her daughter van PG yet she chose to do this. I am appallled @palin and I am appalled @ the abstinence only programme.
This country has the highest teen pg rate of industrialised countries. So NO it is not working, and telling your child about sex does not make it promiscues.

Shame on you and your inhumane, family un-friendly policies Sarah Palin!

By: Evon

Evon — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:46:32 +0000

I SUPPOSE SHES THE ONLY PARENT WHOSE CHILD HAD TEENAGE SEX AND IS NOW PREGNANT?

AS A PARENT, I DONT KNOW WHAT SADDENS ME MORE THE FACT A 17 YEAR OLD IS PREGNANT OR THE ONES THROWING STONES ACT AS IF THEY WAITED UNTIL THE WERE OVER THE AGE OF 18 AND MARRIED BEFORE HAVING SEX!

PEOPLE PLEASE- PULL YOU HEADS OUT OF THE CLOUDS (the nicest way of saying what i really wanted to say)

Democrat

By: Chicago

Chicago — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:46:17 +0000

0 for 1 on the while abstiance thing. Apparently she feels that teaching creationisim, abstinance, and all that other conservitive fluff is right for the nation, but not so much for her family.

Palin is now off to abandon her pregnant 17 year old daughter and head to washington. Sounds like the perfect hockey mom to me, follow that ambition Sarah, follow that ambition.

I bet her daughter feels very comfortable and loved right now with millons of people judgeing her for something that could happen to any teen anywhere. Follow that ambtion Sarah follow that ambition.

By: Cindy- St. Louis

Cindy- St. Louis — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:46:10 +0000

The hypocrisy is galling. I am all for having a woman on a major party ticket. I am all for the right of mothers to work. I am also for the RIGHTS OF CHILDREN whose needs, sometimes, come first.

We can do better than this, America!!

Obama/Biden 08 and 12

By: Sandi from Ada, MI

Sandi from Ada, MI — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:46:05 +0000

It's sad.

Ands it's scary that John McCain picked her.

Judgment matters!
Go Obama!

By: W Mellon

W Mellon — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:46:04 +0000

1. Vicious rumors on the internet about bible-thumping family's little girl being pregnant.

2. GOP spin machine counters with press release indicating that the bible-thumping family's little girl is pregnant.

I'm just loving this model of leadership. Lie and deny your way through anything.

By: Darryl

Darryl — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:46:03 +0000

Let us pray , the McCain camp has vetted this Gov. Sarah Palin and her family. Who's going to take care of the baby while the daughter fisinhes high school? Excellent Choice by Senator John McCain what good judgement.

By: The Bush Twins : George and John

The Bush Twins : George and John — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:45:59 +0000

Gov. Palin, you must really be so lost in your career that you would put your family out there to face the scrutinity like this. Does your husband have any say in this ?. Did you really have time to sit down as a family and discuss the reprecautions of accepting the VP position ?. Something tells me you gave it as much thought as McCain did in making the offer. If you can't look to your families needs, how can we expect you to look to the needs of our country ?. It scares me, the thought of you in charge.

By: Ann, MI

Ann, MI — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:45:48 +0000

I do not blame Sarah Palin and her husband for her daughter's pregnancy. I would hope that a 17-year old knows full well where babies come from and is capable of making the decision to not have sex. HOWEVER, it would behove children to learn about their bodies, the changes that are occurring and the very dangerous and contagious diseases that can result from sexual relations. Most parents just tell their kids Don't do it! that isn't good enough.

My parochial school taught us sex ed in 7th grade, and I don't recall any rush to have sex. In fact, after learning about venereal diseases, I was terrified.

By: dellie

dellie — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:45:31 +0000

Is Sarah supposed to practice what she preaches or is she supposed to accompany her 17 year old daughter on dates and force her to practice what Mom preaches? Do you accompany your teens on dates? Did your parents?

By: frank

frank — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:45:17 +0000

in ur face !! now stop being extremists and recognise that maybe, just maybe, .. people with other opinions have given it thorough thought.

By: WHAT A JOKE!

WHAT A JOKE! — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:45:17 +0000

Her family issues are irrelevant, people! Palin is simply not qualified to be VP, period!

By: Linda in Atlanta

Linda in Atlanta — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:44:56 +0000

THIS WOMAN, HAD TO HAVE SPENT THE LAST 30 YEARS ON MARS!

By: Skonkey, Atlanta

Skonkey, Atlanta — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:44:54 +0000

This is a sharp reminder that ignoring the need to educate results in poor decisions on the child's part. Unprotected sex? BAD on so many levels. It is sad that this young girl was denied her right to know, and now she will bear the weight.
How can anyone make a sound decision when denied all of the facts? Teens are curious and full of libido. They need education, not ignorance. Parents and lawmakers who stick their heads in the sand are asking for more situations like this one. How long do you really think this marriage might last? What if this girl weren't the daughter of a well-off, highly visible family? What if this child wasn't wanted, or accepted? More domestic violence?

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:44:52 +0000

You people are disgusting – All of you! This is a 17 year old girl and believe me whether it is abstinence or sex ed young people will be confronted with difficult choices and will not always make the best judgment calls. Try to tear down her mother all that you want but all of you should be ashamed for pulling in a young girl who can read this garbage all of you pathetic judgmental jerks write. I have daughters and work very hard to help them make wise decisions and not always do they follow my advice. I am seeing more and more that I have lost all respect for the Democratic hate machine – I used to think it was the Republican hate machine as an outside independent observer but since everyone has become so desperate to elect Obama the Dems have become the haters. Well you guys do not have my support or vote for your causes and I am so glad that those of us who are independents do not have to feel the shame for partymembers that some of the Dems and Repubs must feel. Do away with political parties and start thinking for yourselves!

By: RoGrace

RoGrace — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:44:39 +0000

I do not judge, "Only God Can Judge Me", but can't we all agree that you should have met your vice president more than once. That seems like a rush to judgement. We all know we need a change. Do not be scared America, do not be scared. Get out and vote for Obama and Biden.

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:44:30 +0000

It's not about making of Palin's daughter,it's about the lack of judgement in McCain and Palin and their hypocrasy.
If this had been Obama,they both would be saying he needs to drop out of the race.We all know that to be true.
Also,when choosing a vp candidate,you vet them so there are no scandals.And now with her ethics investigation this is scandal.It would be for anyone else.The republicans ripped Jaime lynn Spears when she became pregnant,now all of a sudden it's okay with them.Republicans don't understand this is one of things people don't like about them,their hypocrasy.

By: Isabellav

Isabellav — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:44:27 +0000

Gov. Palin,
Abstinence education==
How's that working for ya?

By: Alaskarose

Alaskarose — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:44:17 +0000

Grandma Sarah should have stayed home to teach her daughter about the birds and the bees if she did not want Bristol to learn anything about it in school. Looks to me like Bristol needed some "explicit sex-ed programs" that her Mom so vehemently opposes, Bristol got all the wrong information and or she would not be 5 months along.

By: JD, FL

JD, FL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:44:15 +0000

I remember McCain ran one ad including Obama, Paris and Britney as immature and irresponsible. Now I am waiting for a new one includng Bristol Palin as a good example for teenagers. I feel sorry for the guy that got her pregnant, because they are going to put pressure on him to get married as such a young age.

By: Obama Hammer

Obama Hammer — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:44:07 +0000

Didn't they say that ''charity'' begins at home? If she can't teach abstence to her own daughter, how can....well, never mind.

By: adam

adam — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:43:57 +0000

Maybe this isn't fair to say but if Palin had advocated both instead of being hard-wired to her beliefs and religion perhaps her daughter wouldn't be pregnant.

Bottom line, I think the solution is a hybrid and I hate to invoke Obama, but as he said in his Thursday speech, and I paraphrase "we may not agree on abortion, but surely we can all agree that we need to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies."

Abstinence certainly prevents pregnancies, but teenagers are going to have sex, whether or not we want them to and no amount of education is going to change this. The best we can do is to educate them that there are alternatives and ways to practice safe sex.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:43:43 +0000

Now that Palin has experienced the flipside of promoting "abstinence only" programs, she should encourage schools to promote a broader sex education program.

Telling your kids not to have sex before they're married, is not sex education.

By: Papa

Papa — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:43:30 +0000

This women should spend more time being a mother to her children than persuing her own political aspirations. If she truely had family values she would be there for all her children all the time. If she becomes VP the kids will barely see their mother for 4 or more What a shame. They can say they love them all they want but bring there is truley priceless

By: Ron democrat turned independent

Ron democrat turned independent — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:43:25 +0000

here, here. here's to the family,who's children always obey,and when they don't,then what do they say. my hat is off to those perfect parents

By: Michele

Michele — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:43:23 +0000

She can't even run her own "normal" family...how's she going to run a whole dysfunctional national government? Thanks, John! Excellent selection!!!

By: Let's educate!

Let's educate! — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:43:12 +0000

Teaching abstinence is a good very thing...

Teaching about contraceptives and diseases is a good thing too.

Palin is against teaching about contraception. Her daughter only got pregnant- what if she had contracted HIV too?

McCain is putting the country at RISK by picking someone who not only has her hands already full, but is NOT QUALIFIED for the position.

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:42:58 +0000

Facts show this doesn't work.

By: Jeanie

Jeanie — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:42:51 +0000

No, having a pregnant 17-year old daughter and advocating abstienence-only education isn't normal, it's stupid.

By: SS

SS — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:42:44 +0000

Mommy probably wishes she taught daughter about condoms instead of quoting scripture to her...
Another failed GOP policy exposed for what it is...

By: Do you think,

Do you think, — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:42:37 +0000

the earth is flat,global warming is a hoax,babies grow from trees,or the tooth fairy?You should vote for a Republican.

By: Boston For OBAMA

Boston For OBAMA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:42:37 +0000

We all know sexual activity comes naturally to all. I prefer my children to be well informed of the consequences of unprotected sexual activity, the most important issue is the tramission of desease.....AIDS is growing among teenagers. Protect our young.

By: Will in Richmond, VA

Will in Richmond, VA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:42:18 +0000

Well, McCain, it looks like you succeeded in grabbing all the headlines with this one. Mission Accomplished!!!!

By: family values

family values — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:42:14 +0000

I predict 72hrs from now, Sarah Palin will be the ex-GOP presumptive GOP nominee. The media will tear her limb from limb. Its starting now.

By: DW, NY FOR OBAMA '08

DW, NY FOR OBAMA '08 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:42:03 +0000

That shows how out-of-touch Palin is w/ teenagers. She needs to wake up and smell the coffee. Hello???? How about teaching protection???

This is the Republican VP pick??? I'm NOT impressed.

By: DV

DV — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:41:56 +0000

Geesh, this shows just how poor McCain's judgement is. To, just like George W. Bush, go with his gut feelings instead of reasoned, educated judgement when making the most important decision of his campaign to date.

I can't imagine how dangerous he would be as President where he can choose an Attorney General or Supreme Court Justice.

David

By: sabrina

sabrina — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:41:50 +0000

Obviously, Palin you may need to rethink abstinence education. I"m sure you "raised" your daughter with "values" and in the end even the most well intentioned parent can have a child who gets pregnant. These days pregnancy is the least of your worries...HIV and other STD's are on the rise. People need to get their head out of the clouds when it comes to this. Ignoring and preaching about abstinence doesn't mean a hill of beans when hormones get to roaring out of control!