LETTER: Palin and family can take the heat

After listening to the continual bashing of Sarah Palin by the mainstream media and Left Wing attack dogs, I’ve got to vent my anger. How low has America sunk? Whatever happened to the “children of politicians are off limits.” Guess that only pertains to the Clinton, Gore, Edwards, Kennedy and of course Obama and Biden families.

The press ignored Al Gore’s son’s marijuana use in 2000 (as it should have) but when it comes to the Republicans, everyone within their family circle is fair game.

If you happen to be a Democrat, you are now aligned with a venomous party. Anyone who takes hateful potshots at a 17-year-old pregnant teenager or a 4-month-old Down syndrome baby is repulsive and deserves to be repudiated.

There is no place in our society for such deplorable behavior. Have we lost all respect? I’m sure most Americans have lives interwoven with unfortunate events whether they are family- or friend-related.

Would we consider treating them like Sarah Palin?

Sarah Palin has put the left on the defensive. Why? Because she is such a good choice. The liberals are beside themselves. How best to attack? It’s difficult to tear apart a governor who has had an 80-percent favorable rating among her Alaska residents. That rating is not only impressive but pretty much unheard of. Our Congress has a 9-percent approval rating and I don’t have to tell you who’s in charge of that.

What makes the Democrats crazy is that Sarah Palin is living out her compassion, her values, her love of family and her strong womanhood. The mother of five hunts, fishes and has a day job as the governor of Alaska.

She’s from a small town just like most of us. She probably is one of those bitter rural Americans who Obama says cling to guns and religion.

The liberals only plan of attack hinges on Palin’s family and values. Abortion wasn’t an option when she and her husband discovered their last child had Down Syndrome. She said he would be just as special as their other children.

When Bristol’s pregnancy was made public it was stated that she and the baby’s father would be married. Those supporting abortion went into a feeding frenzy. However, evangelicals and religious leaders greeted the news with support for the Palins. Women on the left, who fought hard for the ability to raise children while juggling a job, are as quiet as church mice.

Notice we haven’t heard a word of support for the Palins from Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton and the majority of self-righteous liberal women. Where are you NOW (National Organization of Women)?

Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright once said, “There is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women.” No doubt Madeline was referring specifically to Democratic women.

But have no fear; Sarah Palin is a woman of courageous substance who can take the heat and has no intention of spending time in Madeline Albright’s “feminists’ kitchen.”

Diane L. Schabo

Iron Mountain, Mich.

Editor’s note: Below find the original comment thread to this story. Additional comments may be added below.

Karin Byars wrote on Sep 20, 2008 1:27 PM:

" Diane, That little town, Wasilla, you talk about is the Meth Capitol of Alaska. Did that fact slip by you? And Alaska has the highest per captita rate of rape and incest in the nation. I think you and your Gov. have plenty to do at home before you tell us what to think and she tries to reform (or forcefully convert)us. I believe Sarah Palin is a religious whacko and anybody that defends her is too. If you really believe in God you know that the truth will prevail. I, for one, am counting on it. "

Lawrence wrote on Sep 19, 2008 8:48 AM:

" Hang tough Gov. Palin. I'll be voting for you (and what the heck, McCain too), even though my state of California is a lost cause. I hope you'll make a campain stop here so I can bring my daughters to see you, but understand you need to go to where the fight is. My sympathies for what some immoral imbeciles are putting you through. Know that many of us support you and a laying low - until election day. Best of luck to you and your family. "

Kim Tramutola Selinsgrove Pa wrote on Sep 18, 2008 8:37 AM:

" Dear Governor Palin, My heart and soul full of prayers go out to you and your family. And shame on all of you who cast stones and lynch mob. For one very serious minute, you who righteously judge, take a good look in the mirror, and don't think Democrat nor Republican…just recall your humanity. Forget the race to the White House, and remember the walk of DECENCY for man/womankind. Just remember that you too will be judged someday on what you've chosen to say or do to another, and not necessarily in Heaven. "

Neil May wrote on Sep 18, 2008 5:08 AM:

" Diane, I guess you have already forgotten how Karl Rove and the other Bush/Cheney henchmen passed their rumors about John McCain in the South Carolina primary a few years back, but it comes as no surprise given that Republicans (and Conservatives) seem to have short-term memory loss. Maybe this symptom of dementia is causes Republicans to talk self-righteously, while behaving as the hypocrites they are. "

kday wrote on Sep 17, 2008 11:53 AM:

" Sarah Palin's choice/belief in delivering a downs baby was exactly that..HER CHOICE. She wants to make her choice/belief everybody elses. She is anti choice!! The only way Sarah Palin will take away my choice as a woman and a US citizen is out of my COLD DEAD HANDS!!!! "

don j wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:57 AM:

" Theresa, that whole state of Washington has Crime Victims Compensation. That's a whole lot of mayors….. "

swffor Obama wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:26 PM:

" to this opinion writer: you seem to have an intention of wanting unison among women yet oddly your piece is full of vitriolic adjectives for any who do not hold your position. i would like to challenge anyone who reads this: we are part of this election too: let's start treating others as we would like to be treated. OBAMA/BIDEN '08! "

densal wrote on Sep 16, 2008 12:18 PM:

" WHEN SHE WAS INTERVIEWED BY CHARLIE GIBSON (WHICH I THINK SHE GAVE A GOOD INTERVIEW), SHE STATED SHE NEVER BLINKED ABOUT THE POSITION OFFERED TO HER BY MCCAIN. THIS IS THE 2ND MOST POWERFUL POSITION IN THE WORLD AND SHE DID NOT BLINK. SHE DIDN'T SAY SHE CONSULTED HER HUSBAND OR FAMILY (BECAUSE THIS INVOLVES THEM TOO). SHE DID NOT SAY SHE PRAYED AND ASKED GOD FOR GUIDANCE (BECAUSE SHE IS A CHRISTIAN). SHE DID NOT QUESTION HER RESUME (BECAUSE IT IS SHORT). IS SHE ARROGANT OR SELFISH? "

Anne wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:54 AM:

" Yeah, a feminist. That is why she made rape victims pay for their own rape kits. You think the left is full of deplorable behavior? Take a look at Wall Street, baby. Three out of the 5 leading brokerages no longer exist. The Republicans were in controll of all 3 branches of the Federal Gov't from '00-'06 and have no one to blame but themselves for the mess our economy is in. The deplorable job the Republicans did running this country is why they cannot be trusted. "

MaxKatt from NY wrote on Sep 16, 2008 6:15 AM:

" Diane L. Schabo- RE "Anyone who takes hateful potshots at a 17-year-old pregnant teenager or a 4-month-old Down syndrome baby…" Problem w/ your letter is it's based on false premise. I watch ALL the media. Nobody is making an issue of Palin's children. There was momentary flurry of interest by media when the pregnancy was revealed, but that was about it. I don't know that anyone focused on baby #5. Certainly, Obama campaign nor any surrogates didn't try to capitalize on it. Sarah alone is objectional enuf. "

mumzy wrote on Sep 15, 2008 6:00 PM:

" Gov palin said she would welcome the investigation of the police tropper(ex brother in-law) but now she won't..looks like she is hiding something..huh. and as a vp. i think she needs to answer some questions, after all, being president is not just lying in a tanning bed in the Gov's mansion. and women should not vote for her just because she is a woman, after all mccain has voted with bush 95% of the time.and this puts sarah palin with him.and mccain has voted against giving a pay raise for 17 times.for workers of this great nation, think aboutyourvote "

PDXChick wrote on Sep 14, 2008 10:56 PM:

" Theresa, I have done TONS of reading and research on Palin.I feel it's my job as an American citizen to prepare for the upcoming election by learning about this unknown VP candidate that was suddenly thrust upon us. I wasn't specifically looking to dig up 'dirt', but Palin's history is returning to dole a big ol' can of karma. Her antics have gone around, and it's on its way back to bite her. Also, it is a documented, proven fact that she supported the fee-based rape kits. I suggest YOU do some research before you color-code any kettles. "

CM wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:09 PM:

" America has not "sunk" low. We just care about who is going to run this great nation. Look what has happened by electing a raging war monger that has literally killed thousands of people and for what? We cannot afford to put a woman into office that has lied, cheated and abused her office over and over. She is a dangerous and scary person and the fact that she is running for one of the highest offices is a very frightening thought for all of us out there that care about our childrens' futures. Get real! "

smilinjack wrote on Sep 13, 2008 4:43 PM:

" Diane, you said only dems families were off limits. The repubs attacked michelle obama as being unpatriotic while the dems stood idly by and didnt trash McCains wife for being a Rx druggie and having her license for a non profit revoked for stealing these drugs. It just wasnt mentioned. so whose families are off limits? Seems like the dems are complying with Obama's wish for them not to hit on the republicans families. "

Theresa wrote on Sep 13, 2008 3:34 PM:

" To PDXchick : Lets not lower ourselves to the likes of Chris Mathews and Keith Olbermann and the entire Obama campaign. Please do some reading and fact checking before you post. To Rob…I have never known of ANY mayor in any state to pay for a rape victims services. Have you? Healthcare is up to the individual. We have a co-pay or if we have no ins. there is a bill. The indigent may apply for free care. "

Margaret wrote on Sep 13, 2008 2:08 PM:

" Diane, please go back to your home-schooling, teaching creationism and abstinence only (because it works so well). The rest of us women don't want to go back to the dark ages. "

Mary wrote on Sep 13, 2008 7:46 AM:

" Why don't the people of alaska speak out against her and all her lies. I do not live in Alaska, but what I hear of her and seeing her actions, I am scared to death if she becomes the nest vice-president. "

Susan Ontario wrote on Sep 12, 2008 7:52 PM:

" Is it really true she cut sex education out of the schools up there? If so that says alot about her family right there. And the decisions you make in your home are private, but when you open the door to it, people are going to judge you, no matter who you are. "

PDXChick wrote on Sep 12, 2008 6:35 PM:

" P.S. No, you don't have to tell me who's been in charge and responsible for the 9% approval rating - the SAME party your compassionate (kicked her daughter out of the house when learning of pregnancy), value-loving (sacker of anyone who doesn't agree with her) family loving (about to toss her special needs son to a caregiver so she can 'live out her dream), strong womanhood (but willing to beam us back to the 19th century) wild-game slayer of a governor. "

PDXChick wrote on Sep 12, 2008 6:29 PM:

" So the Dems are asking, 'How best to attack'?! I watched the convention, Palin was the one on the attack - lipstick and all. *Obama* was the one to come to her aid when her she outed her poor daughter for being pregnant, saying that family was off-limits. In the meantime, McCain is advertising and espousing Palin's own lies (that she's not ashamed of repeating over and over) and has probably talked himself into believing them - so he can forgive himself for not doing a better job at vetting her. "

Rob Bashleben wrote on Sep 12, 2008 1:00 PM:

" I live in Alaska and don't like or agree with any of Sarah Palin's politics. She is a liar to her own residents while we pay for her "family vacations." She contradicts herself in her speeches and actions. She passes bills the Supreme Court vetoes,like the aerial wolf hunt bill. Sarah Palin put the city of Wasilla $19 million in debt while being the mayor. Sarah Palin made rape victims pay their own doctor bills while mayor. I thought she was pro woman? "

Hayley wrote on Sep 12, 2008 10:34 AM:

" Diane, how exactly is removing a woman's right to choose helping other women? Perhaps it was women like Sarah Palin that Ms. Albright spoke of. You don't hear from those "self-righteous" women because Palin does not deserve their support. "

Denise wrote on Sep 11, 2008 10:59 PM:

" "A special place in h*ll for women who don't support other women" Diane, I think you need to brush up on your Ten Commandments. "