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Menstrual Poetry
A feminist response to just about everything
I wasn’t going to touch upon this, however, I read a good amount of conservative blogs and talk to a great deal of conservatives. I hold nothing against them, I believe that one must challenge their world views and without doing so, you will never know what you truly believe or
... Continue reading »
10 months ago
what a disgrace she is with all her lies. and mccain should be removed as the GOp nominee before it is tooo late and they need to nomintae romney or Huckabee for president before mccain makes another bad choice.
John mccain should lose the nomination over this.
The GOp is a ****ing hypocritical disgrace
10 months ago
If I say I support the right to life but recognize that others support the right to choice – AM I a hypocrite?
It is my opinion that all humans are hypocrites at least once in their lives. The starving person who doesn’t believe in stealing, but does to feed their family is an example.
Just because someone is hypocritical, doesn’t necessarily make them wrong or bad.
In Sarah’s case, I don’t see anything hypocritical about her 17 year old daughter being pregnant. I also do not see where she has lied about anything – can you please show me where?
As for Romney and Huckabee – I hope McCain appoints them where they can do the most good with their skills. Both have some awesome ideas.
10 months ago
10 months ago
As far as giving Sarah a choice, Palin is on record during her Gubernatorial run that she would be "against abortion even if my daughter were raped'! So there you have it. No choice, no matter the reason.
10 months ago
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Hers was a high risk pregnancy, both because of Trig's illness and her age. What was she thinking when she continued to work all those hours, fly back and forth, run in the "hills" and other activities that put her child more at risk? She believes he has a right to life, then why wasn't she busy making sure her son had the very best start she could give him? What does it say of her "family values" when she risks the life of her unborn child so that she can give a political speech?
Moving on to post-partum.
Trig was premature with a genetic defect, which means that most hospitals would have kept him in the NICU (she didn't have him in a hospital equipped with a NICU, but we'll ignore that ugly fact). His regular stay would have been at least 48 hours, but how much longer would he have stayed because of his condition? Why wasn't she in the hospital with him? What kind of mother can leave her sick infant and go back to work? Is that dedication or recklessness?
If Trig wasn't kept for more than two days, what kind of care was he getting? Who was caring for him? Does he have a nurse? I have a friend with a Downs baby who is on the higher end of the spectrum, but he still needs an extra amount of care. Was Gov. Palin so non-chalant about her son's health that she could just leave him and head on back to work full-time. If so, what does that say about her "family values"?
Someone surmised that perhaps Gov. Palin was hoping that Trig wouldn't make it past birth and that's why she was so reckless. It's a valid theory, I think.
Now, we'll guess that perhaps Trig belongs to Bristol. I have no problem with Bristol and wish her the best. However, this would explain why Gov. Palin was able to high-tail it back to work and why she didn't seem at all concerned about the welfare of this child. Also, as the governor, Palin would have the resources to hide her daughter's pregnancy as well as take ownership of her daughter's son- and few would have been the wiser. She's a powerful woman in her home state, no doubt many people would have come to her aid in this matter. I imagine that a small hospital in an Alaskan village would provide a better cover for her story than a larger hospital in the "lower 48" or even in a larger Alaskan city. I'm sure that the medical staff in Wasilla would be more than willing to keep this secret.
If Gov. Palin did adopt her grandson, that's admirable to a certain degree. However, her stance against contraception, sex education, and abortion tells us that she knows those policies fail horrendously and that she's a pandering hypocrite. Unless Trig is her son- in which case she's a selfish and irresponsible.
10 months ago
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10 months ago
My point is her bad judgment calls...either way, she made bad decisions. And if she's seven months pregnant in that photo, I'm a virgin.
10 months ago
10 months ago
At best, she made a very risky call while carrying her baby. So much could have gone wrong. At worst, she's sacrificed her daughter as a political move. Either way, I don't want her anywhere near the White House. With McCain as a running mate, there's a high degree of possibility that she'll have to take office. That scares me.
What a mess.
10 months ago
10 months ago
You know, if this story is true, it is tantamount to child abuse. If this is true, the Palins have forced this child into a life of lies and deceit. If this is true, they are separating this girl from any social contact and the possible support of her friends.
I guess the bottom line, for me, is, if this is true, Palin should not only be removed from the presidential ticket, she should be removed from office. Period.
10 months ago
10 months ago
i would hope that, as this story spreads across the internet, the Obama/Biden camp should step forward and issue a strongly worded statement condemning those making the allegations. i'm not saying you, or the diarist at Daily Kos, or any of the other hundreds of bloggers out there digging into this deserve condemnation, just that the campaign must make sure to steer clear of any connection.
if it is true, then there were a good number of people involved in the coverup, and chances are someone will succumb to the intense pressure (or a huge chunk of cash) and give some hard evidence.
until then, i think it's important to tread lightly on this, if only to avoid burdening the Obama/Biden campaign with the potential consequences. but, it's probably a bit late for that, eh?
between this and Michael Moore's HUGE faux pas on the Olbermann show in which he implied that the hurricane bearing down on New Orleans was proof there was a God and he was punishing the republicans in the week of their convention, the left has given Fox News enough ammunition today to do some serious damage to the Obama campaign. this could not be worse timing, on the heels of a powerful convention.
i am not blaming you, i am glad that there are people willing to put themselves out there to expose corruption and dishonesty. my best hope at this point is that someone does come forward with hard evidence, and that this turns out to be true.
10 months ago
Like I put in the post to begin with, I don't know if it's 100% true, no one does, only Palin and her family knows what's true and I will not be the one to say "Yes, it's 100% true!" because I simply do not know if it is. I also realize that this is a family issue, but once Palin accepted the nomination to run alongside with McCain, her family issues because politics and that is how it has worked with Bush, McCain, Obama, and Biden as well. As soon as any politician runs for any major office in the United States, their family issues become political issues because how they run their families shows voters how they will run the country and Palin already being the focus of a scandal (and this could very well be the second) within days of acceptance, we're already being shown how a McCain/Palin regime would be run...With intense abuse of power and various cover ups.
10 months ago
sadly, it's the bloggers and private citizens who must get their hands dirty in such situations, thus exposing themselves to all manner of anger and backlash, and the officials must (like Mission Impossible) "disavow any knowledge of your mission".
after the initial fuss on Daily Kos, there were some diaries that were pulled and replaced with apologies. one of the comments, though, had such a good point: what if this was Michelle? do you think Fox and the rightie pundits wouldn't be alllll over this like white on rice? would Hannity and Billo not be yelping and growling and foaming at the mouth like a pack of rabid wolves, demanding answers and DNA tests immediately? so there's that.
maybe i'm just used to being part of a political philosophy often defined by its sheepish passivity, and i'm having a hard time adjusting my reactions from flight to fight?
10 months ago
I could not possibly agree with you more when you ask what if it had been Michelle Obama. Hell, Fox News makes shit up about her like it's their form of religion because she doesn't have much to go after. I swear Hannity stays up all night going through files upon files of Michelle pictures seeing what he can try to bring up on her next; it's disgusting. I believe they would indeed put something like this on their show (because it isn't news, it's an entertaining show at best) if it had something to do with the Obamas, screaming about what a horrible mother Michelle is, how voters need answers and demanding DNA tests.
I'm not too worried about the anger and backlash I may get here--I'm pretty used to it being an open lefty, feminist blogger and I believe that all I have done in this case is stoop to the lows of the right and I see nothing wrong with that, to be completely honest. I know that lefty bloggers most often try to appear "bigger" than right wing bloggers because the right will dig up and blog about anything and everything to "sway" the people yet the left (in most cases) try to stay on top of hearsay and blog about the facts. I am pleasantly surprised I haven't received a lot of anger (thus far, at least) and am happy to say that this blog post, while some can say that I am stooping to the lows of the right, when a lefty blogger does it, conversation and constructive criticism happens and I like that. I would much rather blog about events that can strike up conversation instead of receive a ton of comments that all say "Yes, I agree." and that's the end of it.
I am scared about backfiring political-wise, however and I think Obama has enough sense not to comment on something like this, if it were even brought up to him to begin with. It could hurt his campaign, but hell, how much has happened so far that have been said could kill his campaign? Yet he still continues forward, fighting for the people and not using them as pawns in some sick game he has up his sleeve, which I believe is what McCain is doing. McCain couldn't even give Obama and his voters the time they deserved to celebrate before breaking news on his new veep and that is a bit disappointing, to say the least.
10 months ago
and while i considered the notion that dragging her daughter into this was out of line, i dismissed it with the same logic you did, that when Ma Palin accepted the nomination, she effectively sacrificed any expectation of privacy for all of her children. though i feel sympathy for Bristol, who at the very minimum has just been called "fat" by a bunch of bloggers.
in any case, thanks for all the work you did on this and for your willingness to put yourself out there. the small but vocal group of people who have made a stand on this issue are for sure coming under some fire, many have backed down, thank you for not being among them. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
10 months ago
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Whoa. Poor Bristol. I hope she did make the choice on her own.
10 months ago
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1) Exercise : A woman that is used to it can safely continue during her pregnancy as long as she listens to her body about when to slow up and rest. The biggest risk is being off balance and falling.
2) No one on the plane knew she was in labor: I've had two children, both without medical intervention and I can assure you that no one knew I was in labor until the very end. With my second I spent the day at the library, park, and playing with my oldest while in la. bor. Not all women resemble labor and delivery as shown on TV. It is possible for her to carry on like normal and be in labor
3) She did not separate from her newborn only 3 days after giving birth. One of the perks of her office is being able to take the child with her. http://images.morris.com/images/juneau/mdContro...
10 months ago
10 months ago
One other point, because I've read posts where people are skeptical regarding the likelihood of a young woman having a child with Down Syndrome; although women over 35 are at greater individual risk of having a child with Down syndrome, most babies with Down Syndrome are actually born to young women, because they do more childbearing. This is why initial screening with the "quadruple screen" is offered routinely to all pregnant women. If the result is abnormal, then a diagnostic amniocentesis is offered. The amniocentesis is offered routinely to women who will be 35 at the time of delivery.
10 months ago
http://www.womens-health.co.uk/prom.asp
"Some believe that labour should start within 24 hours or the risk of infection outweighs the risks of induction of labour.
Others feel that the risk of infection remains low for the next 72 hours and waiting gives the benefit of avoiding the 'cascade of intervention' that may occur with induction of labour"
10 months ago
10 months ago
Interestingly, the baby always seems to be with Britstol while they're on the stump. Today in PA, Gov. Palin mentioned the baby and Bristol were not present because he was napping in the bus and his big sister was caring for him.
10 months ago
I will always be pro-choice because my great-aunt, when 20 and impregnated, died during a crappy abortion (because abortion was illegal at the time). My grandfather was in the next room (it was in-home as you couldn't get a real one at the time) and 17 years old, and heard his sister die. He drank every day of his life, partly because of that.
However, while also agreeing with the previous poster, I have to say that this type of personal issue holds NO sway over me. People have their reasons for living their lives as they do, and I don't fault Palin (assuming this is true) for trying to keep her family private like this. This isn't, to me, some major flaw of character or morality, or some proof that there's an overarching inability for the woman to lead. Simply, that she's been through tragedy.
10 months ago
10 months ago
Here's the kicker, add to these facts to Gov. Palin's story about it and it would not likely stand up to cross-examination, which she did not get in Alaska. Still, she would still get the benefit of the doubt from me and most people that it is indeed her child.
But there is strong additional circumstantial evidence that must be explained adequately or the reasonable conclusion is that she is covering for her daughter. First, her daughter not being in school due to "mono" for months on end. This should be fairly easy to confirm with school records and discussions with her friends. If true, that's quite a coincidence. Second, the purported rumors in school -- not reliable as hearsay on their face -- should nonetheless be reviewed with adequate scrutiny. It is not the left or democrats which started them, but high schoolers who knew her, and can probably shed some truthful light on this situation.
Third and, perhaps, most inconvenient are the photos. If they are accurate, and they appear to be undoctored, someone has to explain why Gov. Palin does NOT appear pregnant and her daugher does. That seems like quite a coincidence given the rumors, unless the photos are doctored. If they are doctored -- which could be hard to prove -- then I think we can conclusive pass this off as a hoax.
10 months ago
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10 months ago
And this was supposed to be her 5th child? Delivery would have occured soon after labor began, not 12 - 18 hours later as it would in, say, a first delivery for a young girl.
I agree that this is a private family matter, but the Palin family moved it to the national scene when she accepted the VP slot on McCain's ticket. She's a rapid anti-choice/anti-reproduction rights advocate, against all forms of contraception and sex education, an abstinence-only fanatic, and she finds herself with the shame (in her eyes) of a pregnant teenaged daughter.
If this is true, DNA testing will prove it one way or the other. If it is true, the birth certificate would have had to have been doctored (another abuse of power investigation?) and if it is true, there may have been insurance fraud involved, depending on who was on the hospital bills, let alone the prenatal care, amnio, ultrasounds, etc.
John Edwards, in collusion with his wife, knowingly entered the presidential race with a hidden scandal. They were found out, and it ruined his career and reputation. If the Palins did the same, they deserve what they get.
10 months ago
WHY did she have the amniocentesis at 4 months, if there is no prenatal concern or consideration for abortion. Usually these rigid Anti-abortionists, Anti-contraceptionists do not wish to know or care if all is going to be OK in term. "Whatever happen, happens."
And, I propose
it is either the father (he looks redneck enough to be fiddlin' with his daughter) or the half brother. (Now, why exactly has he NOT been shipped out to Iraq since enlisiting Sept 11, 2007. They sure as hell need cannon fodder over there. Could it be, he was allowed to stay for the birth of his baby?
10 months ago
10 months ago
My mom had six kids, and never showed with any of them until the last one. She never gained anything more than 12 pounds with the first five kids, and people disbelieved her about being pregnant at all.
From that picture it looks like Bristol may be a little thick in the belly, but nothing that you don't see on a normal teenager. Until something concrete comes out of this story, it is a total fiction!
10 months ago
First, the bottom picture you have of the family was taken last summer, not at a point in the pregnancy when it would have shown on either woman. Note that this is Alaska, and there is no snow on the mountains. This baby was carried and delivered during the fall/winter/spring so there would have been at least some snow evident. Plus, look at the youngest daughter in the outdoor pic and then the more recent indoor pic. You can see that she's older. I don't think that's a baby bump on Bristol in the outdoor pic, which could mean that she's just naturally a little poochy.
BUT, something very interesting struck me tonight. Palin met McCain for the first time during the National Governors Association meeting, which occured Feb 20 - 25, 2008. Palin announced to staff and the papers that she was pregnant on March 6th, and no one could believe it.
On Feb 8th, Bristol Palin was in a car accident (minor) and it raises the question of why this teenager, who was out of school because of mono, was out driving alone. The driver of the car she struck said, when asked recently, that he didn't notice that she was pregnant, but also said that with the police there and it being winter in Alaska and everyone was in heavy coats, he couldn't say she wasn't pregnant.
It just leads one to wonder. If it was Bristol who was pregnant (and we do not know that) perhaps the Palin family wasn't intending to keep the child, but rather put him up for adoption after his birth, allowing Bristol to return to school after her "mono" was cured. Then, Sarah meets McCain and gets a hint that she's being considered for VP (remember, there was a "Draft Palin" campaign underway by a student in Colorado) and the family decided to change course, say the baby was Sarah's and rolled out the announcement less than 2 weeks later.
I've read that the National Enquirer is investigating this whole story. No, they are not a "news" magazine, but they were the ones who first reported on John Edwards' affair.
We'll just have to see how this story develops, but there's also a part of me who thinks this is a Rovian creation to discredit the Dems and make them/us look like a bunch of vultures, questioning a woman who gave birth to a special needs child.
5 months ago
10 months ago
Thank you feminist blog, you have shown me the way to equal rights for women, the right to not work when they may put their baby in danger and the right of companies not to hire such a risk.
PS: My co-worker worked until the day before she had her baby and was working from home the day after her baby was born. The baby was healthy and she is only taking 3 months off work in the office because it's a free paid vacation for her.
Oh, and I thought it was the Republicans who were the ones who made personal attacks against people instead of debating the issues. Please continue the tradition of impotent liberal frothing on the internet while Obama sinks further and further in the polls.
10 months ago
If she respected her son's life so much, then why was she behaving in such a way knowing that her pregnancy was high risk? Her pregnancy- if it was - was risky because of her son's condition (which she said she knew about at 4 months) and because of her advanced maternal age (that's a medical term, you might want to look that up). She need not stop working, but flying here and there while leaking amniotic fluid a month early was reckless.
10 months ago
Alaskan's do not seem to have made a big deal out of this until others on the internet did the last few days.
I've researched over 500 sites on this topic to conclude that anything is possible... - innocent until proven guilty will remain my thoughts on this topic.
I find all of this redirection, misdirection, propaganda and slandering to be very very distasteful - and some of us wonder why a large amount of people do not want anything to do with politics?
10 months ago
Picture taken in the Spring showing Sarah Palin clearly pregnant. Feel free to eat your words anytime.
10 months ago
However, I have heard statements by many, including the first lady, that confirms that she was pregnant - in other words these people saw her etc... during that time period.