What? Abstinence education didn't work? How can that be?

Shocked, shocked.

the horror!

Surely we dodged a huge bullet by not electing Palin. Obviously she was the first mother to ever be shocked to find out her teenage daughter was sexually active.
/

All right.

Willow Palin thinks it would be “cool” if her mom became President.

You know, there are so many dumb things I wished for in my youth, that I don't even know where to begin with this!

It is perfectly normal and common for parents, especially working parents, to have no f*cking idea what their teenagers are up to. Mine certainly didn't...

If you make sure your daughter isn't on birth control and her boyfriend is at your home 24/7... how can you be shocked?

I HOPE ALL YOU PROGRESSIVES WHO VOTED FOR OBAMA BECAUSE HE WON'T BOW DOWN TO THE SAUDIS ARE HAPPY NOW!

re: #6 Surabaya Stew

You know, there are so many dumb things I wished for in my youth, that I don't even know where to begin with this!

It's nice that the kid approves. I would have thought Willow was the one at the age that this would have been totally humiliating.

Why are my neighbors screaming at each other again?

Willow Palin thinks it would be “cool” if her mom became President.

Yeah, cause I'm sure when Walters inteviews Michelle and/ or Barack they'll tell her that their kids were vehemently opposed to their dad becoming Pres

Barbara Walters, cutting edge of hard hitting interviews for decades!

Why wouldn't she be shocked? What's wrong with her having high expectations for her daughter? Better to be disappointed than to be cynical about a child.

re: #8 beekiller

If you make sure your daughter isn't on birth control and her boyfriend is at your home 24/7... how can you be shocked?

I assume that she assumed they weren't having sex, which may be dumb, but is a normal kind of parental dumbness.

Eh. This is a non-story even for me, which is saying something considering how much I hate Palin.

re: #13 SanFranciscoZionist

I assume that she assumed they weren't having sex, which may be dumb, but is a normal kind of parental dumbness.

Eh. This is a non-story even for me, which is saying something considering how much I hate Palin.

Good point.

re: #9 Racer X

I HOPE ALL YOU PROGRESSIVES WHO VOTED FOR OBAMA BECAUSE HE WON'T BOW DOWN TO THE SAUDIS ARE HAPPY NOW!

Yep, he should be hangin' out & partyin' on the family yacht with Prince Benazir like the Bush brothers used to...

Water is wet, etc.

anyboby that allows Babba Wawa to interview them is unfit for public office

My dog doesn't seem to give 33% of a shit about Sarah Palin. I've never suffered as a result of following his lead.

True, I am physiologically incapable of licking my own equipment, but apart from that I tend to trust my dog's judgment.

re: #10 SanFranciscoZionist

It's nice that the kid approves. I would have thought Willow was the one at the age that this would have been totally humiliating.

Why are my neighbors screaming at each other again?

Well, no fault on her approving of her Mom's success; it's just that she has no idea what success of that nature entails.

re: #13 SanFranciscoZionist

I assume that she assumed they weren't having sex, which may be dumb, but is a normal kind of parental dumbness.

Eh. This is a non-story even for me, which is saying something considering how much I hate Palin.

yep.

But I do like pointing out over and over again that "Abstinence Only Education" does.not.work.

and I heard something on the TV the other day that made me just annoyed at Ma Palin...not sure if it is true, but seems there was no voting on mom running for VP, just the kids being told once they got to Ohio that it was a done deal.
By Steve Schmidt.
Must have sucked to be the pregnant teen who was going to be paraded all over the country.
(I actually hope this is just nasty gossip and not the truth)

re: #19 Surabaya Stew

Well, no fault on her approving of her Mom's success; it's just that she has no idea what success of that nature entails.

True. She's thirteen, fourteen? I take that simply as a vote of confidence in her mom. Which is nice.

Nontroversy. Is that the right word?

re: #20 webevintage

yep.

But I do like pointing out over and over again that "Abstinence Only Education" does.not.work.

and I heard something on the TV the other day that made me just annoyed at Ma Palin...not sure if it is true, but seems there was no voting on mom running for VP, just the kids being told once they got to Ohio that it was a done deal.
By Steve Schmidt.
Must have sucked to be the pregnant teen who was going to be paraded all over the country.
(I actually hope this is just nasty gossip and not the truth)

Abstinence only does not work, and using birth control sometimes, which is what the kids seem to have been doing does not work.

I hope Bristol was given an opportunity to stay home, and I really think Levi should have been left home...but water under the bridge.

re: #20 webevintage

Do you like to point out what an absolute failure affirmative action is too?

Bristol's pregnancy was one of the things that saved the country from Palin.

First of all, it showed what "abstinence only" was good for in terms of birth control.

And the outcome of the situation made it clear that not only was Sarah gonna have a shotgun wedding for her daughter and her white-trash boyfriend, but if she had her way she was gonna make everyone else's daughter keep the kid as well.

Most American oppose abortion on principle, but lots of families with teenage kids want to see it as an option in case "abstinence only" doesn't work.

re: #20 webevintage

but seems there was no voting on mom running for VP,

ummm,,, ,,,UMMM,,, wow!

You DO know the difference between CHILDREN and PARENTS, no?

My son doesn't get a "vote" when my wife and I decide matters. Yes, we take his feelings and well being into consideration, but ,, VOTE!?!?!?

re: #11 sattv4u2

Barbara Walters, cutting edge of hard hitting interviews for decades!

Just before, or after, Larry King.

re: #26 sattv4u2

but seems there was no voting on mom running for VP,

ummm,,, ,,,UMMM,,, wow!

You DO know the difference between CHILDREN and PARENTS, no?

My son doesn't get a "vote" when my wife and I decide matters. Yes, we take his feelings and well being into consideration, but ,, VOTE!?!?!?

The problem is, Ms. Palin said there was a vote. That's the only reason it is being discussed, as a fact checking function.

re: #26 sattv4u2

but seems there was no voting on mom running for VP,

ummm,,, ,,,UMMM,,, wow!

You DO know the difference between CHILDREN and PARENTS, no?

My son doesn't get a "vote" when my wife and I decide matters. Yes, we take his feelings and well being into consideration, but ,, VOTE!?!?!?

Well that's it, I am calling CPS on your ass for child abuse.//

re: #27 solomonpanting

Just before, or after, Larry King.

If you were a tree , what kind of a tree would you be!

re: #26 sattv4u2

but seems there was no voting on mom running for VP,

ummm,,, ,,,UMMM,,, wow!

You DO know the difference between CHILDREN and PARENTS, no?

My son doesn't get a "vote" when my wife and I decide matters. Yes, we take his feelings and well being into consideration, but ,, VOTE!?!?!?

I think I recall her saying she put it to a family vote and one said "hell yes!" or something.

re: #19 Surabaya Stew

Well, no fault on her approving of her Mom's success; it's just that she has no idea what success of that nature entails.

Good thought. I'm encouraging my young kids to admire and respect Obama, even though I didn't vote for him. At their age, it's more important for them to be proud of their country and system of government, than to share my opinion of the current office-holder.

re: #28 Stanley Sea

The problem is, Ms. Palin said there was a vote. That's the only reason it is being discussed, as a fact checking function.

All the better then.

Both parents voted YES. From Willows comment she probably did too. Pipers 7 and she probably wanted mommy to do it too
Thats 4 YESES

Even if Track, Bristol and Trig 'vote" NAY, it's 4-3

WEven if Trig agrees with Bristol that

re: #21 SanFranciscoZionist

True. She's thirteen, fourteen? I take that simply as a vote of confidence in her mom. Which is nice.

Agreed. But since she wasn't raised with expectations that her family would be with striking distance of power, the kid has no idea of what it means.

As an example of this way of thinking, (slightly OT) when Edward VIII stepped down, the future Queen Elizabeth (all of a sudden now 2nd in the line of succession) all of a sudden started encouraging her mother and father (the new King, George VI) to have a son, so that she could be spared the lifelong responsibility that comes with being a figurehead ruler. Being part of the ruling class, she knew what being on top represented, and she wanted to avoid it at all costs.

If someone in my family was in a position to possibly be president, I would run as far away as possible; because that shit sticks for a lifetime!

re: #27 solomonpanting

Just before, or after, Larry King.

Hey, Larry was a little too hard-edged for "family values" icon Carrie Prejean!

re: #32 The Sanity Inspector

Good thought. I'm encouraging my young kids to admire and respect Obama, even though I didn't vote for him. At their age, it's more important for them to be proud of their country and system of government, than to share my opinion of the current office-holder.

I can only admire you attitude, it was the one I held towards Bush in front of my children.

And I hope that the extreme right will get over theis "tyranny" and "dictatorship" doggerel when referring to the current administration and remember that he was legally elected by a majority of voters, who also provided him with a majority in both houses of Congress.

re: #24 soxfan4life

Do you like to point out what an absolute failure affirmative action is too?

Ummm, nobody expected the Spanish Inquisition?

(random answer since I have no idea what AA has to do with teen sex?)

re: #35 bratwurst

Hey, Larry was a little too hard-edged for "family values" icon Carrie Prejean!

I guess King didn't realize she wouldn't or couldn't talk about the settlement.

re: #32 The Sanity Inspector

Good thought. I'm encouraging my young kids to admire and respect Obama, even though I didn't vote for him. At their age, it's more important for them to be proud of their country and system of government, than to share my opinion of the current office-holder.

Dude, that's a great thought, but how do you explain the totally subservient bow to the Japanese Emperor to your kids? He is disrespecting his office and his country with such actions.

re: #39 redshirt

Dude, that's a great thought, but how do you explain the totally subservient bow to the Japanese Emperor to your kids? He is disrespecting his office and his country with such actions.

As long as Akihito bowed back, I see no problem.

re: #39 redshirt

Dude, that's a great thought, but how do you explain the totally subservient bow to the Japanese Emperor to your kids? He is disrespecting his office and his country with such actions.

YEAH ,, I feel SO much worse today and ashamend of my country because he showed RESPECT. What a TERRIBLE lesson to teach our kids

Oh ,, wait ,,, no I don't!

re: #26 sattv4u2

but seems there was no voting on mom running for VP,

ummm,,, ,,,UMMM,,, wow!

You DO know the difference between CHILDREN and PARENTS, no?

My son doesn't get a "vote" when my wife and I decide matters. Yes, we take his feelings and well being into consideration, but ,, VOTE!?!?!?

It takes all kinds...
Your parenting is not my way and mine is not yours.
So far, at 17, knock on wood, our way has worked out just fine.

and sorry if I had been in Palin's position I would have NEVER put my pregnant teenager though what Todd and Sarah did. There are sometimes in your life when your kids have to come before your own ambition and I'd say that was one of them.
and yes, you are right, I do not like Palin...my loathing of her knows no bounds and is irrational, but some of it is grounded in her willingness to stick her kids out there.

re: #40 Surabaya Stew

As long as Akihito bowed back, I see no problem.

He didn't bow back.re: #41 sattv4u2

YEAH ,, I feel SO much worse today and ashamend of my country because he showed RESPECT. What a TERRIBLE lesson to teach our kids

Oh ,, wait ,,, no I don't!

The President of the United States doesn't bow to anyone. A firm handshake and a look in the eye is respectful as well. Did you see the pic? Tell me it wasn't a subservient position.

re: #43 redshirt

The President of the United States doesn't bow to anyone.

Worst. Meme. Ever.

re: #43 redshirt

The President of the United States doesn't bow to anyone. A firm handshake and a look in the eye is respectful as well. Did you see the pic? Tell me it wasn't a subservient position.

Okay ,, it wasn't a subservient position

I'm sure there are many more things you need to be told!

re: #37 webevintage

Ummm, nobody expected the Spanish Inquisition?

(random answer since I have no idea what AA has to do with teen sex?)

You like to point out over and over again how abstinence only doesn't work, I was asking if you did the same with Affirmative Action.

re: #43 redshirt

He didn't bow back.

My understanding was that he did, just not as much as Obama bowed to him.

re: #46 soxfan4life

You like to point out over and over again how abstinence only doesn't work, I was asking if you did the same with Affirmative Action.

Did you ask this for any reason, except that perhaps YOU like point out that Affirmative Action doesn't work? In that case, feel free. It's not a moral responsibility for anyone else to do so before they pick a pet peeve of their own.

re: #47 Surabaya Stew

My understanding was that he did, just not as much as Obama bowed to him.

Watch the video.

re: #35 bratwurst

Hey, Larry was a little too hard-edged for "family values" icon Carrie Prejean!

[Video]

My itty bitty violin is playing for Carrie and the fact that the wheels have come off her ride on the evangelical gravy train.
She could have gotten a sweet 5-7 years out of this with FOTF interviews and books and speeches and love offerings, so much money lost because someone made a few videos.

re: #39 redshirt

Dude, that's a great thought, but how do you explain the totally subservient bow to the Japanese Emperor to your kids? He is disrespecting his office and his country with such actions.

My kids are half-Asian, so bowing is no big deal to them. I'll save teaching them Presidential protocol for another decade.

Washington Times

The bow was an extraordinary protocol violation. Such an act is a traditional obeisance befitting a king's subjects, not his peer. There is no precedent for U.S. presidents bowing to Saudi or any other royals.

More here
The President of the United States bows to nobody. America shows deference to nobody. Respect, yes, not deference. A deep bow, unanswered, is subservient.

re: #49 redshirt

Watch the video.

I saw pictures of the said event, and saw Obama's bow; was almost certain that the Emperor bowed back to a lesser extent...likely due to arthritis in a man turning 76 next month. In any case, Japanese custom demands that the guest bows first, so that part didn't surprise me. Besides, which US president hasn't bowed to the Japanese Emperor?

I'm pretty much sick of the Palin book/media tour already, but if it is a choice between that and the nontroversial BOW, I'll take the Palin crapola for 100.

re: #51 The Sanity Inspector

My kids are half-Asian, so bowing is no big deal to them. I'll save teaching them Presidential protocol for another decade.

Matter of fact, that photo might be useful, in getting them to bow to their Asian aunts & uncles. They're still pretty resistant to doing it, when we go visit.

re: #46 soxfan4life

You like to point out over and over again how abstinence only doesn't work, I was asking if you did the same with Affirmative Action.

Once again not sure how they compare, but since I don't happen to think that AA is a complete failure (being the dirty lefty that I am) like telling kids "just don't do it and oh BTW of you do do it we won't tell you how not to get preggers or catch AIDS" then I won't be pointing that out.

Teenagers need the TRUTH and EDUCATION not slogans, religion, fear and guilt.

Tell them that it is a good idea not to have sex and how much it sucks to have to raise a baby at 16 or have an abortion or give a child up for adoption.
Fine.
But also give them comprehensive sex education and easy, cheap access to birth control.

Oh jeez. People. It was not a bow!

re: #40 Surabaya Stew

As long as Akihito bowed back, I see no problem.

Now, if Obama tries to get into the act when he visits New Zealand, then...

re: #56 webevintage

Once again not sure how they compare, but since I don't happen to think that AA is a complete failure (being the dirty lefty that I am) like telling kids "just don't do it and oh BTW of you do do it we won't tell you how not to get preggers or catch AIDS" then I won't be pointing that out.

Teenagers need the TRUTH and EDUCATION not slogans, religion, fear and guilt.

Tell them that it is a good idea not to have sex and how much it sucks to have to raise a baby at 16 or have an abortion or give a child up for adoption.
Fine.
But also give them comprehensive sex education and easy, cheap access to birth control.

That is their parents decision, not anyone else. While I might agree, that is for me to tell my children, not school administrators,other parents, anyone else.Hopee that clarified my stance for you.

re: #55 The Sanity Inspector

Matter of fact, that photo might be useful, in getting them to bow to their Asian aunts & uncles. They're still pretty resistant to doing it, when we go visit.

Bowing is entirely fitting to elders, bosses, and relatives as a sign of respect, on a personal basis. Not befitting the highest elected representative of this country.

And is response to Surabaya stew, I am unaware if Bush ever bowed. Please show me the pic if he did. I remember the outrage of him holding the hand of the Saudi emperor, which did bother me because I didn't like the image of friendship with Saudi Arabia. But it didn't represent submission at least.

re: #56 webevintage

Teenagers need the TRUTH and EDUCATION not slogans, religion, fear and guilt.

Truth is, if you don't do "IT", you don't get pregnant NOR communicable diseases

So why not teach both abstinance AND Birth Control with an emphasis on the former as a 100% preventable method!

re: #56 webevintage

And don't post congratulations on the school bulletin board to unwed high school girls who have babies. That too much to ask?

re: #62 The Sanity Inspector

And don't post congratulations on the school bulletin board to unwed high school girls who have babies. That too much to ask?

What about in school daycare?

re: #60 redshirt

I am unaware if Bush ever bowed. Please show me the pic if he did

Google is free, you know

[Link: images.google.com...]

re: #52 redshirt

Washington Times

More here
The President of the United States bows to nobody. America shows deference to nobody. Respect, yes, not deference. A deep bow, unanswered, is subservient.

The Washington Times is your first source, your second source quotes your first. Charles stated in the overnight thread that back at the time of the Saudi business he was not able to find ANY legit source showing some major breech of protocol there (and thus in Japan). Considering his penchant for tireless research, I will take our host's word over the Washington Times.

re: #64 sattv4u2

I am unaware if Bush ever bowed. Please show me the pic if he did

Google is free, you know

[Link: images.google.com...]

I am OUTRAGED!!!11!!111!!!

Sex Educationre: #64 sattv4u2

I am unaware if Bush ever bowed. Please show me the pic if he did

Google is free, you know

[Link: images.google.com...]

OK, a pic of Bush bowing his head to receive an award is all you have? He had to incline his head for the ribbon to be placed over his head. Not a bow. He does appear to be inclining his head for the pope, however. Still not the same level of grovelling as Obama did to the Saudi King or the Japanese Leader.

re: #62 The Sanity Inspector

And don't post congratulations on the school bulletin board to unwed high school girls who have babies. That too much to ask?

I sure wish I could find a news article from several years ago that told of a Holocaust survivor who visited a high school and recalled some of his experiences during the war.
One student, pregnant at the time, was aked by the reporter for her reaction to the talk given by the guest. She said she could relate to him because of her experience of being a pregnant teen-ager still in high school.
Really.

Jeesh, blew that post! The sex education link was supposed to be separate! oopsy!

re: #67 redshirt

Sex Education

OK, a pic of Bush bowing his head to receive an award is all you have? He had to incline his head for the ribbon to be placed over his head. Not a bow. He does appear to be inclining his head for the pope, however. Still not the same level of grovelling as Obama did to the Saudi King or the Japanese Leader.

Image: bush_bow.jpg

What "award??

re: #64 sattv4u2

I am unaware if Bush ever bowed. Please show me the pic if he did

Google is free, you know

[Link: images.google.com...]

I prefer the pictures of him feeling up Merkel...
[Link: images.google.com...]

re: #60 redshirt

And is response to Surabaya stew, I am unaware if Bush ever bowed. Please show me the pic if he did.

Sorry, we will have to wait for the DKos boys to dig that up.
:-D

re: #71 webevintage

I prefer the pictures of him feeling up Merkel...
[Link: images.google.com...]

How could he resist her with cleavage like that?

Image: 224954_1_080415-wisp01-merkel.jpg

Actually, I can't find any evidence that Akihito and Bush Jr. ever had a formal meeting. If this proves to be the case, Dubya sure dodged a bullet!

re: #61 sattv4u2

Teenagers need the TRUTH and EDUCATION not slogans, religion, fear and guilt.

Truth is, if you don't do "IT", you don't get pregnant NOR communicable diseases

So why not teach both abstinance AND Birth Control with an emphasis on the former as a 100% preventable method!

done.
and I think parents should be allowed to opt their kids out of sex ed if they want to and deny them access to BC too if they feel that way.

I have to say that when mine was younger I felt more interested in parental rights, but at 17 (and I felt this way when he was 14 and 15 too) I'm much more interested in him avoiding an STD or a, God forbid, Grandkid then I am worrying about someone teaching him something I don't agree with or slipping him a condom without my premission.

re: #70 sattv4u2

[Link: 4.bp.blogspot.com...]

What "award??

I don't know what the award was, but he placing a ribbon over his head for some reason. I remember seeing the video.

re: #76 redshirt

I don't know what the award was, but he placing a ribbon over his head for some reason. I remember seeing the video.

Image: bush_bow.jpg

NO award ,, look again!

A bow is a bow is a bow is a bow!

WOW!

re: #55 The Sanity Inspector

Matter of fact, that photo might be useful, in getting them to bow to their Asian aunts & uncles. They're still pretty resistant to doing it, when we go visit.

Tell them that in my Jewish family, showing respect to your elders involves allowing them to pinch a facial nerve between their knuckles and twist. Screaming is not allowed.

Bowing is a breeze.

re: #22 MAK

Nontroversy. Is that the right word?

Only applicable to concerns raised against BHO and his advisors and policies.

re: #77 sattv4u2

[Link: www.stolendroids.com...]

NO award ,, look again!

A bow is a bow is a bow is a bow!

WOW!

McArthur bowed to Akihito's daddy after kicking his ass and bombing his country into submission. it's protocol.

re: #62 The Sanity Inspector

And don't post congratulations on the school bulletin board to unwed high school girls who have babies. That too much to ask?

I'm torn on that, actually. You don't want to encourage young girls to get pregnant, but a baby is a baby.

re: #80 Guanxi88

McArthur bowed to Akihito's daddy after kicking his ass and bombing his country into submission. it's protocol.

Which is the absolute truth. However, you can be sure that ceremony was never photographed! The famous picture of the 2 of them standing side by side doesn't leave much room for doubt as to who was in charge...

re: #82 Surabaya Stew

Which is the absolute truth. However, you can be sure that ceremony was never photographed! The famous picture of the 2 of them standing side by side doesn't leave much room for doubt as to who was in charge...

Opportunity was there today; it wasn't then. I don't like the Pres one little bit, but I'm not gonna jump down his throat for paying his respects to America's closest and longest-term ally in Asia. I recognize no king or crown, and would bow to His Excellency without hesitation, as failure to do so would be disrespectful, not to the man, who is who he is whether I acknowledge it or not, but to this people.

re: #81 SanFranciscoZionist

I'm torn on that, actually. You don't want to encourage young girls to get pregnant, but a baby is a baby.

And a school is a school

Academic acheivemnets ,,, CONGRATS

Sports team did good ,,, CONGRATS

Both are school events

Getting Preggy ,, not so much!

re: #84 sattv4u2

Getting Preggy ,, not so much!

Remember when Preggy Sue got married?

re: #85 solomonpanting

Remember when Preggy Sue got married?

I wasn't there that day!

re: #77 sattv4u2

[Link: www.stolendroids.com...]

NO award ,, look again!

A bow is a bow is a bow is a bow!

WOW!

I admitted that Bush bowed his head to the pope, I was referring to the image with the Saudi king, where he clearly is getting something placed around his neck. He didn't bow to the Saudi king.
But it still doesn't compare to Obama's bow. He not only bowed completely, he appears to be looking at the ground, taking his eyes off the one he is bowing to. Totally subservient. He could have made a gesture far less dramatic, yet still respectful, had he cared to.

Shrill, baby, shrill!

re: #67 redshirt

Sex Education

OK, a pic of Bush bowing his head to receive an award is all you have? He had to incline his head for the ribbon to be placed over his head. Not a bow. He does appear to be inclining his head for the pope, however. Still not the same level of grovelling as Obama did to the Saudi King or the Japanese Leader.

Now you're just willfully ignoring inconvenient information. ONE of the pics is Bush bowing to get a medal. Another is Bush bowing to the Pope. A third is Clinton bowing to somebody clearly even less important than the Pope.

Obama's "unprecedented subservience" only exists in your imagination. ODS does funny things to the mind--delusion, paranoia, maybe even hallucination.

Yes, but if Willow could be a tree, what kind of tree would she want to be?

/ channeling Babba Wawwa

re: #30 sattv4u2

If you were a tree , what kind of a tree would you be!

Jinx!

Sarah Palin was shocked when her teenaged daughter became pregnant?
Wow. That's really a reaction that's like, so ...
normal. What a scoop .
Couldn't Ms. WaWa have gone rogue and asked her something interesting, say ' Sawah Palin, if you were a twee, which one you be?'

re: #32 The Sanity Inspector

I'm encouraging my young kids to admire and respect Obama, even though I didn't vote for him. At their age, it's more important for them to be proud of their country and system of government, than to share my opinion of the current office-holder.

Obama one the one hand and the country and system of government on the other are not the same thing. My relatives and I talk about Obama very freely in front of the kids. No harm in their knowing that elected leaders can be incompetent, wrong, and dangerous, and that Americans are free to say so out loud.

re: #90 Claire
(Sorry... to you and anyone else, didn't read up-thread before I posted that one, you bet'cha).

re: #87 redshirt

But it still doesn't compare to Obama's bow. He not only bowed completely, he appears to be looking at the ground, taking his eyes off the one he is bowing to. Totally subservient. He could have made a gesture far less dramatic, yet still respectful, had he cared to.

At least Obama was not seen walking around in America holding hands with and practically tongue-kissing the aged Saudi despot.

Something tells me the utter subservience of the Bush Oil Mafia to Saudi interests is sharply missed in Riyadh.

re: #95 Cato the Elder

At least Obama was not seen walking around in America holding hands with and practically tongue-kissing the aged Saudi despot.

Something tells me the utter subservience of the Bush Oil Mafia to Saudi interests is sharply missed in Riyadh.

How dare you point out an ongoing fact of US-Saudi relations!

re: #96 Guanxi88

How dare you point out an ongoing fact of US-Saudi relations!

More than that - I'm pointing out that the entire Bush clan stood to personally gain from the quasi sexual relations between Dubya and Abdullah. That potential conflict of interest is missing in Obama's case.

So Palin said this about Bristol being pregnant:

"That's why I was shocked," Palin said. "Truthfully, we were devastated."

Devastated? I don't want to see people busting Obama about his comments about either of his daughters being "punished" with a child if they let the "devastated" comment slide by as well.

I think Bristol Palin's pregnancy was one of the best things to happen in American politics. Hopefully it forever removed one of the least important issues for a candidate to have to address. Especially since it came from a candidate from the conservative side of the spectrum. Rightly or wrongly, the Republicans are generally considered the "family values" party. Now if a Democrat is in the same situation it will be very difficult for them to be criticized for it by someone on the right.

Children often make choices that dissapoint their parents but it doesn't automatically say much of anything regarding the character of the parents (although it can in some cases). If Chelsea Clinton was an unwed mother, even as an adult, I think it would have been a big issue. If the Obamas had a pregnant teenage daughter his campaign would have been stalled in its infancy (pun intended).

I don't think the fact that Bristol Palin was pregnant told us anything about Sarah Palin's ability to fulfill the duties of the office of the Vice President.

so...nothing really earth shattering in the interview.

re: #17 albusteve

anyboby that allows Babba Wawa to interview them is unfit for public office

Oh, I don't know about that. People who watch puffball interviewers vote too. You have to get their attention somehow if you're trying to expand your base. The Baba Wawa crowd isn't exactly tuning in to "Meet the Press."