Pantagraph.com | News | McCain fought money on teen pregnancy programs

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

justme wrote on Sep 4, 2008 7:36 AM:

" Who cares if her daughter is pregnant at 17? There are lots of girls younger than that having babies! As for birth control, do you people realize that YOUR CHILD can go to the local health department and get FREE birth control WITHOUT your consent? A parent can't be with their child 24/7 and sometimes children make choices they have to later deal with- a baby on the way! Now, how many of you posters on here can HONESTLY say that at 16 or 17 years of age that you have not had intercourse? Or maybe even at a younger age... I feel this don't have any affect on her being able to do the job of VP. GO MCCAIN GO PALIN, you have my vote all the way! For those who haven't heard of her till a few days ago if you didn't live in Illinois you would be saying the same thing about Obama. "

opinionated wrote on Sep 3, 2008 8:26 AM:

" To T. Oh, if only I had listened to my parents. If only my children had listened to me. If only my grandchildren would listen to me. If only we all had listened to our God. Our choices make a difference in our lives. "

johnd wrote on Sep 3, 2008 5:28 AM:

" Wow a women who alowed her daughter to make the mistake of becoming pregnant at the age of 16.Sure its not the first time this has happened but if she is a slacker mother do you really want her to be President after McSame drops dead of old age.Remember he saids he will only run one term.So he is betting he will only be around 4 years What if he is off a year or two. "

MRS. wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:19 PM:

" Aren't you suppose to be ignoring me Cubfan24? "

bummer wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:13 PM:

" Let those of you that have not sinned........ "

SmallTownMom wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:39 PM:

" to excuseme: You have a dirty mind.... and how do you know the party is picking up the cost? You should not assume... you know what happens when you assume.... "

SmallTownMom wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:36 PM:

" I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with Lizzie.... I think Palin is exactly what we've been fighting for for the last 100 years. She's an independent thinker, a reformer, a mother, a wife, and she's kicking behind in the "good ole boys" network, and she might even smash the ultimate glass ceiling. And on top of it all, she's gorgeous and so what if she's human and she has problems with her kids once in awhile, like the rest of everybody else. "

excuseme wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:58 PM:

" The future hubby is on his way to the convention. Wonder if they will have seperate bedrooms? Oh, and thanks to the GOP for picking up the tab. Isn't it nice to know your money is being spent this way!

Levi Johnston's mother said her 18-year-old son left Alaska on Tuesday morning to join the Palin family in St. Paul, Minn. "

Cubfan24 wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:30 PM:

" To MRS.: Are you having a conversation with yourself?

And to all of you "thank god she's going to carry this baby" posts... The child is 5 months old already! No turning back now!!! "

Burgerman wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:13 PM:

" Opps, looks like that all american perfect hockey mom image they were trying to protray just became reality. The case in point here is that average american white two parent families can also run into trouble with their kids. For once the all mighty republican party must show that they have family problems like everone else. "

Not so Political wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:57 PM:

" I thought that the religous republician party did not believe in sex before marriage, babies out of marriage. Now we know that they are just as big of sinners as the most of us Americans. "

dwarf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:55 PM:

" keep-sarcasm-alive: Here's the thing, though. Yes, you might have an issue with tax money paying for birth control.

Compare that, though, to the costs of teen pregnancy, and the subsequent possible effects on poverty and crime. On a purely economic level, it makes sense to provide anonymous birth control to teens. The ones who need it will take it, and the ones who don't won't.

I'm absolutely not saying this would completely solve any problems with teen pregnancies. But I am saying it could help. "

dwarf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:29 PM:

" I love how, whenever a Republican gets caught with their hand in the cookie jar (or an adjacent bathroom stall), the first defense is LEWINSKI!!!!1

It's hilarious. "

The other Dave wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:27 PM:

" This is so interesting. Using a situation about a candidate's children for political gain. How telling about the hatred that exists in the Democratic party. And I love seeing how partisan the press is.

Do you understand that a child born of a 17 year old child might become the President of the US. Or at least a candidate for that office. And I thank God that this young girl is choosing life for the baby. Just like Obama's mom did when she got pregnant and was not married at age 17. "

keep-sarcasm-alive wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:15 PM:

" "Well, it seems like there are no further arguments against teaching teens about birth control. "

I don't object to teaching teens about it...it's the handing out of birth control that gets a frown from me. If you want your children to have birth control, don't wait for the school to hand it to them, and don't wait for them to ask for it....just give it to them. That way the parent is involved and MY tax dollars don't have to pay for it. "

The Professional wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:13 PM:

" If you let this story affect how you vote, we're in for another rough 4 years. Republican, Democrat, it doesn't matter. It's politics...it preys on the weak minded. Let's stick to the real issues: national security, the economy, health care. Abortion? Doesn't matter. Gay marriage? Who cares. The extinction of the triple-horned, red-masked, web-footed salamander? Waste of time. "

republicrat wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:06 PM:

" To: LetsBeHonestHere
In all fairness, it is a little harder to hide a baby than a..., well you know.

And hey, look on the bright side - her kid and grandkid can go to school together. "

ONLY IN AMERICA wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:05 PM:

" Hey Clinton has never admitted to anything.... that depends on what " Is " is....

THE DUMBING OF AMERICA CONTINUES DAILY "

LetsBeHonestHere wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:46 PM:

" For all you angelic Dmocrats..... At least the Palin family isn't trying to hide it from the public. Unlike our infamous President Bill Clinton when he swore to the world that "HE DID NOT HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH MISS LEWINSKI....... "

only in america wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:30 PM:

" To: Controller- Thank you for your support -

I am Only in America and I approved this message !!!! "

everyonehasanopinion wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:20 PM:

" I am going to have to agree with lizzie here. With 5 children, one which is still an infant, I don't believe she should have excepted this nomination. And yes, I have children (3). I'll also agree that she is what women have been fighting against for years. So much for the women's rights movements. I don't blame her for her daughter's pregnancy and I also commend them for being so honest, but I don't think it changes the fact that she will now be used as the poster woman for why preaching abstanance doesn't work. I'll also agree that McCain can't handle talking about these issues because he comes from a time where you COULDN'T talk about these issues. Doesn't this help run home the point that we should have someone in office who is progressing with the times? I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd rather have someone who knows what the world has come to and finds ways to address that, rather then someone who blushes at the sound of anything having to do with sex. "

dwarf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:56 PM:

" OK, as I understood it, the main conservative argument against comprehensive sex ed was that it would encourage teens to have sex.

But, if we all agree that teens will have sex no matter what we do, and that neither sex education nor parental guidance can stop them... And therefore Sarah Palin is absolutely exonerated from her daughter's choices...

Well, it seems like there are no further arguments against teaching teens about birth control. "

MRS. wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:34 PM:

" Is it a bad thing for a kid to stay in school? When we read about 17 kids in one school getting pregnant where is the problem? It isn't kids staying in school for sure. I am thankful she is going to carry this baby. I am sure she thought long and hard or I hope she did. Money for what? Today’s kids do not need to be taught where babies come from, they know and the probably know more than the parents and at an earlier age. Counseling about what their plans are for the baby? Shouldn't that be a family decision? Never mind, pp advocates don't want the families involved. Sometimes parents do everything a parent is supposed to do but in the end, kids are kids. Isn't that what the pro-abortion people say. Kids are kids; you can't control their sexual urges. I think this shows the family is human but know what is right and they do it. As far as money, the Gov. needs to make adoption more affordable and ease up on some of the restrictions. That is here more money should go. "

T wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:29 PM:

" Some education is better than no education. It's amazes me that all of you have your head in the sand. Your willing to elect this woman who is one step from being the president and all of her policies should be questioned. She's prolife but not pro sexed? "

Controller wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:29 PM:

" THE DUMBING OF THIS FORUM CONTINUES DAILY WITH EVERY ONLY IN AMERICA POST!!! "

McLeaner wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:26 PM:

" Usually, you can only smell the repuplican hypocrisy, but thanks to McCain's shotgun choice of Palin, you can cradle it in your arms and hear it cry. "

McLeaner wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:21 PM:

" "McCain's position on contraceptives and teen pregnancy issues has been difficult to judge on the campaign trail, as he appears uncomfortable discussing such topics."
-That's because McCain was born and raised in the Victorian Era, when it was considered impolite and crass to discuss such affairs of the boudoir (thats a lady's bedroom, for the repubs). "

ONLY IN AMERICA wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:09 PM:

" You gotta love the liberal news media - Twist the story a little more... Just because McCain goes against the hard-core lobbying Planned Parenthood it makes him the reason his running mates daughter is pregnant... Oh wait the same people who are promoting abortion and doing so with backyard clinics in your local neighborhoods. THE DUMBING OF AMERICA CONTINUES DAILY !!! "

lizzie wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:07 PM:

" Thank you Pastafarian! Palin is discussed like she is this fantastic mother and it is all so hypocritical! As a mother myself I would NEVER subject my children to the scrutiny of the press like she has allowed. Being a mother means sacrifices - sometimes those sacrifices have to do with careers.

Ugh. This whole thing disgusts me. I can't stand the woman. She is the antithesis of what women have been fighting for for the last 100 years. "

justme2 wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:04 PM:

" I'm not voting republican (that's for sure), but I have to applaud them for coming out about it. They may feel that this is a "family" or "private" matter, but the truth of the matter is that once you put yourself in a public position (such as running for VP of the United States) nothing is private anymore. Everything you do or don't do reflects upon and impacts the United States. Her telling the world, even if she didn't agree with the fact and even if it was just to squash a rumor, is a commendable act.

Basically, she was clearing the air before someone else cleared it for her ie. The press or other political figures. She is not her daughter and did not make her daughters choices for her. Americans should not base their vote for or against based on this fact. "

Pastafarian wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:51 AM:

" I think sex education can be best explained to Palin and her supporters this way: Do you support the right to bear arms?
Do you want to make sure your child knows how to properly handle the gun and protect themselves?
That is the same thing with Sex Education.

Now, about Palin herself. How selfish is it of her to go through with the nomination when she knew the kind of public scrutiny this would bring on her family? "

Firewoman wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:40 AM:

" From the article: "McCain voted for the Family Support Act in 1988, which passed overwhelmingly in the Senate and required teen mothers who receive public assistance to remain in high school and, in some cases, to live with their parents."

I love how Republicans target teen mothers and set requirements, but tend to overlook the fathers!!! "

thoughts a million wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:22 AM:

" This is not about the young lady getting pregnant. This is about the Republican Conservatives wanting to get into my personal life through their policies. "

SmallTownMom wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:18 AM:

" to T: No, I don't think it is obvious that she never talked to her daughter. I think the only obvious thing is that her daughter wasn't careful enough.
to bushIQis6: The family value in this situation is that Sarah Palin's daughter is taking responsibility for her actions, and raising the child, instead of killing it, and her family is going to love her and support in that. "

keep-sarcasm-alive wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:13 AM:

" Sex ed does not stop girls from getting pregnant. Name a school that doesn't teach sex ed. And name a school that isn't full of pregnant teens. I don't know of one teen that doesn't know that sex produces babies. Give these kids credit. They aren't dumb...they just don't always stop to think of the consequences of their actions even if they know what it could lead to, because the part of their brain that makes good decisions is not totally developed until around the age of 25.

And if you want your teens to have condoms then buy 'em for 'em! Why do you need to wait until they ask?! "

mdorf4 wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:12 AM:

" T
Are you really that naive? Do you think that sex education will eliminate teen pregnancy? It might or might not lessen it, but it is certainly not "obvious she never talked to her dughter about it either!!!! "
This is a complete non-issue, because those of you who are bashing her for her daughter's actions had decided long before this came up where your votes would go. It just make you all happy and fuzzy inside to see a Republican with personal problems. "

keep-sarcasm-alive wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:06 AM:

" Did you ever think the mentality of "your party is worse than mine" is just a cover up for politicians that really have nothing good to say about themselves? I'm disgusted with them all! "

mdorf4 wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:05 AM:

" IQ
While parents are responsible for the actions of their children, there is absolutely no hypocrisy in this case. Sarah Palin was not involved in the actions that got her daughter pregnant. I would be willing to bet that her 17y.o. daughter knows how babies are made and how to prevent them. Sometimes people, especially young ones, are simply irresponsible. While I wouldn't vote solely on family values, they are important. The Republicans involved in the other actions are indeed hypocrites, but to label the whole party as hypocrites based on those individuals is no better than any other stereotyping. "

T wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:53 AM:

" She does not support sex ed...WOW It's obvious she never talked to her dughter about it either!!!! "

Super J wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:46 AM:

" So you're telling me that Ms. Palin was willing to defy her parents in regards to premarital sex, but not in regards to contraception? Seems like an odd juxtaposition. But however you need to spin it to fit your judgmental positions, I guess...

Contraceptives aren't foolproof, y'know, and we have absolutely no proof that she wasn't using contraception that simply failed. "

dwarf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:38 AM:

" Oh, come on, BushIsIQ6 - didn't you get the memo?

The new Republican party slogan is "Do as I Say, Not as I Do" "

bushIQis6 wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:24 AM:

" More hypocrisy. why doesn't the Repub party just admit they are as big a sinner as their Dem counter part? i can't believe anyone nowadays is stupid enough to vote basedon "family values". Repubs have committed adultery, gambled, sent e mails to young legislative page boys and solicited gay bathroom sex, and when your platform is "family values", it screams HYPOCRISY!!! "

dwarf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:21 AM:

" This is the kind of irony I'm talking about, right here. "

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