Thanks to everyone who has written me about my Sarah Palin column in the paper yesterday. Just so you know, the mail and calls I got ran about 2 to 1 against my view that Sarah Palin’s family choices are fair game for discussion. Most of the notes were thoughtful; only a few called me names.
Several things came to my mind as I read that column again yesterday, though. The first was that, a week after I wrote it, it seemed a little stale. (My column deadline is about week earlier than the column runs in the newspaper. That’s what I get for writing a feature column.) I still agree strongly that Sarah Palin’s thoughts about family issues are totally fair to discuss, but I no longer think they are most important. As we got a first look at her in a national media interview, and read more about how she ran the state of Alaska, I’m more concerned now with how her experience and judgment will guide her in national office, not as much how her position on “culture war” issues inform her decisionmaking.
The other thing I thought this morning, though, is that I am looking forward to the first presidential debate at Ole Miss on Friday, Sept. 26. We need to focus again on the guys we’re actually electing, and the choices THEY will make for our country. The choice of Vice President is only one of many that tells what kind of leader each will be.
Responses to “Sarah Palin column, the day after.”
September 16th, 2008 at 7:42 am
If she wants her family choices to be off limits, then my family choices should be off limits to her. But she doesn’t feel that way. She wants to make family decisions for everyone.
The scariest thing I’ve heard her say so far is that she believes the End of Days will happen in her lifetime. That means she doesn’t have to plan for the future, because as far as she’s concerned there is no future.
The scariest thing I’ve heard of that she’s done is try to have library books banned. That reflects a whole way of thinking which I couldn’t disagree with more strongly. The Commercial Appeal’s motto is “Give light and the people will find the way.” I’ve always admired that. People need to be allowed to have all the information, and make up their own minds. No book ever made anyone do anything. Books only give information; it’s up to us to decide what to do about it.
And, finally, we aren’t talking about Palin for Vice President. We’re talking about Palin as the first in line if elderly four time cancer survivor McCain kicks the bucket. There is a very good chance that if McCain is elected, we’re looking at President Palin.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:45 am
sorry…when you parade your family across the stage on national tv, they are no longer “off limits.” You want their lives to be kept private? Keep them out of the campaign then.