I just can't agree. There are many, many people in the Republican Party, both men and women, who are qualified to hold the second highest office in the nation, and Sarah Palin is not one of them.
I feel really sorry for the kids who are subjected to this media stuff. I don't feel much sympathy for the parents though. It strikes me as highly hypocritical to parade one's children around to attract media attention when it is politically expedient, and then to complain when they are subjected to media scrutiny when it is not. Add in the boyfriend who is suddenly jettisoned into the picture and it appears to be a "have your cake and eat it too" move if there ever was one. And the whole "hockey mom" as a qualification thing does invite scrutiny of what she is doing as a mom.
I also didn't feel much sympathy when John and Elizabeth Edwards complained about the attention they DIDN'T want after having used their family for attention they did want; particularly when the stable, loving spouse, parent and family narrative was such a significant part of their presentation.
I do not think we should glory in people's private pain, but I also do not think we should indulge the idea that the press is there to simply follow the narrative lines and limits public figures wish to draw.
It would be refreshing to see a candidate who shows up on the podium alone and says, "my family supports my decision but they are not part of this campaign." It would make it rough to use one's spouse as a surrogate for one's own appearance; something that seems to be very popular.
In truth, I have a similar reaction to pastors who use their children as cute sermon illustrations and then are surprised that the church feels free to comment on and criticize them. Seems like putting your kids in play as an illustration invites people to cross boundaries. We might all do better with some tighter boundaries around our relationships--and greater hesitancy about leveraging those most precious to us for our own work or gain.
8 comments:
Thanks, QG. After I wrote the post, I was having some second thoughts. I expect with the news that broke today it will only get worse.
It will get worse. But you are still correct about what you wrote.
Thanks, rev kim...This needed to be said...
PresbyG
I also love what Kim said.
I just can't agree. There are many, many people in the Republican Party, both men and women, who are qualified to hold the second highest office in the nation, and Sarah Palin is not one of them.
I know we don't agree politically. From my point of view Sarah Palin is more qualified than Barak Obama.
The vicious personal attacks on her and her family are really disgusting. I also deplore the far right-wing personal attacks on Barak Obama.
I agree with Rev. Kim. Sarah Palin is a good choice and I back her all the way to the white House.
Peace,
Sister Florence Vales OSC
I feel really sorry for the kids who are subjected to this media stuff. I don't feel much sympathy for the parents though. It strikes me as highly hypocritical to parade one's children around to attract media attention when it is politically expedient, and then to complain when they are subjected to media scrutiny when it is not. Add in the boyfriend who is suddenly jettisoned into the picture and it appears to be a "have your cake and eat it too" move if there ever was one. And the whole "hockey mom" as a qualification thing does invite scrutiny of what she is doing as a mom.
I also didn't feel much sympathy when John and Elizabeth Edwards complained about the attention they DIDN'T want after having used their family for attention they did want; particularly when the stable, loving spouse, parent and family narrative was such a significant part of their presentation.
I do not think we should glory in people's private pain, but I also do not think we should indulge the idea that the press is there to simply follow the narrative lines and limits public figures wish to draw.
It would be refreshing to see a candidate who shows up on the podium alone and says, "my family supports my decision but they are not part of this campaign." It would make it rough to use one's spouse as a surrogate for one's own appearance; something that seems to be very popular.
In truth, I have a similar reaction to pastors who use their children as cute sermon illustrations and then are surprised that the church feels free to comment on and criticize them. Seems like putting your kids in play as an illustration invites people to cross boundaries. We might all do better with some tighter boundaries around our relationships--and greater hesitancy about leveraging those most precious to us for our own work or gain.
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