San Diego Reader

It's so weird. I would've never guessed that, if you compared VP hopeful Palin and her kids names, with a guy named "Obama" and his kids names, that he'd win. He went with Malia and Sasha. She goes with: Track, Bristol (which sounds like a hair gel), Willow (great Ron Howard movie, great song by 60s band Love, not the best name), Piper, and Trig.

Most of my friends aren't into politics, so the topics that have been on political shows, we haven't discussed. I think if they saw a picture of Palin, they might just think it's some Lenscrafters ad or something.

But here's my opinion on Palin's children.

I've always said that children shouldn't be brought into things. I hated when Rush Limbaugh showed a picture of Chelsea, at age 12 I believe, and said something like "This is the White House dog," or something along those lines.

I heard that a few people made fun of Amy Carter's looks back in the 70s. That is insane. Those kids are young, and...we all saw what happened when a girl around that age got mean posts on a website. She killed herself.

But, I feel differently about Palin. Here is why. First, McCain said he knew she was pregnant. If that's the case, well, he made what is perhaps the worst VP choice since...since, Dan Quayle (but even with a pick like Quayle, he won the race).

Second, even if McCain didn't know, Palin surely knew. And, what did she do? She decided to accept being on the ticket. She isn't a dumb woman (I mean, she was a sportscaster). She has to have known that the media would go to town on this. And, I guess her political career was just more important than how her daughter would take all this scrutiny. Therefore, it's open game. Because, it's not the "Democrats" or "media" that is doing this. It's Palin. And McCain.

On that note, I also think it's idiotic for Obama to say his wife should be off-limits. Sorry. Doesn't work that way. If she doesn't like people talking smack, she could've told him not to run. Or, she should've watched what she said. With the Wright controversy, they don't need her saying things like "this is the first time I've been proud of America."

Listen...I don't think Laura Bush is the smartest woman on the planet. I mean, she's married to W, she can't be. But, I give her this. She's smart enough to act like the First Ladys did back years and years ago. She smiles, she's polite. She doesn't create controversy. And EVERYONE seems to like her.

Now, back to the daughter and her pregnancy out of wedlock. The current topic is the boy that got her pregnant and is planning to marry her. He has a myspace where he says things like "I'm a redneck" and he uses curse words. Well, again, very little sympathy. There have been many stories about how when you create websites, potential bosses see them and don't hire you. Current bosses can fire you.

This whole thing is also relevant because, one of Palins things (and most Republicans), is teaching abstinence. And, one thing people complain about regarding sex education that deals mostly with that is...it's not realistic. Teenagers don't always follow that, so they should know other options. She is proof of that.

And, Republicans are usually against abortion, and a womans right to choose. Well...as Newt Gingrich just said on The Daily Show a few hours ago...."this girl got pregnant and she decided to keep it." To which Stewart said something like "Oh, so...she is 'choosing' what she is going to do. Yet, Republicans don't usually want a girl to have an abortion, even if she's raped. They don't want the woman to choose what to do. They want to tell the woman what to do."

Basically, again, what bothers me about discussing politics with anyone that is really into it -- they only side with their party. Instead of looking at it realistically or unbiased.

Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, this girls pregnancy is open game.

As is Obama's wife, and any comments she may make.

I remember Howard Stern was going to run for some office 15 or 20 years ago. They said he would've won, too. Well, when it came out that he'd have to reveal how much money he made, he dropped out (I guess when you make millions and millions, and want to just act like "one of the regular guys", he felt his usual schtick might not work). So, Stern quit.

These people have the opportunity to do that.

If they don't, they know the consequences.