This letter appeared on my hometown paper's opinon page. I couldn't have said it any better myself.
Sarah Palin released a statement as follows:
"Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents,"
They are proud of their daughter's "decision?" Is this statement trying to insinuate that this 17-year-old girl is making up her own mind about whether or not to have this baby? Doesn't allowing a girl or woman to have a choice go against everything they believe? Her statement sounds like the "choice" was entirely up to the daughter. You can't have it both ways.
This woman has championed being pro-life and disallowing abortion in any situation for anyone, including her own children, and now she is trying to put the "decision" onto her 17-year-old daughter while telling the rest of society that we should not be allowed to make that decision?
That is what this whole issue is about and why it causes such pain and agony for most women -- that politicians want to legislate what we can do about our own personal healthcare. But when the issue hits home, all of a sudden they are praising her "decision."
It is obvious, though, they do not believe in birth control, nor did they offer their daughter any birth control education. But please spare us the spin that this is a good thing.
- C.C.