Every time I see the Palin kids on TV I feel like I'm losing my mind. It's not just because I think their mother could wind up being one of the worst executives in history (though that's certainly part of it.) No, what bothers me is one question: why aren't those kids in school?
I mean, it's October 12 already, which is about six or so weeks into the school year. By now students would be getting homework and having tests and trying out for school plays and practising for the upcoming hockey season. The governor no doubt is aware that school hockey teams have practise right now, isn't she?
This isn't mere concern trolling. I'm really baffled as to the example this is setting. Sarah Palin is lugging Willow and Piper around the country with her, who are thirteen and seven, respectively, and who are missing all sorts of school. No doubt someone might argue that the girls are getting some kind of tutoring on the campaign trail, but are they? Do we know that? The girls were with their mother in Johnstown, Pennsylvania around noon yesterday, and then later in Philadelphia. Are we to understand that they've been given lessons to study on the campaign plane while they're jetting around the U.S.? Or were they pulled out of school early on Thursday or Friday for the flight to Pittsburgh? Where are they, on any given day? Don't they have friends they're missing?
Honestly, I don't get it. This can't be good for the girls' education, esteem or development. An occasional appearance by a candidate's children is fine, but using them as props is damned objectionable. Sasha and Malia Obama have put in a couple of appearances, but for the most part, their parents seem to feel it's better to shield them from the frenzy of a national political campaign.
Anyone who would take her children out of school for a two-month whirl on the campaign trail is not doing her children any favors. I'm also bothered with how the infant Trig is carried to center stage at events, as well. I'm no pedagogue, but is that really something you want to put an infant through?