Fruit doesn't fall far from the tree...

[WileEcoyote]

Sarah Palin's decision to bring her Down's Syndrome child to term was her perogative and I wouldn't fault her for making that particular choice. What bothers me is the irresposnsible sexual activity that resulted in her conceiving ANOTHER child at age 43 year old. All since she knew in advance that she wouldn't accept abortion as an alternative.

Someone (not Obama) ought to phrase this question for her:

"Governor Palin, did you know about the increased risk of Down's Syndrome in older women as a result in engaging in unprotected sex?"

Followed by: "Do you believe your child will grow up to forgive you for carelessly putting her health at risk and causing the Down's Syndrome?"

Again, most politicians won't touch this. However you best believe they would if the mom was Black. Maybe in the same breath as when they defend Palin's risky decision.

So I'm not surprised that Palin's daughter Bristol ALSO engages in unprotected sex. The fruit don't fall far from the tree.

[cali]

1. WTF? So now it's irresponsible for a woman to have a child at age 43?

Fuck that bullshit meme. My mother had her last child at 42. A woman has every right to decide when and if she'll conceive. Duh. That's the point about choice.

[Fresh_Start]

3. I'm right there with you

who should define which 'risk' factors are acceptable for having a child?
Does every potential parent need gene mapping to see if they are carriers of genetic diseases like hemophilia?

[aikoaiko]

2. That's some fucked up shit right there.

If you don't think Obama should ask it, maybe no one should.

[firedupdem]

4. You went way off base with this one. sorry n/t

[mamalone]

5. I 'm sure you didn't mean it ...

but your post is incredibly cruel. People with Down syndrome may not be intelligent, and they may not be the most productive members of our society, but many have assets and gifts that are sadly lacking among the general population. I have two children with Down syndrome and they have added so much to both my life and our community. Please try and be more open minded... and kind:hug:


Here's a picture of my girlie on her last birthday... Now I ask you, how could anyone doubt the value of someone like this??
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[Taverner]

6. You're chasing the wrong rabbit

or moose as the case may be

Choosing to have a child at 43 is not wrong

Flying in the 9th month of pregnancy is

Taking an 11 hour flight when you're in the last trimester is

Giving a speech after your water breaks is

Taking an 11 hour plane ride after said speech is

[LeftishBrit]

7. I would NOT go there!

Many people become mothers in their 40s. And although most pro-choice people would terminate a baby with Downs syndrome, a very significant minority would not. And, assuming that they are able and willing to look after the child properly, why should they?

Palin has shown public irresponsibility in favouring abstinence-only sex education programs, which have been shown not to work as well as others; and in cutting special needs education. Though this is less crucial to her candidacy, some of her private actions (such as flying in late pregnancy and driving with her child unrestrained) are also irresponsible-seeming: many communities have rules against such actions. And her anti-choice attitudes are disgusting. But let's not become anti-choice ourselves. Choice means the right to choose to have a child, not just the reverse.

[cali]

9. How on earth do you come to the conclusion that most pro-choice

people abort Down Syndrome children? Got anything to back that up. I for one, find that a very offensive assertion.

[FedUpWithIt All]

11. Most *Americans* abort DS babies.

From the NYT...

About 90 percent of pregnant women who are given a Down syndrome diagnosis have chosen to have an abortion.


http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/us/09down.html?fta=y

That story links to this study.


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10521836?dopt=AbstractPlus

[LeftishBrit]

13. I wasn't saying they should or shouldn't; just that many do.

Most surveys show that in Britain MOST babies with Downs syndrome are aborted after prenatal diagnosis. But many are not. Maybe it's different in America!

This is little to do with people not wanting DS babies. It has a LOT to do with a system that does not look after people with disabilities properly, especially once they reach adulthood. People with significant disabilities (this includes people with acquired as well as congenital disabilities) tend to get reasonable-ish provision as long as they are children - but once they are adults, there is little available, especially if they don't have money: once their parents are too old to look after them, they often end up totally neglected, or in very inferior nursing homes. And parents often choose to terminate pregnancies because of this awful thought: 'what will happen to my child when I get old/ die?'

I am not quite sure whether you think I'm being 'offensive' to people with DS or to pro-choice people. FWIW, I am extremely pro-choice, and also extremely pro-disability-rights. It's the system economizing on taxes by tossing disabled people on the scrapheap that is offensive, not mentioning its effects on people's choices. At least with regard to the UK, you can blame fucking Thatcher and her supporters and successors for a lot of it.

[meowomon]

8. I think a man may have written this

Not that it is an excuse, just an explanation.

[Dogtown]

10. That's sexist

and I'm offended by it.

[fed_up_mother]

12. A number of career women are choosing to have their kids later in life.

This is not a way to win votes, imo.