In their own words
I had a professor once who said something that really stuck with me, especially when it comes to taking a side on any issue: "Everyone has a right to their opinion. No one has a right to be wrong in their facts." There are enough wackos on both sides in the current national political race. Some are on "my side" and some are on the "other side". It doesn't advance civil discourse for either side to interact with any of these nutroots.
In fact, this discussion reminds me of one of my other thumbnail philosophies: "Everyone has someone on their team that they wish was on the other team." When a major evangelical leader makes a stupid statement, I cringe - until I remember that the other side has people who make stupid statements sometimes too. As I think of it, that may be the reason we now have a 24 hour news cycle. To quote Albert Einstein, "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe".
Here are two quotes:
Barack Obama: "
Barack Obama, near the end of a town hall meeting in Johnstown, Pa., in response
to a woman who offered a passionate plea to Barack Obama to "stop these abortions."
Sarah Palin: "We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives". . . . "We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."
Sarah Palin, at the birth of her son Trig, who has Down syndrome
Those are the facts. Now you can offer your opinion.
You're comparing apples and oranges here. Obama is talking about one of his daughters being presented with an unexpected pregnancy, and he's thinking in terms of them being single, possibly underage. He is aware of how difficult this position is, and make no doubt about it: a teen pregnancy is an ugly thing. Less than 5% of teen mothers ever graduate college, multitudes live in poverty as do their children since they are often caught in a cycle of financial dependence on others, and if they do marry their baby-daddy, they're looking at a 40% or higher divorce rate if they marry before the age of 20. This is not a thing to look forward to.
Palin was looking at a challenge to be faced with a supportive spouse, an established career, her education completed, and a well-established, financially stable home. This was something to look forward to, even with the complication of Down Syndrome being found in the baby.
I'm not saying I'm a rabid pro-choicer here by any means, but compare apples to apples to be fair.
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