Why I Respect Sarah Palin
A little talk about politics and politicians, specifically on reproductive rights -- and oddly, the one thing I can respect about Sarah Palin.
Last week, I was in the supermarket check out line, and I saw that Sarah and Bristol Palin are on the cover of In Touch Magazine with a headline something like, "Why we chose life."
Just for exposition, I'll note for anyone who didn't know that I am vehemently pro-choice. This is the #1 issue for me at election time; it's that important to me. It's the first thing I examine in a politician's platform when making my voting choice. I can't imagine a reason I would ever vote for someone who expresses a different viewpoint from myself on this issue.
It's also unique among political issues in that I have very little difficulty understanding the reasoning of those who disagree with me on this, the pro-life crowd. I totally get where they're coming from -- I don't agree, but I get it. Most of the time in politics, I sit bewildered with little spirals in my eyes, trying to figure out how someone could possibly think the way they do about whatever issue. Take healthcare reform, for example -- I just plain don't get why people oppose it. I mean, I've heard the reasons, read the reasons, and I'm sure you have yours if you're opposed to it -- but I don't get it on a basic and emotional level. The need for universal healthcare to me, is one of those "truths we hold to be self-evident" so it's totally beyond me why every person in this country isn't enthusiastically behind it. My brain just plain will not accept that people have different opinions on this one, and have it make any more sense than, for example, "Well, some people like getting tattoos on their faces." Nossir, I just don't get it!
But the pro-lifers I get... mostly. There's just one thing about many of them that I don't get. I don't understand the slice of the pro-life crowd that thinks that abortion is okay sometimes. Okay, I get that you believe that abortion = murder = therefore it's wrong. I understand that. But why is murder apparently okay when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest (and by that, I presume they mean incestuous rape)? I don't mean to be insensitive here -- I really don't mean that since, I of course, think that abortion is okay anytime, and those goes ten times for those ugly situations. It absolutely boggles my mind, however, how anyone could justify this ugly contradiction in their own belief system, however. It makes those little swirleys in my eyes again.
This is where Sarah Palin comes in. As much I dislike her - and believe me, that's an awful lot! - I really must respect the strength of her pro-life stance. I imagine that it's not easy for a politician to come right out and say, "Yep, Rape Victim, I would deny you that abortion if I could, and make you have that baby." That is NOT an easy road to walk! I question the sincerity of most politicians (always) on this (and every) issue -- I always assume they're selling something. It's very easy to make a quick soundbite one way or the other, and try to evade the really tough moral questions on this issue. It's easiest to come up with a non-committal answer that sounds like it will offend the least amount of potential voters. I respect that Sarah Palin didn't make that choice. She waves the strength of her beliefs around in the air like a bra at a college party. Good for her! I haven't the slightest doubt that she's the genuine article here, that she really believes in her pro-life position from the depths of her red, white, and blue heart, and this is not just for show. It's very rare that I can say with confidence that I believe ANY politician is sincere about much about anything. I like the feeling of respecting a politician for genuinely trying to do what they believe is right.
Unfortunately, I just happen to disagree with pretty much everything Sarah Palin believes across the board. I have yet to identify a single exception to that rule. Palin could come on Fox News with an editorial about how our generation is facing unending days ending in Y and I'd wave my arms at the screen and scream that she was full of shit!... Well, that is, I'd wave my arms at "The Daily Show" rebroadcasting her speech since I think my TV might actually melt if it turned to Fox News. You get the point, however.
I can honestly say that I wish more politicians were as sincere as Sarah Palin about their beliefs. I hate political ambiguity. I hate not really knowing where politicians stand. I want leaders that have a clear feeling about what's right, can and will communicate those beliefs, and then act on them. It's a rare thing when a politician has that strength and yet can get elected and stay in office. (Ha! Well, two out of three for Palin ain't bad! hee hee.)
There ya go, thanks for reading.
Trace
Last week, I was in the supermarket check out line, and I saw that Sarah and Bristol Palin are on the cover of In Touch Magazine with a headline something like, "Why we chose life."
Just for exposition, I'll note for anyone who didn't know that I am vehemently pro-choice. This is the #1 issue for me at election time; it's that important to me. It's the first thing I examine in a politician's platform when making my voting choice. I can't imagine a reason I would ever vote for someone who expresses a different viewpoint from myself on this issue.
It's also unique among political issues in that I have very little difficulty understanding the reasoning of those who disagree with me on this, the pro-life crowd. I totally get where they're coming from -- I don't agree, but I get it. Most of the time in politics, I sit bewildered with little spirals in my eyes, trying to figure out how someone could possibly think the way they do about whatever issue. Take healthcare reform, for example -- I just plain don't get why people oppose it. I mean, I've heard the reasons, read the reasons, and I'm sure you have yours if you're opposed to it -- but I don't get it on a basic and emotional level. The need for universal healthcare to me, is one of those "truths we hold to be self-evident" so it's totally beyond me why every person in this country isn't enthusiastically behind it. My brain just plain will not accept that people have different opinions on this one, and have it make any more sense than, for example, "Well, some people like getting tattoos on their faces." Nossir, I just don't get it!
But the pro-lifers I get... mostly. There's just one thing about many of them that I don't get. I don't understand the slice of the pro-life crowd that thinks that abortion is okay sometimes. Okay, I get that you believe that abortion = murder = therefore it's wrong. I understand that. But why is murder apparently okay when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest (and by that, I presume they mean incestuous rape)? I don't mean to be insensitive here -- I really don't mean that since, I of course, think that abortion is okay anytime, and those goes ten times for those ugly situations. It absolutely boggles my mind, however, how anyone could justify this ugly contradiction in their own belief system, however. It makes those little swirleys in my eyes again.
This is where Sarah Palin comes in. As much I dislike her - and believe me, that's an awful lot! - I really must respect the strength of her pro-life stance. I imagine that it's not easy for a politician to come right out and say, "Yep, Rape Victim, I would deny you that abortion if I could, and make you have that baby." That is NOT an easy road to walk! I question the sincerity of most politicians (always) on this (and every) issue -- I always assume they're selling something. It's very easy to make a quick soundbite one way or the other, and try to evade the really tough moral questions on this issue. It's easiest to come up with a non-committal answer that sounds like it will offend the least amount of potential voters. I respect that Sarah Palin didn't make that choice. She waves the strength of her beliefs around in the air like a bra at a college party. Good for her! I haven't the slightest doubt that she's the genuine article here, that she really believes in her pro-life position from the depths of her red, white, and blue heart, and this is not just for show. It's very rare that I can say with confidence that I believe ANY politician is sincere about much about anything. I like the feeling of respecting a politician for genuinely trying to do what they believe is right.
Unfortunately, I just happen to disagree with pretty much everything Sarah Palin believes across the board. I have yet to identify a single exception to that rule. Palin could come on Fox News with an editorial about how our generation is facing unending days ending in Y and I'd wave my arms at the screen and scream that she was full of shit!... Well, that is, I'd wave my arms at "The Daily Show" rebroadcasting her speech since I think my TV might actually melt if it turned to Fox News. You get the point, however.
I can honestly say that I wish more politicians were as sincere as Sarah Palin about their beliefs. I hate political ambiguity. I hate not really knowing where politicians stand. I want leaders that have a clear feeling about what's right, can and will communicate those beliefs, and then act on them. It's a rare thing when a politician has that strength and yet can get elected and stay in office. (Ha! Well, two out of three for Palin ain't bad! hee hee.)
There ya go, thanks for reading.
Trace