Sarah Palin...Tougher Than She Should Ever Have to Be

Have any of you guys seen this video? The one that features young girls, some very young, calling Sarah Palin to task on Women's Rights issues, as well as abortion, the war in Iraq, book banning, rape and domestic violence.

For those of you who found this video to be "deep" and "thought provoking" and "a reason to question John McCain's choice as vice presidential running mate" (actual comments made by some viewers), I would ask that you look into these ridiculous allegations for yourself. Get the facts - this video is nothing more than a prime example of "mud slinging" - something the left has done over and over again to Sarah Palin during this campaign. I only wish Barack Obama would get even half the scrutiny that Palin has gotten and I wish that even a quarter of that would be in depth scrutiny. I think America would have a whole different view of Obama if they actually looked into him, his past and his stances for themselves instead of letting the media tell them what to believe. But I digress. This post is about Palin and this latest horrible attack on her. After watching this video, think of these things, if you will:

Palin has been a member of Feminists for Life since 2006. This organization is a Pro-Life Feminist group (a group after my own heart, I have to tell you!). In August 2006, Sarah Palin told the Anchorage Daily News that "no woman should have to choose between her career, education and her child", a belief held by the Feminist for Life organization, as well.
Some of you may not realize this, but one of our earliest feminists in this country also was against abortion. Her name was Susan B. Anthony. In her writings, Anthony occasionally mentioned abortion. She opposed it. She blamed men, laws and the "double standard" for driving women to abortion because they had no other options. Here's a quote from Anthony:

"When a woman destroys the life of her unborn child, it is a sign that, by education or circumstances, she has been greatly wronged." 1869

She believed, as did many of the feminists of her era, that only the achievement of women's equality and freedom would end the need for abortion. Anthony used her anti-abortion writings as yet another argument for women's rights. Sooooooo, the makers of this video are reminding Sarah Palin who she should thank for the opportunity to run for VP and what do you know? Sarah Palin carries on many of the same views held by the Great Susan B. Anthony, a woman who was a prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19th century women's rights movement to introduce women's suffrage into the United States. Exactly who's forgetting who to thank here? I would venture to say that Sarah Palin is well aware of our foremothers efforts and sacrifices that have brought her to the point where she is on the verge of being the first woman elected to the office of Vice President of the United States of America. What I find immeasurably shameful and unworthy of our foremothers efforts and sacrifices is this bizarre attack (and others like it) by women against a woman. What do you think Susan B. Anthony, Lydia Chapin Taft, Francis Wright, Ernestine Rose and all those other women who fought to get us the vote would think of these attacks? Honestly. What would they think?

By the way, on the issue of abortion, when asked what she would do as governor if Roe v. Wade were overturned, Sarah Palin responded "it would not be up [to me] to unilaterally ban anything. It would be up to the people of Alaska to discuss and decide how we would like our society to reflect our values." Palin personally supported bills to outlaw late-term abortions and to require parental consent for underage abortions in Alaska, but rebuffed religious conservatives who wanted to legislate restrictions on abortion even though she agreed with the bills.

Regarding the war in Iraq, Palin supported the Bush Administration's policies in Iraq, but has expressed concern that "dependence on foreign energy" may be obstructing efforts to "have an exit plan in place". Her own son is serving over in Iraq. To suggest that she wants Americans to die over there is nothing short of obscene.

To address the purported "book banning" that Palin has been accused of: According to Wasilla librarian Mary Ellen Emmons, she and Palin discussed the question of library censorship in October 1996. Emmons recalls Palin asking whether Emmons would object to censorship, and recalls Palin raising the possibility of people circling the library in protest, to which Emmons replied that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) would get involved. In early December, Palin spoke publicly about the issue, using it as an example of a discussion she'd had with her department heads, stating that "many issues were discussed, both rhetorical and realistic in nature." She further added that censorship "was discussed in the context of a professional question being asked in regards to library policy" and that she did not have a specific list of books in mind. No books were removed from the library. From 1986 to 2008, several books acquired by the Wasilla Public Library were challenged by various citizens as poor selections, such as a challenge to Heather Has Two Mommies in 1997. None of the challenged books were opposed or removed by Palin.

Finally, the issue of rape and domestic violence in Alaska. Just as a matter of interest, you should know that Governor Palin signed into law bills designed to protect victims of domestic violence and raise awareness of domestic violence crimes (House Bills 213 and 215).

HB 213, sponsored by Rep. Andrea Doll, D-Juneau, provides for the imposition of greater sentences, up to the maximum for the offense, for crimes committed on the premises of a domestic violence shelter.

“People who come to domestic violence shelters need to know that they are safe and protected,” Governor Palin said. “They need to know that they are not in harm’s way when they come to a shelter.”

HB 215, sponsored by Rep. Anna Fairclough, R-Eagle River, establishes the Task Force to Review the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. This task force would prepare and present a report to the full Legislature by March 1, 2008 – and then will be repealed on April 16, 2008. The task force would bring members of the Legislature and administration together with members of the public to have frank and comprehensive discussions about the council and the issues it addresses.

I've watched a lot of political coverage, I've read a lot of political news, columns, opinions and blogs. I've tried to get stories from both sides of the issues so that I can have an understanding of both sides. And I'm telling you right now, this election is being won not only by low down underhanded moves from groups like ACORN (who claim quite loudly to be non-partisan, a fact disputed by numerous videos of ACORN conventions, ACORN workers and ACORN policies), but also by the media. I have no idea why the media is so determined to elect Obama, but if any of you out there don't believe that to be the case, you are either woefully ignorant or willfully blind. Obama has gotten a pass on his relationship with Bill Ayers, his affiliation with ACORN and his 20 year membership in a racist, "white America" hating church that was run by one of the most vocal racists in recent history. He gets a pass on his voting record in the Illinois State Senate, where he apparently couldn't manage to stand for anything, opting to vote present rather than vote a position. What has he not gotten a pass on? For those of you who claim that he has answered questions regarding these things, tell me what those answers where. Tell me where Obama answers honestly. He hasn't. He's danced around the subjects and the media has let him. Sarah Palin, on the other hand, has been eviscerated at every single turn. She has been called every name in the book, she has had her integrity, her parenting skills and her intelligence questioned. She's been mocked at every level, she's been subjected to sexist remarks and she's even had her devotion to her Down Syndrome child called "pandering to the pro-choice crowd". I don't know how this woman has stood up under this nightmare. I don't know how she hasn't hit back at some of these people who are so intent upon tearing her life apart. I don't know how she has kept her sanity. All of this strife, all of these untruths, all of the vitriol and hate...and this woman gets up in front of crowds of Americans every day with her head held high, always on message and always with a positive attitude. And some of you question whether or not she could handle life with the "big boys" in Washington and around the world. Sarah Palin has proven she can handle them. And much, much more.