A Friend Stopped By | 09/06/2008 2:48 pm

Margo Howard Asks: Can You See The Smoke Coming Out of My Ears?

Editor’s Note: A longtime journalist, Margo Howard went into the family business (her mother was the fabled Ann Landers) in the 1990s as Dear Prudence. Her broad experience and understanding of human nature provide answers for the troubled — and entertainment for everyone else. Click here to read her column on Yahoo!

I know, I know, everybody and their dog is weighing in on Sarah Palin, but I must add to the noise. I am channeling Joan Rivers here, but can we talk? I am going to come right out and say it … and I will say it in English. I think the deal with the kid who is knocked-up is tacky. I have no problem with a 17-year-old getting tripped up with her boyfriend of a year. My problem is with a mother who not only allows it to be breezed around the globe, but who then gets very in-your-face about it, as in, “I dare you to make something of it.”

The conservative fundamentalists who would have raised cane if Chelsea Clinton had gotten herself in a family way at 17 have found a way to pretzel this around so that the family is heroic for not choosing an abortion. And … as if this weren’t enough, the father-to-be, or “sex on skates” as one publication called him, is flown to St. Paul where he is met at the airport by John McCain!

Are these people crazy? It all looks like a reward for, well, never mind. Then, the kid winds up on stage with Palin’s family and he is chewing gum. And … in place of a ring on his ring finger is the tattoo “Bristol.” If you can think of anything more tasteless, do drop me a line. I have about had it with “family values.”

Read more about: Election 2008, John McCain, Politics, Sarah Palin

573 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

very well said….thanks!

By Dutch 163 on 09/07/2008 6:04 pm

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Anam— Bizarre sideshow…is a perfect description. Hypocritical—completely. Even Peggy Noonan (a Republican I admire) said it is total “BS.”

By Suzanne de Cornelia on 09/07/2008 2:44 pm

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To the Wow Staff! Now I simply have to protest the fact that 2 weekends in a row we are without my beloved “Sandbox”. Is this because Edith Ann has started school and is busy doing test-prep assignments??? While some here think it is un-American to protest or strike, I don’t care! I protest!!!! Bring Edith Ann back!!!

By Brooklyn Gal on 09/07/2008 10:25 am

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Carol, Sometimes they need to go on vacation, just like us.

By Frannie Em on 09/07/2008 3:46 pm

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It would be nice if Wow can get someone to fill the void on the weekends.

By Brooklyn Gal on 09/07/2008 4:38 pm

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Maybe if we could create our own sandbox…

By Elizabeth Bennett on 09/08/2008 12:31 pm

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Yeah, like we did 4th of July weekend. That was so much fun!

By Brooklyn Gal on 09/08/2008 2:21 pm

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There are a few things that may be of interest in this discussion. Most of you seem to know for whom you will vote, and discussion with respect to changing that vote is a waste of time. Historically, for Democrats to win, voter turnout is crucial. For Republicans, it is the opposite. Negative ads work best: by having the voter conclude “they’re both bums,” and thereby depressing voter turnout. Second, the real battle is being fought for the undecided voter. Therefore, negative arguments will work best to decrease the odds that the undecided voter will vote at all - favoring Republicans. Positive arguments will have the opposite effect. I am an independent voter. The reason that I am is because I feel that I have commonality with aspects of both parties and refuse to be told that it’s “them or me.” I am not red - or blue. Since I don’t want to have my vote decided by having been worn down and no longer caring, I join Carol in requesting a play date. Edith Ann, I need a break. I need to play in the sand for a while.

By K O on 09/07/2008 12:48 pm

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Kitty Well put. Great summary of the situation. I never understood that the dems lost on low voter turn out. Interesting. Being an independent, I understand totally what you are talking about.

By Frannie Em on 09/07/2008 3:27 pm

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Frannie Em - The GOP does win often in lower turnout because the ones who do not turnout are the Dems and that can be for many reasons including weather, transportation and just inclination to vote. However, there are exceptions. In 1980 when President Reagan became elected for the first time, the undecided vote and many Democrats flocked to the polls to vote for him. Even more went in 1984. I do not know if we will have an election like that of 1980 for either candidate. Many months ago, the possibility was there for an Obama landslide. Not any more.

By Bonnie Oliver on 09/07/2008 3:37 pm

Bonnie Great point. Yes the Reagan landslide. I never thought it would be an Obama landslide because of the effect of the disenfranchised Hillary voters, I didn’t think they would show up for a republican, but they might not show up for Sen Obama. I don’t think many of those voters will come out for Palin, some, but it is obvious that she is having an effect. I have always believed it will be a close race, just because that is how it has been for the last several elections, and no one has really come up with many new ideas.

By Frannie Em on 09/07/2008 3:54 pm

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Hi Bonnie and Frannie, What are your thoughts about being defined within the parameters of party platforms? In other words, I’d be interested in knowing if you feel that you “fit” within the generally accepted definition of “Republican” or “Democrat.” Once the deviseness of that issue is put aside, I would imagine that most people agree with certain aspects of both parties. Do you happen to feel that way?

By K O on 09/07/2008 4:37 pm

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Kitty - I would be interested also in what Frannie as to say inasmuch as she is an Independent. Your comments too would be interesting as an Independent. In many ways I am a Libertarian because even though I have admiration for much of what the Conservative Movement stands for I could not ever tell another woman about her choice of reproduction. There are limits, however. Partial birth abortion is an anathema. I favor faith based organizations, charter schools and development of all forms of energy….pretty much all standard policies of the GOP. As for health care and government involvement outside of Medicare, Medicaid and the Prescription bill, I have no idea what is the best plan. It would foolish to allow Congress to have access or oversight of our health care dollars. I believe Pat Buchanan once said why do 300 million Americans have to defend 500 million Europeans from aggression? I agree with that question and would favor all US forces being removed from Europe. I favor a permanent presence in the Middle East - preferably several bases of operation. Israel will be attacked one day. My fear is that another terrorist attack will succeed against Americans in America. Therefore, I favor the Patriot Act and that all due diligence be followed in preventing an attack from happening. As a Republican I honestly believe that the closer the decisions are made to the people, the more efficient is the outcome. When the President and the Congress passed legislation to put more police officers on the street, I thought what the heck are they doing? Don’t they have enough to do or worry about without assuming responsibilities better left to our city councils? And we know why so many local issues are being petitioned to the federal government ….because that is where the money is. Lots of it. I would like some of that money to remain in the States with the counties/parishes and cities to administer. As for taxes, I, of course, favor lower federal taxes. It is up to the individual states to decide about sales taxes. Death taxes should be abolished. Corporate gains taxes should be abolished. (Americans should not be taxed for saving their money.) Taxes on businesses should not be a punishment or a reason why so many businesses are leaving America. And they are still leaving. Remember when the Congress decided to tax luxury items (“play toys for the rich”) and soon most if not all of the American companies that built luxury cruisers and yachts were out of business. The rich simply bought their “play toys” from a Italian or other manufacturer. Net result -more Americans put out of work. The federal government should work with corporate American in the development of new businesses and not just more of the same businesses. Innovative jobs, green jobs, energy field related jobs are all out there for the entrepreneur. He should be encouraged and also encouraged to hire folks, incentives for hiring….that sounds like a good idea. I will stop here - probably went on too long anyway. This was an interesting question because I don’t think many of us would fall 100% into agreement with the platform of either political party. I truly believe that on most issues there is a compromise available if the members of Congress would only seek for it.

By Bonnie Oliver on 09/07/2008 6:04 pm

Fascinating, Bonnie. Your views are consistent and logical. As I had suspected, they are more “purple,” if you will, than “red,” as some of your social views do not reflect that of your party’s platform. I wonder whether we, as individuals, have been artificially divided by simple definitions that are largely inaccurate to all but media pundits and vocal talking heads. I also wonder whether much unnecessary time is spent on the differences, as opposed to common ground. Thanks for your thoughts, and no, I don’t think you went on too long at all. I think you’re a very bright woman, and your views are refreshingly your own. I happen to agree with much of what you say. I’m more of a capitalist than anything else, but my social position is probably closer to Libertarian. Thanks for asking, and for sharing your opinions, too.

By K O on 09/07/2008 7:05 pm

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Kitty - I like your anaysis. I did not say, but I am also a Free Trader. Maybe a Democrat could add their comment along with Frannie Em. The most common ground among women would probably be in reproductive rights. It would be interesting to see.

By Bonnie Oliver on 09/07/2008 11:33 pm