Palin's unwed daughter pregnant. So what?

I noticed a story percolating around some blogs yesterday noting that Sarah Palin's daughter was noticeably pregnant months ago. Then the story jumped the tracks into suggesting that the Palin's recently born Down's syndrome baby may in fact be the daughter's child and the Palins were saying it was theirs to cover up.

Needless to say I didn't say anything about this because it just seemed too bizarre. And as it turns out, it was.

BUT, what the story DID do was force Palin to admit that her 17 year old unwed daughter is indeed 5 months pregnant.

Obama has come out and passionately insisted this is NOT an issue, that it's nobodies business but the Palin's, that as far as he's concerned, family is out of bounds as they have nothing to do with Palin's fitness to serve or her political views, and that if anyone in his campaign is found to be discussing this story, they'll be fired instantly.

That's admirable, and correct.

But there is something from this story that should be noted, and taken seriously.

There's a race issue in it. Yeah, yeah, I can hear the conservatives whining already, but hear me out.

Imagine, if you will, that it had been revealed that Michelle Obama, when she was 17 and unmarried, had gotten pregnant and had a child.

What, do you suppose, would have been the reaction from the right?

Well, I almost don't have to tell you, do I?

Of course they would have snorted in disgust, and in so many words, portrayed her as some typical black woman, popping out kids like a Pez dispenser, and as Exhibit A of the immoral Democrat (black) who's irresponsibility is destroying the traditional family. The phony moral superiority would be just DRIPPING all over.

Yes, THAT is what would be out there 24/7, and if anyone thinks not, they're dreaming.

Now, witness, as we shall, how the Republicans make a contortion that would leave Nadia Comanici crippled. Let's watch, shall we, as their infinitely flexible sense of morality and outrage adjusts a head-snapping 180 degrees to accommodate the fact that the teen-aged daughter of the woman they're all supposed to mindlessly defend, is knocked up.

But she's a girl, from a good right wing ultra-conservative family with a mother who would rather that a mother die if her life could be saved by abortion. (No abortion under ANY circumstances.) So it's OK. They're worthy of our compassion and support. And besides, at least she's not getting an abortion!!!! (as if that has anything to do with it.)

But if this teen were black and lived in an urban area, number one, she'd be tied to the Democrats even if she'd never voted in her life, and she'd be damned to hell as an immoral tramp. And we all know it.

Personally, I think it's wonderful, if not tremendously phony, that the Republicans have, literally within a 48 hour period following Obama's speech in Denver, gone from the party of snarling condescension for anyone who hasn't made it or isn't well off, or is from a different cultural background, to the party of sweetness and light.

So concerned about their fellow man (You could be forgiven for noting that the entire Republican party seems to have agreed with the message of Obama's speech.) that they're willing to forego showcasing George W. Bush and Dick Cheney at their convention. (Boy, they're all heart, ain't they?)

Left so demoralized by the Denver convention that they barely had the will to even try, they were delivered a God-send. (and many do believe God controls the weather. Why, a James Dodson Focus on the Family preacher was urging followers to pray for bad weather to ruin Obama's speech. Obviously, God didn't get on board, the weather was absolutely gorgeous.)

But when life gives you hurricanes, make lemonade... or something. Left looking silly, mean, and dumb in comparison to the uplifting message of the Dem convention, they decided to punt.

They scrapped most of the convention, instead deciding to make a show of compassion for hurricane victims they could hardly conceal their scorn for a few years back. (Maybe Babs Bush can reappear to note how all the black refugees really never had it so good living in a stadium in Dallas.)

So they'll trot out Laura Bush, whose compassion is, I think, sincere, and Cindy McCain, who, as proven by her "Alaska is next to Russia" argument, will say just about anything. (And since when do you have to wear a cast for a month from someone merely shaking your hand too firmly? What's up with that? Just hope they're careful with the pain meds. And as long as I'm being catty, would someone look into whether Cindy had her eyes transplanted from a Husky dog or maybe a Siamese cat? I mean, they're striking, no doubt, but she's definitely got a space alien thing going on.)

Now that it appears that there won't be as much damage and flooding as threatened, will the Republicans continue the charade, or get back to business?

Personally, I'm kind of pissed off. I REALLY wanted to see Bush and Cheney speak. Well, I don't know if I could actually listen to the whole thing, but, I wanted America to hear them. AND see them.

I also was dying to see how they'd present the dynamic duo and witness the sea of white delegates either cheering them or sitting on their hands. It would have been great political theatre, no doubt.

But thanks to Gustaf, they've been handed the excuse to 86 both of them that they were desperately praying for. Maybe God DID answer their prayers after all?