Barney Frank highlights Palin and her pregnant unmarried daughter
Pink News UK
Barney Frank has represented the 4th District of Massachusetts since 1981, and is one of two out gay people in the House of Representatives.
Congressman Frank said in an article in the Boston Globe that Governor Palin's daughter is "entitled to be treated with compassion.
"But that is precisely the point that makes this a relevant political issue. Palin was selected by McCain in substantial part because of her high standing as a leading advocate of the socially conservative wing of the Republican Party."
While Sarah Palin's supporters stressed that she had informed Senator McCain of the situation before he offered her the Vice Presidential slot, others were taken aback.
"The glaring inconsistency between the social philosophy that blames liberalism for divorce and teen pregnancy and the facts of Palin's family life further underlines the serious shortcomings of that philosophy.
"This does not mean that family members are "fair game," a view that some have inaccurately attributed to me. People are not "game," fair or unfair. They are human beings who often face difficult personal decisions.
"The relevant political point about the existence of these incidents in Palin's family is not that they reflect badly on her or her relatives, but that they further reveal the central flaw of the harshly judgmental and intolerant philosophy she exemplifies.
"That is why the questions of divorce and teen pregnancy are relevant in discussions of the McCain/Palin ticket.
"The individuals involved in these cases deserve to be treated with compassion, but so do millions of other Americans who find themselves in similar situations.
"But, sadly, they are often met with criticism and hostile public policy formulated by those who now claim Palin as their political champion.
"Too often, people on the right seek to impose strict standards on others, and blame them for falling short, while making exceptions for those close to them. Respect and compassion should extend to all who find themselves in similar situations."
full article
Barney Frank has represented the 4th District of Massachusetts since 1981, and is one of two out gay people in the House of Representatives.
Congressman Frank said in an article in the Boston Globe that Governor Palin's daughter is "entitled to be treated with compassion.
"But that is precisely the point that makes this a relevant political issue. Palin was selected by McCain in substantial part because of her high standing as a leading advocate of the socially conservative wing of the Republican Party."
While Sarah Palin's supporters stressed that she had informed Senator McCain of the situation before he offered her the Vice Presidential slot, others were taken aback.
"The glaring inconsistency between the social philosophy that blames liberalism for divorce and teen pregnancy and the facts of Palin's family life further underlines the serious shortcomings of that philosophy.
"This does not mean that family members are "fair game," a view that some have inaccurately attributed to me. People are not "game," fair or unfair. They are human beings who often face difficult personal decisions.
"The relevant political point about the existence of these incidents in Palin's family is not that they reflect badly on her or her relatives, but that they further reveal the central flaw of the harshly judgmental and intolerant philosophy she exemplifies.
"That is why the questions of divorce and teen pregnancy are relevant in discussions of the McCain/Palin ticket.
"The individuals involved in these cases deserve to be treated with compassion, but so do millions of other Americans who find themselves in similar situations.
"But, sadly, they are often met with criticism and hostile public policy formulated by those who now claim Palin as their political champion.
"Too often, people on the right seek to impose strict standards on others, and blame them for falling short, while making exceptions for those close to them. Respect and compassion should extend to all who find themselves in similar situations."
full article
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