tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post4692102628556460172..comments2008-11-27T16:54:56.195-06:00Rob Rummel-Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15462451435441751837noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-13846229233813303262008-11-27T16:54:00.000-06:002008-11-27T16:54:00.000-06:00I see there is a typo which may confuse some, meant to say<BR/>Perhaps that last statement may be true but I would hope it is only because her political positions on some issues color this discussion.PJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074117883985279082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-65727340794083187522008-11-27T16:51:00.000-06:002008-11-27T16:51:00.000-06:00We first met last yr at caroling party for Communication Device users. Just found you r site.<BR/>Now to the issue being discussed<BR/><BR/>I agree with all of you that the Palins will have more help than most, so will never know how it feels to shoulder it alone, but it is still is their road to walk and they alone are in their shoes.<BR/>Rob, a lot of what you said was good, but I also agree with Anonymous who said...<BR/>--------------------<BR/>I wandered across this blog by accident...<BR/>I admire your conviction ... but great change has never been brought about with anger as the driving force...... .... <BR/>You are scornful of Sarah Palin .... who is just beginning her walk down a road....<BR/>You are unwilling to give [compassion] to those who have more in common with you than you would like to comfortably admit.<BR/>--------------------<BR/>Perhaps that last statement may be true but I would hope it is only because her political positions on color this discussion.PJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074117883985279082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-2144240932024909672008-09-09T21:01:00.000-05:002008-09-09T21:01:00.000-05:00I am not a supporter of hers. But, let me say that having pre-natal testing can give you valuable information for when the baby is born. You can choose a hospital with a more complete NICU (not all NICUs are created equal), opt for a C-section if need be, etc. <BR/><BR/>It's funny how they say Sarah chose to have her son and how her daughter chose to have her baby. That's just it - it's about CHOICE! They co-opt not having a choice and then celebrate their choices.<BR/><BR/>As far as she being the VP with a special needs kid - there are many working moms out there and stay at home dads. That what we did. I took time for my kid's appointments. Hopefully, Trig won't have many problems. I went back to work after 3 months of leave - not knowing at the time how developmentally disabled my daughter would be. Then I was pregnant again when she was 15 months old. I had 2 kids in diapers and returned to work. Had to. I had the health insurance.<BR/><BR/>My husband and I are both self employed. It leaves us with a very flexible schedule. Granted we aren't running the country.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-64293185599603262582008-09-09T20:20:00.000-05:002008-09-09T20:20:00.000-05:00McCain picked Palin for one reason: to energize the base.<BR/><BR/>WIN! SCORE! HOME RUN! <BR/><BR/>Well done, GOP.Tracynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-41062585127841103982008-09-09T11:06:00.000-05:002008-09-09T11:06:00.000-05:00Rob,<BR/> <BR/>I wandered across this blog by accident and realized that I recognized your picture from an article that I'd read in a magazine. I just had a couple of things that I wanted to say to you.<BR/> <BR/>First of all, I agree that being the parent of a special needs child is "fucking hard", but I think that it's a whole like fucking harder for my daugher than it is for me, her not being able to sit, crawl, walk and then some. Second, I wanted to tell you that she is NOT broken, despite all of the challenges that I just listed. She is EPIC. The world is full of flaws, broken things. My daughter is a girl with some challenges, hers a little more challenging than most people's challenges, and I have proven to be much more broken in handling them than she is.<BR/> <BR/>I admire your conviction and it is obvious that you are passionate about this topic, but great change has never been brought about with anger as the driving force. The world is full of people who can't begin to understand what it's like to even be a parent, let alone the parent of a special needs child. You can't shame, ridicule or force people to understand. Barack Obama doesn't understand you any more than Sarah Palin does, he just says that words that you want to hear, that make you feel understood. You are scornful of Sarah Palin which is almost sad, since she is a woman who is just beginning her walk down a road that you have been on for some time now. You demand compassion and understanding for yourself, your situation and your cause and yet you are unwilling to give it to those who have more in common with you than you would like to comfortably admit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-14241922816072000922008-09-09T06:04:00.000-05:002008-09-09T06:04:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Justamomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802824292744224475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-46848636432553647092008-09-09T02:35:00.000-05:002008-09-09T02:35:00.000-05:00http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html<BR/><BR/>Sliming Palin<BR/>September 8, 2008<BR/>False Internet claims and rumors fly about McCain's running mate. <BR/>Summary<BR/>We’ve been flooded for the past few days with queries about dubious Internet postings and mass e-mail messages making claims about McCain’s running mate, Gov. Palin. We find that many are completely false, or misleading.<BR/><BR/>Palin did not cut funding for special needs education in Alaska by 62 percent. She didn’t cut it at all. In fact, she tripled per-pupil funding over just three years. <BR/>She did not demand that books be banned from the Wasilla library. Some of the books on a widely circulated list were not even in print at the time. The librarian has said Palin asked a "What if?" question, but the librarian continued in her job through most of Palin's first term.<BR/><BR/>She was never a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, a group that wants Alaskans to vote on whether they wish to secede from the United States. She’s been registered as a Republican since May 1982.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Palin never endorsed or supported Pat Buchanan for president. She once wore a Buchanan button as a "courtesty" when he visited Wasilla, but shortly afterward she was appointed to co-chair of the campaign of Steve Forbes in the state.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Palin has not pushed for teaching creationism in Alaska's schools. She has said that students should be allowed to "debate both sides" of the evolution question, but she also said creationism "doesn't have to be part of the curriculum." <BR/>A few of these claims were included in a chain e-mail by a woman named Anne Kilkenny. We'll be looking into other charges in that e-mail for a future story. For more explanation of the bullet points above, please read the AnalysisPeanutandSweetPeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01560024143212136970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-27745918302933281852008-09-08T22:25:00.000-05:002008-09-08T22:25:00.000-05:00Maire - in Rob's post he mentions that she did NOT cut the 62% of the budget funding - as he dug into it this is what he found:<BR/><BR/>"So yes, the budget for the Department of Education and Early Development Special Schools in Alaska appears to have been cut by about sixty-two percent between 2007 and 2008. But if you look carefully, you'll see that one program, the Alaska Challenge Youth Academy, disappears from the budget during that time. Dig a little further, and you'll find that it's still there, but now as a separate budget item. So the money didn't get cut after all; indeed, it appears that she actually increased funding for that particular program."<BR/><BR/>A program was moved to a separate line item, and the budget for that program was increased, so there was not a 62% cut, or any cut (it appears) of special education funding.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926608765557919228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-66424650273080589242008-09-08T21:08:00.000-05:002008-09-08T21:08:00.000-05:00You should check out www.womenagainstsarahpalin.blogspot.com<BR/>It says it all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-9196205792141818412008-09-08T19:12:00.000-05:002008-09-08T19:12:00.000-05:00Great post Rob. How could Sarah Palin, and I mean especially her, since she has a special needs child, justify cutting 62% of special education funding?? Its absolutely, can I use the word heartless?<BR/>I agree that this is a time when her family needed her more then politics; more power to the woman who can say that to the world. <BR/>Ive seen posts where people comment that she kicked Hillary's Ass..yeah, right, take a close, very close look at any of her decisions made while in office, and you see an ignorant bimbo,who got a bit of power, and made some very unitelligent decisions. <BR/>She isnt even in the same league as Hillary. <BR/>The Republicans got what they wanted...A Soccer Mom On 'roids.<BR/>MaireAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-55960852608552646072008-09-08T16:19:00.000-05:002008-09-08T16:19:00.000-05:00I wish I had more eloquent words to share, but "thank you" will have to suffice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-56656091278308430352008-09-08T14:31:00.000-05:002008-09-08T14:31:00.000-05:00So... how's Schuyler doing?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-50738938684962420632008-09-08T10:21:00.000-05:002008-09-08T10:21:00.000-05:00Beautifully written. Thank you.Moirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110304100788151254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-50603281871385287232008-09-08T09:56:00.000-05:002008-09-08T09:56:00.000-05:00Maybe Kim should have remained anonymous. <BR/><BR/>As a Christian, I am sad to say it is the "Christians" like Kim that give us all a bad name. And unfortunately, there are a lot of Bible-beating-I-am-better-than-you-and-your-sins-are-worse-than-mine "Christians" out there. That's not what Christianity is all about, but it is what modern day "Christians" have turned it into. <BR/>We don't all have to agree - I don't agree with your religious views or political views.<BR/><BR/>I do think that you have gotten a lot of things right, and I certainly can say that I learn a lot from you EVERY time I read your blog. I read your book. There are many times that I look at your parenting, then I look at my own...and I know that I can be lacking in many areas. With that being said, who cares what I think???<BR/><BR/>So where is the trainwreck? It's sitting in the middle of Kim, her heart, her words, and the rest of the "Christians" out there who choose to beat and belittle with their words and actions.<BR/><BR/>Sorry that you are bearing the brunt of that.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926608765557919228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-89915664892221559142008-09-08T08:26:00.000-05:002008-09-08T08:26:00.000-05:00I spent this weekend angrily listening to a number of people tell me why I shouldn't vote for Obama. One gave me the time-tested "He was sworn in with the Koran", rapidly followed by, "He doesn't salute the American flag." Intermingled were "But McCain was a POW!" and "Awww, wasn't it cute when Palin's little girl was licking her hand and patting the baby's hair down?" <BR/><BR/>These same people of course are genuflecting at the feet of Sarah Palin because she is an NRA member (because really, if you can't fire a shotgun, you just don't deserve to lead our country).<BR/><BR/>I genuinely support every American's right to choose the candidate whom they feel will best do the job, but I cannot stomach the fact that there are hoards of people out there who are voting based on arbitrary or false information. While I'd love to see an Obama bumper sticker on every car in Ohio, I no more want people to vote for him because he gives a great speech or is a minority than I want people to vote for John McCain because he has served in the military.<BR/><BR/>BAAAAAAAAAA.... It frightens me. It really does.sarah wnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-85231685636433986842008-09-08T08:02:00.000-05:002008-09-08T08:02:00.000-05:00Rob: I have come and read this post more than once, even had my husband who is not a "blogger" come, sit down a spell :), and read. I warned him it was long but 1000% worth it. He sat and read. I have come back since. It is beyond me BEYOND me what the discussion still is. Why folks are backing her? I think they drank the KoolAid. They are trying to shove this mess down our throats and expect us to believe without researching. They want us to VOTE for her/them but we aren't allowed to ask her questions or watch her be interviewed. WT? <BR/>As per the norm, your post is supremely written and points are made and researched nicely. Like many others I am linking back here. I have writen my own (more feeling driven and less fact driven) opinions on this topic on my own blog but yours say it very well. I don't know what we'll do if they are voted in, I really don't. Pray really hard (sorry Rob), yes, pray really hard for our country and our citizens.Balancing Act; Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05356285628494344562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-28501062430200613442008-09-08T02:32:00.000-05:002008-09-08T02:32:00.000-05:00Did most of you have a mother and a father? I had a stay home mom and I was a stay home mom and I have a daughter who, though highly educated is a stay home mom. We are all better off because of it. Both parents have an equally important part in a childs life, but it's the mothers who need to be home to nurture the children when they are very young. We have changed the ways of nature and now we are going to pay the price. Go ahead and try to behead me, I lost my head over this whole issue already.Imogeneperfidia.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-52150132149307690662008-09-08T02:26:00.000-05:002008-09-08T02:26:00.000-05:00I've left a link to your blog on my own -- hope that you don't mind. Thanks, again, for the wonderful post.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03313726816776097840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-51412194037570727032008-09-08T01:58:00.000-05:002008-09-08T01:58:00.000-05:00Love the post. I've gotten in so many arguments over the last few days like the ones in these comments. Where are the special needs parents who actually LIKED what the Guv said? My first and immediate reaction was to be offended, mainly by her PRESUMPTION that she even KNOWS what it's like to have a special needs child. Good God, after fourteen years of caring for one, I know that she has no f'ing idea. And she might have had a little humility about that.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03313726816776097840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-51709937265844004402008-09-07T20:22:00.000-05:002008-09-07T20:22:00.000-05:00I completely disagree with your politics and your view on religion, especially on the subject of the nature of God.<BR/>But I read your website every day, bought your book, etc, for the following reason: You are an excellent writer. Your story and that of Schuyler touches me. Your wife impresses me. The things I disagree with are pushed by the wayside because I really feel very strongly that you are a great parent, that you are an honest and feeling individual who has something to say that I need to hear. I have been blessed by the reading I do on your website, it fills me with gratitude and hope. And pride, because I feel like I learn something when I read you. Not about religion or politics, because like I said, you are completely the opposite of most of my views, but about how to love, and live my life to make a difference in my children's lives, to teach them to be loving and good.<BR/>You are most definitely NOT a train wreck.Her Majesty, the Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02679498714371378246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-60276370825667493622008-09-07T19:03:00.000-05:002008-09-07T19:03:00.000-05:00Okay, now I have to say that the whole 62 percent rumor is the result of many that did not read the budget in full.<BR/><BR/>There was actually an increase.<BR/><BR/>So there is one thing as a special needs parent and educator that I can stress a little less about.<BR/><BR/>Still undecided and hate digging through all the crap going around.<BR/><BR/>Did you hear that Trig is not hers?! haha.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-23019634328684064112008-09-07T06:59:00.000-05:002008-09-07T06:59:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Justamomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802824292744224475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-74921303297148150632008-09-07T06:51:00.000-05:002008-09-07T06:51:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Justamomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802824292744224475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-69247504042910137592008-09-06T13:17:00.000-05:002008-09-06T13:17:00.000-05:00LOL! Good point - Schuyler is with you every step of the way!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926608765557919228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-72079738363998375292008-09-06T12:48:00.000-05:002008-09-06T12:48:00.000-05:00Well I've already judged Palin. Not in the way she may or may not raise her child but in what she believes. As a Canadian I see three issues as the clincher. Does she want to outlaw abortion? Yes. Does she believe in gun control? no. Does she believe in universal health care? No. <BR/><BR/>So yes, I have judged her as unfit to be V.P. or possibly even President. I'm astonished that some americans are buying her pitbull/lipstick dog and pony show.<BR/><BR/> Easey Peasey.stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266358398942336231noreply@blogger.com