Presidential Debate...

[sha_lyn]

dont confuse these people with facts!!!

You might want to brush up on what the facts really are.

 

[sha_lyn]

Clearly Palin is a flip flopper and can not be trusted.

Clearly?....where has she flip-flopped?

 

[tw1nsmom]

As a parent of child with special needs, a person with a masters in education, and a trained special education lay advocate, I do think it's a slap in the face (or at the very least quite telling about McCain), that Palin is being promoted as an all knowing advocate for those with special needs.

She hasn't begun to comprehend what her own child needs let alone what the many extremely complex needs of other children are. Even with all my training, the complexities of special education law are staggering. Palin may well become a knowledgeable proponent of those with special needs someday. However, that day isn't today.

 

[joviroxx]

Boy ... You don't think she's qualified, I get it. Her degree means nothing as it was gotten through mulitple universities, I get it. She's not an expert in special needs, she's only had Trig for 8 months, I get it. Her speech and phrases are annoying and not "presidential", I get it. She's only been a governor of a state for 2 years and a mayor, I get it. She's only handled a small state's budget, I get it. She smiles too much, got it. OK, well don't vote for her and McCain.

Sorry, I still don't get this unbridled venom towards the woman. You don't have to like her, her views, her stances , her mannerisms, but the energy expended in HATRED is astounding. This from the compassionate side, but is that only compassion for some people?

You people don't know this lady , never met her, just like the other candidates. But really, so much time spent hating and crucifying. And here I thought the haters were the Republicans. And please, don't go tell me you don't hate her, all you have to do is read the posts. And like I said, justify the reasons you don't agree with her but the passionate hatred/vile is rather interesting if not, eye-opening.

 

[LaraK]

You know, I don't get this...you would think that just the fact that America is actually TALKING about this at the highest level would be considered a step in the right direction. I am a political junkie and watch all debates. I don't ever recall the issue of Autism even being mentioned in a Presidential debate prior to this year.

Further, Autism isn't the only special need out there. I have a son with a rare auto-immune disorder. I would be thrilled to know that a Presidential candidate even knew it existed.

 

[BuckNaked]

Sorry, I still don't get this unbridled venom towards the woman. You don't have to like her, her views, her stances , her mannerisms, but the energy expended in HATRED is astounding. This from the compassionate side, but is that only compassion for some people?

I noted the same thing earlier. The only thing I can think of is that she doesn't meet the criteria for the kind of woman they think should be in high office. Perhaps the idea that even the possibility exists that a woman that doesn't toe NOW line could reach the Vice Presidency is anathema to them.

 

[dispor]

Although I do think it was poorly worded, I can understand how McCain would feel that Palin has a unique understanding of special needs issues. There are not many people who have been in the position of having a special needs child AND having the responsibility for the funding of special needs programs as governor.

 

[joviroxx]

I noted the same thing earlier. The only thing I can think of is that she doesn't meet the criteria for the kind of woman they think should be in high office. Perhaps the idea that even the possibility exists that a woman that doesn't toe NOW line could reach the Vice Presidency is anathema to them.

Yeah, kind of like that entire first amendment/free speech well, until its not. And you are right, it IS about toeing a line. Liberals are all for people, unless you aren't one of the people they are for....

 

[tw1nsmom]

Of course I would like her better if she had the same beliefs as I do, but that's only natural and really beside the point.

I have no respect for her as a Vice Presidential candidate and for McCain for picking her because she isn't qualified on any level. She has neither the experience or the knowledge (what Obama lacks in experience he has become extremely knowledgeable about), in any subject area that pertains to running the country.

I wouldn't like her pro-life stance, but I would respect her a heck of a lot more if she knew anything about foreign or economic policy (or really any policy pertinent to running the country).

Many women like me are upset that this perky, beauty queen who was a mayor of a small town and a governor of a low population state (a governor that has been found to have been in violation of ethics laws in her first two years in office!), is the best that McCain can come up with. I get that he wanted to draw in the female voters who were disillusioned when Hillary was beat by Obama. I get that they wanted a shock and awe component to their VP announcement. I just can't believe that they couldn't find another Republican woman with more education, knowledge and experience to represent their views. It's an insult to women to think this is the best we have to offer.

 

[Carly_Roach]

I think Obama's answer about Joe Biden was better than McCain's answer about Sarah Palin. Obama told us why Joe's experience would be better for all Americans as a group. McCain told us why Sarah was a good soccer mom.

As far as the special needs children subject goes and how Sarah knows all-to-well about special needs children, McCain's idea (that Sarah supports) for an immediate spending freeze on everything except defense would put most, if not all, of American special needs children out in the cold.

So much for caring about America's special needs children.

 

[Charade]

I noted the same thing earlier. The only thing I can think of is that she doesn't meet the criteria for the kind of woman they think should be in high office. Perhaps the idea that even the possibility exists that a woman that doesn't toe NOW line could reach the Vice Presidency is anathema to them.

Which is why NOW doesn't support her. She's not a LIBERAL woman.

http://www.now.org/press/08-08/08-29.html

 

[Charade]

I think Obama's answer about Joe Biden was better than McCain's answer about Sarah Palin. Obama told us why Joe's experience would be better for all Americans as a group. McCain told us why Sarah was a good soccer mom.

As far as the special needs children subject goes and how Sarah knows all-to-well about special needs children, McCain's idea (that Sarah supports) for an immediate spending freeze on everything except defense would put most, if not all, of American special needs children out in the cold.

So much for caring about America's special needs children.

Cynical much?

 

[crz4mm2]

You know, I don't get this...you would think that just the fact that America is actually TALKING about this at the highest level would be considered a step in the right direction. I am a political junkie and watch all debates. I don't ever recall the issue of Autism even being mentioned in a Presidential debate prior to this year.

Further, Autism isn't the only special need out there. I have a son with a rare auto-immune disorder. I would be thrilled to know that a Presidential candidate even knew it existed.

Amen. Jeez.

 

[Jennasis]

I agree with the OP. I was floored by McCain's assertion that Palin knows more than any American he knows. He knows WAY more people than I do, and I know WAY more people who know more about Special Needs than Sarah Palin...right here in my own little tiny town. Heck, I know more about Special Needs than Palin does and I am no expert.

Meh...it's all moot anyway. I'm voting Obama. Most of the folks I work with on the Special Olympic team are voting Obama. I'm looking forward to president Obama.

 

[lustergirl]

Of course I would like her better if she had the same beliefs as I do, but that's only natural and really beside the point.

I have no respect for her as a Vice Presidential candidate and for McCain for picking her because she isn't qualified on any level. She has neither the experience or the knowledge (what Obama lacks in experience he has become extremely knowledgeable about), in any subject area that pertains to running the country.

I wouldn't like her pro-life stance, but I would respect her a heck of a lot more if she knew anything about foreign or economic policy (or really any policy pertinent to running the country).

Many women like me are upset that this perky, beauty queen who was a mayor of a small town and a governor of a low population state (a governor that has been found to have been in violation of ethics laws in her first two years in office!), is the best that McCain can come up with. I get that he wanted to draw in the female voters who were disillusioned when Hillary was beat by Obama. I get that they wanted a shock and awe component to their VP announcement. I just can't believe that they couldn't find another Republican woman with more education, knowledge and experience to represent their views. It's an insult to women to think this is the best we have to offer.

I agree. McCain made a very poor choice in picking his running mate.

 

[mickeysgal]

Although I do think it was poorly worded, I can understand how McCain would feel that Palin has a unique understanding of special needs issues. There are not many people who have been in the position of having a special needs child AND having the responsibility for the funding of special needs programs as governor.

I agree wholeheartedly.

I think it would be an incredible opportunity to have someone that kept special needs fundings, programs, and research at the forefront. If McCain/Palin are not elected, the focus on special needs will be swept away given all the other issues on the table currently. It's just going to get lost in the shuffle.

 

[goofy!]

Boy ... You don't think she's qualified, I get it. Her degree means nothing as it was gotten through mulitple universities, I get it. She's not an expert in special needs, she's only had Trig for 8 months, I get it. Her speech and phrases are annoying and not "presidential", I get it. She's only been a governor of a state for 2 years and a mayor, I get it. She's only handled a small state's budget, I get it. She smiles too much, got it. OK, well don't vote for her and McCain.

Sorry, I still don't get this unbridled venom towards the woman. You don't have to like her, her views, her stances , her mannerisms, but the energy expended in HATRED is astounding. This from the compassionate side, but is that only compassion for some people?

You people don't know this lady , never met her, just like the other candidates. But really, so much time spent hating and crucifying. And here I thought the haters were the Republicans. And please, don't go tell me you don't hate her, all you have to do is read the posts. And like I said, justify the reasons you don't agree with her but the passionate hatred/vile is rather interesting if not, eye-opening.

First of all, I haven't seen any personal hatred of Sarah Palin. Most posts I have read, and granted, I don't visit this board very often, so am not an expert. But most posts I have read are posts from people questioning her abilities to be vice president or even president. I don't see many, although there are a few just like there are a few here personally attacking Obama, that have attacked Palin personally.

Secondly, I have a 21 year old daughter with Down syndrome. I have served on our chapter's board of directors. I have chaired the parent volunteer committee, which is the committee that visits new parents with babies or diagnosis. I have sat on the board of directors of 2 other organizations that deal with multiple special needs.

I can absolutely guarantee you that in the first year of your baby's life, you have no clue what Down syndrome is. You are still dealing with your grief, your confusion over your child's future. And just like any parent, you are busy falling in love with your new baby, you are getting to know your baby as the person he is. What is his personality? What are his likes and dislikes? Children who happen to have an extra 21st chromosome are usually only mildly to moderately affected developmentally, so you don't see very many delays in the first months of life. Babies with Down syndrome are exactly like any other baby out there, barring any of the medical complications that can occur. It is a complicated world of special needs out there and at 8 months, you are still very, very much a novice.

Add me to the group of special needs parents that thought the comment was an insult. And note, it was McCain who said that, not Palin claiming it. So, I was insulted by McCain and has no bearing on Palin.

I don't agree even a little bit with Palin's politics, but I do admire her for her decisions about her son. She will be a great mother and I am confident that little boy will be provided all the tools he needs to reach his full potential.

But McCain, come back in a few years, after the Palins have had to deal with IEP's, with occupational and physical therapists, struggling with schools to get the services for your child that he needs but the money just isn't there. Then claim she is an expert.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

Although I do think it was poorly worded, I can understand how McCain would feel that Palin has a unique understanding of special needs issues. There are not many people who have been in the position of having a special needs child AND having the responsibility for the funding of special needs programs as governor.

I can think of one family that jumps out at me immediately and that is the Kennedy's.

They founded Special Olympics and to this day have done more for special needs in the political arena than most politicians combined.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

Of course I would like her better if she had the same beliefs as I do, but that's only natural and really beside the point.

I have no respect for her as a Vice Presidential candidate and for McCain for picking her because she isn't qualified on any level. She has neither the experience or the knowledge (what Obama lacks in experience he has become extremely knowledgeable about), in any subject area that pertains to running the country.

I wouldn't like her pro-life stance, but I would respect her a heck of a lot more if she knew anything about foreign or economic policy (or really any policy pertinent to running the country).

Many women like me are upset that this perky, beauty queen who was a mayor of a small town and a governor of a low population state (a governor that has been found to have been in violation of ethics laws in her first two years in office!), is the best that McCain can come up with. I get that he wanted to draw in the female voters who were disillusioned when Hillary was beat by Obama. I get that they wanted a shock and awe component to their VP announcement. I just can't believe that they couldn't find another Republican woman with more education, knowledge and experience to represent their views. It's an insult to women to think this is the best we have to offer.

Excellent! Best post!

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

Cynical much?

As a parent of a special needs child, I can assure you that is not cynicism. Most of the parents in my special needs groups are very worried about McCain's proposals and what they will do to funding of special needs programs.

I have to agree with Jennasis, and that most people I know that are involved in the special needs world are voting for Obama.