As a professsional woman and working mom, I can testify first-hand that you "can't have it all" when you are juggling kids, husband (or, especially when a single parent), career, recreation, and domestic responsibilities. Something always has to be last in your priorities. This is true even if you have a 9-5 job, much less a major career such as executive, Senator, Governor, Vice President.

I don't have a problem with Gov. Palin as a working mother, nor would I judge her ability to perform her duties as governor. It would be refreshing for her to at least admit to the *fact* that "the village" is raising her children.

Upon closer inspection, it is apparent to me that she has shown a distinct disregard for her children's well-being. There are three examples of this: first, that she sent her son to Iraq. This may be my particular world-view, but I would never want my son to risk death for this particular "cause." Your mileage may vary.

Secondly, she made a public display of her teenaged daughter's unplanned pregnancy. As the mother of three daughters, one who became pregnant at age 22 as a senior in college, I can attest to how personal and difficult that situation is and how embarrassing it would have been (even at age 22, which is a lot older than 17) if I had made that a public issue. Forevermore, Bristol Palin will be remembered as the "Vice Presidental Candidate's kid who got knocked up". My daughter would never have forgiven me for making her and her pregnancy a spectacle.

Third, there is the reality of having a special needs infant. Sure, it's admirable that she chose to keep the baby, but how admirable is it to let the Village raise this one? For all intents and purposes, Palin has thrown her kids to the wolves in her blind ambition. As her professed religion will tell you, "By their fruits you will recognize them."

...On a visceral level, I believe that she is pressuring her son (and I also believe that the odds of young Palin ever encountering an Iraqi outside of a photo op are about zero) to join the military, and that she is in fact 'sending' him. But there's no proof of that...

Yes, you're right, there is no proof of that. However, you and I both believe that she has shown herself to be somewhat (!) a control freak, and it is likely that her son was involved in some shenanigans that may have been the precursor for his joining the military. You're probably right that he won't see any action, of course.

But, and this is total speculation without actual proof (and we may yet see proof, stay tuned), but I believe Track Palin was probably a mediocre or poor student and could not get into a good college; or he may not have wanted to go to college and there was no way the Governor could have her eldest son bumming around town, underemployed, or given a token job with one of her cronies. It wouldn't look good.

I believe, based on what I have observed from Palin's personality so far, that "appearance" is extremely important.

I suggest reading a good book by M. Scott Peck entitled People of the Lie. If you are familiar with it, you might know what I mean.

Just as Abraham was willing to murder his son for God (in the myth or Bible story, depending on your POV), it is not surprising that Palin would sacrifice her children for a bigger cause - or a "mission" as she characterized it yesterday on the ABC interview:

“I answered him yes because I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can't blink.”

Gibson’s follow-up rephrased her answer:

“But this is not just reforming a government.”

Notice that Palin did not say that “the mission” was to reform government. “The Mission” is to reform this country. I recognize that Christian Dog Whistle, having more than a passing acquaintance with Fundies.

This country is not its government. It is the people of this country that need “reforming”, according to the script. We need reforming. I believe the Christian Right see the majority of Americans as lost sheep and our culture as depraved.

Their “mission” is to get us on the right path – to make disciples of us and of all nations as they believe Christ commanded. To be “wired in a way of being so committed to the mission” is a hard line evangelical position. It is intrinsically connected to religious beliefs and not to our Constitutional rights or in defense of our country. It is in defense and offense of a particular religious worldview.

Maybe it was just a slip of the tongue, but I don’t think so. I believe Palin and those who have buoyed her rise to national stardom are defining their Mission without blinking, and we should be very afraid. Be verrrry afraid (as the cartoon says.)

And her children are expendible. After all, God sacrificed His Son, right? It's part of the mythology.