When Pam Younggren [GOP delegate], 61, of Fargo, N.D., was told the news of the 17-year-old’s pregnancy, she shrugged. “Well, she wouldn’t be the first one,” she said.“We can’t control what our daughters do,” she said. “I don’t see it as a problem. She will have appropriate care for her baby.” New York Times, 9/1/2008

Where to start: this statement is so wrong and so hypocriticial.

Of course, Bristol Palin would not be "the first one." So, that makes it okay?? Can you imagine if Chelsea Clinton had gotten pregnant at 17? Can you imagine the conservative outrage?

"We can't control what our daughters do..." We can't? Depends on what you mean by control - but isn't it our job to teach our children to control their behavior and to do our utmost to impart our values to them. I have 2 teenage sons. I have made sure that they know my beliefs about certain things. I have made sure that they know that I will watch over them and work with them to help them make good choices. I have never simply said "don't." And I have been rewarded: my oldest son has just gone off to college, he is in the honors program at one of the country's premier public universities; my younger son is a rising junior, he is a very good student, he is a devoted musician who participates in marching band, symphonic band and jazz band. Neither of my children has ever gotten into trouble. I am not foolish enough to think it couldn't happen but I have to trust that I've done a good job of teaching them to make good decisions. And, so far, my trust has been rewarded.

My oldest son is in a very serious relationship. I have had many serious discussions with my son about sexual activity (as has his girlfriend's mother). Neither I nor my son's girlfriend's mother believe they should be virgins when they marry. But we do believe that there is a time for sex and that the time has not yet come. And the kids are in complete agreement. They have not yet had sex. But my son told me that when the time comes (if it does) it will not happen until they have birth control with a very, very low failure rate (the pill pretty much). He and his girlfriend have made a responsible decisions about sex: they have decided to wait but also have decided that when the times come they make certain that they will not be faced with an unintended pregnancy.

Here is the utter hypocrisy: haven't socially conservative Republicans been the ones screaming, shouting, raging about the decline of morals in this country? haven't they been the ones hand-wringing about parents not taking responsibility for their children? not disciplinging their children? not imparting good moral values? For crying out loud!! This hypocrisy is beyond the pale.

Even if Obama wanted to "control" left wing bloggers he couldn't. Or maybe you have some suggestions about how to do this? Obama is 100% right - this shouldn't not be an issue to which the campaign giving any attention. However, the rest of us who are not officially attached to the campaign have every right to express our views.

I think that this is a relevant issue for people to look at. Yes, Bristol Palin's pregnancy is a private family matter. But Sarah Palin and her fellow travelers have made it their business to make these issues public matters through their public opposition to effective sex education, opposition to access to effective birth control, opposition to the right to choose abortion. Moreover, they oppose government funding for quality daycare - which would make it easier for women to have their babies if they wish and finish school, training so that they can work to support themselves and their children. So, yes, on an individual level but Sarah Palin is a public servant and we have the right to look at her life and her choices to see how they might inform her policy decisions.

What on earth does Obama have to do with the choices his mother made? So now children are responsible for their parents choices? Huh? I guess I have totally mis-understood my job as a mother over the last 19 years. I thought that I was the one who had the responsibility to guide my children to help them make good choices. Wow - why did I not realize that it was their responsibility to guide me?!!

The issue here is that Sarah Palin is 17 year old Bristol's mother - she (and her husband) are responsible for her daughter's behavior. Was she there for Bristol for the past 17 years? Guiding her and teaching her to make good choices? Apparently not. We have heard a lot about judgment this political season. The Palins dropped the ball - this reflects poorly on their judgment.

I know that this is politically incorrect but parenting makes a difference, a big difference in how children turn out. Mature and responsible parents understand this. I have a son who justed started college and a son who is a junior in high school. Both of them are great kids and neither has never been in trouble. Luck? A bit. But my husband and I have worked very hard to raise mensches. We have succeeded. I am not naive enough to think that my boys will always avoid trouble. But I trust that my husband and I have given them the values and the skills to make good choices.