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Don't They Have Birth Control up in Alaska?
I had dinner last night with a Republican-leaning independent who was despondent over John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She had been looking forward to supporting McCain as a fiscal conservative with a deep understanding of foreign relations. But all she could now see was that picture of Palin's pregnant 17-year-old looking defiant and stupid as she held mom's fifth baby.
Many religious conservatives are jubilant. They regard Palin as a swell choice because her high-schooler was going to have the baby. The line sent my friend into shock. This is not a matter of abortion politics, she said, but of managing one's own affairs.
"Don't they have birth control up in Alaska?" she asked.
If that view has any currency among Republican-leaners, you can imagine what other independents are thinking. Or disaffected supporters of Hillary Clinton. Barack Obama's recent pandering toward the Clinton holdouts didn't do the Democrat a fraction of the good that McCain is doing him. McCain's apparent belief that dangling any woman before diehard Clinton fans would win them over may be optimistic.
Until now, one could counter the Democrats' argument that a McCain presidency would amount to a third term for Bush. After all, McCain is a deficit hawk. He cares about the environment. Many pro-choice voters were willing to overlook McCain's generally anti-abortion stance on the belief that he didn't really care about the issue. And the widespread concern regarding McCain's age could have been assuaged by the choice of a competent vice president.
Then who does McCain pick for VP? A 44-year-old who parades her dysfunctional family as a poster-child for conservative values. Who has virtually no foreign policy experience. Who as mayor of an Alaskan town of 6,700 hired lobbyists to reel in $27 million in federal pork.
That's $4,030 of the U.S. taxpayers' money per resident. We thought McCain wanted to close down the trough.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has five children, but she waited until they were grown before she ran for high political office. Palin returned to the job three days after giving birth to a special needs child, all the while her 17-year-old is entertaining a lover. And what about plans to have the girl wed the stud, author of some very unromantic remarks on Facebook? Note that she's been pregnant for five months and still no matrimony. These nuptials couldn't be a last-minute political move, could they?
Palin supporters insist that her out-of-control home life will resonate with many American families. Yes, if they're from Mars or perhaps on welfare.
What a McCain presidency now promises is another four years of Terri Schiavo and other artifacts of the cultural right. You remember Schiavo's husband having to fight the Bush administration and Republican Congress to remove his wife — in a vegetative state for 15 years — from life support. It's four more years of national humiliation as our leadership undermines the teaching of evolutionary science, and if something happens to John McCain, opposes stem-cell research.
One tries to untangle McCain's political calculations. The Schiavo case, creationism and similar excesses appeal to a passionate but small slice of the electorate. They are one reason voters are booting Republicans out of power. So while some religious conservatives may be "energized" by the Palin pick, most everyone else is revolted.
You can't figure McCain. He had been doing well up to now — holding even with Obama in a dreadful year for Republicans and building support among the independents who call the shots in swing states. This Palin deal makes you question not only his judgment, but — if he really had vetted Sarah Palin — his sanity. [AZ1]
To find out more about Froma Harrop, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.
i have asked the editor of our news paper to remove you from our opinions section. you have the right to tink what you believe, but this palin thing is making a fool of you. you could have worded this opinion different and it would have been o.k. as an opinion (not one i believe), but you have that right. i will pray for you, god bless
Comment: #1
Posted by: lawrence davis
Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:14 PM
Ms.Harrop,
I don't usually read your column but couldn't believe the headline today and so did read it. Your comments are reprehensible. you have thrown any Women's Lib credentials you might have had into the toilet right after the principles of journalism. Sarah Palin is more woman than you could ever hope to be and deserves the place in the world she has earned. I will furthermore demand that our local newspaper editor replace your column with something more readable--with less shrill fear and with more journalistic value. The good part is that your acid pen will likely garner far more votes for her.
Jack Benedict
Combat Correspondent, Vietnam, 1967-68
Comment: #3
Posted by: Jack Benedict
Fri Sep 5, 2008 10:15 AM
If you are an example of what feminism is all about, well then, please spare me! Sounds to me that your brand of feminism thinks that the only good baby is a dead baby. Isn't "Pro-Choice" just that: one gets to make a "choice," and do it regardless of their "pay grade?" (Just in case you are unfamiliar with the definition of choice, it is the opportunity to chose between two or more outcomes - it is NOT selecting from just one option.) Your editorial on birth control in Alaska was nothing more than backstabbing drivel and illustrates your complate lack of knowledge, compassion and empathy. May God spare you from ever having to make a choice about a life.
Ditto to all of the above. I hope you don't have children. What an embarrassment you would be to them.
To call a 17-year old defiant and stupid when know so little about her. Shame on you.
Comment: #5
Posted by: jane
Fri Sep 5, 2008 11:28 AM
I was shocked by your article and ashamed that a woman who claims to be intelligent and educated could write such an
ignorant and condescending article. Calling Sarah Palin's family dsyfunctional and her daughter stupid is judgemental and the typical close-minded, opinionated response of elite liberals in general. Only liberal women are allowed to have a career and children too! Who are you to call her home life "out-of-control" and that only those from Mars or those on welfare could relate is unbelievable! To say that most are revolted by Palin as a VP pick and that pro-life
beliefs are "excesses" that appeal to few shows how off the mark you are. I suggest you write only for extreme left-wing liberal newpapers. You and others like you are exactly why Obama will lose this November!
My my my are you a very mean spirited person. I respect your right to your opinion, but surely you could show a little class about your opinions. Your column on Palin and her family was out of pure hatred. Our differences in this country is what makes us great. But why do you cast such venom at this family. I doubt you can not tolerate any diffferences from your views. Most American families are of differing opinions on lots of matters but are tolerant and understanding of others views. You need to take a good look at your wording in these snide remarks, it is full of hate.
My my my are you a very mean spirited person. I respect your right to your opinion, but surely you could show a little class about your opinions. Your column on Palin and her family was out of pure hatred. Our differences in this country is what makes us great. But why do you cast such venom at this family. I doubt you can not tolerate any diffferences from your views. Most American families are of differing opinions on lots of matters but are tolerant and understanding of others views. You need to take a good look at your wording in these snide remarks, it is full of hate.
Good Grief what do we as American's have to stoop to neXt. I am one of 6 children. I gather from your mindless piece of trash I have just read, that God. yes that God the creator and Father of the universe has not seen fit to bless you with children "Thank you Lord."!!! You have never had the priveledge of carring a life inside your body, giving birth,holding, loving, nurturing, and proudly standing as that child graduates from college. Yes I have 3. Oh and 4 grandchildren. They make life worth all the hard work, heartches, disappoints and joys.
The only thing I can come up with is that you far-left, holier-that-thou pious, librals are scared to death. of the McCaon / Palin duo
"This is the first time in my adult life that I am proud to be an American" Is htat what we want as first lady???
4 years as a senator and what hasthe Democrat cnadidate accoumplished. What do we know about this man? Not enough. Come back in 8 or 10 years when you have earned the right and respect of America. A good speech maker does not a good Commander and Chief make. John McCain has "Fought for America" He has earned the right to run for president. We know what he is. We know his good side and not so good side, And Cindy McCain. OH MY GOODNESS. SUCH CLASS
"Let those amoung you that have no sin cast the first stone". Shame on you and the rest of you people who call yourselves journalist. But with a name like Froma Harrop what else can we expect. I am ashamed of my local paper for printing your stuff.
mary
Ms. Harrop,
I am sorry to say the first time I read a comment written by you, it had to be about Sarah Palan and her family. I was shocked to see you say her family is dysfunctional. How dare you? How do you know this? You don't know her. Do you think your opinion matters? As a woman, a psychologist and a nurse - I am here to tell you that certain aspects have to be present to diagnose a person or their family as dysfunctional. Neither Sarah Palin. nor her family exhibit any of these. Oh! her daughter got pregnant when she was 17 ? So, you think this makes a family dysfunctional? I beg your pardon. I have colleagues who have had this happen to their families and they are very educated, upstanding professional people. So again I say, How Dare You!
Wow. Did you have fun writing this article? Obviously, your intention was to infuriate, or at least annoy, those of us who have a different perspective on this world than you. Your tone depicts you as an elitist, hate-filled woman loving every minute of her quest to critique. To find so much pleasure in annoying and judging others...I simply cannot relate. Well, congratulations. I was definitely annoyed upon reading your article. Ultimately, I was simply saddened. If women can't support each other, why in the world do we expect men to?
DITTIO...........
How can you , Ms or Mrs Harrop with pin criticize such a life that she has never known, or do you or have you?
How dare you be so LIBERAL.
And BTW what is the orgin of Froma Harrop, from your mother or father? Hurts deep dont it ?
Ditto to all of the above comments. You are judgmental and arrogant. Do you have children? I pray not!
I can only hope they remove your column so we are not subjected to more of your rediculous prattle.
Shame on little narrow minded you!
Froma Harrop is a hateful woman. Calling Sarah Palin "A 44-year old who parades her dysfunctional family as a poster-child for conservative values" was too irresponsible. Who gave you the right to label ANY family dysfunctional? I personally have not settled on a candidate, but if Liberals such as Harrop represent the mindset of the Democratic Party, I'll vote for McCain and that "stupid and defiant 17 year old's" mother in November.
Your article is pathetic! How are you even a journalist credible enough to write for a newspaper? This article had no business even being written or printed. So with all the many pregnant teens all over the United States you pose the question as the whether only Alaska has birth control? Give me a break. Teen pregnancy happen everyday and it happens to many varieties of families. Just because her daughter made a mistake in her life doe snot make her a bad parent or incapable of doing her job or running for vice president. I would rather her be honest about her life and family life and the so called "dysfunction" in her family than lie about it and make her family appear to be perfect. Honesty says a lot about her. We all know that when you have a family it is hard to let others inside and see that we are not perfect and we are not in the public eye, most of us. If she was not honest about her family then she would be called a liar and be discredited and she tells the truth and she is still discredited. The media, all of them, have created a ridiculous precedent and they pry way too much into the lives of the famous and otherwise. She is a woman with a special needs child and she went back to work after 3 days...so what? Does that make her a bad mother? I have seen far worse things. She choose to return to work early..so what? If she was a man returning to work then it would be no big deal that he returned to work after his wife just had a special needs child that needed extra care. This is an issue because she chose to return to her career earlier than others feel is too soon. This is a personal choice to be made and it says nothing about her or her credibility. So her dysfunctional family is the way she will run the country huh? Funny, she is running for the VP not the presidency, number one and number two show me a family that does not have some"dysfunction" in it. If you admit to having the perfect family, no problems..then you are a liar. Froma Harrop you are a f@#&ing idiot and your article is not worth the paper it is written on. A high school student could write a better more informed article than you can.
out of 24 responses--24 people were outraged. what a narrow minded, unfeeling, hideous article. I have NEVER read your articles and I will NEVER read your biased trash again. Shame on you! Nancy
Miss Harrop....I just finished reading your despicable article on Sarah Palin. You are either mentally challenged or you haven't got a clue about how the majority of the problems that United State familes are dealing with, today.
You call your self a writer, but do you ever pick up a newspaper and really read it. Look at the Birth columns and see how many single moms are listed. The majority of them deal with it through family help and friends and other sources. Many of them have problems, but this is true in any society. I am sure that the elite woman that you feel yourself to be, would never find yourself in an unmarried, pregnant situation. You would have been to abortion clinic an hour after testing positive. This was the first and last article that I will ever read that has your name attached to it. You are so out of touch with understanding and reality that I find myself, actually feeling a lot of pity for a person who is so emerged in vile hatred, as you are.
Comment: #18
Posted by: Jeannine Stone
Fri Sep 5, 2008 5:50 AM
Out of the 24 artricles posted on your hateful article "Dont they have birth control up in Alaska or as written in the Sharon Herald Newspaper titled "Palin Winning over very few"; these 24 articles find you desperate,to say the very least. What kind of a woman are you; or are you even a woman? You could not carry Sarah Palin's bra strap. I am appalled that you would describe the Palin family as disfunctional. By the way, many children are born out of wedlock and the parents marry later. What's up with "Note that she's been pregnant for five months and still no matrimony." Get a life, get a husband, get a child, get a clue, get a job you are qualified to do. Nancy
I can't really say what I would like to say - I refuse to allow my emotions to go there. I will say - I'm sure you get a real charge out of "tearing down." Too bad.
You, Froma, are a perfect example of what is wrong with America. You and your one fan should be thankful Barack's 18 year old mother didn't take your advice of abortion or adoption, otherwise the both of you would be sitting here today with no candidate to back. As a 36 year old registered Democrat and mother of 3, my youngest beautiful child is a six month old boy with Down Syndrome, I was undecided on my choice for President until I read your article. I will strongly back McCain and Palin because the alternative would mean associating myself with you - no thank you! I suggest you go back to your origins of business and financial journalism because you'll need to decide quickly how to manage your own finances when you fail miserably to promote another article of yours. Shame on those papers who carry your column.
I am glad to hear that you are perfect and have never made a mistake in your life. Your the problem and journalist like you that have nothing better to do than slam people. You disqust me! This is exactly what Washington needs! A new perspective, not one of the good ole boys someone who has walked a similar life and can see things and understand things from a different prespective. To attack the teeneage daughter or the boyfriend is just shameless! Again, you disqust me. Get a life!
You sick human. It is so obvious that you did not go to dinner with a Republican leaning independent. You made that up so you could show you had at least one other supporter of your sick viewpoint. It was your single minded hatred of the 'other' side that inspired your hatred filled article. I'm an independent fiscal conservative only and I think you have just converted me to a social conservative. I don't think I've ever hated someone that I've never met like I hate you right now. You are evil. I read your article in the Columbus Dispatch and I'm going to mass email your article to everyone in my very large network. I will do anything in my power to bring an Ohio victory for the M/P ticket!! I never dreamed of volunteering until I read your horrible attack-dog article. I will inspire many fence sitters all over Ohio to vote against all that you stand for in 8 very short weeks!!!! OMG you are so horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not going to be as harsh as the other folks here. I share your disillusionment with the Palin choice because of the way they have exploited this situation on so many levels. I'm disgusted with her lack of experience and the way people are skirting around it in desperation. She is a rising star but not yet ready for prime time. Her speech was arrogant and mean-spirited. Teen marriage is now being glorified. I can't believe the way they are parading these two kids (babies themselves) around. The adults could have handled this with dignity and still not condemn them. Ever heard of adoption? Palin is being idolized for her choice to have the Down's baby. Lots of people both republican and democrat make that choice. However, she won't be there to raise the baby. As VP she will be handing that off to surrogates. That is their business and I respect their choices, however this is a distraction to what is important in this race and I doubt Mccain's judgement and am insulted by his lack of faith in the intelligence of the american people.
Comment: #24
Posted by: Jan yost
Fri Sep 5, 2008 9:20 AM
What a pitiful attempt at being smug, elitist, biased and plain old stupid. I am a 72 year old Grandma and G Grandma, who has always been a strong woman. I was a working wife and mom have had my share of family heartaches and lots of beauty raising my family. I was married for 48 years before my husband passed away and my family was a blessing to me in my time of sorrow. I am truly sorry for you that you are such a bitter woman and your bitterness will eat away at you and the others like you. You do not deserve to have a spitefull article published and your syndicate should hang their heads.
Re: Craig MIller
I was going to post a similar comment but Craig says it so much better than I would have. You are "spot on" as they say on Dancing With The Stars. Dave
Comment: #26
Posted by: David Chili
Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:06 PM
Ms. Harrop, I wish to take credit for being the first to figure out what's really going on here. It's taken me several days, but I think the masquerade has gone on long enough, and it's time for you to fess up.
I'm convinced that you were just as inspired by the Palin pick as the rest of us. (Frankly, I've been amazed myself at the response: colleagues of mine I've known for quite some time and with whom I've NEVER discussed anything political are ALL gushing about Gov. Palin – me, too. I could never even imagine having a political discussion with most of these folks, and now we are all acting like teenagers with a crush on their newest heartthrob. By the way – I'm a manly man and so are all of my colleagues. I've been watching political conventions gavel-to-gavel on TV at least since 1956, and I've never seen anything like it, or felt anything like it.) But getting back to your ploy. I've just now come to realize that you must have written that judgmental sanctimonious slop just to see what the public's reaction would be . . . and now you've got your answer. Perhaps you were trying to prove something to your editors or to the people at Creators Syndicate. Or maybe you just wanted to find out for yourself or to dredge up new material for a future column. Unfortunately, I think you went a little too far, because no self-respecting nationally-syndicated columnist would be caught dead writing such crap. People expect and even applaud political commentators for being opinionated and biased, but they don't expect them to resort to vile, empty-headed name-calling.
So the jig is up. It's time to come clean. Please just admit that you got a little (or a lot) carried away with your little experiment so we can all relax and get a good night's sleep. You've proven your point and then some.
And by the way, welcome aboard.
Comment: #27
Posted by: Eric L.
Mon Sep 8, 2008 10:11 PM
Although tempted to add my two cents to this "discussion", there really is no need. As of this writing I count 1.5 supportive repsonses - out of 56 comments (or a 2.7% approval rating) - to Froma's anger-charged, hate-filled, dog pile of an article. My hope is her editor, and Creators Syndicate see how far off the mark she was with respect to any level at all of journalism, and act accordingly. Firing her would not be a strong enough reaction. Firing her and fining her big bucks for embarassing her employers, costing them thousands in lost subscriptions and ad revenue begins to approach the right level of response. Good luck Froma.
Comment: #28
Posted by: Stu
Mon Sep 8, 2008 10:17 AM
I too am surprised by your very subjective and harsh diatribe. It is too transparent. I would think you would have checked yourself just a bit more so as not to appear frantic. Alas, I can only surmise that what you wrote was born of fear. Fear that somehow, the reality of Palin becoming a viable political force may, in fact, materialize. Your hope is to fend off what terrifyingly might include eight more years of the insufferable possibility of a right-leaning White House. Problem is, you just can't have it both ways. You can't appear to be a thoughtful, let-everyone-live-in-peace liberal, and be so blatantly and unfairly judgemental of a 17 year old and her mother. You must not realize how unbelieveable a writer becomes when opinions replace facts. Rather than looking defiant and stupid; to me Sarah Palin's daughter looked serious, responsible, supportive, and overwhelmed.
Obviously you lacked a lot of attention growing up as a child so you now write outlandish and ignorant articles in order to get some. As far as birth control, one could only wish that your parents used some instead of conceiving you. God you're a jerk!!
What a sorry excuse for a human being you are! This article is the most disgusting and reprehensible article I have ever read! You threw everything but the kitchen sink at GOVERNOR Palin (you never mentioned she is the governor of Alaska!) in an effort to bring the woman down. As I read I couldn't believe you called her daughter stupid and defiant looking; her family dysfunctional; juxtaposed her 17 year old entertaing a lover while she gave birth; compared her home life with those on welfare (I am sure those on welfare appreciate your comments); and even threw in TERRY SCHIVO and CREATINISM for good measure!!! Give me a break! Maybe you can peddle your journalistic trash to The National Enquirer or US Magazine!
Dear Editor;
Thanks, MDJ, for running Ms. Froma Harrop's column, and thanks, Ms. Harrop, for opening the lid on the Left's man-hole cover, and, despite loosing the malodorous stench on the rest of us, apprising us, yet again, of the Left's abject lack of moral boundaries. The title of Ms. Harrop's column, "Don't they have birth control up in Alaska?", spills the beans. How rude and insensitive, at the very least, to suggest killing an inconvenient child! The number of miles distant from Alaska Ms. Harrop may be notwithstanding, for her, or anyone, to recommend, and in an irritating, hip, cool, "with it" sort of manner, the convenient disposal of Bristol Palin's child, is disgusting. In a few short years, that child will be a cognitive and aware human being. It's quite possible that he/she will run across Ms. Harrop's column, while doing a study of the archives of this very public time. I hope Ms. Harrop will be confronted by this soon to be youth. I f not in person, then by the youth's accomplishments, not that they are necessary.
Who is she anyway, to be suggesting who should and who should not be born? All of us could quickly compose lists of those we think would not be missed. More than a hundred years ago Gilbert and Sullivan, in one of their very entertaining musical spoofs, featured such a tempting list.
The thing that most amazes me, in the ongoing prattle by the left, as thay pass judgment on the right, and otherwise vigorously oppose any judgment of anything at all, much preferring "moral relativism," is the undeniable fact that so much of the moral opprobrium, the vacuity of moral probity and upright behavior, comes from the Left: TV, movies, magazines, books, nearly every outlet of entertainment, almost all are run and operated by people who are Leftists, and far left.
They have completely up-ended American popular culture, which, only 45 years ago was firmly rooted in Western Civilizational values that came directly from Christianity, which they obviously also despise. And so, after the total degradation and decadence of the culture by the Left, they then have the nerve to judge those on the Right who occasionally are tainted by the Left's cultural poison? One can hardly apply jam to buttered bread without getting a little stickiness on himself. How much more pervasive and corrupting, then, the ubiquitous slime spewing from the Left and its culture of hedonism, immorality, and irresponsibility.
But thankfully, on the Right there is also a congenial spirit of forgiveness! Sarah Palin, or at least it would seem so far, has lived her life in such an exemplary manner that we on the Right have absolutely no problem with understanding, and forgiving, her, or her daughter's lapses in moral achievement.
So there, Ms. Harrop! We love Mrs. Palin and hope she takes the more or less conservative McCain to the White House!
Harry Hagan, West Cobb
Comment: #33
Posted by: Harry Hagan
Mon Sep 8, 2008 6:54 AM
Re: Janet
Bravo, Janet! Though I wouldn't encourage my paper to stopp running Ms. Harrop, i do wonder, now that the ice is broken, do they not have birth control up there in Providence? The Founders of Providence would be more than outraged by such a column. How improvident.
Comment: #34
Posted by: Harry Hagan
Mon Sep 8, 2008 6:59 AM
How utterly uplifting are the impassioned responses to Ms. Harrop's most injudicious and insulting column! Thanks, Fellow Americans! My faith and hope in this country has really had a boost. Fine, thoughtful Americans all! Thanks!
Comment: #35
Posted by: Harry Hagan
Mon Sep 8, 2008 7:06 AM
After reading yourarticle about McCain's choice for a VP today I was thoroughly disgusted by your tacky, sleezy trashing of Sarah Palin's family, even saying Palin's daughter looked stupid holding her youngest sibling. I think your are the one out of control and from Mars!
You admire Nancy Pelosi for having the decency to wait until her children were grown before pursuing her career in politics! What sexist trash!!!
John McCain didn't pick Palin because he hoped the women who supported liberal Hilary Clinton were going to suddenly chance their political liberalism and vote for a conservative just because she is a woman. McCain picked a Washington outsider with the reputation of standing up to big government and big oil and standing up for what she believes in.
If you, madam tabloid trash journalist, want to attack Sarah Palin on her political record that is fair game, but to attack her family is despicable and wasn't worth the ink to print it, but it proves how low some people are willing to sink if they appose someone!! Swing voter, my eye! You SUCK!!!! there, maybe that language you understand!!!!
Here is a link to an article from the supposed "right wing" Fox News regarding the milestone when a democrat woman takes high office. Check the statements from the other democrat women.
Decide for yourselves which 'wing has more class:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,241659,00.html
Comment: #37
Posted by: Anne LaVasseur-Mullen
Sat Sep 6, 2008 10:11 PM
I am a 60 year old woman, and have never responded to an editorial in my life, but your column about the Palin family has forced me to change that. What an absolutely hateful, vitriolic, ignorant piece of "journalism." You have a total lack of understanding of what families are like. I hope you do not have children, grandchildren, and you should not even be allowed to have pets. I understand you supported John Edwards and Hillary Clinton. Would you call their families "functional?" I am going to call my newspaper and tell them that if they ever print anything else written by you, I will cancel my subscription. Renette Monson
Comment: #38
Posted by: Renette Monson
Sat Sep 6, 2008 10:46 AM
I could not believe your disgusting article! You sound like an uptight, bitter, smug, holier than thou person!
I, for one, will put my efforts and VOTE into getting McCain-Palin elected.
I will contact my local newspaper and express my disgust that your article is carried in our paper.
Comment: #39
Posted by: Becky
Sat Sep 6, 2008 10:47 AM
I have always admired your columns especially the ones with an economics theme. Thoughtful and thorough stuff. Your column regarding Palin was a little different, but I still enjoyed reading it and the title was perfect. Maybe you have talents as a humorist as well?
I have never responded to an editorial or celeb or anyone in the media prior to today, but I am so outraged by your article that I am compelled to respond. You are a very ill woman. It is scary getting that small peek into your psyche. I have seldom seen such venom and acid contained in one human. You need to step back, reflect, and take a long hard look at your own article. It shows you to be an out-of-touch, meanspirited, hateful, judgemental, rude individual. You need to get a clue. Teenagers all over America find themselves pregnant everyday. How a Family handles the situation is PRIVATE. It is none of your business. You need to find kinder friends. I believe that you need to get some kind of professional help to find out what makes you so ...so...you.I will be contacting my local paper to register a protest and make an attempt to have you removed from the editorial rotation. I have been wondering all day what kind of family produced a person like you. It is very sad that you have a bully pulpit that allows you a platform for nastiness. Shame on you.
Thirty-six years ago I was a very active member of several feminist groups. I even held office. I quit when it became apparent that support of abortion was their main, almost only. issue. What on earth would qualify this family as being dysfunctional? That a teenage girl got pregnant and decided to have her baby rather than kill it?
God bless the Palin family. Sarah has lived what many feminists claimed to be working for. Do we women have the right to our own minds or is it required that we goose-step along with the most liberal Democrat feminists? What a disappointing, hateful article.
Ms. Harrop,
You used to be my hero, but this vicious piece on Sarah Palin proves that you've thrown your feminist credentials in the toilet. ALL women have a a right to respect, not just women who are elitist liberals.
How could you call a 17-year-old whom you don't even know "defiant and stupid"? That's just low.
The vicious sexism exhibited by people like you has driven me out of the Democratic Party. I am voting for the Republicans until Democrats find decency again.
Comment: #44
Posted by: Maria Houser Conzemius
Sat Sep 6, 2008 7:00 PM
LOL..... whats even more stupid than your article... is the fact you have it copyrighted... as if someone would actually want to put it in their paper.... and be sued for slander!!!!
COPYRIGHT 2008 THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL CO.
In fact i think the sooner folks like you are sued for slander the sooner this crud called op-ed are stopped.
Comment: #45
Posted by: dave
Sat Sep 6, 2008 7:27 PM
If we're going to get catty on a national level, can we now talk about how homely Chelsea Clinton turned out to be? How come she doesn't have a chin? How about those cankles on Hillary that make her be required to wear pantsuits all the time? How about how saggy Pelosi's skinny boobs must be after five children? Oh wait - she had five children, too? How come no one chastised her for running for senate? Michele Obama is badly in need of an orthodontist, by the way. Can't Barack afford to get her some braces now? Oh wait, she makes $300 K per year and could have bought them for herself.
I could go on and on. Anyone else want to chime in with other gossipy remarks? Look up the definition of snarky, ladies. You'll see quite a few of these idiots there.
What a shameful article. How could any paper in the country publish such drivel. I would not even use this rag in my outhouse.
Shame!!!
Comment: #46
Posted by: Anne LaVasseur-Mullen
Sat Sep 6, 2008 7:46 PM
Ms. Harrop. I agree with the negative comments leveled at you by most of the submitters, to date. Your column was forwarded to me here in NH by a friend in OR. Our local paper (fortunately) doesn't carry your column. When Sarah Palin was selected as the VP candidate, I literally jumped for joy, as I have been a strong advocate for her selection for several months. She has turned this election on its ear. I predict first, that McCain will be elected, and second, that Sarah will be elected in 2012 and re-elected, serving until 2020. She is a breath of fresh air.
Comment: #47
Posted by: Frank Wilson
Sun Sep 7, 2008 11:04 AM
After read not only the colum and the comments, what's the whole point of voting now? If people could be easily swayed to vote republican because of one stupid little colum or care and praise a family and not think about the future, I feel that I could not even vote until I get another choice for candiancy. Why are you mad, when she told the truth. Yes, the truth hurts, but there are more important things in life than a 17 yr. old getting knock up by an 18 yr old or a mom who returns to office instead of taking care of her special needs child. Besides, do you guys know what liberal is? I don't care about how life is going to be afterwards, all I know is to say this: Think with your brains and not with your hearts PLEASE!!!!! Because we need to go forward, to change for the better, and get out of the pass, and not stay in it. Heck, I'll run for presidentcy in the future, just to make a utopia in this world.
Comment: #48
Posted by: a little advice
Sun Sep 7, 2008 11:24 AM
Ms. Harrup,
Someone mentioned “piling on,” but it's hard to stop when such scurrilous trash passes for opinion in my local newspaper. I agree with Rita, too, who notes “it is so obvious that you did not go to dinner with a Republican leaning independent. You made that up so you could show you had at least one other supporter of your sick viewpoint.” Much like the folks at MSNBC, who pronounce that everyone in Wasilla loves Sarah Palin but then manage to note that several residents (not shown, of course) worry about her credentials.
And you are not the only pundit who claims to just know that John McCain “dangled” Gov. Palin out there in order to win Hillary voters. How do you know this? Did Sen. McCain let you in on his thinking process? Perhaps he meant to solidify his base and build some enthusiasm among evangelicals like myself. I can assure you that if that was his intention, then it is working splendidly, and slipshod attacks on teenagers and non-Froma approved women aren't going to change my mind.
I have never seen such a vicious, mean-spirited, and biased attack in a real newspaper. You and Creator's Syndicate should be ashamed.
David Burns
Spring Arbor, MI
Comment: #49
Posted by: David Burns
Sun Sep 7, 2008 12:52 PM
Harrop hails from Providence, RI, where she sits on The Providence Journal's Editorial Board, perish the thought. I'm writing (letters@projo.com) to let them know that if she stays, I go.
ON WELFARE means out of control homelife. How dare you! You owe an APOLOGY to a lot of families. I will not consider the source when I make my choices. In case you dont remember what your column said it was from The
Palin pick: Who vetted this choice? (Palin supporters insist that her out-of-control home life will resonate with many American families. Yes, if they're from Mars or perhaps on welfare.) opinion 9/7/08
Comment: #51
Posted by: Linda Kiszka
Sun Sep 7, 2008 2:40 PM
Initially when i read your column I was trying to comprehend why you would be filled with such hatred, spitefulness and stupdity, until I saw your picture. Now I understand. I disagree with just about everthing you said....especially your comment that everyone else would be revolted by the Palin pick. Actually, in case you haven't read the polls 52% of women and a higher percentage of men, have a high regard for Palin..higher than McCain, Obama or Biden!!!! So I guess not only are you stupid, you a pretty lousy journalist who doesn't even check the facts before you run your big mouth. Why a newspaper would even print your garbage just goes to show how far the field of journalism has degraded. I know good journalism Ms. FROMA and you are no journalist!!!! (maybe not even an acceptable human being). As one person had stated, I hope you have no kids...that would be a terrible fate for them indeed. Or, perhaps you are really jealous BECAUSE you have no kids??? In either case, I don't hate people like you I pity them.
Comment: #52
Posted by: Maybe the only guy who thinks your are a real dork
Sun Sep 7, 2008 5:32 PM
There is a silver lining to this article. Yes, it is mean spirited and lacks any sort of journalistic judgement, but it also points out, again, one of greatest challenges in this country--the far-left, liberal, elitest driven media. This article is a shining example of this sort of media. So, like everyone has done with their comments, read it, talk about it, and take action. Make sure folks are aware of Froma Harrop and her inability to act as a professional journalist...soon, people will read less, it's that simple. Also, let the "Providence Journal" know, cancel your subscription, and, more importantly, if you live in Providence...stage a protest, let the locals know--the only problem there is that in Providence you will more than likely run into the typical liberal elitest, but do it anyway.
Also, I find it hard to believe Fromma has a friend to speak with. :)
After reading your article today I felt compelled to respond - althought I have never responded to an editorial. Neither have I even read anything as venomous or hateful as what you have written. I thought we were in a political campaign - not a hate campaign.
I'm certainly you don't have any children or you would have some understanding of this family. You probably believe in "barefooted and pregnant" - although you obviously don't participate. This is a olitical campaign, not a way to attack a family.
If you are such a great journalist, did not notice 2 sentence fragments and an incorrect verb?
Sandra Raney
As I was reading through our paper this morning I'd seen the headlines "Don't they have the pill in Alaska?" and thought I'd read it. I've never heard of you before and honestly can't see myself ever reading your articles again. As a mother of five children, I believe myself to be a wonderful role model to my kids. I make my mistakes, but we all do. Of this entire article, the one item that stuck in my head, was you referring to a 17 year old girl as looking defiant and stupid. Defiant and Looking Stupid? Wow! This is when I can tell the difference between "lefties" and "righties". As I was watching Sarah Palin being introduced by Sen. McCain, I thought, "What a beautiful family!" Then, after all the announcements of "the pregnancy" I watched the media focus on her daughter throughout the event. What you saw was "defiance and stupidity" and through my eyes I saw someone who looked "scared". I have always taught my kids that old Thumper saying "if you can't say nothing nice, then don't say nothing at all". Obviously, if you followed this saying, you wouldn't have anything to write. But could you at least talk the talk to people your own age? Or better yet, the next time you write something nasty about someone who is 50 years younger than you are, remember who the "grown up " probably really is.
Comment: #55
Posted by: Dawn
Sun Sep 7, 2008 8:24 AM
Sorry to pile on here, Ms. Harrop, but this really is the kind of garbage one would expect from harlots like Michelle Malkin, not someone purporting to be principled like you. This is incredibly disappointing.
Comment: #56
Posted by: Masako
Sun Sep 7, 2008 9:21 AM
Our family was leaning towards Obama, but after reading your hateful, cruel, unbelievable article we have been swayed to McCain and Palin. We have noticed a trend of Obama's campain attracting hateful people like Harrop to their campain, and we do not want to have anything to do with such hateful people. We can no longer support or local Toledo news paper for allowing such trash to be printed in their paper. They will say free speach "bullshit" that artticle was pure trash and unfit for human consuption, it took away from anyones humanity who read it
Comment: #57
Posted by: james schoen
Sun Sep 7, 2008 9:36 AM
What a biased article. Where is Froma's comment on Hillary and whether she worked when Chelsea was born, or whether Michelle Obama will work if her husband is elected? The bottom line in all of this is that how many children Sarah Palin has and whether she goes back to work in 3 days or 3 months is NONE of OUR BUSINESS. To say that Sarah Palin's family is representative of a family on welfare or Mars shows how out of touch Ms. Harrop really is. When will the media realize if they want to publish an article the public respects, the writers opionions should be based on facts, not a left leaning liberal attitude that has no basis. I will never read another one of her columns and I am e-mailing my local newspaper to tell them to cancel my subscription if they continue to keep her as a columnist.
Comment: #58
Posted by: Diana
Sun Sep 7, 2008 9:42 AM
Wow, this article is appalling. From the title to the last sentence, your complete lack of a clue makes me wonder how you even could get published on the internet. I am a secular supporter of McCain/Palin, but saying that the religious would condemn her kid for having a child doesn't take into account the actual religious groups in America who have almost unanimously supported Palin's candidacy. You obviously have no understanding of this whatsoever, and your "friend" who is so appalled is a 7th-grade rhetorical device. Learn to write like a grownup.
And suggesting that her daughter marrying her boyfriend is a political move (with ZERO evidence to support the contention) is irresponsible and nauseating journalism. Further, noting quotes on a 17 year-old boy's Facebook account shows that you are either: looking for ANY way to criticize the McCain candidacy or a complete delusion about what voters care about.
I hope you are proud of yourself, calling a pregnant 17 year-old "stupid." If this is typical of your writing, you need to find a new profession because you are not a journalist/commentator/analyst. You are nauseating.
A judge in Chicago (Obama's hometown) told me that the number of 22-year-old grandmothers (no typos) he saw would shock you. Apparently they don't have birth control in Chicago either.
What a vile woman! How dare her! Whatever happened to the perfect woman's lib chick who can successfully run her own family, fry up the bacon, have a career outside of the home, etc? We were all told that homemakers were just uneducated slobs who couldn't find a job, now one has a job and you ridicule her for working, having 5 children and having a teenager that is pregnant. How uneducated are you, MIZZ Harrop (Harrod? Maybe you would like to kill all the infants under 1 yr of age, too?) that you don't know that there are thousands of families going through the same kind of scenerio that Mrs. Palin is and you are belittling them, also. Why is there such a double standard here? If she were pro-choice, I believe NONE of this rhetoric would be entertained. I give the woman credit for keeping her cool with bitches like MIZZ Harrod are nipping at her ankles and are SOOOOO in the tank for B.O.
What hypocracy!
I just read your article in our local paper and I was saddened that they would print such nonsense. Being one of those religious jubilant conservatives I'm "not at a loss for words" but I can't say what I would like to because it would not exalt Christ. So all just keep my thoughts to myself!
Comment: #63
Posted by: Mark Roberts
Thu Sep 4, 2008 5:28 PM
In your inability to criticize anything substanive, you choose to to try to ridicule a 17 year old as a "pregnant 17-year-old looking defiant and stupid as she held mom's fifth baby". Shame on you; that comment and others in this collection of cesspool rejects are not even decent enough to make the supermarket tabloids. This is not jounalism, but rather something better whispered in the ladies room while looking for new phone numbers.
Comment: #64
Posted by: Philip W. Steiner
Thu Sep 4, 2008 5:38 AM
What degrading and inflammatory rhetoric! Could Froma Harrop possibly believe what she writes? If the candidates have agreed that each other's children are off-limits, why does Froma Harrop feel entitled to criticize? Her implication is that any woman who has five children is a stupid backwoods mom out of touch with the real world. Welcome to the real world, Froma! Not every woman wants to run from meeting to meeting in a suit, dangling a briefcase. Palin chose not to terminate the pregnancy that would result in a Down syndrome child - good for her for not putting her own convenience as her top priority. And to refer to her daughter looking stupid hlding that baby, that's just mean. Have you had teenage children? Can you guarantee that they won't make stupid mistakes, despite all you've taught them, their religious upbringing and the best efforts of your family? To accuse the daughter of "entertaining a lover" and to call him a "stud" is immature on your part, and derogatory to journalistic standards, as well as to the victims of your nastiness. To hide behind the facade of your "friend" making the comments is silly as well. As a registered Democrat, I'm appalled at your lack of integrity and also appalled that my local paper includes your column. I will encourage my paper to choose a more balanced and intelligent columnist.
Wow, the utter hypocrisy in these comments is mind blowing. I'm willing to agree with many of you that Fromma's article went too far with many of her comments, but the unending vitriole and senseless piling on of hatred in comment after comment is just as telling. Try as I might to want to find reasons to support the republican party I am continually turned off by the "family values" christian conservative element of the party. Sure, come to the defense of poor Sarah and her daughter, live and let live, right? But what about same sex couples who want to marry or even start non-traditional families? No defense for those people, is there? And who is judgemental? I personally have no qualms with Sarah's family. What I do have qualms with are people who attack Obama's experience and readiness to be President and at the same time say Sarah is qualified to be a VEEP. I have run corporate departments that have more people and bigger budgets than Wasilla Alaska. 20 months as Gov of Alaska? Population 700K? She got her first passport in 2007? My 4 year old daughter got her passport in 2006! Lets keep the focus on personal qualifications and not on personal attacks. That much we should be able to agree on. I look forward to the vp debate or a real interview, to see what Sarah is really about, but right now all I see is an attempt to answer Obama's "celebrity" with a GOP celebrity who in my opinion is no where close to being ready to be a VP, or potentially POTUS.
Comment: #66
Posted by: Rob
Tue Sep 9, 2008 10:21 AM
Your left-wing radical bias easily shows through your empty words. There are so many outrageous comments you should be ashamed of yourself. Regardless of what Sarah Palin does or says all you out of touch media types want to focus on is her family. Why don't we talk about you and your family and all of your moral failures? Why don't we "vet" your indescretions? Take a good look at the cartoon just above your article. The cartoon says it all. One last item, I'm surprised that you haven't enough science background to know that even the major evoluntionary scientists have questioned the validity of Darwinism. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that has been shown to debunk evolution.
The saddest part of the way you have written this sick article is that it obviously came from your upbringing. Someone who would harbor this kind of hate, and voice it, must of had parents that set that type of example, and probably even worse behavior that made you think it was the way everyone behaved. A child that is constantly berated, never taught the Golden rule, or how to empathize with others has been abused as a child in my book. I hope some day you will realize that your parents handicapped you, and that you can change into a whole loving and caring human being. The first thing you need to do is find honest and caring mentors that will set a solid example for you, and you will never do that in the Democratic Party. I'm sure your parents and liberals are proud of this article.
Jim Gammon
Comment: #69
Posted by: Jim Gammone
Tue Sep 9, 2008 9:40 AM
