My Friend and Advocate...

That does not surprise me one whit. All of the Republicans are full of it in my book. I guess she was too busy moose shooting and polar bear hunting to make sure any special education iniatives got any funding. The hypocrisy is stunning. Maybe she feels differently about it now that she has a special needs child, but still speaks with forked tongue.

I don't have a child with special needs, but when I heard Palin make her remarks about having an advocate in the white house I was offended also. I'll try to explain it the best I can, but I feel I need to give a little background. My cousin has an autistic child, and I helped start a program in a previous career that paired the restaurant chain I worked for up with local agencies that would bring teens and young adults with various disabilities (mostly Downs Syndrome) into the work force. We'd pay them to come in and do suitable tasks which gave them a sense of purpose, belonging and give parents a break. It also helped teach our other employees tolerance and got quite a few of them involved in the community. What offended me about Palins remarks was that I felt she was preying on these parents, who are emotionally taxed, stressed out and often times feel no one is in their corner. So Palin gets onstage and gives them a glimmer of hope, which by her record is a false glimmer. I also find it ironic that she wants to start this funding in Alaska in 2011, right before a possible re-election campaign. It also bothers me that her and McCain say they support the Americans with Disabilities Act, but yet are unwilling to "increase financing through a reduction in tax cuts for the wealthy." What are they saying? That it is okay as long as the wealthy, who have resources to deal with a special needs child should they have one, don't have to pay for it? Another transparent attempt on behalf of our Republican ticket to say and do whatever they can to get in the White House. And I am with you Zephyr, I am enraged over Palins record on this in Alaska because they have a surplus. Why not cut back on those energy credit checks they distribute to their citizens and put that money toward a cause that would really make a difference to alot of families?

Well, personally there have been a lot more discrepancies I have seen in her than just this. But since she now has a Special needs son, maybe her views are changing but if you cannot prove yourself on something, than how are the American people supposed to believe all she says? If she felt 2011 was the timing then, how could it change anymore now? But as only a front runner for VP can we really put it to her for the blame then, or sit and watch what she will do if she looses? Just my thoughts.

Well, I think the special olympics are great, and I think it's important to show how special needs people can excel in life, but you're doing what all the liberals do. You're punishing her for doing something good because it's not "good enough". "During her few years as governor, she vetoed $275,000 for Alaska’s Special Olympics — half the amount being sought." If you were looking at this from an unbiased perspective you'd realize that she gave them $275,000. Every organization requests more than they need because they know they'll never get the full amount. The fact is that she still gave them money that they didn't have before. "Money for a program that helps rural school districts provide special education has remained flat. But she supported another legislative proposal to boost spending for students with special needs by some 175 percent in 2011." Now, can anyone point out to me where my friend is?" Now this part is simply a lie followed by a half truth. The truth is as follows. "According to Eddy Jeans at the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, funding for special needs and intensive needs students has increased every year since Palin entered office, from a total of $203 million in 2006 to a projected $276 million in 2009." http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html It is an incremental increase in the funding Zephyr that by 2011. Here's another part involving children known as "intensive needs". "it would increase spending for certain special needs students that Alaska calls "intensive needs" (students with high-cost special requirements) from $26,900 per student in 2008 to $73,840 per student in 2011. That almost triples the per-student spending in three fiscal years. Palin's original proposal, according to the Anchorage Daily News, would have increased funds slightly more, giving intensive needs students a $77,740 allotment by 2011." http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html The legislation regarding special needs children was begun long before her son was born. She's always been an advocate for special needs children which is why I hate the way liberals pretend she was using her own child to make such a play. I know you didn't say it in your post, but many have. Frankly I think she's done a lot for special needs children despite the fact that she's only been in office since 2006.

Not sure what to say. I guess Palin has a chance to redeem herself by having a special needs child. Sometimes we get humbled and have to deal with something that we never thought we would. If McCain and her get elected then you should hold her to what she said, if she doesn't follow through don't vote for her when it comes time.

I have a special needs child and she did nothing to appeal to me! All I thought was how the heck can she take care of that baby and be Vice President! I know I couldn't! But I am not judging you can work and have kids, its just hard and something usually suffers and its normally the children!

So basically Sarah Palin is only for special needs children..Not for the special need community. Almost makes me thinks she only cares about special needs children because shes the mother of one. What a Cee u Next Tuesday this lady is. despicable.

I agree with you that the Special Olympics are a great program. I believe it could be a fully self sufficient program. I don't understand why government should be giving to any non-profit (I work for a non-profit). I know I would donate to the Special Olympics. I am willing to bet that if they worked it, they could certainly hold these events by donations only. I understand your point with hersaying she is an advocate. I really don't understand the reasoning behind government having to "help" with special needs population. I understand that people with special needs tend to cost more, but when you decide to have a baby, you should take the responsibility that comes with it.

While I must admit that it would be nice to have a "true" advocate in Washington, I really don't think that Palin is it. She is simply telling the voters what she thinks she needs to in order to win the Republican ticket more votes in a society that has been under the rule of a Republican president for the past 8 years. McCain and Palin both know that Bush's approval rating has fallen to an all time low, and they know this means they will have to work harder - and tell more lies and stretches of the truth when necessary - for every vote they are able to win. This is nothing more than politics as usual, but her true colors will shine, and the real Palin will stand up, if elected into the White House.

I sure hope we never get the opportunity to see what kind of "friend and advocate" Palin would be for parents of special needs kids but I wish there were a way to know without experiencing a McCain/Palin Administration for real. I get a kick out of how some spin it in her favor no matter what! OK, so she gave half of what was asked for for the Alaska Special Olympics. That really doesn't seem like a very huge number considering the state has such a big surplus, thanks to Governor Palin, of course. I disagree with those who don't feel programs such as the Special Olympics should get government funding. People are stretched to the limit and I'm sure many who would really love to give generous donations to these and other programs simply can't. I know a couple with an autistic son pretty well so I have at least an inkling of what it's like and I think you deserve all the help you can get! There are some things I have no problem whatsoever for my taxes to be used for and help for families of special needs children is one of them. Annie

Let me see, the last legislature to pass concerning special needs was to make it possible to kick special needs kids out of school for displaying the symptoms of their disability. But still we can't have someone we disagree with politically help make things better because we must stick with the party line. Up to the point of ignoring the facts and lying.

If you carefully investigate almost EVERYTHING she has said on all subjects, you'll quickly discover that she is either hypocritical or just plain lying whenever her mouth is moving.

Hunh... I guess she likes the "No Child Left Behind" policy.

ZephyrSun, I totally respect your opinion in that Palin hasn't paid as much attention in the past to a subject that is a part of life for you and your family. But when you glory in the fact that "what goes around comes around" by your previous statement: "I was really bummed until you responded but you made me smile because you reminded me of Karma with what you said." This was in reply to a post that referred to Gov. Palin NOW thinking more about special needs children since she just had one this past year. In other words, since she didn't have a special needs child BEFORE, she didn't seem to care about them until she had one herself. If what you say is true about Karma, I guess you're also saying that everyone with a special needs child is getting paid back for their lack of concern at a previous time in their lives. Not a very compassionate response, coming from someone who also has a special needs child. Now, I am not a parent of a special needs child, so I have no clue (nor do I claim to) about what you face on a daily basis. All I can say is that my heart goes out to you and all the others. Being a parent is tough enough without that thrown into the mix. That much, I DO know. I too, live a life that most of you (not all) are not familiar with either. This is not saying that my life is worse than yours or anything like that, but we ALL have struggles in our lives that we feel no one gives a flip about. For instance, my husband is a soldier in the U.S. Army. He has been in for 15 years and throughout the course, has deployed to Germany, Korea, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq. All of his adult life has been dedicated to making sure WE ALL remain free and can continue enjoying all of the great things that the U.S. has to offer us. None of us would have that without the many men and women who have made this their life mission and for the families who sacrifice having a normal family life. Yes, he CHOSE the military life and you didn't CHOOSE to have a special needs child, however, there are challenges with both, nonetheless. Confession: Previous to marrying my husband, I could have CARED LESS about the military, nor did I know or give a rats a** about THEIR safety, much less the struggles that their spouses, children and families faced on a daily basis. Now that I am living that life, I can attest to the fact that it feels like no one cares about what we, as military families, give up for all of you. My husband and I have lost MANY precious friends over the past 4 years in the name of FREEDOM. Is anyone out there thinking about those families or thanking them for giving up a life so we can speak our minds and do as we please? What about the families of the people who lost their lives on 9/11? Does anyone care? I don't really know if anyone cares, but I refuse to look at the misfortunes and challenges in my life as being a result of KARMA. Am I being paid back for my lack of concern for military wives and their families in the past? I hardly think so. Are the families of 9/11 getting what they deserve because of something THEY did? I believe that things are meant to happen to people for a reason. Both good and bad. It may correct their priorities and values along the way, but hopefully, FOR THE GOOD. We could say that perhaps you are "reaping what you sowed" in the past, so karma made it's way back around and got you. I don't believe that either -- no more than YOU would. I would rather look at it as it being a BLESSING instead of a curse and can turn it into something positive, making you more sensitive to others. Not just those who share your same exact situation, but to anyone or everyone you've ever looked down on before or didn't take the time to notice. One more example: I lost my sister to cancer. She had to leave a husband and 2 small children behind. No child should ever have to be without a mom and believe me, this is a situation that is near and dear to my heart. Before my sister had cancer, I didn't think about cancer patients or those who would be left behind after their battle was over. I do now. Karma? Nope. Just God carrying out a plan so that we can be a support to oneanother on this earth and help oneanother through life's struggles. Otherwise, we would all be a bunch of self absorbed snobs with no purpose but that of our own. No matter what your personal opinion is of either party.... in your attempt to judge, casting stones is not the answer when it comes to issues like this. If I were the parent of a special needs child, it would thrill me to no end to have a "friend" or advocate in the White House that KNOWS what it's like. I am proud that she has a son in the military -- who just left for Iraq. I don't know what her views were about military families before now, but hey, I KNOW she is not going to have a chance to ignore the facts, now that she's living my life. She can't ignore special needs either....because she is living that life too. Give her a chance and realize that she is a mom -- just like me....just like you. Would you use your special needs child just to get special treatment or a big break in life? Think about the times you have shared YOUR story -- of having a special needs child to get someone's attention or to better explain who you are. Your past, like hers, mine or many others, more than likely does not reflect that of care and concern for people who you are now "on the same boat with". If she had never mentioned having a son with down syndrome, (or having a 17 year old who got pregnant before marriage) everyone would be accusing her of being embarrassed or making an attemt to hide it. I can't believe that people are acting as if Palin is making herself "untouchable" or better than everyone else. She has been forthright and honest and has shown that she is no different than any of us. What else should be expect? As for Obama, the ONLY issue I have with him is the fact that there are so many "unknowns" and facts that cause us to question his loyalty to America. Most of his stances on certain things (except abortion) would be fine, but we just don't fully know him or who he really is. That, alone, is enough reason for hesitation in wanting him to be President. You wouldn't put your child on a bus with anyone who has a questionable character, would you???