The World According to Oatney

A Living Example of Family Values

The biggest news of the day yesterday among liberals who are scared to death of the prospect of a real woman anywhere near the center of power in this country was not how they could help in the wake of the landfall of Hurricane Gustav, but that Sarah Palin's daughter 17-year-old unmarried daughter, Bristol, is with child:

"Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents," Sarah and Todd Palin said in their brief statement.

John McCain knew about Miss Bristol's pregnancy when he chose Sarah Palin. It was an act of great courage for the Palin's to share this with America. Of course the Left is having a field day with the news-which is more evidence that as well-meaning as some of these people are, they still just don't get it.

The solution of our liberal friends might instead been for Bristol Palin to have her unborn child murdered by a hatchet doctor in an abortion mill, preferably without the need for parental permission. Some of them might have applauded the Palins if they had encouraged their daughter to do such a thing.

It is the Palins' reaction to this situation that tells us all that we need to know about the suitability of this family for the pressures of high office. Most importantly, it speaks volumes about how important the sanctity of life is to the Palins. They aren't shutting their daughter and her child away as though she would be some embarrassment to them. I'm quite sure the Palin family already had the talk with their daughter about the mistake that she made-there isn't much more to say, she is willing to live with the consequences of her actions.

The very reality that the Palin family is ready to support their daughter and encourage the birth of her unborn child is precisely what conservatives mean when we talk about family values and the importance of keeping those values and morals within the larger society. In the Leftist world of moral relativism, anything that Bristol Palin-or any other young lady in similar circumstances- might choose to do is just fine and dandy. Pleasure with no pain, actions without consequences, if it feels good do it-these are the true watchwords of the modern American liberal philosophy of life.

The Palin family understands life a bit differently. They know that actions have consequences, and I am quite sure that Bristol Palin has learned that firsthand. These folks also have an understanding of the sacredness of humanity and human life that allows them-after the initial shock wears off, and the "I told you so" talk comes from Mom and Dad-to embrace this adversity, support Bristol, and look forward with anticipation to the birth of a grandchild that they are ready to love with all the affection in the world.

At the root of this thinking is the forgiveness upon which the Christian faith that the Palins share is built. If God can forgive their daughter and God gave life to this child, how can the Palins not do otherwise?

Those are real family values, and the Palins are a living example of those values before the entire world.

Prominent religious conservatives, many of whom have been lukewarm toward McCain's candidacy, predicted that Palin's daughter's pregnancy would not diminish conservative Christian enthusiasm for the vice presidential hopeful, a staunch abortion opponent.

Focus on the Family founder James Dobson issued a statement commending the Palins for "for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances."

The Palins are obviously a family that doesn't just talk the pro-life talk, they walk the walk-and pro-lifers really do appreciate that about them. That is precisely why this news will do absolutely no harm to the McCain/Palin ticket, and why it may actually help among conservatives.

As for Bristol Palin: Young lady, there are now a whole lot of people you don't even know who are praying for you.

Labels: Presidential Election, Republican Party

posted by Deacon David Oatney @ 10:56 AM