Ok, After thinking about it today, I'm on board with respecting the Palin family's privacy and letting them deal with this private issue, well, privately. Can I make one small request, in return, however?
Today Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement about the Bristol Palin news:
We are committed to praying for Bristol and her husband-to-be and the entire Palin family as they walk through a very private matter in the eyes of the public.
Perkins' call for privacy was echoed by several other conservative leaders.
For example, John McCain advisor Steve Schmidt told the Washington Post that
If anyone tries to politicize this, there will be a backlash. One thing I think everyone agrees on is let the kids alone.
Barack Obama issued a similar call for privacy. There is a difference, however, when it comes from Obama as opposed to conservative leaders. The difference is in how each side addresses other similarly "personal" issues.
You, conservative leaders, have told me what to do with my body:
FRC is opposed to the availability of the morning after pill (or Plan B) and other hormonal drugs over the counter without a prescription.
You have told me when it is appropriate to have sex:
Well-developed abstinence-until-marriage curricula should be accurate, age-appropriate, and promote a positive view of sexuality in the appropriate context of marriage.
You have told me who I can and cannot marry:
Attempts to join two men or two women in "marriage" constitute a radical redefinition and falsification of the institution, and FRC supports state and federal constitutional amendments to prevent such redefinition by courts or legislatures.
And you have told me how to properly raise my children:
Family Research Council believes, and social science has now clearly demonstrated, that children do best when raised by their own biological mother and father who are committed to one another in a lifelong marriage
If you are truly concerned with respecting this girl's privacy, why must you turn around an intrude upon mine?
So my request, to you, is to take the same request from me and let me handle my private issues privately.