There has been enough attention paid to Governor Palin's aptitude and qualifications for the office of Vice President, but little to none about her or her husband's role as parents.
I believe in "choice" however, I ,like Mrs. Palin, once many years ago before modern technology provided ultra sound and amniocentesis was informed that the child I was carrying might have sustained injuries from a car accident and although abortion wasn't legal at that time, it was still being done as a "medical emergency". I chose to carry the baby to term, and struggled with his many serious problems for years afterwards devoting every bit of my attention and strength and resources to helping him overcome some serious birth defects.
I had older children whose needs and concerns I paid attention to only after my baby's needs were fully met. I didn't trust ANYONE else to care for my baby as he was so fragile and had so many problems. My doctor's and my family urged me to put him into an institution as the prognosis was that he would never walk or talk and wouldn't live to see his 5th Birthday and that I should not give up my professional career, and ignore my husband and older children for a "lost cause".
Fortunately, my devotion and care paid off and with special therapy and special schools he has overcome all of his once life threatening problems.He is now a productive man with a family of his own.
Mrs. Palin has chosen to bring a child into this World with Down's Syndrome, she, like I ,had a choice to abort or keep the baby, she, like I, chose to keep him. Unlike any other responsible mother who has a baby with special needs she has chosen to take on a Vice Presidential campaign and risk the health and well being of her baby to further her political ambitions.
Those who believe in "family values" should consider this hypocritical woman for what she is, not only a bad Vice Presidential choice, but a poor Mother too.
Every baby needs someone in their life who is devoted to safeguarding and protecting and doing everything within their power to allow that baby to develop their maximum potential, who is doing this for the baby that Governor Palin CHOSE to bring into the World?? Certainly not her husband, certainly not her teen-age pregnant daughter who is also the victim of parental exploitation.