By now word of Sarah Palin’s impending resignation is old news. The media has come up with all kinds of reasons why Palin has chosen to abandon (!) the state of Alaska, calling her everything from a Schmuck to just a plain ol’ quitter
Because, really, it couldn’t have anything to do with those costly ethics complaints turning her into a lame duck Governor or anything like that.
Or the fact that the media couldn’t keep their poison arrows pointed only at Palin, they had to take below the belt shots at her children too.
Then again, maybe she did decide to take the book money and run.
Eh, what do I know about politics? While I may be mostly Republican at heart, I haven’t voted straight party lines since the first time I visited a voting booth. And Palin isn’t one I would have chosen to be the next GOP pick.
However, I do know a little bit about advocacy. How what is written in print, and seen on the big screen can effect the public’s perception of those with special needs. And how public perception can translate into action where discrimination and abortion are concerned.
How many of us who are parents of children with special needs were greeted with messages of condolence when our children were born?
How many of us lost friendships, family, and even spouses because those who we believed would be in our lives forever suddenly couldn’t handle the thought of being around a retard.
The idea that the life of a person with special needs is somehow worth less is only intensified when Barack Obama cracks a joke by comparing himself to Special Olympians.
So, Mr. President. How ’bout that wasted failed stimulus money? Now THAT’S a joke. Bi-partisan even!
One of the reasons Sarah Palin gave for making her decision for stepping down from office included the hurt her family had encountered by Trig, her son with Down syndrome, being mocked.
While Palin may have opened herself up to attacks on her actions, her children, most especially Trig, did not.
Yesterday, Erik Sean Nelson, a ‘comedy’ writer for the Huffington Post, had this to say concerning Palin’s reasons for resigning:
She said that the “world needs more Trigs, not fewer.” That’s a presidential campaign promise we can all get behind. She will be the first politician to actually try to increase the population of retarded people. To me, it’s kinda like saying the world needs more cancer patients because they teach us such personal lessons.
Her first act as President: To introduce a Pre-K lunch buffet that includes lead paint chips.
Her policies will increase jobs because Wal-Mart is building new stores each day and someone has to be the greeter.
This will lead to smaller government because fewer Americans will have the cognitive ability to hold a government job.
Kinda makes you wonder if Nelson’s been channeling a bit of Letterman, no?
What I find really funny is how that once an apology has been issued, everything is then supposed to be all better. Gee, he’s sorry he wrote or said that.
But not for having those sort of thoughts to begin with.
And it is the people who harbor these type of thoughts that scare the hell out of me. The ones who will try and squeeze in those ideas whenever and however they can.
And then try to disguise them with the cloak of comedy.
Each time I write a post like this I receive many emails telling me to just let it go. Ignore it. It isn’t worth my effort. Quit being so sensitive. It wasn’t meant in that way.
But I disagree. Vehemently. If nobody stands up against this type of hate speech, then it slowly becomes an acceptable norm.
Whether you have a child with special needs or not, EVERYONE should take a stand against tearing down the worth of another life.
As you work to make the world a better place for my child, you are ultimately insuring the world will be a better place for yours.
Tammy Hodson is, in Erick Sean Nelson’s words, one of those moms who “hold off pregnancies until after their 40’s just to mix up some chromosomes’. She the proud Mama to Parker, her 4.5 year old with Down Syndrome.
You can find her at her personal blog, Praying For Parker as well as 5 Minutes for Special Needs.