Palin's Daughter's Pregnancy: An Acceptable Thing in the West

Sarah Palin, potentially to be the second most powerful woman in the free world, has a daughter who is reported to be pregnant. Should anything happen to McCain, she would likely be the first most powerful woman in the world. In addition, she would inevitably be the commander in chief of the most powerful military force in the world that defends the freedoms of the citizens of the United States.

If Palin's daughter was a daughter of the leader of Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, India just to mention but a few, she would be the late just after the breaking of the news of the pregnancy. The story of the pregnancy in other parts of the world would have turned Palin's career topsy-turvy. She would have been harassed and condemned by the masses of people.

Under Sharia law, there are two things that are punishable by death. That a woman is not a virgin by the time she is married and that a person converts to another religion. Chastity is such a requirement among the people in the east. Young men would not marry a woman who is not a virgin. In Kuwait for instance, it is impossible for a child to be born out of wedlock because the discovery of the pregnancy merits death by stoning. These societies do not deal with things like teenage pregnancies and unwedded parents. The kids know not to meddle with illicit liaisons that may cost them their lives.

According to Richard Land, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention and a very conservative man, the government spends 100 billion dollars in taking care of unwed children. This is a staggering sum of money. These funds could be used for other productive things than trying to cure symptoms of a social morality crisis.

When did sex outside marriage become acceptable? The family in the United States is in a state of dilapidation. The media bashes the normal family. Co-habiting is the normal way of life for many couples. According to Mike McManus, a marriage expert and a columnist for over 100 newspapers, "Actually, cohabitation has become a substitute for marriage, diverting tens of millions from getting married at all. In 1970, there were only 21 million Americans who had never married. By 2003 that figure jumped to 52 million. That is a stunning 148% population growth."

In a culture that is so greatly influenced by Hollywood, it is no surprise that we are so nonchalant about unwedded couples having kids. We are entertained by many that are parenting kids out of wedlock like Brangelina. The media goes in a frenzy just to capture images of unwed celebrity couples' children. Brangelina were offered millions of dollars just for pictures of their twins. Similarly, the Baltimore Sun reported that, Jessica Lynn, Britney spears' 16 year old sister, had her mother break the news of her pregnancy to OK Magazine for a million dollars. After her delivery, her show had the highest ratings ever. The aberrant subjugation of values seems to fetch more money than anything else. MSNBC reported that Ashley Alexandra Dupree, the lady who brought about the downfall of the governor of New York, was close to netting a million dollars from Joe Francis, the CEO of Girls Gone Wild, before he realized he had used her services in 2003 and paid her perhaps a ggw t-shirt. A million dollars was once again up for grabs when NBC solicited to interview Paris Hilton the day after she was released from jail, after spending 24 days behind bars for driving on a suspended license. Hollywood is there to provide entertainment through film. The characters portrayed are fictitious but sadly, society can no longer draw a line between acting and reality. That which was once considered acting is now being replicated in homes.

The west opposes many views of the east. Surely we can all see that the moral fiber in this country has appallingly disintegrated. It is a shame that people are willing to settle for mediocrity. Men in the west do not find it awkward to be with a wench that has entertained many philanderers. It is quite common to see a man settle with a woman who has an average of three children by different men. Where is the pride? Where is the character? And where is the integrity and the faith that America so preaches to the world? "Male and female he created them", said the greatest teacher. "Show me your faith and I'll show you my works", were the words of an ancient writer James. America has great faith but lacks in character of its society.

It would be sad if all the freedoms the $400 billion dollars spent on the military every year was just to defend freedoms that do not create the greater good of humanity. Are the freedoms we enjoy a passport for a man to walk away from his family? Are they rights to sign the doted line on the marriage certificate more than once in a life time? Are they there to have a woman have the right to choose what she can do with her body in essence choosing who lives or dies? Are they rights for parents not to train their sons so that they become stars on To Catch a Predator? There is a saying that, "Talk is cheap but freedom of speech is not." Indeed, it seams with mega churches mushrooming everywhere, with an average of three bibles for every household in the states, one would think freedom of speech would give the country an edge in inculcating morality. Ironically, Hollywood has jumped on the wagon and whatever message is being sent from the mountains in California is really resonating in society because the effects are so conspicuous.

Maybe the introduction of Shria law might make a difference. The Archbishop of Canterbury had suggested that certain parts of Sharia be introduced in England. Lord Phillips, the most senior judge in England and Wales, said there was no reason Sharia law's principles could not be used in mediation. The suggestion has been greeted with serious opposition from conservatives. Although, certain parts of Sharia such as the sacredness of chastity may be good, other parts may be deemed too radical for the rest of the world that do not subscribe to it. Especially, polygamy which is not allowed in the US and apostasy whose punishment is death: a violation of human rights. Moreover most of it is written on the premise that is opposed to democracy. It is hard for Shria law to exist where there is freedom of choice. Thus, it can not chime with the American way of life that is generally bent on the freedom of choice. This is a freedom that is worth any drop of blood.

When it comes to politics, we need to be cautious in choosing leaders. It behooves us to hold our leaders accountable. The right to privacy has been echoed concerning Ms Sarah Palin and her daughter. However, it is such a dichotomy to run for public office and have a private life. Well, since society accepted Dick Cheney even with the fore knowledge of his lesbian daughter, it is not unusual that Palin's family quagmire might be treated the same. Even though what happens at home may not be a good measure of the candidate's capability in office, it surely does say a lot about the leader. Zig Ziglar said "To succeed in the market place and fail at home is no success at all".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7232661.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7488790.stm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24377029/