National Dialogue Refreshed

by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist

Barack Obama has been our President for less than a month, yet in that brief time the national dialogue has changed dramatically. Suddenly we are talking about closing Gitmo, conducting research with human stem cells, getting serious with alternative energy concepts, and preserving public lands and resources for use by future generations.

NBC News this evening discussed smart grid technology, magnetic-levitation (mag-lev) trains, and the importance of childhood immunizations. A big portion of the program was dedicated to science and energy - and it was real science, without being censored by Bush flunkies - and it was an energy discussion of something other than oil!

This morning the "internets" were ablaze with a statement from Bristol Palin, Sarah's child who recently became a mother. Miss Palin said it was unrealistic to expect young people to abstain from having sex! In just a few simple spoken words, Bristol proved herself to be smarter than her mother, or at least more honest.

It's almost like we have awakened in a parallel universe. For years we have suffered under the yoke of official ignorance, listening to twaddle that even average junior high students recognized as nonsense: creationism, racism, homophobia, and all manner of hate and insult being processed and passed off as our own unique national diatribe. Now the dark ages have been rolled back and we are once again living on the cutting edge of great potential. Thinking is no longer the problem - it has become the expectation!

It is as though the 21st Century has finally arrived!

Take the Money and Run!

by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist

Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston was born this past Saturday to Bristol Palin and Levi Johnson in Palmer, Alaska. The lead-up to Baby Tripp’s birth was the grist of gossip magazines and cable “news” for months, making him one of this year’s most anticipated arrivals.

Tripp was awarded instant celebrity status due to his notorious family connections. (As the old saying goes: you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your family!) His father is a self-described “fuckin’ redneck” who dropped out of high school and likes to party. One of his grandmothers ran for Vice President of the United States on the Neiman Marcus ticket and believes that Africa is a country and that dinosaurs and man walked the earth at the same time – a couple of thousand years ago! His other granny was recently arrested for drug dealing.

So with all of those cards stacked against him, little Tripp deserves to get a couple of breaks in life. There was a report in the news today that his mother will be offered up to $300,000 for his baby pictures. That’s great. I, for one, hope she gets that much or more. She could use that money to raise her son on her own without feeling forced to marry her “fuckin’ redneck” boyfriend. She could set a good chunk of it aside in order to guarantee a college education for Tripp – and perhaps use some of it for her own college education. She could also use the money to slip from the public eye before the behaviors of either of Tripp’s grandmothers begin to escalate.

Take the money, Bristol. Put it in the bank and spend it judiciously. Don't let the grammies use to it hire campaign help or defense lawyers. Don't let Baby Daddy have it for fast cars or fast living. Use it to build a secure life for yourself and little Tripp, and let his whack-job relatives take care of themselves. Tripp needs you, and you need the security and independence that $300,000 can offer.

The Wasilla Hillbillies

by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist

Normally I would cut a washed-up, political has-been some slack, but recent vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin is already making noises about running for President in 2012 - so she is still in the public domain.

I actually was sort of kind to her during the election (check the record), realizing from the start that she was in way over her head. I didn't for instance, write anything about "Troopergate" or her outrageous shopping spree with funds that had been donated to the Republican National Committee for legitimate election expenses. I do remember writing about Bristol's pregnancy and her family's rush to get her married off to her "fuckin' redneck," beer-swilling, hockey-playing, immature boyfriend. I also took some easy shots at her desire to censor books in the local library, and her Christian fundamentalist nonsense that dinosaurs and man walked the earth at the same time - a few thousand years ago. But basically, I left poor Sarah to her own self-destructive instincts.

But, that was then and this is now.

Now the political operatives in the Palin camp and those in the McCain camp are busy taking pot shots at one another. (Who knew that they each had their own camps?) Yesterday, a highly placed - but anonymous McCain aid - referred to Governor Palin and the First Dude as "Hillbillies from Wasilla who raided Nieman-Marcus stores from coast to coast." Other McCain aides are now apparently saying that Governor Palin spent considerably more than the $150,000 that was initially reported on her fancy pants and dresses. One report said that over $40,000 was spent on outfitting the First Dude. And they also bought clothes for the kids.

Today it was reported that a lawyer from the Republican National Committee has been dispatched to Alaska to try and retrieve the royal wardrobes. What will they do with all of those clothes? Will they go to charity as Governor Palin has suggested? I want to see the look on the poor woman's face who thumbs through the racks at the Good Will Store and comes away with a $14,000 outfit that was worn only once!

I have serious doubts that Republicans will overcome their DNA and suddenly become charitable. Those desiring a piece of wearable election history might do well to start monitoring Ebay!

And as for Sweet Sarah's political future, she needs to get out of Alaska and head to Washington D.C. That's where the real money is!

Dear Bristol Palin

Dear Bristol Palin,

One can only imagine how much your life has changed in recent days. Just a few short months ago you were enjoying high school and a certain amount of privacy, even as the daughter of a governor. Now, however, you are suddenly thrust into the national fish bowl with millions of strangers clucking about your upbringing, your situation, and your options. How sad for you.

Young people, even younger than you, have babies every day and often make very good parents. I sincerely hope that is the case with you. I am a counselor by trade, and I would like to offer some advice that could serve you well as you enter parenthood. Please take from it what you will.

1. Church can be a very important component of family life, but extreme religious views can also be an impediment to a healthy and happy family. Use common sense and avoid being intolerant of the views and lifestyles of others based on religious doctrine. Love your children, as your parents love you, but don't complicate their lives with unrealistic dogma. As an example, do more than just talk about the virtues of sexual abstinence. We both know that young people routinely engage in sex, so talk to your kids honestly and openly about sex, and be prepared to assist them in procuring birth control in the event that it becomes necessary.

2. The current Governor of Alaska, let's call her "Mom," is so politically rigid that she opposes abortion even in cases of rape and incest. It's a wonderful thing to have well reasoned convictions and to try and live by those convictions. But when we become so hardened and rabid in our views that we can't accommodate good judgment and reason, we have crossed a line and entered the realm of inhumanity. Learn from Mom's mistakes and be flexible. The world isn't them and us - it's just us.

3. Don't let anyone push you into marriage. An unplanned pregnancy is absolutely the worst reason in the world to get married. Levi may be a great guy and he might make a wonderful father, but right now he is awfully immature. He describes himself as being a "fuckin' redneck" and talks about not wanting kids. Give him a few years to mature, and, if he does - and if you still want him - marry him then. Marriage needs to be your decision - make it wisely.

Be strong and be resilient. You will get through this ordeal. May your baby be healthy and may your lives be happy and full of wonder! Stay focused on the needs of your child, and you will be a wonderful parent!

My best to you.

Pa Rock