Honest question. Why are Gov. Palin's children not in school? At every rally I see Piper and one of

[jezebel]

the other girls (Willow I think?) sitting behind her. Shouldn't they be in school?

[BeyondGeography]

1. Piper is learning something so much more valuable out there

Like how to take a bullet for Mom.

[asdjrocky]

21. That was in bad taste.

[BeyondGeography]

22. Sorry, she uses her kids...no apologies

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

28. Yup.

Funny though.

[11 Bravo]

37. I believe the reference is to a metaphorical bullet, like the one the little ankle-biter took when..

Mom dragged her onto the ice at a Flyers game, hoping to deflect any boos.

[asdjrocky]

38. Yeah, I get metaphors.

I don't want someone mentioning the word bullet and my daughter in the same sentence, metaphorically or not.

The more tasteful metaphor here might have been human shield. No big deal, I just thought it was in bad taste and I'm sure he/she didn't really mean to be rude where the kids are concerned.

[emilyg]

23. Sorry comment.

[napi21]

2. It's possible a tutor travels with them. Actually, they're probbly learing more

traveling around the country than they would in school in AK.

[vaberella]

6. Every time someone says gives that excuse I get really angry.

Do you know how poorly that reflects on the state and how it basically shits on the citizens who don't have the luxury of hiring a private tutor for their children with campaign donor money. It's disgusting...I just get more and more and more livid. How much are they really learning? The kids spend most of the time in an air plane or land to stay in a hotel. It's not like they are traveling to zoos and seeing monuments like this was a course to find Carmen Sandiego. Those kids aren't any better, sitting at an airport and breathing Arizona air versus Alaska air is not something makes for fantastic education.

The comparison is jarring and insulting to 95% of the population that don't have the opportunity of abuse that Sarah Palin has been given and utilized.

[salbi]

30. John and Elizabeth Edwards pulled their kids out while campaigning also

I don't like Sarah Palin but for issues, not how she is raising her kids. The kids aren't in school but that doesn't mean they aren't being schooled. They probably do have tutors, so what? The Edwards family did the same thing so that the kids could be wth them instead of at home being cared for by others. Most parents would want their children with them if they were going to be gone for a long time, I know I would have when my kids were small.

[vaberella]

42. She's still not raising them.

Putting them on a plane and treking places with them is ridiculous. And for someone to say it was BETTER for the kids is sad and stupid. I don't think this is better for the kids. I don't a fault a parent for wanting to raise their kids...but I don't see why her husband is there in the first place.

This is the problem you're not getting. His purpose is minimal at best. You don't see Jill around Biden like a glove and Jill has adult children. This is my point. There's no need for First dude to be there because no matter what there really isn't that much of a family. It's one parent that is doing most of the campaigning, the other is at home.

I supported Edwareds but I would have begrudged him on this problem. It's not a good idea, I don't see it healthy, and I find it a shitty excuse for someone to say it's better for the kids than being in school at home. So throwing these children into the glaring and ridiculing spotlight is better for them? How selfish? Obama wanted people to meet his family he did it once and never again, because of how people were. He wanted to show how normal he raises his kids, but rarely do the kids go to events, if they are in school. This woman literally ripped her kids out of school and are treking them acorss this nation..

[onenote]

32. Did you get really angry at John and Elizabeth Edwards?

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1673&u_sid=2357062

I have no problem with a candidate for Pres or VP having their kids miss a 50-60 days of school so they can experience once in a lifetime their parent's campaign for national office. In the overall scheme of things, the lost 60 days don't amount to spit.

There is a virtually endless list of things to criticize palin on -- this is so far towards the bottom as to barely make the list.

[vaberella]

43. I was an Edwards fan but I didn't know about that.

Had I known I would have condemned it. I have problems with people doing that and secondly I'm more upset with the fact that someone equates treking in a plane with a private tutor is better than learning in school where you have famiy and friends. First Dude doesn't have to be there...yet he is, and this is a drain when he could have easily stayed at home with the kids.

[goclark]

35. Most school districts do have rules that address

what measures are ser for children being away from school.

The rules give parents the opportunity to accompany their parents
on what could be deemed an "educational experience."

Yes they could have a tutor or many times they would be given Homework to complete.

That is not what bothers me.
What bothers me is the "parents" letting young ones hold the new born.

Where was that sweetheart born, at what hospital?

I can't imagine the Gov. of such an "important" state not having a photo op when she left the hospital.

I want to see photographs.

#2 is the Family Values that are not on display from the Palins.
I can't forgive the photo of the little girl giving the finger to her brother.

My parents would have taken me right off that stage and given me a real reason to never ever do something like that again in life!

[onenote]

39. as for number two: the photo was a fake

the original is posted on the State of Alaska website

[vaberella]

44. When I saw the younget holding the baby at the airpor tof the Biden/Palin debate

The little kid almost fell down holding the baby. I'm not happy about it.

I don't find this stuff educational. I'm tired of poeple selling this as a good point and that's really my contention with the OP who mentioned it. I can't stand the fact that this would be considered the proper way of raising a children. Further more, using donor money to this sort of means, when the kids could have easily stayed with their dad in Alaska. First dude seems to have no purpose than a glorified prop, much the way the children are.

The children aren't visiting historical places, only planes to landing strip to road to hotel and back again. That's not educational.

[newfie11]

11. I have a friend that went to school in Alaska.

Their schools had computers WAY before America did and it was for each child. Alaska has had oil money for some time and that went into supporting the school system.
I don't think we can blame the school system for miss mcmoose. I think it is systemic with her :crazy:. <G>

[napi21]

16. I wasn't dissing Alaskan schools. I was referring to all the different people,

sights, and cultures they would be exposed to. When I was growng up in the small town of Etna, Pa., it was a LONG TRIP when we went on a week's vacation to Erie, Pa. each summer! I can't begin to describe how much I learned about other people, other cultures, and just how different living was in SC, Calif, Tx, and Wash. State when I finally did a bit of traveling after I was married.

I think it's like that for everyone.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Alaska is #1 in teacher pay

[City Lights]

15. A tutor is possible, but I'm baffled that no one knows for sure.

Can you imagine the stink the GOP media would be making if a Democrat did this?

Why has no one in the media asked the McPalin campaign for a definitive answer?

[vaberella]

3. Donors are paying for private tutoring for the younger ones. I heard Bristol dropped out though.

n/t

[sickinohio]

8. Bristol dropped out?-- her soon-to-be

husband dropped out so he could go to work somewhere (can't remember where though). Gee - I wounder if the two high-school drop-out soon-to-be-wed new-parents will have to go on welfare and be supported by "socialists", or if Bristol's Mommy & Daddy have enough money to support them? I think probably the latter. I somehow don't believe that the two of them are your "typical" kids that find themselves in the same situation.

[vaberella]

10. For sure. But mommy dearest pulled in her connections. Her son is making

serious mula as an electrician at an oil company in Alaska, he'll bee pulling 6 figures in no time.

[sickinohio]

14. A drop-out "ELECTRICIAN"?

I wonder if he's "licensed"? :shrug:

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. Her son is in Iraq

[vaberella]

20. Let me be more specific...her SON-IN-LAW...

my mistake for not clarifying that.

[earthside]

4. "The Piper"

As Mommy calls her.

[Best_man23]

5. Tehy r probeably

hoem Skollede.

[MadinMo]

25. That's mah GESS!

Sarah has so much free time she can govern a state, run for VP, AND home school her kids.

[npincus]

7. yes, I posted the same thing:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7551050

[I_Will]

9. They're learning all about what a VP does: Cinderella Civics :)

[sickinohio]

18. That's right - they're learning from "Mommy"

that the job of the VP is to run the Senate. "Mommy" knows.

[Neshanic]

12. Cindy tells them that education is over-rated. Besides they are in the "club" now.

[Thrill]

13. I know where Obama's kids are. SCHOOL

[AspenRose]

24. THANK YOU

:applause:

That woman is using her kids, or at the very minimum, not setting a very good example for them

[PatSeg]

26. Palin is an advocate for home schooling

The kids may have a tutor.

[kick-ass-bob]

29. I thought she did have them home schooled.

Did I just make that up in my head?

[PatSeg]

27. Palin is an advocate for home schooling

The kids may have a tutor.

[Beaverhausen]

31. And where is Bridget McCain?

[onenote]

33. My sense is that she is where she wants to be -- out of the spotlight

[alison]

34. Most likely.

[gauguin57]

36. And I still wanna know whether Trig is getting early-intervention therapy.

Children with special needs need early-intervention services ASAP ... as babies ... in order for them to start fulfilling their potential. I have a special-needs adult in my family, and getting therapy when he was little (as soon as his disability became clear) made a great difference in his life.

Is Trig getting these services? If not, Sarah sucks as a mom. She's not doing right by him.

[crankychatter]

40. contrast that with the Obama Family's strict effort to keep the children's lives normal and healthy

[onenote]

41. or that terrible Edwards family taking their kids out of school

There is no absolute right or wrong in these situations. Its a family matter and none of our business. If people had criticized Elizabeth Edwards for taking her kids on the campaign trail (with a tutor), I would have jumped to her defense, as would most people here I suspect.

[TheCoxwain]

45. Palin is setting the example for Home Schooling

[Hamlette]

46. because their mother is anti-eduction/intellect? n/t

[uppityperson]

47. Not necessarily. Education can happen in many different places, not just "school".

They are getting a different type of education, can learn different things by traveling with campaigning parent. There are all sorts of ways of learning, all sorts of situations.