Louisville Mojo: Sarah Palin's In-law Problem

Sarah Palin has a lot of thorns in her side, many of her own making. But the unlikely character of Levi Johnston has to be the toughest. Seldom has someone so young and so unremarkable managed to repeatedly ruin the day of a national political figure.

Most recently, the 19-year-old former fiance of Palin's daughter, Bristol, appeared on CBS's The Early Show to report that Palin would call her youngest child, who has Down Syndrome, her "retarded baby." You can read an account of the whole thing, including Palin's denial, here.

I find it a fascinating window into the troubling world of in-law relations.

(I realize that Levi is not technically an in-law, but as the father of Palin's grandson, he's basically a son-in-law.)

This is not about whether Levi is telling the truth. I don't know what Palin calls her baby. I didn't vote for the woman and certainly view her accounts of things with a degree of doubt. But I'm not naive enough to think that Levi is the most credible witness either.

My reaction to this story isn't about the events being described, I'm reacting on a more basic level. I think about how much easier Palin's life would be if Levi Johnston had never been in her home or her life and it is a reminder to me -- sort of a frightening one -- that none of us, as parents, get to chose our children's friends. Or boyfriends. We don't get to pick whom they marry, or spend their lives with or whom they make enemies of.

Some parents try -- well, I guess we probably all TRY. But even those who succeed don't often have the last word. The Queen of England overruled her son's first choice for a bride, but gave blessing to Lady Diana. Tons of heartache and a few decades later, he finally got his way.

You first notice this, often, when your children are very young. Two-year-olds bond in daycare and you dutifully get them together on the weekend. As you struggle to make small talk with a parent you have little in common with, you ask yourself: "Why can't they be friends with Jackson? His parents are so cool!"

But two-year-olds don't care about their parents when choosing friends, and teenagers care about their parents even less.

It's frightening if you think about it enough. But for most of us, if you're open to it and your child makes decent choices, it can be wonderful.

I hope.

Public Domain Pictures.net

ADD A COMMENT

Z-Man sat oct 31 2009 at 10:57 pm ·


	I think Sarah Palin is a genuine as they come. The more she gets smeared like this in the media, the more I believe in her, not withstanding her political views and her genuine interest in the welfare of "everyday" people. I think all the selfish, self centered politicians in Washington could take a few lessons from this woman. I have always been very much against a woman in the oval office, but my outlook has changed. I wouldn't vote for Hillary Clinton at all. I see her as a power hungry, greedy, egotistical everyday politicain who is out of touch with the American people like all the rest. She cannot hide her desire for power. I would,on the other hand, vote for Sarah Palin. I don't think that her gender in any way effects her views on current political issues, and I feel that she DOES have the best interest of the American people at heart, and not advancing her own personal agenda.

NegroGato sun nov 01 2009 at 5:32 am ·


	I can't believe the symapthetic tone of this writing. Palin has proven over and over again what a disgusting person she is. From the support of hubting wolves from helicopters to her assertions that our president isn't American. This is some Dr Laura fluff that doesn't deserve to be called writing.

NegroGato sun nov 01 2009 at 1:19 pm ·


	The media didn't have to attack Sarah Palin. She beats herself up daily. Anyone see her interviews with Katie? "I can see Russia from my house"? She quit her job as governor so you skinheads and religious zealots would by her book and follow her around like a pack of honery dogs. WHat kind of public servant quits their job as governor to go on the talk show circuit? A greedy power hungry horses rear end. I hope she is the GOP nominee in 2012. There is no way the American people are going to elect someone who quit their job as governor to be a celebrity. Anyone remember that when she was mayor of Wasila she made women pay for their rape kits? Sarah Palin is truly the worst America has to offer. Everyone forgets that this creature that supposedly hates the media, started out trying to be a TV journalist and couldn't hack it. I love how one of the first people to come to her support in the comment section is a man who says " normally I am morally opposed to women in office". Neanderthalic throw backs to the dark ages. That is the Sarah Palin fan club.

Beverly Bartlett sun nov 01 2009 at 7:18 pm ·


	Flexible!, thanks for the kind words. I really wanted to avoid a big discussion of Palin's political strengths and weaknesses, as there little new to explore there. I just imagined Sarah Palin and Levi Johnston sitting at a kiddie table, sharing a three-year-old's birthday cake, and it makes me laugh. It says something about what being a parent, or grandparent, is like. I think you can take a moment to think about something other than politics without turning into Dr. Laura. :-p (Seriously, NegroGato, we voted together! I'm on your side! LOL.) But to clarify: I don't think the media has been particularly hard on Palin. My comment on the sexist remarks wasn't about the mainstream media. If anything, I think they were a little soft on Palin. I was talking about the chattering classes (professional pundits, etc) and comedians and just the general public, who said some pretty outlandish stuff about how she ought to stay home to care for her pregnant teen. (Would anyone have said that if one of Gore's daughters were pregnant? Or Bush's?) However, I didn't hear anything of say anything as outlandish as "I have always been very much against having a woman in the oval office."

chuck mon nov 02 2009 at 6:43 am ·


	Sarah Palin is indeed firmly planted in the "everyday people" category. She's average beyond belief, which is exactly why people should stop rallying around here. What's next, we'll start cheering for below average? There's already enough ignorance and average in Washington to drown us all. I want my leaders to be extraordinary, and they'd better be a lot smarter and more well behaved than I am. She's none of the above. Best, - C

NegroGato mon nov 02 2009 at 2:50 pm ·


	Ok, I am glad you didn't vote for her, Would the media make fun of Gore's daughter if she was pregnant? Last time I checked the Gore's weren't going around spewing abstinence only while carrying around a baby from an unwanted pregnancy onstage as a human shield to deflect criticism. A Republican with 5 kids who has kids with kids on the way? C'mon, that is worth a little jab? Teen pregnancy is a huge problem in this country. Putting someone in the drivers street whose life is a perfect exaple of what not to do as a parent is the last thing this country needs. I don't make fun of Palin because her teen daughter is pregnant. I make fun of her because she holds herself up as a shining example of a conservative parent. Well hey America if you want to have your children pumping out children then follow Sarah. It is funny and laughable. Doug Stanhope had the funniest things to say about it. I won't be tacky and quote his stuff here but it had me in the floor.

Beverly Bartlett mon nov 02 2009 at 3:38 pm ·


	I'm not talking about making fun, particularly the sort of making fun that has a political point. I am talking about feminists saying things like: "Really? She's running for vp? Isn't she needed at home right now? Doesn't Bristol NEED her?" THAT's what I was talking about. And that was sexist. No one would have suggested that Al Gore stay home to drive his daughter to birthing classes. If you want to say that Sarah Palin's personal life should prompt her to revise her opinion on sex education, I agree that, at the very least, would fall into the category of fair political commentary. (And that is what you personally said, I realize, so I'm not lumping you into the sexist category and, if I implied otherwise, I apologize.)

NegroGato tue nov 03 2009 at 1:40 pm ·


	Well personally I guess I understand but..... Isn't Sarah Palin the standard bearer of folks like the "Z Man" who posted here? The folks that don't believe in women in politics or the pulpit? And why? "Because a little lady should be at home taking care of the kids"? "Because the bible says it". Let me go rogue here for a second. Sarah Palin getting the benefit of any feminist defense or argument while trying to advance the evangelical right wing American Taliban is much akin to a Jewish person deciding to be a poster child for the Nazi Party. Better yet to take it to it's most ridiculous fringe. Then for people to come out and say attacks against her are sexistwhile she is in the process pf advancing the sexist agenda? This is a woman who when mayor of Wasila made women pay for rape kits? She is a self proclaimed Right Wing Wing Nut. They should be held to their principles. If they believe a woman's place is in the home d then ctradict that principle because it is politically expedient? I really could care less what happened to her. Visit any Inuit or other Native community in Alaska and ask them about how practically every landfill and toxic waste dump approved since Palin was elected governor has been placed next to poor Native communities. I am not going to honor a defender of sexism and racism with any defense at all. I guess I understand what you are saying but I personally feel that these whimpy defenses serve to shield her from any truly thorough inspection.

NegroGato tue nov 03 2009 at 1:47 pm ·


	Oh yeah, if Levi has any proven dirt I hope he slings it.

Beverly Bartlett tue nov 03 2009 at 6:26 pm ·


	I don't think we have any serious disagreement about Sarah Palin. As I said, I don't think the mainstream media was nearly hard enough on her, leaving bogus claims unexamined for too long and the like. Instead, they were doing stories about her glasses and the fact that she wore skirts as opposed to Hillary's pantsuits. I think you think I'm saying that any criticism of Palin is sexist, but what I'm actually saying is 1) sexist treatment of anyone demeans all of us and 2)it distracts from the real issues. Some of which you've outlined. There is plenty to criticize about Sarah Palin without going into whether she holds her baby too much. (or not enough!) Also, if you're under the impression that I've got some beef with Levi, I don't. At least not in his relationship to Sarah. Of course, I don't think he should lie. But I don't know that he has. More to the point, none of us would even know who he was if Palin hadn't been so eager to trot him out to show that world that Bristol was going to get married. (I actually thought it was creepy how everyone seemed to treat that like it was terrific news.) I guess eventually his name would have surfaced but inviting him upon the GOP stage at the convention gave him a status and weight that he would not otherwise have. She thinks he's a miserable human being now, but a few months ago she was happy her daughter was going to marry him. Hmmm.

NegroGato wed nov 04 2009 at 1:49 am ·


	Well here I must agree with you on the Levi issue. But I must add that she used Levi as a prop just as she used the baby as a prop.

ADD A COMMENT

blogs: Let's talk about family life