Sarah Palin's Message

I've been sitting on the sidelines of this Family Guy/Rush Limbaugh controversy, and it cracks me up how fast liberals are turning into conservatives. These are the people who for years have treated grown adults like they're children unable to fend for themselves. These are the champions of political correctness, the "handicapable" people. Sarah Palin states her opinion on the Family Guy episode, and all of a sudden, the special needs community doesn't need to be pampered. They don't need Sarah Palin's help. It was a harmless joke. Where's your sense of humor, Sarah Palin?

Wow.

The latest is this letter to the editor by the woman with Down Syndrome who played the "daughter of the former Governor of Alaska" on Family Guy:

My name is Andrea Fay Friedman. I was born with Down syndrome. I played the role of Ellen on the "Extra Large Medium" episode of Family Guy that was broadcast on Valentine's day.... I guess former Governor Palin does not have a sense of humor. I thought the line "I am the daughter of the former governor of Alaska" was very funny. I think the word is "sarcasm".

In my family we think laughing is good. My parents raised me to have a sense of humor and to live a normal life. My mother did not carry me around under her arm like a loaf of French bread the way former Governor Palin carries her son Trig around looking for sympathy and votes.

Got any pictures of Sarah carrying Trig "under" her arm, Andrea? I don't believe I've seen those.

I resent your opinion of Sarah's treatment of Trig. I didn't know it was wrong to carry your child. I suppose I'll have to fly into a rage now because my mom carried me. I must have had a horrible mother.

At least Andrea cleared up what the joke was supposed to be. It was supposed to be sarcasm. So the character in the episode was kidding when she said she was Sarah Palin's daughter. Okay. That makes more sense now. Definitely didn't sound like sarcasm, but I'll take her word for it.

But I beg to differ that it was funny. It was stupid. It was lame. It was Family Guy. And I'm pretty sure one of the rules of comedy is that if you have to explain a joke in order for people to get it, it's not a good joke.

Some are saying that Andrea didn't actually write this letter, blah, blah, blah. Unless you've got proof, I suggest you stop speculating. This woman went on Family Guy, thought the joke was funny, and played her role. She's not a pawn in this. She's a grown woman and she has her own opinions and makes her own choices.

And slamming Sarah Palin for "carrying Trig around looking for sympathy and votes," was a downright low choice. You should be ashamed of yourself, Andrea.

For anyone confused about just why Palin loves her son so openly and talks about him so much, allow me to explain some of what Sarah Palin has been trying to do through Trig. Sarah Palin's message:

While we've come a long way from just sending people with Down Syndrome to mental institutions, many are still uncomfortable with, or are offended by, the "imperfect." Most women who find out that they're pregnant with a DS child have an abortion because they're scared. They are afraid of the unknown. Seeing a woman out there who has had a child with Down Syndrome despite early doubts and loving that child so visibly may go a long way toward spreading a message that you don't have to be afraid. It may be scary at first, but in the end, it is a blessing beyond measure. So give it a chance. Let the child live. You won't be sorry.

What is Sarah Palin doing for the special needs community? She's on a mission to change attitudes. She wants to change the way people think about special needs. It's often seen as a burden. Sarah Palin wants the world to know that it's a blessing. Hopefully, this will encourage more mothers to allow children with special needs to be born.

Sarah Palin is saying, "Don't be afraid of the unknown. Don't be afraid that you don't have what it takes. I wasn't sure that I had what it takes either. But today, I thank God for all of it, every hill and valley along the way. And I thank Him for my beautiful son. I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world." Like this line from the letter Sarah sent to her family and friends when Trig was born:

Some think Trig should not be allowed to be born because they fear a Downs child won't be considered "perfect" in your world....Many people will express sympathy, but you don't want or need that, because Trig will be a joy.

She's saying that all children are equally loved by their Heavenly Father. Trig is perfect. He is beautiful. Don't accept the world's definition of "perfection." Children with special needs are to be loved and cherished, not shied away from or mocked.

If you don't believe in Sarah Palin's motivation for talking about Trig, that's your problem. But thousands of Americans do believe it, and scores of families of those who have special needs love Trig and his mom and his mom's message.


By the way, if you want to read something that will really burn your butt, see Maher's latest statements on Trig. I hope that this man has a long, long life. Because short of a major turning point, when his life is over, it's not gonna be pretty. That's not a threat; that's a sad fact.