Why are the tea party types so obsessed with using disabled kids as political footballs?
First, Sarah Palin decided that her giving birth to a Down Syndrome baby qualified her for sainthood. This, of course, allowed her to selectively attack those who use the "r" word, and selectively excuse others. Even conservative columnist Kathleen ParkerwarnedthatPalin's double standard - attacking Rahm Emanuel for using the word "retard" or "retarded," but excusingRush Limbaugh'scrude repetition as "satire" - to be wary of exploiting her youngest child.
Now another politician hasjumpedon the "exploit disabled children and their families" bandwagon. RepublicanVirginia State Delegate Bob Marshall has taken it upon himself to speak for God, in declaring that mothers of disabled children are simply being punished for supposedly having had a previous abortion.
It's always amazing to me when Religious Right fanatics preach humility before God - before annointing themselves as God's spokesperson.
But, more seriously, as Iwrote abouton opednews.com, the experience of having a special needs child is a lifetime of commitment, and often pain. The obscenity of Marshall's statement is so breath-taking, it's difficult to know where to begin.
To add to the pain of parents who struggle with special needs children by blaming them for their situation, is horribly cruel.
To use special needs children as a political football, trivializes the issue, and shows just the kind of insensitivity Palin was presumably complaining about. I'm not holding my breath, waiting for her to condemn her fellow conservative anytime soon.
