I grew up in an inner city. Philly, to be exact. Walk down many of those streets and you are bound to walk by a young woman pushing a stroller, whom you know should not be a mother. She is too young and most likely not prepared to be someone's mother. I feel for them and those whom it affects. I have cousins who got pregnant at 15 and 16 years old. I was 21 when my first was born on the 1st day of my junior year in college. That put me on the 5 year plan to graduate...and I had to take 18 credits my last semester just to accomplish that. I say all of that so the reader knows that I understand first hand how hard this can hit a family.

Here's my problem. The conservatives are harping on/praising  the fact that Bristol Palin is having the baby, and not addressing the fact that she got pregnant in the first place. It is commendable that she is having the baby, but it's almost as if they are glossing over the real issue. Dr. James Dobson says that they are "living out pro-life values." He does not address the issue of avoiding getting pregnant. No one is perfect. We all have our flaws. He makes this clear in his statement. I just can't help wondering if he would have even come out with a statement had this been one of Barack Obama's children or anyone else who was from where I come from. You don't have to tell me. I already know the sad answer to that one.

Teenage pregnancy is a major crisis in this country. We have to tackle it from both sides. Liberal and conservative. And because this particular pregnancy involves the republican candidate for VP, it should not be used as a political football used to score points by us democrats, but it also must not be glossed over by conservatives. If it happened to a democrat, I don't think it would get glossed over.

Both sides. Step up and address this without demonizing the young lady or her family. Let's not sweep it under the rug either. And if you're going to make a statement on this important issue or one like it, make it so it helps everyone and not just your party.