Suleman Octuplets story: Democrats and Republicans agree on this one

[BirminghamExaminer]

There have been numerous forum debates on the issue in Democratic and Republican websites. This issue has sparked controversy within the two groups. On both Democratic Underground and Free Republic websites, there have been long and sometimes heated conversations about the octuplets.

The overarching theme of Republican writers involved the issue of the mother of the octuplets relying on government money to raise her children. There was also quite a bit written about Suleman's physical appearance.

There were a few political references such as, "I just don't get it ... thought that liberal's wanted to kill all the babies, now they want to make as many of them as possible?" But for the most part, the majority of writers were outraged that a single woman would have 14 children while living on disability and with her parents.


For the rest of the article:

http://www.examiner.com/x-1172-Birmingham-Progressive-Politics-Examiner~y2009m2d9-Suleman-Octuplets-story-Democrats-and-Republicans-agree-on-this-one

[47of74]

1. And the Mona Charens of the world

And the Mona Charens of the world spend their days trying to draw up really bad analogies between the mother of the octuplets and Linda Sanchez.

[ejpoeta]

2. i couldn't help but wonder....

as the woman said she had money from some thing about a riot, and she used that for the ivf. wouldn't one use that money to take care of the kids she already had? i mean, it's a tough one for me. because i don't think it's up to me to decide what anyone should do. it is, however, concerning that this woman will have a lot of things she probably hasn't even considered yet. There is no way a 2 or 3 bedroom house is going to be big enough for a mother and 14 kids. I do hope everything works out. And I hope the kids get what they need. and i hope the mother gets some help. she's gonna need it. i have 2 kids, and just found out i'm going to be having another one. i can't handle the 2 i've got!! i couldn't imagine having 6 much less 14. uggh.

[ikojo]

7. In my opinion she is similar to an animal

hoarder. Like an animal hoarder she has a love of children but will find she cannot take care of 14 under the age of 7. Wow!

[Hello_Kitty]

3. Of course the Freepers pick on her appearance

They really are hateful, misogynistic pricks.

[BirminghamExaminer]

4. I have to admit...

I was trying to be fair in my article about the DUers and the Freepers but I found it strange that the Freepers were so concerned about her looks. I didn't have time to go line by line and see, but that issue was at least the second most important one to them and may have even been the most talked about thing.

Karen

[kiva]

5. Unfortunatly we aren't exactly immune here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4999686
"Octuplet mom plastic surgery", complete with Angelina Jolie references.

On the upside, though, not nearly as many responses to this thread as to the ones questioning her judgment and ability to parent.

[BirminghamExaminer]

6. I missed that one...

I did see a couple of references to Angelina Jolie but thought that evolved because of Keith O's comments. Naturally the Freepers wouldn't be watching Keith O~ at least, I don't think so!

[kiva]

8. I'm not sure where the Angelina Jolie stuff started,

though several posters here said that they immediately made the connection when they saw mom's lips.

[Hello_Kitty]

9. Oh I know, liberals are not immune in this sexist looks-centric culture

But really, her appearance is completely irrelvant to the matter. Although, if she did look like Angelina Jolie the offers from TV producers would probably be more forthcoming. :puke:

[BirminghamExaminer]

13. My mother taught me not to say mean things

to people who are ahem, unfortunate, in their appearance. So I was surprised by the FRers nattering on in such a fashion about the woman's looks.

[vankuria]

16. Comments to her appearance may be justified

I'm sorry if I offend anyone in talking about her looks but it appears obvious she's had alot of work done on her face and may-be she's as addicted to having plastic surgery as she is to having babies. How does a woman with so many children, no job, and no husband afford plastic surgery, not to mention the IVF treatments that cost thousands? This woman is not playing with a full deck and now she's responsible for raising 14 children, some of whom may have special needs? There is something very sick about all of this and I can only hope social services keeps there eye on her.

[Hello_Kitty]

10. I think it's neat that you are reporting on FR and DU

You've really tapped into the heartbeat of political junkies on both sides in doing so. IMHO, DU is the best resource for political information and commentary on the progressive side, bar none. And if you think it's rough now, you should have seen it during the primaries! The Hillary vs. Obama wars were so bloody I had to stop coming here for a while.

[YOY]

11. I'm not too sure we agree for all the same reasons though.

I doubt they have much pity on the kids either.

The woman has either a mental issues or thinks she can solve her problems by getting free stuff from folks like the Duggars or that John and Kate Plus Eight family.

[BirminghamExaminer]

12. Thanks I wasn't sure how it would go over

But I was compelled to write it because first, I was surprised at all the response to the story on DU so I had to check out what they were saying on FR even though it's hard to read some of the vitriol there.

One of the things I noticed on the FR site is the way they skirted the issue of abortion. Some one picked up on the "selective removal" of one or more embryos and went off on a tangent ...they all think she shouldn't have had 8 children but I got the sense that nobody wanted to talk about that aspect of it because they didnt want to her have kids but didn't want to agree that abortion might be a solution to anything.

They were also big on traditional marriage and thinking everybody should get married to the opposite sex, have 2, 3 or 4 kids and never get divorced.

[YOY]

14. Regarding your last point...it is ironic that they tend to have more divorces then us...

Presuming they are amonth the "hardcore Christian" faith (that has nothing to do with Christiantity as I read it...)

Barna report: Variation in divorce rates among Christian faith groups:
Denomination (in order of decreasing divorce rate) % who have been divorced

Non-denominational ** 34%
Baptists 29%
Mainline Protestants 25%
Mormons 24%
Catholics 21%
Lutherans 21%

** Barna uses the term "non-denominational" to refer to Evangelical Christian congregations that are not affiliated with a specific denomination. The vast majority are fundamentalist in their theological beliefs. More info.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_dira.htm

[BirminghamExaminer]

15. Wow, that's fascinating...wonder what the rate is for agnostics and atheists?

Because atheists in this country (like me) keep quiet about it so it would be hard to know actually.

[YOY]

17. Just a bit lower and it is listed. Keep in mind that this is a non-affiliated site.

Variation in divorce rates by religion:
Religion % have been divorced
Jews 30%
Born-again Christians 27%
Other Christians 24%
Atheists, Agnostics 21%

Lookls like Atheists like you and Agnostics like me have better chances of staying married...that's humorous...