To Their Credit

The misfortune of the unexpected occurring right before your eyes, pulling the rug of complacency out from under can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. That's the essence of life, after all. Nothing should be taken for granted. Most particularly when you're dealing with human beings. Especially young people, experimenting and experiencing on their own, defiant and/or disbelieving of parental injunctions.

It's close to calamitous that someone of the character of Sarah Palin, with her gleaming achievements has been brought up short by her daughter's revelation that she is carrying a child, unwed, at the age of 17. To Governor Palin's great credit she speaks publicly of her support for her child who has shamed her.

"Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that, as parents, we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support."

Well, good on the Guv. It must have presented as a devastating psychological blow, that she, with her unequivocal refusal to abort, with her emphasis on the family, and with her political ambition, would be saddled with this familiar and all-too prevalent family dilemma.

She chose well in supporting her daughter, exhibiting sound judgement and the heart of a loving mother. Who may have failed dismally in imparting to her child the grave risks she has taken as a nascent adult, growing too quickly into adulthood and responsibilities that may strain her resources.

Governor Palin may have been guilty of a diminished mothering role through practising the passions of her ambitions. But truth is, nothing might have averted this premature ascent into adulthood. Young people do insist on creating their very own histories, unwilling to learn from others'.

There are a whole lot of people rising to the occasion. Senator McCain, the heir presumptive to the Republican presidency, who claims that he was informed well in advance of selecting Governor Palin as his running mate, and who considers the revelations a "private family matter". Though he may, in truth, be ruing the day, the hour and the moment when he accepted some brilliant strategist's recommendation.

Ah, most of all, plaudits in gentle and gentlemanly behaviour and response go out on a wisp of approval to Senator Barak Obama for his unequivocal refusal to indulge in platitudes and schadenfreude. "We don't go after people's families. We don't get them involved in the politics.

"It's not appropriate and it's not relevant. Our people were not involved in any way in this and they will not be. And if I ever thought there was somebody in my campaign that was involved in something like that, they'd be fired". Good on him.

And Senator McCain can take comfort in First Lady Laura Bush's encouraging words: "I (am) excited about Senator McCain, a true American hero, someone who is ... very, very experienced ... especially compared with the other side."

Oh well, what's that about the crumbling cookie? Chocolate chip?