General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSara Palin's picture of her son could end it for her.
You know, there is a certain honesty about it, but it shows what she really is...an uncaring person. And it could end it for her among many people, perhaps a huge percentage. Why? Because people who really love animals/and dogs cross all party lines. While it may not hurt the dog, anyone who looks at it, would ask this simple question,
"What kind of parent allows a child to step on a dog?"
and Sara will have to answer that question, let alone the one about taking a picture and posting it. That is the second question.
And Sara will have to answer those questions the rest of her life.
..Good...Now among her fans, it won't matter..but, I believe she will have far fewer fans after this. It is so clear from looking at the picture, ...just looking.....what kind of person Sara really is...
Who would let their son step on top of an animal for what ever reason?...and if so....what kind of person takes a picture of it...????
Vinca
(50,323 posts)She has no compassion for any living thing and is so ignorant she probably doesn't know the word.
Stuart G
(38,454 posts)But her picture defines your sentence....
"She has no compassion for any living thing and is so ignorant she probably doesn't know the word.".....
even among her fans, and there will be far few after this, the picture defines her, ... not her son.
She will have to answer the questions about the picture forever.......Good...
DrDan
(20,411 posts)Vinca
(50,323 posts)DrDan
(20,411 posts)that dog seems quite content to me
procon
(15,805 posts)Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)I'm in agreement with your point of view.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)just silly to get upset about that picture. If Eliz. or Bernie had posted that picture, we would have all kinds of posts fawning over their love of dogs.
avebury
(10,953 posts)No matter who posted pictures like this I would still be outraged. These pictures would make most animal lovers wonder what is being done to that dog that is not being posted on the web. The dog could easily be injured. The dog could just as easily reach the point of reacting out against the child (which most likely result in its death). Palin was the adult in the room and she failed to act like one. Just yet another example of how clueless she is.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)priceless
avebury
(10,953 posts)Last edited Sat Jan 3, 2015, 06:12 PM - Edit history (1)
not worth the time of day.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)Ms. Toad
(34,124 posts)Dogs that bite are often euthanized as dangerous, even if they are biting in self defense.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)I read that pretty clearly as the child's death . . .
Ms. Toad
(34,124 posts)Since a large percentage of dogs which bite (react out against) children are euthanized, and only a very small percentage of children bitten by dogs die from the bite, the context makes it pretty clear "its" refers to the dog, not the child.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)I don't read it that way.
Mariana
(14,861 posts)That's not the point. The point is that any decent person doesn't stand by and let her kid stand on a dog. A decent person teaches her child that it's wrong to do that.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)Ms. Toad
(34,124 posts)they were all smiles and support.
NOT.
The reaction was nearly identically negative. Posting pictures which encourage as "cute" behavior which is actually dangerous (kids with their faces in animals' faces, kids pulling animals' tails or jowls, etc.) is not appropriate - regardless of who the person posting it is. And Ellen's post (incidentally not posted without advocating it, and the child was no one she was responsible for educating) earned the same negative reaction.
Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)Everyone has jumped to the most horrifying and outrageous
conclusions. I taught my children to pay attention to their
choices and actions, and the consequences. I myself still
have body memory of my own little feet standing upon a
big strong dog, and how safe it felt.
greiner3
(5,214 posts)"You end up like a dog that's been beat too much"
Bruce Springsteen 'Born in the U.S.A.'
Once that happens, beaten too much, an animal will just cower and slink into a corner because it knows if it attempts to escape, the beatings will be just that much harder.
Does this also apply to women and children who are abused too much and just lose the will to fight back?
DrDan
(20,411 posts)Stuart G
(38,454 posts)Of course you are correct, this is kinda silly.. Is this a joke?
but this one, crosses all lines. ......everyone knows you do not let a child step on a dog..even if the dog accepts the stepping peacefully....
And, it doesn't matter what else has been said, about her stupidity...even if this happens, then you punish the child for possibly hurting the dog...everyone knows that, so he doesn't do it again.. not take a picture.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)that dog is not being injured - it would be trying to move away.
Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)My own children used to do this with our dear old dog
when they were small. The dog liked it. Like a wiggly
toe back massage.
Ilsa
(61,710 posts)Could figure out eventually when it was no longer a good idea to do this sort of thing.
Learning disabled children need consistency in their training so they learn the right way. If he does this to another breed of dog, the results could be disastrous.
Cha
(297,935 posts)Cha
(297,935 posts)dog or not is because.. the child could think that's acceptable behavior for all dogs. One never knows the circumstances that could lead to that scenario.
My reaction would be to tell my kid that while it's not hurting said dog.. it's not really nice to be stepping all over him. That's just me.
But, I don't think this will be the "end of sarah palin" foisting her mean spirited self on our country.
samsingh
(17,603 posts)letting a kid stand on a dog is awful, dangerous, and cruel. it is not a good lesson for the kid to learn.
it is not about overcoming obstacles as some of palin's equally moronic followers replied on twitter. This is about a dysfunctional bunch of right wing fanatics who don't believe any rules ever apply to them. human decency is a four letter word to these people.
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)Just because the dog allows this kind of activity doesn't mean it should be encouraged or that people with enough sense shouldn't be outraged over it.
For example, I'd feel fairly safe wagering that a family dog that bit a child hadn't until it did. Just because the dog seems okay with it now, doesn't mean that he/she will be okay with it in the future. Plus, if the child steps in the wrong place, it could actually cause internal injuries.
Besides, who in their right mind, allows their kid to use a living being as a step stool while they stand there and take pictures of it, then later makes a devotional message of it?
DrDan
(20,411 posts)not even a palin-hater. Life is too short.
Guess I will not be invited into this club either.
Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)There is another club called Human and you're in.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)get above personal feelings
Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)Easier to be self righteous and defensive, than to live an
examined life. Actually, it's not easier. It's much darker,
painful, full of woes that are everybody else's fault of
course.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)Great minds discuss ideas;
average minds discuss events;
small minds discuss people.
I really try to avoid that last one . . .
Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)I always feel it's unfair to talk about them. Some exceptions.
FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)...one's self with objectivity.
Cha
(297,935 posts)using the common sense that Mama gave me.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Ilsa
(61,710 posts)in how to treat others, including pets. This is for the good of the child as well, so he doesn't mistakenly disturb a breed that is less child-friendly. Respect has to be taught to children, disabled or not, but it is particularly important in his case.
Not only has she gotten comments about the dog's welfare, but that of her child as well, and when the pics are posted online, she is inviting commentary.
BubbaFett
(361 posts)real or imagined - it's all good.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)BubbaFett
(361 posts)a looong time ago.
Enrique
(27,461 posts)I honestly think the overwhelming reaction would be "don't let your kids do this to your dog". Very few people would think it's cute.
I watch a lot of animal videos, and Sarah Palin's seems well out of the ordinary, even for Internet nobodies.
rgbecker
(4,834 posts)I don't think any of her fans give a shit about stepping on dogs.
Stuart G
(38,454 posts)Some fans may turn away..some...that is what I believe....Why? Hunting is one thing...this picture is and what it means, is totally different.
HipChick
(25,485 posts)but the PR seem to work..
maddiemom
(5,106 posts)Seriously everyone, this is NOT animal abuse (and I'm a life long animal lover and advocate). This is just Sarah being her usual, clueless self. Tomorrow would not be soon enough for her and her family to disappear from the public eye forever, as far as I'm concerned. Nonetheless, as I've opined on several other threads, this "outrage" is just plain silly and any knowledgeable or professional animal person would likely agree with me unless she's encouraging the kid to use the family pets as stepping stools on every possible occasion. The sort of people who adore Palin would hardly be put off by her considering this a cute picture. They will probably be too busy setting their own pets up for similar "cute pet pix" to submit to Salmon Chanted Evening or similar sites.
CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)then that's good enough for the Tea Partiers.
If Tea Partiers punching themselves in the face annoyed liberals, then they'd punch themselves in the face. (Which is kind of what they're doing already in a metaphorical way).
trusty elf
(7,403 posts)Baggers will see it as the librul PC gestapo whining about stuff.
[img][/img]
Demit
(11,238 posts)trusty elf
(7,403 posts)I hope it's not too graphic!
If you'd like to see some others, please have a look at my journal.
Demit
(11,238 posts)I was curious b/c it looked like somebody put a lot of time into it & I wondered who would do that.
femmocrat
(28,394 posts)That is the first picture I have seen of Trig since he was an infant at the convention. He is very cute.
But the tweet says something about she missed his sign for "up"---? Is he non-verbal? And was she not paying attention to him? If I can find the exact quote, I will post it.
Found it: an oblivious mama not acknowledging his signs for "up!" Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026032047
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)But interpreted his desire to get to the sink as a wanting to help with the dishes.
Or maybe he wanted a drink of water.
Maybe he wanted to splash and play in water.
Sarah Palin is an odd duck.
Ms. Toad
(34,124 posts)One week a year, I care for a fair number of children of very liberal parents ages 0-3. In the past 10 years, I can't remember a single year in which I have not had at least one child who did not communicate primarily or exclusively by sign.
Kids (both able bodied and not) can often communicate with signs before they can speak - and giving them the tools to do so starts two-way communication earlier and with less frustration on the child's part that s/he cannot express their needs. This is actually something very positive Palin is doing with her son.
ETA: Here's a quick intro: http://www.babysignlanguage.com/
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)this is an expensive trained service dog. Poor dog is trained to tolerate pain and not react. Trained to down-stay and take whatever happens to it.
This child may jump on or grab his Fathers sled dogs or a 'strange dog' and be hurt badly.
$40,000 in training and they use the animal as a stepping stool like they are the frickin' Flintstones.
There are over 90 common verbals commands for service dogs and none of them is "lay down so my 80 pound child can stand on your rib cage while attention-starved mommy takes pictures."
A service dog for mobility impairments:
Ms. Toad
(34,124 posts)which are trained to bear a large part of their owner's weight for a short period of time while assisting their owner to either balance, or return to standing after a fall.
The BIG difference is that both dog and owner are trained in how to work together so the weight bearing is safe. The difference between how these dogs are trained, and having all of a child's weight concentrated on two small feet is pretty much like the difference between lying on top of two spikes, v. lying on a bed of spikes. The former is dangerous and extremely painful - and the latter distributes your weight so that, even if not comfortable, it can be done safely and without significant pain.
randys1
(16,286 posts)the parent is such a terrible parent and irresponsible she is PROMOTING this abuse, she thinks this is cute.
Remember the stories of the war criminal, George W Bush as a child, he would torture animals, etc.
Rightwing mentality is dangerous, deadly and must be dealt with the same way you would a virus or a terrorist.
jmowreader
(50,580 posts)Todd is a snowmobile racer, but you are correct - if Trig were to step on a Malamute there'd be an AP story about the Palin child being eaten by a dog.
As to the original assertion...no, this won't be the end of Sarah Palin. If she can shrug off genuine corruption charges (the hockey rink, and the reason her oldest son joined the army, come to mind) an "inspirational" screed about her kid standing on his service dog certainly won't damage her.
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)....stand on a pet, I'd hit the roof.
To anyone here that thinks "It's no big deal", Let that kid stand on your ribs and tell me "No big deal"
trumad
(41,692 posts)If I saw a kid Trigs size and age stand on my dog---I have a standard Poodle--pretty big---I'd quickly get the kid off.
Those saying ---ahhh the Dog is Ok are idiots in mho.
Stuart G
(38,454 posts)Not me, or you, that is not what I am discussing here. We know she is a stupid self centered jerk. (apologies to jerks of the world)
It is among those who follow her that I am talking about. Some, may just abandon her for some other right wing fool who does not take pictures of her son stepping on a dog..
There will always be idiots who look up to her, but I believe this could reduce their number considerably. She will still appear on Fox News...but...she may not get a contract renewed..if enough of those viewers complain...and yes, there are many, many dog lovers who watch Fox News..that do not feel good about these pictures.
It may...and I don't know for sure...but it may take her down a few levels..(no I didn't think that was even possible)
Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)and those who love to hate her.
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)malaise
(269,257 posts)the the Special Olympic athletes in Alaska
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2008/09/15/29186/palin-cut-funding-for-alaska-special-olympics/
<snip>
Campaigning in Colorado today, Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) promised renewed attention to kids with special needs. She declared, Ever since I took the chief executives job up North I pushed for more funding for students with special needs, and cited her own familys experience with the issue. Watch it:
Its a stretch to say she pushed for any policy improvements. Though Palin did sign a law increasing special education funding in Alaska, she had no role whatsoever in its development, according to the bills author, Rep. Mike Hawker (R). Moreover, as governor, Palin vetoed $275,000 in Special Olympics Alaska funds (Page 100, SB 221 with vetoes), slashing the organizations operating budget in half.
To call her uncaring is very kind.
To clarify, the documents show that Gov. Palin proposed cutting the Special Olympics budget in half. The actual budget as passed slightly increased Special Olympics funding, though by only half of what the organization had requested.
Gman
(24,780 posts)didn't end it for Rmoney. We're talking Republicans here. They would vote for a mass murderer.
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)They run extremist clowns for President.
The general public will nor accept extremist clowns.
randys1
(16,286 posts)him shoot and kill someone, and they will still vote for that person over a liberal (you see no liberal will be running on our side, but they think Obama and Hillary are extreme left wing nut-job liberals) therefore a murderer is vastly superior in their minds.
Your average teapartier hates, with a passion, liberals.
Kind of the same way your average non liberal christian hates Gay people.
I say no liberal will be running, I hope I am wrong and Bernie or Liz are the nominee...one can hope
Cha
(297,935 posts)gotten more votes.
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)This is the kind of stuff that will follow people forever.
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)of mindset required to do such things is the thing only the cruelest of people would search for excuses for. People like the ones that booed a gay veteran speaking at your GOP meeting via video from Iraq, for example.
tanyev
(42,663 posts)JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)Octafish
(55,745 posts)For "Matanuska-Susitna Valley."
Thanks, JaneyVee!
Ms. Toad
(34,124 posts)They have officially remained silent, but they have apparently deleted negative posts and blocked posters who made them. Those posters are not waging a 1 star review campaign (since Puppy Jake can't block bad reviews).
I'm guessing they got in over their heads when they did not initially object to the Palin family stretching the truth wiht their name, and now they don't know how to recover. Their service dogs take 2 years to train (according to one of their main defenders - and that is consistent with the little I know about service dog training). Pretty sure the Palin's dog is less than 2 years old. And, according to the Puppy Jake site, as of yesterday, they have placed a single dog. NOT with the Palins. Their second dog begins placement "in a few weeks," also NOT with the Palins...
https://www.facebook.com/PuppyJakeFoundation/photos/a.456602031079897.1073741825.447380938668673/787121078027989/?type=1&theater
randr
(12,418 posts)showing animals being used in multiple mean ways.
George II
(67,782 posts)Thespian2
(2,741 posts)have to be as insufferably stupid as she is. I am a cat lover, but find the picture cruel and offensive as do at least 13,000 other people who responded to her page. Never mistreat an animal, especially a family pet.
When will Palin go away, never to be seen or heard again? Grifter, pure and simple.
Response to Stuart G (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
lame54
(35,343 posts)She'll mount it on her wall
Response to Stuart G (Original post)
alphafemale This message was self-deleted by its author.
LiberalElite
(14,691 posts)around despite the media's unending declarations of its impending death. Palin will be the same. They won't go away, much like radioactive waste.
3catwoman3
(24,092 posts)...is a perfect description of the ex-half-guv.
Fla Dem
(23,849 posts)would have been monumental. Calls for impeachment would be heard from one coast to the other. Sean Hannity would have all sorts of "experts" on his show to say "this just proves the Obama's are horrible parents". Or the metaphor would be "this is the same as Obama trampling on our constitutional rights". It would be a top news story for days, even weeks and would be used anytime in the future to degrade and diminish President Obama.
treestar
(82,383 posts)"Republicans" is a synonym for "hypocrites."
DBoon
(22,415 posts)Take a loyal, trained animal, use it as a stepping stool to get what you want, then blame the animal for being too stupid to get out of the way.
They treat a trained service dog just like they treat the rest of the country.
- It's all about me
- I will use and hurt you to get my way
- It's all your fault, so you deserve it
OhZone
(3,212 posts)of stepping on people to get what you want?
It's a perfect symbol for greedy Republicans.
Oh well.
vlyons
(10,252 posts)She will continue to push herself forward as a Tparty favorite forever and ever amen. She cannot resist saying something hateful and mean about Obama and "libruls" in general, whenever a microphone is put before her month. She is a self-preening egoist and sociopath. So get used to her always elbowing her way into the limelight, always saying something stupid and illogical, always putting others down, always belittling the poor, the needy, and the educated. always chasing after $$$$$, and always promoting her religion as the only one that counts. The kindest most compassionate way to deal with Sarah Palin is to point out her greed and stupidity. She's a target-rich field for teaching about what's selfish and mean-spirited in American politics.
onehandle
(51,122 posts)The Wasilla* Kardashians will continue to profit.
*My Mac tried to autocorrect Wasilla to Weasel.
Heh...
3catwoman3
(24,092 posts)...autocorrect!
John1956PA
(2,669 posts)As was pointed out upthread, the dog is in different positions in the two photographs, thus suggesting they were staged. Palin may have commanded the dog to stay down both times so that she could snap the photos.
PatrynXX
(5,668 posts)and he did much worse. and he's the top polled choice for the next president way above Jeb bush
etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)I expect no less from her
jdenver_2624
(50 posts)There are plenty of people in this country who are foolish enough to vote for this stupid woman. This incident probably means nothing to them. In fact, I'm sure they are busy making jokes about this whole thing. Truly crass.
Blue Owl
(50,547 posts)n/t
randome
(34,845 posts)IOW, not really.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesnt always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one youre already in.[/center][/font][hr]
Stuart G
(38,454 posts)TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)Though it's hard to see how a dog could be comfortable with 50 plus pounds on his back, the point is that you teach a child to treat a dog with respect, and consider its needs and comfort, it's not an inanimate object or step-stool. She's an absolute failure at both parenting and pet ownership.
Stuart G
(38,454 posts)No person with any kind of character or even a little, yes even a little sensitivity, would post something like that. Not only for her son, or for people that have and love dogs and other animals, but also as an example of the correct thing to do. The country does not need any more examples of people abusing others or animals. It is not OK. It is not cute. It is not something to be proud of. I am sure there are Tea Party people who can see through this to the real abuse. Those people will not post on any boards. They will slowly rethink what kind of people lead their movement. You won't hear about it here or anywhere. But some will drop Palin as any kind of example to follow.
FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)Not at all a fan of Palin, but perhaps we shouldn't hammer on her too much, considering a progressive hero did the EXACT same thing last July.
Cha
(297,935 posts)djean111
(14,255 posts)Response to Stuart G (Original post)
Skittles This message was self-deleted by its author.
Gothmog
(145,805 posts)I was under the strong belief that Palin had no political aspirations or career left. I will be shocked if Palin's name ever appeared on a ballot in the foreseeable future
Cha
(297,935 posts)engagements.
Gothmog
(145,805 posts)This incident will have no effect on the idiots who still pay to hear her speak. Palin's popularity with these idiots will not be affected by animal cruelty. Palin however has no political career left and will never appear on a real ballot
bullwinkle428
(20,631 posts)I've seen this attitude displayed on message boards on many occasions, and also in person by people here in Iowa that live in rural settings in particular.
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)The people upon whom her future depends couldn't give a flip about this.
6000eliot
(5,643 posts)Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)Stuart G
(38,454 posts)Here is her response ...from Talking Points Memo:
"Chill. At least Trig didnt eat the dog," Palin wrote in an open letter to PETA on Facebook. "Did you go as crazy when your heroic Man-of-Your-Lifetime, Barack Obama, revealed he actually enjoyed eating dead dog meat?"
she also said this:
"Arent you the same anti-beef screamers blogging hate from your comfy leather office chairs, wrapped in your fashionable leather belts above your kickin new leather pumps you bought because your celebrity idols (who sport fur and crocodile purses) grinned in a tabloid wearing the exact same Louboutins exiting sleek cowhide covered limo seats on their way to some liberal fundraiser shindig at some sushi bar that features poor dead smelly roe (that I used to strip from our Bristol Bay-caught fish, and in a Dillingham cannery I packed those castoff fish eggs for you while laughing with co-workers about the suckers paying absurdly high prices to party with the throw away parts of our wild seafood)? I believe you call those discarded funky eggs caviar.