Palin's son was sent away to 'improve his hockey'; later joins military

[Arm Chair Politician]

OK, I need some help from my fellow Alaskans.

Some time ago I heard that Palin's son was sent away to live in another state before she became governor. The reason stated at the time was he needed 'to work and improve on his hockey skills'. For those of you who don't know, Alaska is one of the top places in the United States for hockey - just ask Palin, a self admitted 'hockey mom'. I find this curious and uncanny at best. It was later reported Palin's son decided to enlist in the military and serve his country. I never gave it much thought...until now.

Why did Palin's son really move away? Was Palin's son a troubled child? And if he was - or wasn't, why did Palin send him away to live outside of her immediate influence when there is more hockey in Alaska than the remainder of America? Does this show a long term pattern for the Palin family and how their children respond to their mother's political life and their fathers absence working on Alaska's north slope?

I'm bringing this up because Palin has used her son's military enlistment as political fodder. In her acceptance speech, she made her family open game by introducing each of them and using them for political gain. Because of her actions, she can't have it both ways on the campaign trail but we need to tread lightly. If Palin has had long term family issues with her children rebelling and her work took precedent, what kind of person is she really? Is her focus really on her family or climbing the political ladder?

I'm sure we can all agree my questions may open pandora's box. While I understand and somewhat agree with Obama's comments regarding a candidates family, I had to ask the question because it was Palin that first made her family the issue.

Please, before you start posting - keep it civil and respectful. I don't want to harm our candidate by this boards content...with our collective intellect we should be able to have a discussion without throwing mud and looking like idiots.