It's all in the family.

Just when we thought the major issue of this year's Presidential election would be centered around the war in Iraq and gas prices, a nasty storm has been brewing over the nominees themselves. The circus might just prove to be about their own family lives more so than the shots they will no doubt take at their opponents. Obviously we don't know for sure, but it appears that a few of our candidates might have a little explaining to do.

Family Issue #1
I woke up this morning to what I thought was Christmas when I was told that Bristol Palin, the seventeen-year-old high school senior of Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin, was pregnant. Then, I realized that I don't want to sit here and comment to you on the mistakes of a seventeen-year-old - as many of us have made mistakes. But, I also don't want to be persuaded into the line of thought that this should stay a private matter. Once you've thrown your own self and your family into the spotlight of the world, the Palin's must understand that this will be an issue and a topic. On paper, the right and responsible thing is being done. She's marrying her boyfriend, Levi (age and last name unknown), and keeping the baby. The question I will ask is this her decision to marry and is this couple even ready for marriage?

Also, we're told that McCain's camp knew of the pregnancy before he chose Palin for his VP - very good, since he had only met the woman once before. Apparently, this news is breaking in response to Internet rumors that Palin's fifth child Trig, who was born in April with Down's Syndrome, is actually Bristol's. I guess we'll have to ride this out and see. But, as rumors go - that's probably all this is. It's an interesting rumor since apparently Sarah Palin announced her pregnancy in early March (two months before she was due) - shocking most around her as she didn't appear to show any signs of being pregnant. However, this is probably due to the baby's Down's Syndrome. Also, Bristol went noticeably absent in school for several months due to what her family called prolonged mono. Maybe it was.

Bristol Paline and her youngest brother, Trig.


Family Issue #2
Ever heard of Kathleen Hensley Portalski? Not from Cindy McCain, you haven't. As Cindy calls herself an "only child" Kathleen tells of her feelings as a "non person" by Cindy's comment. The two women, Kathleen is around 11 years older, do share the same father, Jim Hensley, but did not grow up in the same household. Kathleen claims she only saw the man who she called Dad on Christmases and birthdays - presumably Cindy was around. Upon Jim's death, Cindy inherited the family estate and business, the beer distributor, Hensley and Co., and Kathleen says she only received $10,000. Cindy has yet to comment on the half sister whom, according to Kathleen, she's "airbrushed out of her life."

Kathleen Hensley Portalski


Family Issue #3
The Republicans are not the only ones who have some explaining to do. Although some people believe this man is lying - why because he lives in a shack in Kenya? - George Hussein Onyango Obama, who lives on the outskirts of Nairobi in Kenya, tells Italian Vogue he is Obama's half brother. Like Cindy McCain and her half sister, these two men share the same father, and he is apparently the youngest of Obama's five half siblings. Although they've only met once, Obama mentions him in his autobiography as a "beautiful boy with a rounded head." My question is: how is Obama talking about his "brothers and sisters" here in the U.S. during his speeches, but he appears to have no contact with his brother who lives in such poverty and crime-stricken conditions? I would like that question to be asked and answered.

George Hussein Onyango Obama


Like you, I do not know the complete history or story to these three issues mentioned above. But, they do seem like areas of concern. And as these three people could potentially be running our country and making decisions for the world, I believe they have an obligation to answer them.