McCain/Palin: The Pro-Pedophile Ticket

Much has already been written about the new, vicious anti-Obama ad, released by the McCain campaign itself, that accuses Obama of promoting sex education to kindergartners. On its face, the ad can't be taken seriously. I mean, kindergartners? Who does that? It reminds me of Walter Sobchak in The Big Lebowski: "Eight-year-olds, dude."

But, of course, there is always a kernel of truth in the best attack ads -- after all, an ad entirely based on lies gets ripped up in the press far more easily than one in which caveats must be tossed around. In this case, a piece of legislation that went through the Illinois Senate, one that was not authored by Obama, and never became law, would have mandated teaching kids in kindergarten to look out for sexual predators. It would have explained the concepts of "good touches" and "bad touches." It would have given children the knowledge they need to guard against some of the most terrible monsters out there. And if parents had a problem with the lesson, they would have had every right to pull their kids out of the class.

So, given that -- and to turn a phrase often bandied about by that Great American Sean Hannity -- America has the right to ask, "Why are John McCain and Sarah Palin enabling pederasts?" After all, if they're against this legislation, then who are they looking out for, exactly? Who benefits? In this case, the primary beneficiaries appear to be molestation enthusiasts. Clearly, McCain and Palin are going after that all-important pedophile vote. There is no other explanation.

Unfair? Maybe, ace, maybe. But when you come out fists flying, don't protest when the other guy punches you in the mouth.

Comments

[Avidia]

It seems unlikely the ad was truly intended to out Obama as a pedophile - which can be easily disproven. The intention here was to link pedophia and Obama in the subconscious - it's a racist ploy fanning deeply held bias. The intention is to sway voters who may not even realize they've been swayed - they'll subconsciously connect Obama and pedophiles and this connection will likely be strengthened by Obama's race. People may not even understand why they suddenly have a gut reaction telling them Obama makes them uncomfortable. Response against the charges is certainly necessary but the damage gets done. These kinds of manipulations need to stop. No one who would stoop to this level should be trusted in a position of government.

This kind of manipulating lie has familiar echoes in linking al Quaida to Iraq during the war build-up. Certainly the ad itself is disgusting but what is also disgusting is how the Republican party, busy exporting democracy to other nations, continues to undermine it here at home through lies intended to manipulate.

[fedupwithitall]

Well, if you READ the ACTUAL LEGISLATION as I did, you will see that there is nothing whatsoever in it about protecting children, and the entire force and details of the legislation is on comprehensive sex ed for K up (originally it was for older children). As a child educator, I think this is crap and shows that Obama knows nothing about child development or about protecting kids. I'm REALLY disappointed that he is lying about this to cover himself, and am very disillusioned.

[WordPusher]

I wish the Obama campaign would respond with an ad that goes like this:

John McCain doesn't want to protect your children.
He's against teaching kids how to avoid molesters.

But Barack Obama supported a bill that would teach
young children to avoid bad people and stay safe.

Protect your children. Vote Barack Obama for President.

[Star2000dancer]

By the time I could walk & talk, my dad taught me about being abducted, abused, & strangers. He told me to scream, run, & kick if I had to. He said you ca'nt fight a man, but NEVER PANIC. SCREAM & SCREAM & SCREAM AGAIN. iT'S YOUR ONLY DEFENSE RIGHT NOW. It's happened, a few times, & I still to this day scream 1st & ask questions later. It's never too early to learn to defend yourself. My dad use to even give me tests by jumping around corners to scare me. When I screamed he'd hug me & say good girl, never freeze, & I never do. Thank you daddy. And good for you Obama, it needs to be taught to every child before they even go to school.

[BarakOhYoMama]

Have you even read the bill? I have. It is not a bill designed to teach children to run away, kick or scream from a sexual predator. It is designed to require mandatory sex education to include 5 year olds in kindergarten that would include how to protect against STD's and AIDS. If you feel that that is the "right thing to do" as Obama said, there is simply no hope for you.

[ZeroBama]

I've read the bill. Have you? Obama voted yes on it. It provides for sex education for 5 year olds to include how to protect against STD's and AIDS. For a 5 year old? Are you nuts? That's none of the governments business. It's for PARENTS to decide what and when that will be taught. He also commented in the summer of 2007 that for those that complained about the bill that sex education for 5 year olds was "the right thing to do"! He really needs to go away. FAR FAR AWAY.

[nursekathy]

Yes, I read it. It clearly states that the sex education will be age appropriate, and that no student will be required to take it if their parents object in writing. How can you have a problem with this? Unless....oh, I know! You hate Obama, love McCain, and want to sell us some fear! Did you notice - we ain't buyin'!

[nursekathy]

For those who want to read it themselves, google Illinois SB 99.

[stayinsouth1981]

LOVE IT! you should get a job with that on your resume. LOL

[blaqntelligence]

I have a nagging feeling that jm and sp just went over the line.
Race, gender, religion, abortion, guns, glasses, and lapel pins can divide a country.
But children?
Children and molestation?
When so many have suffered from the perversions of adults?
When a some seem more concerned with a pervert's rights than the child's?
A Senator introducing legislation which proves he is as concerned about our kids as he is his own?
And mccain is going to drag those efforts through the outhouse?
I believe the old boy just messed up the church's money. Never a good thing.

[harvest9]

Not every Republican is "energized" by the new, post-Palin-pick McCain. I spoke to several staunch Republicans at a school function today, and to the person they were disgusted by McCain's behavior, culminating with this dispicable ad. One said "I'm embarrassed to be a Republican, and I'm certainly not voting for McCain now."

[emjay1954]

Don't merely label McCain as being pro-pedophile. Show pictures of Mark Foley and remind America of the other Republican sex scandals. Let Foley and Larry Craig and David Vitter do some of the heavy lifting. This aint' beanbag.

[Airmid]

So.... we need the ad....

McCain's sure pimping for the paedophiles (again)

where, oh where, are the 527s when you need them?

[DrFitz]

EXACTLY my thoughts on how to react to stupid below-the-belt tactics. McCain has no moral compass left. None.

[BarakOhYoMama]

You really feel a 5 year old should b e taught how to prevent STD's and AIDS? Obama does. And you think McCain has no moral compass? Get some help.

[stayinsouth1981]

Read the bill.

[toochie50]

this issue should be the one the media is talking about today - to clarify what it means - rather than the damned lipstick issue!

[JudgeCCrater]

Where's the responsive ad? An ad that will slash and burn. "Is John McCain against teaching little kids to beware of sexual predators? What kind of man is John McCain, anyway?" Ominous music playing in the background; heck, they could just borrow the soundtrack from those Ayers ads that are running in OH.

PLEASE do something. What you say on the stump is just words that impact very little. Ads fight back. Stump speeches (or for that matter, debates) win debater points but lose elections. You've got to reach out - and hard - for the Fox News voters.

[TurtleGuy]

Wow, looks like the McCain camp is hitting the trifecta. First, let's re-abuse women who have been raped pay $1200 for a rape kit. Then, if they got knocked up, make them carry that child to term, and look at a constant daily reminder about the darkest day in your existence for the rest of your life. Oh, and while we're at it, let's make these crimes easier to commit, by refusing to free up state money to educate our kids on how to protect themselves from sexual predators.

LOL, almost sounds like a criminal consipiracy. Only the mafia couldn't possibly be that stupid.

[stayinsouth1981]

This is sickening.

[flyingdog]

Earlier this year Joe Biden introduced S. 1738, the PROTECT Our Children
Act. At the core of this bill is a computer system that enables
law enforcement to track and document the trading of child pornography in real time.
This system allows the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) taskforces and other
authorized law enforcement officers throughout the country to quickly determine
who the worst offenders are in a given area. The statistics below illustrate how
law enforcement is facing literally thousands of new leads every day. The PROTECT
Our Children Act will create oversight, accountability and cooperation among the
many agencies working to stop this problem and give them the resources, forensic
labs and US attorneys to prosecute these cases successfully. This system
has resulted in a 96% conviction rate without a child ever having to take the stand;
the images, videos and narratives justifying the heinous abuse of children stand
for themselves.

There are several senators who have yet to sign off on this bill. One notable absence
is John McCain.

I am outraged that McCain would use Obama's support of something that is
desperately needed for our nation's children and distort it so blatantly. How he can fail to support Senate Bill 1738 is deplorable.

In an interview with Time, McCain refused to
define the word "honor." Now I know why. Men of honor support our children.
I hope you will join me in supporting our children, our future, in
this next election by supporting true change.

[DickTater]

Enthusiasts! That was funny.

[koyak23]

Why are they running an ad complaining about protecting small children from pedophiles?

It just doesn't make sense that they would want to protect pedophiles, and yet...

[frynpan]

Something is a brewing when they resort to this kind of desperate distraction. Hint: the patriot act can cut both ways.

[BeeOplentee]

Can Obama prove he didn't sponsor, or agree with, the "kindergarten Legislation"?

[Dan Sweeney - Huffpost Blogger]

Actually, Obama did support the bill. He voted for it in committee. Sorry if there was any confusion.

[CitizenE]

Maybe you just don't get it. That legislation was designed to protect small children from pedophiles. Are you pro pedophile? I have a family member who was thus preyed upon, something I would never wish upon you and yours, and your response and this ad makes me sick to my stomach and ashamed to live in a nation where a Presidential candidate can sink so low as to describe legislation designed to protect small children the same thing as some kinky sex ed for kids not yet old enough to read. John McCain in doing so, and all those who wish to spin it or apologize are nothing less than the worst sort of low-lives in my book. I

[Forestfromthetrees]

I too know someone who was preyed on as a young child (before kindergarten) however, being so young she was too young to understand what was going on and what she should do. Therefore, it wasn't until she was in her late elementary school years, when teachers and guidance counselors finally discussed "good touch/bad touch" with her grade that she realized what had had almost 10 years prior. It's sickening that Obama's foresight to address this problem has been belittled into "teaching our kids about sex before they learn how to read."

Kid touchers of the world are thanking McCain for his interest in the issue.

[SusaninIN]

I was a victim of molestation as a child and let me tell you that ANYTHING that helps put a stop to predators is a very good thing. This is more wide spread then people realize. I once worked in an office where 80 % of the women had been victims of childhood sexual abuse. I have 5 family members (that I know about) who have suffered as well. I know of two men who have also been victims. But the hardest for me is finding out that my own granddaughter (a special needs child) was molested before she was 6 years old. This is a very real danger to all of our children and it needs to be addressed as such.

[Lauramd]

Please read up on the issue...Being involved with the legislation is a good thing...and one Obama shouldn't feel any need to distance himself from.

[RoloTomassi]

Are you REALLY that DENSE?

[sjmaureen]

Of course he agrred with it!!! Arent you for children knowing that they need to tell a trusted adult when someone touches them? Don't you think they deserve to know some people are bad? Perhaps you want you little boy/girl to walk off with the first pervert who asks them to help find his puppy but I don't, no sane person would NOT back this bill.Whoever did write the bill wrote a good one and all child safety advocates agree with them.