Sarah Palin and Barack Obama join in unusual bipartisan moves

Look what dropped into The Ticket's mailbox overnight as compelling proof that even with less than three weeks to go in a hotly-contested and historic presidential election race, some graceful bipartisanship is still possible.

As witness this photographic evidence of political teamwork between Alaska Governor and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Democratic Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama to truly bring the country together.

It's enough to make a weary blogger's heart sing. And the TV ratings would be even better than the debates.

--Andrew Malcolm

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Comments

[Jane Smith]

I wish to comment on Sarah Palin as a parent of a child with a disability. Having a 6 month old child with any disability does not qualify one as an expert, only as a new parent with unique problems and a lot to learn. During the first months of a child with a disability's life, the parents are still feeling quilty, depressed and wondering what the future holds for their child. Don't misunderstand, I know there is also plenty of love. It is just that parents who have a child such as this must learn to leave out pity and low expectations for their child and like their other children, expect the best the child has to offer and the child will strive to give their best. Often, this requires much patience and changing ones expectations, but these children can have full, productive, happy lives if we lovinging push them to do their best. This also means no segregation, from babysitters to pre-school-to adulthood. We all (surely by now) have learned that seperating children with disabilities from their non-disabiled classmates only makes them more different and more likely to be shunned by their non-disabled peers. I'm no expert, but I have lived with an uncle, four years older than myself, for 58 years and can see that pity, segregation and low expectations have made him much more dependent than he should have been. I also work with others with developmental disabilities as my work for People First of Tennessee, Inc. as their East Tennessee Coordinator. Thank you for your time, Jane Smith

[Peg C.]

I could have gone a lifetime without seeing this, or at least him.

[Mister Snitch]

Uh... I just wanna know which one of them leads...

[Jim B]

However well intentioned Ms. Smith might be in view of "mainstreaming" children with developmental disabilities might be, she completely ignores the downside: namely that those kids suffer far more from being integrated than the supposed social benefits of them sitting in the same classroom as their peers.

This is all about "inclusiveness" and feel-good politics and has little to nothing to do with what's best for the child.. Children who are "mainstreamed" wind up feeling stupid or slow because they see their classmates picking up material that they will take much longer to master. They necessitate an even slower pace of learning for the other students in the class which breeds resentment and boredom in their classmates: leading to more behavorial problems in the classroom.

They are also "mainstreamed" at the expense of the specialized assistance that they require in order to receive the best possible education.

The numerous issues with "mainstreaming" are far too many to mention in such a short space, but Ms. Smith sacrifices them all at the altar of "political correctness
which dictates that every child receive the exact same treatment no matter what.

[Ron J]

Ha ha! I love it! People need to lighten up a little and this was a great way to do it! Anybody who feels "insulted" by this needs to get a life.

[Duke 88]

Sexist.

[WoodRoad]

Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you. This makes my Friday. Yes, indeed, we needed this.

[Failin' w/ Palin]

They genuinely seem to enjoy each other's company. Who knows where that could lead?

[Dave Reid]

I love this! Its very funny and I can appreciate a job well done. Obamas head seems to be just a little off, but the lighting and shadows match up really well. Good job, terrific photoshop.

[Clyde]

Wait for NYT columnist Bob Herbert to denounce this as racist in 3, 2, 1...

[Mark]

Well done :)

[Dr Bob]

I think this is a real crack-up. Anyone who doesn't needs to lighten up. All in good fun. I also think it is cool that Sarah Palin appeared on SNL and John McCain was on Letterman, where he was asked how come he missed an earlier appearance and he just said "I screwed up." Letterman seemed totally disarmed by this display of honesty.....

[erin]

Actually, she is right that kids can be mainstreamed. The question is if you get them early or wait until they are in school or preschool. Before I was in high school I had little interaction with non disabled children. And that can have benefits, but you want to tell your story and you really can't if you are around other children with various disabilities too long. I grew up autistic, and so I try to connect more with regular kids that are able to go to college and take mostly mainstream classes and not so much into special ed classes and that can affect anyone. I don't plan to support Palin in the upcoming election, but I think the earlier she gets her son with Downs Syndrome interacted with regular kids that are more functional the more comfortable he can talk about it. I should know because I have a lot of friends with Down Syndrome. But on the plus side, having a disability also has abilities and kids with disabilities may have other talents, you have to search to find what your talent is and keep going at it. Mine happens to be singing and dancing and arts related stuff. That is what i have to say guys.