Not long after Sarah Palin was announced as the running mate to John McCain, her family's personal life came to the forefront. The press quickly informed us that she and her husband decided to allow the birth of their fifth child even though they knew he would have Down Syndrome. A larger revelation came on the first day of the Republican convention: Sarah Palin's daughter, an unmarried teen, was pregnant.

YES
* Unelected & Unappointed. The family members of politicians are rarely politicians themselves. So long as the family member does not want to be a politician his or her self, it is unfair to hold them to the level of scrutiny for an actual politician.

* Choice. Just as a politician chooses to enter the public eye, so too should his or her family members. If a family member appears at campaign events, that is support. Not everyone at the event gets stories. Fame and infamy should not be thrust upon people as if by divine right.

* Slippery Slope. Where does the voyeurism stop? So the spouse is fair game? Are the parents of politicians? And in-laws? What about the kids? And the spouses of the kids? Should we include friends? Do we go as far back as grade-school teachers? Does it ever end?

NO
* Right to Know. Citizens have the right to know about their politicians and this extends to families. If a politician marries a fool, what other decisions would that politician make? If the politician raises a felon, couldn't this imply something about management abilities?

* Celebrity Families. Politicians are not so removed from celebrity that they should be held to a different standard than actors and athletes. Like those professionals, politicians rise to the top of their field and people want to know more about them. Knowledge should not be discouraged.

* Opt Out. If politicians want privacy, they should not run for office. The press is only going to focus on the stories that are entertaining to readers. The public will get a puff piece about the family. Good or bad, the press will most likely only delve further if there is more to tell.

ANNOUNCEMENT

I am now working with the Korea Forensics League to find Korea's top five high school debaters to represent Korea at the next World Schools Debate Championship to be held in Athens in 2009. If you attend a high school in Korea you are eligible. Check with your school's debate coach for more information. If you do not have a coach, email me at Hatridge@gmail.com.

Find Korea's top debate coach on Facebook.com: Search for Roger Hatridge.