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The 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee did not like the way Seth MacFarlane lifted the subject of people's disability and turned it into a joke. Sarah Palin took the "Family Guy" down syndrome joke seriously. The former Alaskan governor wrote in her Facebook and appeared on Bill O'Reilly's show to explain why some things are not meant to be jokes and to ask "when enough is enough."
On Sunday, February 14, "Family Guy" aired an episode where Chris fell for a girl with down syndrome. During their date, Chris asked her about what her parents do and she replied, "My dad's an accountant, and my mom is the former governor of Alaska." Palin happened to be in that position and her youngest son Trig has down syndrome.
In a Facebook posting titled "Fox Hollywood - What a Disappointment", Palin quoted her daughter Bristol's wise words about the situation. "When you're the son or daughter of a public figure, you have to develop thick skin. My siblings and I all have that, but insults directed at our youngest brother hurt too much for us to remain silent," Bristol is quoted as saying.
"If the writers of a particularly pathetic cartoon show thought they were being clever in mocking my brother and my family yesterday, they failed. All they proved is that they're heartless jerks."
Neither FOX nor creator of "Family Guy", Seth MacFarlane, has come up with a statement.
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