As everyone has probably heard by now, Levi Johnston, Bristol Palin’s ex-fiancee and father of her child, went on the Tyra Banks show to talk about his relationship with Bristol. Almost needless to say, based on what Levi has said during these interviews, Sarah Palin is unhappy with his ” flat-out lies, gross exaggerations, and even distortions of their relationship”. Apparently, unbeknownst to the American people, Bristol can no longer speak for herself, and so my post tonight focuses on the response put out by the Alaskan governor’s office, specifically these two choice items:
“Bristol’s focus will remain on raising Tripp, completing her education, and advocating abstinence,” the statement says.
The statement ends, saying, “Bristol realizes now that she made a mistake in her relationship and is the one taking responsibility for their actions.”
Wait, what? I was pretty sure Bristol went on a CNN interview stating that a goal of abstinence was pretty unrealistic. And I was also pretty sure that it takes two to tango, and two to “take responsibility for their actions”, as the statement says. Perhaps what we’re actually seeing is delayed anger from Ms. Palin at her daughter for not following more closely the tenets Palin preached in both word and Alaskan policy- funding abstinence-only education.
Bristol Palin was entirely correct when she says abstinence is not reasonable. We need better, comprehensive sex-ed for students, and poll after poll after poll shows that this is what the majority of American parents want taught to their kids, even across political ideologies. (The only evidence refuting these polls can be found on websites promoting abstinence-only education, which of course is completely unbiased.)
But this isn’t even the point- what really gets me angry is that this is coming out in a statement from Palin’s office, in direct contradiction to what Bristol actually said, and in fact goes so far as to intimate both punishment and blame by stating that “she is accepting responsibility”, which is language repeatedly used by both abstinence-only educators and stringent pro-life advocates. I would argue that the main tenet of abstinence-only education is punishment: punishment for having sex and enjoying sex, and most of all, being forced to “realize and accept the consequences” of having sex, even though AO educators focus on lying or distorting the facts surrounding sex, STIs, abortion, and contraception.
Seriously, if that girl is old enough to make the choice to have that baby, raise that baby, and speak out in direct opposition to her mother in the public eye, she’s old enough to speak for herself. And more than old enough to have her own opinion.
Cross-posted to my own blog .
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Good point. We shouldn't accept Gov. Palin speaking for Bristol, especially since it's probably all about maintaining her political image.
You must not have children.
The only one playing politics with this are liberals. There is a steady beat of liberal hate out there and a coordinated effort to hurt the Governor.
As yet, none of it is working. Because unlike the current occupier at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Governor Palin is a person of strong integrity.
Obama is scared to death of her, that's why he and his buddies in Alaska (his senatorial chief of staff has strong ties to Alaska)have been attacking her, including the made up "troopergate" BS. That was a Barack Obama special, and he was caught paying off his helpers, not that the drive by media would ever cover it.
http://hotrodsnitroandconservatism.blogtownhall.com/2009/03/10/with_sarah_palin,_barack_obama_shows_rod_blagojevich_how_pay_-for-play_is_done!.thtml
I don't see anything wrong with Gov. Palin's office putting forth an official statement in itself. After all, Bristol was not the only target of the Johnston's criticisms on the show -- they also criticized her parents. And for all we know, Bristol may have felt more comfortable letting her mother's office issue an official statement than in trying to publicly battle her ex-boyfriend and his family on her own. Let's not forget that although this girl is now a mother, she's still just a teen. And I'm sure the media would have had a field day had Bristol attempted to defend herself whereas an official public statement might silence the story quicker.
And I was also pretty sure that it takes two to tango, and two to “take responsibility for their actions”, as the statement says.
I took this statement to mean that Bristol is assuming the full responsibility of caregiver and parent to the product of their actions: Tripp. Even the Johnstons admitted on the Tyra show that they only see the baby once a month. It would be ideal for Tripp to have the benefit of two caring parents and families, but we really don't know why Levi is not assuming his role as an equal partner or the circumstances that have lead the Palins to restrict access to the baby. The fact that he and his family chose to air their disputes on national television -- the Tyra show, at that -- instead of in the courts leads me to believe that some of the Palin family's concerns are legitimate.
While it seems Bristol and Levi have some interesting things to say about abstainence and safe sex, it seems like neither of them have an actual opinion on the subject matter.
Normally I would agree with your premise that Bristol should speak for herself. However, given the circumstances that she is barely an adult, thrust into the limelight because of her mother's political career, AND her ex got on national TV and slammed her mother as much as her, Bristol should understand that Governor Palin has as much right to comment on this as she does.
As a mother, Governor Palin is trying to protect her daughter from the shameless media and political enemies who USED Bristol and Levi for their own agenda. Who seduced Levi to make a "tell all" appearance? How much was he paid? What does he expect to GAIN from his TV appearance? A future Obama cabinet position perhaps? Certainly not the good will of his child's mother or grandmother.
If he has any self respect at all, he will regret making a fool out of himself as well as his child's mother. If he has any expectation of having a future relationship with his child, he'd better begin to rebuild that bridge - and that is NOT a bridge to nowhere.
I'm disturbed by the shaky moral grounds on which this editorial rests. One would hope that true feminists would focus their criticism on Levi Johnston, who smeared his infant son's mother on national TV. How about taking him to task for not behaving as a responsible father?
And of course, Gov. Palin issued a statement. That's what any good parent would do to protect her teenaged daughter from the slurs! Can you imagine how mortified Bristol must have been to see her ex blurting out their most intimate secrets to the world? It's time for the press - and the bloggers -- to have the decency to leave her be so she can raise her child in peace.
Well said Rachel.
Palin was being attacked through her children, again and did what she ought do. The woman is very protective of her children after the slaughter the media has put to them. It's a sick country we live in, that the media can continue this assault on somebody's kids, because THEY are in the public spotlight.
And Lucinda, you are assuming the Governor's motives. Generally speaking politicians that seek the limelight do interviews. Gov. Palin hasn't done an interview with the national press for months. That is just one piece of evidence I can give you as to why you are wrong
It sounds like you are trying to speak for Bristol "Followthemomeraths". You must live in a cave if you think there are not consequences to having a child out of wedlock. Of course she faces consequences. Bristol does not have a media outlet like the Democratic party has organized for Levi Johnston. He was flown to New York by the Democratic party in order to demean Governor Palin. If Bristol had a platform I am sure she would assert the same principles that her mother set forth. If you listen closely to what Levi is saying, he still cares for Bristol and definitely cares for his son. He seems to me to be a basically good lad who is being misguided into confrontations with the family of his son by the liberal left politicins.
It sounds like you are trying to speak for Bristol "Followthemomeraths". You must live in a cave if you think there are not consequences to having a child out of wedlock. Of course she faces consequences. Bristol does not have a media outlet like the Democratic party has organized for Levi Johnston. He was flown to New York by the Democratic party in order to demean Governor Palin. If Bristol had a platform I am sure she would assert the same principles that her mother set forth. If you listen closely to what Levi is saying, he still cares for Bristol and definitely cares for his son. He seems to me to be a basically good lad who is being misguided into confrontations with the family of his son by the liberal left politicins.
Well, right off the bat you get it wrong.
Bristol Palin set down with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren in a two part interview. NOT CNN. (no one watches CNN!)
Also, Governor Palin DOES NOT advocate "abstinence only" only education. She is on record supporting sex ed, and the use of condoms. I believe her exact words have been on the order of " Sex should be talked about and education should start in the home, but somebody has to make sure kids know about contraceptives".
Now, with that said, abstinence is the ONLY sure fire method of getting not getting pregnant. But, that's hard to maintain.
And wording aside, having a baby is the consequence of unprotected sex. At least Bristol did the right thing and didn't murder the child, and chose to have Tripp, and raise him.
And at least Governor Palin isn't like Barack Obama who, when talking about sex ed, said he wouldn't want his daughters "punished with a child" (his EXACT words)
Of course, this is the same lowlife who thinks it's OK for a baby who survives an abortion, or as we used to call it, BEING BORN, to be left to die! Dr Mengele would be proud.
I think it is very appropriate for the Governor, who is the one being attacked here, to say anything she wants. If Bristol wants to talk, she certainly knows how. She set the interview up with Greta on her own!
This deal with Levi is just pathetic. he is just a dumb kid who is being used by his sister, who is trying to sell BS to the tabloids.
What a smart reporter would ask, is just WHO paid for the Johnston family's trip to Tyra's show.
Hint, it wasn't Tyra Banks.
Sorry, I did get it wrong. It is, in fact, an interview with Fox News; I will correct it on my own blog.
I was completely unaware that Levi wasn't acting of his own accord, and rather was responding to the Liberal Slur Machine(tm).
One thing- as the OP, I knew I was going to take some heat by people who disagreed with me. But I am a little taken aback by having it be implied that a "true feminist" would have only attacked Levi. I said how I felt and what I thought, and I considered it a GIVEN that it was a scummy thing to do. I also just thought that Bristol has been put into play as a political pawn, and even though SHE IS AN ADULT, her mother still feels compelled to speak for her.
Yes, I get that her mother is trying to protect her and defend her from the awful things being said, but Bristol isn't a child. She has made her own choice in the past to do an interview, and I just thought it was curious that even though this entire story is about Bristol, no one is talking to her.