I’ve never really followed the exploits of the Palin children, just like I haven’t followed the lives of President Barack Obama’s children. Personally, I don’t think kids should have to suffer under the public ire just because their parents are celebrities. Liberals, however, see nothing wrong with attacking the children of conservatives. It’s absolutely permissible especially if the children themselves seem to hold the parents’ conservative views.
Keith Olbermann appears to be the poster child for this sort of child-bashing (though Joy Bahar comes in at a close second). On November 30th, Olbermann brought back his “Worst Person in the World” segment (with the added not really) to attack Bristol over the 18th month old announcement that she was partnering with The Candie’s Foundation as a spokesperson for abstinence.
Olbermann addresses the situation (no pun intended) in his usual classless way:
Bristol, now taking a page from her mother’s book, has responded with this scathing response headlined: Mr. Olbermann — Sorry We Can’t All Be As Perfect As You.
Recently, a left wing commentator named Keith Olbermann attacked me for being a spokesperson for abstinence education and for being an Ambassador for the Candies Foundation, which promotes teen pregnancy awareness and prevention education. He went so far as to call me “the worst person” he knows, apparently, for my efforts to educate teenagers about the real world risks of premarital sex.
Accusing me of hypocrisy is by now, an old canard. What Mr. Olbermann lacks in originality he makes up for with insincere incredulity. Mr. Olbermann fails to understand that in order to have credibility as a spokesperson, it sometimes takes a person who has made mistakes. Parents warn their children about the mistakes they made so they are not repeated. Former gang members travel to schools to educate teenagers about the risks of gang life. Recovered addicts lecture to others about the risks of alcohol and drug abuse. And yes, a teen mother talks about the benefits of preventing teen pregnancy.
I have never claimed to be perfect. If that makes me the “worst person in the world” to Mr. Olbermann, then I must apologize for not being absolutely faultless like he undoubtedly must be.
To Mr. Olbermann let me say this: you can attack me all you want. But you will not stop me from getting my message out about teen pregnancy prevention. And one day, if you ever have a daughter, you may change your mind about me.
Bristol Palin
After hearing Bristol speak on “Dancing With the Stars” and reading this note, one might think that Bristol possibly had a little “help” crafting the exact verbiage before posting. But really, if you were in Bristol’s position, wouldn’t you? To those who might use the “this doesn’t sound like Bristol’s voice” argument my response is, who cares? She placed this on her own facebook under her name. She is in it now. Bristol has officially engaged the media narrative. The media crossed the line long ago attacking her and it looks like this is the first of hopefully many responses. And what a great response!
Because of this response, however, I don’t think that conservatives can claim “leave Bristol alone” anymore. She is now standing in the ring (even though she was put there by the media) and the best thing that we conservatives can do is support her and assist in defending from these nasty, baseless, classless attacks launched by the left.
Go Bristol!