Bristol Palin dis-invited from paid speaking gig after student protest

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I put this story in the links earlier, but there have been even more developments, and now it’s become a “thing”. Ugh. I can’t even describe how much I hate writing about Bristol Palin. To me, she’s worse than Kim Kardashian. At least you know what you’re getting with Kim Kardashian – a cat-faced famewhore who got famous for a sex tape. With Bristol it’s all lies and hustling and the grift. So, the basics of the story: Bristol Palin was invited by a student group at Washington University to be part of a panel discussion on abstinence and teen sex and such. Bristol wasn’t making an appearance on the panel out of the goodness of her heart, though – it is rumored that Bristol’s speaking and appearance fee would be more than $10,000. When the Washington University student body was informed of Bristol’s potential appearance (and it was “potential” as it does seem like no appearance contracts were drawn up), the students revolted, mostly over the idea of their money being spent on Bristol. So… Bristol was dis-invited. And of course she’s a snot about it.

One thing Bristol Palin is NOT abstaining from is engaging in a war of words with the university that dumped her from a paid speaking engagement about abstinence. The 20-year-old single mom was dumped by Washington University after a student uproar over her invitation and speaking fee, which was not revealed but estimated to be as high as $20,000.

Now Bristol’s lawyer has release this statement to RadarOnline.com, slamming the university and even suggesting the Palin name is the real reason she was dumped.

“Bristol was invited to speak with college students as part of a panel. Evidently she has now been disinvited because of apparent concerns by some vocal members of the undergraduate community,” the statement reads.

“Bristol is deeply disappointed that an institution that publicly claims to “listen to diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives, to contribute rigorous academic standards and unbiased scholarship to discussions, and to encourage a civil discourse in which a pluralistic society can respectfully address complex and difficult issues” would withdraw an invitation to a speaker because of “uproar” over their assumed content of her message or even worse, because of her last name.”

[From Radar]

Every day brings a new martyrdom for this family of grifters. Here’s an idea, Bristol: Instead of nailing yourself to the cross at every opportunity, why don’t you OFFER TO SPEAK FOR FREE? Wouldn’t that quiet your critics? That way, if they still didn’t want you to come even when they weren’t paying you, THEN you might have a reason to don your crown of thorns.

Nevermind.

Thankfully, Radar was able to get a statement from an outraged and well-spoken student:

As RadarOnline.com previously reported Palin’s scheduled appearance was cancelled following protests. One student claiming there were 563 signatures on a petition against Bristol and just 7 students standing in favor of her. One student, Ryan McCombe, 20, who is studying economics and strategy at the University, explains why he took an anti-Palin stance.

“The issue meant a lot to me because I am a registered Republican and my vote went to Sarah Palin, but most of this didn’t have anything to do with politics – this isn’t about it being Sarah Palin’s daughter,” He told RadarOnline.com. “This is about paying an exorbitant amount of money to someone whose life has improved because of teenage pregnancy. Bristol got pregnant at 17 and is cashing in on that, she’s not someone we should be hearing from. I want to hear from someone who had dreams and goals that were put on hold by teenage pregnancy – instead, her life has been improved financially and publicity-wise. It’s very interesting how a 20-year-old who has only a GED can afford a 5-bedroom house. We don’t want our student union money going to her mortgage, we’re promoting responsibility.”

“She’s promoting ‘do as I say, not as I do,’ and I don’t agree with that. The story she has to tell doesn’t line up with the reality of the situation. She may say ‘I had all these dreams and they weren’t realized’, but she has been way more successful simply because she got pregnant at such a young age. She wouldn’t have been invited on Dancing With The Stars if she hadn’t gotten pregnant as a teenager. I have no intention of funding Sixteen And Pregnant or Teen Mom either!”

When it comes to Palin’s agreed fee, student government sources say they were ordered not to disclose the exact amount, just that $20,000 was allocated to cover the costs of the ENTIRE panel. However, it’s unlikely that the other panel members, Planned Parenthood, the Catholic Student Center and the Student Health Services were being paid for their appearance on the panel – leaving a sizeable chunk of change for Palin, even after all other costs, such as venue rental, were met.

But not every student was against Bristol – Scott Elman was one of the student representatives that were campaigning on behalf of Bristol speaking, and he explains to RadarOnline.com: “The Student Health Advisory Committee promotes safe sex goals and trying to reduce unwanted pregnancy, we thought no issue could be discussed fully without talking about abstinence.

“We thought that having Bristol, would attract a lot of students to come to the panel and promote discussion about safe sex and abstinence. We didn’t want to do as it was a publicity stunt, but thought someone who has gone through teen pregnancy and an ambassador for Candie’s Foundation, which promotes abstinence would be more than qualified to talk. Our goal was to engage the student body as much as possible. We were surprised by the reaction, we expected some controversy but never expected it to get so out of hand. We think people hear the name Bristol Palin and just think of her mother.”

“Some people don’t think she’s qualified just because she had a baby as a teen but I don’t think they realized why she actually is qualified or why we chose her. We expect students to be open to another point of view and we’re a little disappointed in the way they reacted and the overall message was getting lost. Bristol, her agent, I and the committee decided that it wasn’t the best time to have her speak. I think Bristol is upset but she understands the message that she’s trying to promote is more important than her personal feelings. I am very disappointed that she’s not coming. No contract was signed we were just in talks. I totally believe that Bristol has a strong message to share and that she has turned her story into a positive message that people deserve to hear in a balanced environment. I personally don’t believe in abstinence and we’re not telling people to think that but there are people who do and they’re unrepresented on campus.”

[From Radar]

Let the ass-covering begin. Honestly, it warms my heart that students were able to wage a successful campaign to dis-invite Bristol. I also love that a 20-year-old student was capable of making a well-reasoned, thoughtful and rational argument for dis-inviting Bristol. MSNBC should hire that kid.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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164 Responses to “Bristol Palin dis-invited from paid speaking gig after student protest”

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  1. David says:

    I wish she and her mother would go away!

  2. Jacq says:

    Well, let’s see…She can make the logical connection to the backlash being against the family name. Why can’t she figure out that we actually feel that way about the INDIVIDUALS, not just the Palin name??
    And what does that trick know about college or abstinence?
    “Promoting responsibility” – excellent explanation and quite well put!

    For the record, my husband (who has never been accused of being political) does not know either of their names, opting to call both Nailin’ Palin.

  3. e.non says:

    hahaha … good on washington u. otoh, it would have been a perfect opportunity to ask the grifter jr if she’s practicing abstinence now that she’s got a hunky new boyfriend…

  4. tooey says:

    I just fell in love with that student!

  5. Steph says:

    Whatever happened to her actually being around her kid, tripp?

    I bet her speech about abstinence is unexceptional like all her other events where she has spoken about the topic.

    Go to school Bristol and learn something worthwhile instead of whoring yourself out

  6. Bodhi says:

    THANK YOU Washington University! This girl is NOT a role model. Like Ryan McCombe said, she has totally cashed in on her situation. I don’t know stats on it, but I am sure that the vast majority of teen mothers don’t end up with 5 bedroom houses or fancy ass cars (a la the Teen Mom chick, Amber). If the student panel want a fair & balanced discussion, they need to invite an average Jane, not a celebrity. OR, if they DO want a big name, how ’bout Jamie Lynn Spears? She sure had to put her life on hold to have & raise her little girl.

  7. anonymous says:

    How ironic, Bristol Palin a high school drop out was going to speak to someone who can express themselve so eloquently and intelligent. Good for those college students they sent a phony opportunist packing, wish they would do the same to her mother, Sarah Palin.

  8. Hautie says:

    Bristol and her Mother have had incredible PR team behind them, to sell their brand of crazy.

    I am surprise it took this long to happen.

    I never understood how Bristol was consider the go to girl for abstinence program. Since she already got knocked up. And obviously still out there shagging around.

    It is hard to believe she learned anything from being a teen Mother.

    Well except learning how to make millions off it.

  9. Majosha says:

    Ten grand for the “privilege” of watching this half-wit stumble through some lame speech? Argh, that makes my stomach churn.

  10. jc126 says:

    Good for them! One of my nephews went to Wash U. Banning greedy Bristol, who has nothing to say of relevance, speaks well of the student body.

  11. Cookie says:

    Hate, hate, hate. Hate on. I know you will. And you dummies are going to hate those Palins straight into the White House.

  12. Bodhi says:

    Did y’all see Kate Walsh’s tweet about this:

    Welcome to the Idiocracy! RT @elliekirsh: @katewalsh please join students at Wash.U. to boycott Bristol Palin’s speech on abstinence. What does she know about college or abstaining?

    Brilliant!! LOL!!

  13. renai(jrt) says:

    I wonder if they would protest if Bristol does the forum without getting paid…. maybe she can earn college credits or something like that. Staunch republican here but I agree that she shouldnt get paid….that being said, I doubt you will find any group that speaks to college kids without getting paid… Even Kathy Griffin was greed hungry and excepts these engagments to schools and prisons all for the sake of a buck!! can you blame Bristol for wanting to take a bad and make money from it….. everyone does this

  14. renai(jrt) says:

    all Im saying is lets not be hypocrites here, and yes many dont like this family, so why blame them for doing exactly what the people you love do.

  15. mimi says:

    Kudos to those students for standing up to this. I dont blame them one bit for not wanting 20K being spent on this over-paid “speaker”. I cant believe other organizations actually pay her to speak considering she doesnt have a clue what its like to be a struggling, single mother. Its one thing if she were to do it for free but an entirely other matter considering her fees. These are college kids who are already on the right path, she would have absolutely nothing to contribute considering they’ve already advanced farther than she has without getting pregnant or with the help of the last name Palin. She would never have received all she has if it werent for her last name. I couldnt imagine having to sit thru one of her ‘talks’, let alone using student funding to have her there.

  16. xxodettexx says:

    @bodhi: haha, yeah i saw kate’s tweet earlier and chuckled pretty hard on that

    i like that the student made such a rational argument about not having bristol on and he didn’t have to resort to name-calling or petty reasoning…

  17. Mizz Tickles says:

    Good point Bodhi, Jamie Lynn Spears would have been a better choice because she actually seems to be raising her child. And I wonder what Bristol Palin looks like without all that make-up.

  18. Bodhi says:

    so why blame them for doing exactly what the people you love do.

    What “regular celeb” charges $10,000 to give abstinence speeches, despite having had a child at 17? If you want to compare Bristol to any celeb, it would be a reality star at best. I wonder how much Snookie would charge to give an abstinence speech?

  19. saucy says:

    bit hypocritical, isnt she? she had sex as a teenager, got pregnant, is using her situation for financial gain, and preaches doing the opposite of what she did? good for the students….for so eloquently standing up for how their tuition dollars should be used.

  20. Cherry Rose says:

    I wish I could give that person a hug. They sum up the situation right there.

    I hate, hate, hate the Palins. God help us all if Sarah Palin runs for president and she actually wins (which I don’t really see happening, but still).

  21. Tess says:

    Point of fact here: Planned Parenthood is subsidized by taxpayer dollars although many taxpayers seriously disagree with their methods and agenda.

    Should they be disinvited from the panel, too?

  22. texasmom says:

    @mimi — you took the words out of my mouth. The kids who are at college are already way ahead of Bristol. They got where they are through hard work and self-control. Bristol should pay THEM to give HER a lecture!

  23. OXA says:

    I heard that her fee was $17,000.00 plus 1st class travel & accomodations.
    No wonder the students were pissed, what College student wants to hear her talk about birth control when she was too stupid to use it.
    I would rather hear Charlie Sheen critique porn, at least he has the experience to do so.

  24. Belle Epoch says:

    Hold on… I’m confused.

    Remember those DANCING WITH THE STARS pictures where she looked SO pregnant?

    She had a major belly going on. And on the Ellen Show she was only shown from the neck up. What happened?

  25. Lady D says:

    “God help us all if Sarah runs for pres and wins” I thought the same thing when Bush ran a second time and I’m Canadian.

  26. Bee says:

    As Kate Walsh said, what does Bristol Palin know about college or abstience? If I was a student at that college I would be outraged that my money was being used to pay this woman. She is an expert on nothing. The money they were going to spend on her could have been used to pay a panel of seasoned experts on safe sex pratices. Kudos to the students for rising up in protest.

  27. anonymous says:

    My school! So proud.

  28. Trillion says:

    Something tells me “Cookie” didn’t read the article. Or couldn’t. Yet we’re the “dummies”, according to her. No surprise she relates to the Palins. Yikes.

  29. Jayna says:

    I mean, how insane. They get 20,000 for a panel of speakers for this forum. And they were going to give it all to Bristol, who is just another teen who got pregnant, and is capitalizing on it with huge speaking fees. Unbelievable.

  30. Stef says:

    If her lectures are anywhere near as bad as her appearance on Secret Life of the American Teenager – which made their normal cast of terrible actors seem Oscar worthy – then there is no way I’d go to this event.

    That student is right – Bristol isn’t a typical teen mom – I don’t know many teen mom’s who would be able to purchase their own five bedroom house without even having finished high school. It’d belike having the Teen mom women come speak about it. I’m sorry, would you have been making 280,000 a year working at Hot Topic? No? Then shut the fuck up because you have no idea how lucky you are that you got knocked up and someone gave a shit. That show, and Bristol Palin, those aren’t the true faces of teen pregnancy or teen motherhood.

    This is NOT a woman who should be talking about abstinence. In fact, NO woman should be talking about abstinence – safe sex is far more informative and realistic. But since when have the Palin’s been informative or realistic?

  31. e.non says:

    11 … there’s no way in hell the wasilla grifter is going to end up in the white house. she may be one of the countless gop candidates, but she’ll never get the nomination.

    and besides, it’s looking like caribou barbie is looking at some competition in the gop ‘starburst’ category. and michelle bachmann can double down on the crazy over palin. (although palin is giving bachmann a run with her ‘communist ussr/sputnik/collapse’ comment.)

    they are both staggeringly stupid twats.

  32. REALIST says:

    Hey Bristol–don’t let the door slam you on your fat a– when as you leave!! Hurrah to the students, who can recognize a sham (and a waste of money) when they see one!
    $20,000 to hear what comes out of her mouth! I am a hard working grad student at UW (in Seattle), and my quarterly tuition is $6,000. I don’t know if I could be as articulate as the student above, given how students across the country are getting bled to support basic state services. Meanwhile, back in Alaska, the do-nothing Palins, continue to thrive.
    Now, let up hope that Sarah and her “blood libel” stupidity will have her kicked to the political curb. Then we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief…

  33. Danny says:

    LOL, liberals being tolerant.

  34. My Darling Pinkett says:

    First of all, why should a dumbass like Bristol be invited to a college to speak? She isn’t intelligent. All she did was spread her legs at a young age and make money off of the consequence. As far as I can tell, the Palins are a self-serving, ridiculous family. Sarah and Bristol like hearing the sounds of their own voices, and they like money and fame way too much. That’s all they are about. They don’t care about anyone except themselves.

    As for the student who protested against Bristol, well, good for him. I have to admit, though, that it’s hard to respect someone who voted for Sarah Palin. That shows a definite lack of intelligence and common sense. If he could’t see through her, then he is an idiot. At least he saw through one of them. I wonder if he’d vote for Sarah again…?

    Bristol isn’t worth $10,000, or $20,000. She is worth nothing, just like her mother, and the sooner we stop talking about them the sooner they go away. They make America look even worse.

  35. JRenee says:

    The speaking fee was probably from the students tution. Many of these students are saddled with huge debts just to pay for college. They should have a say with regard to how there tution funds are being spend. Kudos for them and fyi if Bristol wants to do public speaking, she needs to start with some free speeches, ijs.

  36. Kate says:

    I don’t think Bristol Palin did anything different than the student body at Wash U. Probably the same ones that would invite Snooki for fashion advice…those that live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones 🙂

  37. Az says:

    A two year old could argue better than any of the Palins.

  38. Darla says:

    I have no idea why this vapid, irresponsible spoiled brat is in any position?to offer expert advice on anything but riding someone else’s fame for all it’s worth. What has she even done on her own other than pop out a child she had no intention of ever raising?

  39. *-* says:

    Youth is not wasted on the young, after all.
    Good for them:)

  40. original kate says:

    “This is about paying an exorbitant amount of money to someone whose life has improved because of teenage pregnancy.”

    oh SNAP!

  41. e.non says:

    33 … yeah, how dare the students insist invited speakers be someone they could actually benefit from hearing. considering the audience is college students, grifter jr is already out of her zone of influence.

    let grifter jr stick with her demographic — the uneducated and easily swayed.

  42. GradStudentEatingHotPockets says:

    In my sex ed classes we ALWAYS had a teenage couple come in with their child and tell us how they wouldn’t be having so many problems if they either A) Practiced safe sex or B) didn’t have sex at all. So they were always like “Our lives are hard now and blah blah blah, so if you REALLY don’t want to get pregnant then don’t do it.”

    However, I don’t think they were paid. So yes, I think people can talk to people about NOT doing something (regardless if they had done it or not) and still be effective..but you shouldn’t be paid so much money to do it either.

  43. arock says:

    wait….so the high school drop out who got preggo at 17 is going to speak at a college about abstinence?
    i agree it isnt about political preference, its about common sense. im sure there are many people whos experience is bare bones similar but can actually offer insight and advice.
    on a snarky note- why cant that chica find clothes that fit here? is it math skills? Bristol—-youre a 10, not a 2.

  44. Do as I say not as I do says:

    $17,500 was Bristol Palin’s fee, would have come from money paid by the students. Her standard fee range is $15K-20K, what a deal, for Bristol to share her values. I am so heartened by her example. Especially by her new boyfriend.

  45. Crittle says:

    Her supporter said that having Bristol was a publicity stunt, but I definitely was. You would not have to look far to find a normal teen mother.

  46. devilgirl says:

    My Alama Mater!

    And Kate, I assure you students at Wash.U are not looking to Snooki for fashion advice, and that comment was completely ridiculous.

  47. Katija says:

    Gray suede shoes with a black leather jacket? My God, you can take the girl out of the crappy little town, but you can’t take the crappy little town out of the girl. “Mama! Mama! Look at what I bought for my big red carpet appearance! It’s totally designer, mama, I got it all at Wilson’s Leather! I’m like a real movie star!”

  48. ezra says:

    Does this stupid, ugly, bloated bitch actually think she’s fooling anyone?
    We get you Gristle, and there are a large number of us who wish you and your awful family would just stay in Alaska never to be seen or heard from again.

  49. SolitaryAngel says:

    @ mimi: beautifully and eloquently put. ITA and I couldn’t have said it better myself! It’s heartening to see people stand up for what they believe (and don’t believe); how typical of BP to pout and whine and blame her mother.

  50. lisa says:

    I may be in the minority but I liked Levi.. I was hoping he would make it in Hollywood. Thought he was a cute kid. Better looking than some..

    and I recall Sarah and Bristol screaming he was using them to get fame. Well she is the one trying to take away his child. And she is the one that seems to be in the media every single day. Plus the pics of the baby.

    She has made quite a bit of change on getting pregnant. How is she different then the girls on that MTV show.

    She should get an education with all that money and raise her son.. that would impress more than any speech she could give. LIVE by example. Not talking about it all the time.

  51. The Truth Fairy says:

    Uninvited?

  52. tango says:

    At least get the facts straight. Bristol Palin did not drop out of school nor get a GED. She graduated high school with a diploma.

    http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/05/15/2009-05-15_bristol_palin_now_a_high_school_graduate.html

    Geez, hate her for her political views or using her families fame to parlay into making money to support her child (since the babies father is not supporting his child) or because she’s not a size 5. Those are at least true things. But stop with the crap that she’s a drop out or only has a GED because if you can’t even get that fact right, than that really lessens your argument.

    And even the supposed Republican college kid on campus doesn’t have it right! And I don’t know. Ryan, I thought taking a paying job of any kind so you could pay your mortgage (verses letting it go into foreclosure or having the government or your parents make the house payment) was the epitome of responsibility. Bad Bristol Palin for wanting to make money and support herself and her child instead of letting the state pay her via food stamps, TANF, WIC and HUD rental assistance. The nerve!

  53. JenJen says:

    One word: WhiteTrash

  54. Alarmjaguar says:

    Colleges — including Wash U are struggling financially, students are paying higher tuition and classes are being cut, so kudos to them for thinking about how their student funds are spent.

    Also, I work at a university that has a number of students who are also parents. Many of them would, I’m sure, be happy to talk about the sacrifices they are making for their education and how hard it is. I’d much rather hear what they had to say.

  55. Jag says:

    Wow, if I could’ve been paid $20k per speaking engagement just for having a baby out of wedlock, while shouting to the treetops that I was abstaining, things would’ve been a lot different in my world. My, how times have changed. When I was a teenager, people had to actually be famous for and/or do something to get paid for their opinion.

  56. vic says:

    Tolerant liberal is an oxymoron. I guess she should just sit at home or do some nothing job and hide in shame with her scarlet letter to please everyone. Especially since, OMG, she’s not skinny or a fashion icon. Scot Elman spoke far more eloquently than that other kid. Pfft.

    Almost every public speaker takes money.

  57. Darla says:

    Tango,

    Of course she needs a job. Wendy’s is hiring. That would be a job appropriate with her knowledge and experience. She has no business givinag any type of advice.

  58. Bodhi says:

    What people are forgetting is that she HAD a real job. Which she quit to do Dancing With the Stars. She wouldn’t need so much money if she didn’t have such a high profile lifestyle. She could have kept her job as an office manager & paid her mortgage on her condo in Alaska. No-one forced her to by that big ass house in AZ (although she did get a great deal on it). Normal people have regular jobs & afford their regular houses just fine. She doesn’t need $17,000 a pop. She wants it.

    My problem with her is that she is a total hypocrite. She pitched a huge fit over Levi using Tripp for publicity when that little boy is the ONLY reason she is famous. Who is using him now? People talk about celebs using their kids a photo opportunities all the time. What is so different about what Bristol is doing? And how is Tripp going to feel about it when he is older?

  59. devilgirl says:

    Good God Lisa! You liked that disgusting slug, Levi? A crappy opportunist with no brain whatsoever!? A cute guy? Why should he make it in Hollywood? What talent does he have other than being a filthy snitch about his ex girlfriend and her family? I am no Palin supporter, but I can tell you I hate that Levi creature with a passion!

    What kind of a MAN, tries to gain fame by being a filthy little tattletale to rag magazines? I have no respect for anyone who dates or marries someone who has a little bit of fame, and then exploits them for his own gain because he was tossed to the curb. He is nothing more than a spiteful little bitch himself.

  60. Louise says:

    Bristol is just accepting the opportunities being thrown at her. I’m more angry at the schools and organizations who hire her when right under their noses are real teen mothers whose lives have been turned upside down by pregnancy. I can’t believe that anybody can take her seriously considering she had so many advantages even before her pregnancy and is now living better than most working adults.

  61. Bodhi says:

    un-mod, please?

  62. kwoww says:

    before she became the abstinence posterchild, she gave an interview to greta van susteren, explaining that abstinence was UNREALISTIC…
    i guess abstinence pays more.

  63. lucy2 says:

    Kudos to the student who spoke so well as to why they protested.
    As others have said, given how tight things are in the economy, that $20K could be used in far better ways, and if they wanted to hold the panel, I’m sure could have gotten many people and groups to speak for FREE.
    I don’t blame Bristol for trying to take advantage of some of these opportunities, but at the same time I agree with the students reasons why they didn’t feel it was appropriate for her to be the speaker, given her situation.
    I am bothered by Bristol taking on the Perpetual Victim stance her mother is so good at though, I have no patience for that.

  64. kwoww says:

    bristol palin stating that abstinence is unrealistic:
    start at 11:15:
    http://video.foxnews.com/v/3924087/challenges-of-a-young-mom

  65. jan says:

    Wow. Maybe people in 12 step meetings can get paid every time they speak.

  66. Trillion says:

    Why are some posters here making silly “liberals aren’t tolerant” comments? This is a misunderstanding of usage of the word tolerance. Additionally, the student quoted in the article who was against the expenditure was a conservative. Why these posters missed that fact is beyond me…

  67. eternalcanadian says:

    We need to stop glamourizing teenage parenthood. All those shows and soap operas (Sixteen And Pregnant, Teen Mom, Secret Life of the American Teenager, Days of Our Lives, One Life to Live, Bold and Beautiful, Young and Restless, etc.) that have children under the age of 19 being parents show the an unrealistic view of teenage pregnancy and parenthood.

    Ryan McCombe who wrote why he supported dis-inviting Bristol is an awesome person and Republican to boot! How so true what he said:

    “Bristol got pregnant at 17 and is cashing in on that, she’s not someone we should be hearing from. I want to hear from someone who had dreams and goals that were put on hold by teenage pregnancy – instead, her life has been improved financially and publicity-wise. It’s very interesting how a 20-year-old who has only a GED can afford a 5-bedroom house. We don’t want our student union money going to her mortgage, we’re promoting responsibility.”

    Also, “..she [Bristol] has been way more successful simply because she got pregnant at such a young age. She wouldn’t have been invited on Dancing With The Stars if she hadn’t gotten pregnant as a teenager.”

    Hear, hear! *claps*

  68. Lyla says:

    Tango: making the taxpayers pay her way is exactly what she is doing. A lot of student are on financial aid (including money from the government). If she’s speaking at colleges, isn’t it reasonable to assume that some of that money is federal financial aid? It really isn’t any different than her being of foodstamps. At least if she were on foodstamps, she would be set a certain dollar amount each month.
    Secondly, her spokesperson is saying that it would be horrible if she were dis-invited just because she were a Palin. The fact is, that’s why she’s even getting paid for those speaking gigs. Do you really think that if she were some chick off the streets that got pregnant young that they would be paying her $17,000? Hell no.

  69. My2Cents says:

    If she really believed in this cause and wanted to make a difference she would not be charging a cent to speak.

  70. Isa says:

    Is it just me? Or does anyone get the impression that they’re also implying that the abstinance part of the discussion isn’t going to happen now simply because she is not invited. As if they couldn’t find someone else to discuss it. Hell, you pay me a couple hundred bucks and I’ll talk about abstinance until I’m blue in the face.

    The issue is not whether or not public speakers get paid, but whether Bristol is worth that amount of money. And she’s not.

    They could pluck any single mother off the street and she could tell them her story, probably for free. You know, I’m not even a single mom. I waited until I was married to have a child even though she wasn’t planned and I still struggle more than Bristol. (Although I still consider myself very fortunate.)

    Bristol shouldn’t just stay at home or do something nothing job. Doesn’t she already have a job she’s not qualified for as a office manager or something? (Can you get a job like that with only a diploma? Feel free to correct me if needed.) I don’t blame her for trying to make a dime, but it’s ridiculous that people are paying that much for her. She is no expert. Also, she shouldn’t be blaming her name or her viewpoint for being uninvited.

    The student was correct. Her life has improved as the result of being a single mom. She is not a good example.

    Some nice black heels and that outfit would’ve been pretty cute. Even if it doesn’t scream “Born Again Virgin!!!”

  71. daisyfly says:

    The issue of money is moot because no message Bristol would give would be taken seriously.

    If she preaches abstinence, then the question “Well, why weren’t you abstinent” gets asked and nullifies her argument.

    If she preaches about the cost of teenage parenthood then the question “But aren’t you making more money speaking here than most would make working full time at McDonald’s?” gets asked.

    If she preaches about being a single parent then the question “But isn’t Levi his father, and doesn’t he pay child support?” gets asked.

    If she preaches about her dreams being put on hold then the question “But aren’t you a celebrity now?” gets asked.

    There really isn’t anything she can say. She’s the teacher in Charlie Brown.

  72. Carol says:

    Let me get this straight – they had a member of a Catholic organization on the panel, but needed an unwed mother to articulate the idea of abstinence? Okay . . .

  73. Nimrod says:

    Actually, it was the money that they protested against. Bristol gets $17,500 per appearance and they didn’t want to pay it. No wonder Bristol can afford her own fancy house and all that goes with it. I understand that you liberals are upset because she’s so successful but she’s not sitting on her butt and waiting for handouts like you are. Take it up with Obama!

  74. MJ says:

    Her lawyer’s statement cracks me up; there is no way Bristol understands even half of it.

  75. Trippin says:

    Having Bristol speak on abstinence is like asking the Octomom to talk on family planning. R U kidding me? And no those Palins will not get into the White House. If so, I’m moving to England.

  76. cprincess says:

    I still have absolutely no idea why she is a paid speaker as the face of abstinence….
    First of all shes barely articulate and its not like she had a choice about whether to continue with the pregnancy with Sarah Palin around.
    Im totally bored of hearing about this family of grifters and on the subject of her having a mortgage-she doesnt have one- she paid cash for the house in Arizona -getting knocked up has been very beneficial for her…

  77. tango says:

    Trippin, promise?

    So speakers, for accepting a fee from a university that accepts financial aid, are basically the equivalent of being on foodstamps for “taking” government money, huh? Then what does that make the professors? They are also paid from financial aid money. How about other students (who aren’t employees of the school) who get money from those same on campus organizations for any number of purposes. Are they by extension being supported by the government? By that reasoning, any speech given by ANY person at a college for a fee is also living off the government. Not really a very good argument since you’d have to say the same for any speaker Wa.U has paid a fee towards since they opened.

    I think Bristol should’ve spoken for free if she was going to speak at all. But do I blame her for accepting the offer? No.

  78. Lee says:

    Wow…I cannot understand how such much hate can be thrown at a young woman, who chose to keep her baby, move out on her own, enroll in college and stand on her own two feet? Bristol is taking advantage of opportunities being offered. She must really get under your skin, and I cannot understand why. She is not even running for office, yet she generates as much ire as her mother….interesting….she has the same star power as her mother…whether you like it or not, she has it.

  79. DrM says:

    @ Cookie: the Palins in the White House? Thank you for the laugh. It will NEVER EVER happen…EVER. A very large number of Republicans don’t like Sarah Palin…to say nothing of the rest of the US AND to say nothing of the rest of the world…you know that place outside your borders? Here in New Zealand she is universally derided. I have never met ANYONE who thinks she is someone to take seriously or look up to in any way…New Zealander or otherwise. Wouldn’t having SP in the White House make for FANTASTIC foreign policy??? LOL she’d have to be shown where the places that were being discussed were on the map first…

    Oh and if you’d like a bit of relevant information… Here’s a link to a Gallup poll from November 2010.

    http://www.gallup.com/poll/144491/palin-unfavorable-score-hits-new-high.aspx

  80. Jackie says:

    Good for them! Why would college students want advise from an unwed teen mother? She couldn’t abstain ..now she wants to tell others to do what she couldn’t. What a joke! What’s the old saying …about the “apple”? Abstinence is fine, but COMMON SENSE tells smart people to protect themselves…just in case.

  81. bluhare says:

    I don’t like the Palins. More to the point, I don’t care for Sarah Palin’s politics. However, Bristol Palin has been making speeches about abstinence/whatever for quite some time, and has charged appearance fees. So I don’t know why people are surprised about this one.

    Second, yeah, she’s cashed in a la DWTS, but instead of blowing it on cars, she bought a house (with cash, not a mortgage) and is going to school. She also raises her son, and I don’t think anyone can fault her that way. At least so far, anyway.

    Would I go see her? No, not even if it were free. I don’t care for her point of view. But I also don’t understand this vitriol spewed here. She’s 20 years old and has handled things a lot more responsibly than a lot of others.

    I can’t believe I wrote that. I just defended a Palin .

  82. julie says:

    Im not even sure Bristol could speak on Sesame Street about the letter B or help big bird count to 5. I now have hope for this country to stop paying morons to give speeches about nothing. Im sure someone would have to help her write it on her hand. Im sure my 17 year old daughter (who is not/has not been)pregnant could use $15,000 to talk about abstinence and/or sexual responsibility. I hope other colleges will follow suit and Bristol will go back to actually raising her son. Im sure in a few years, she might learn something from him.

  83. Sakota says:

    Why doesn’t Bristol spend her nights with her son instead of dancing on televison and doing speaking engagements? Or spend that money she’s making on certifications and getting a solid skill set to live on?

  84. Jaana says:

    Omg I would prefer one of the girls from Teen Mom to speak to me about abstinence before her..liberal but she does seem like a sweet girl whose MOTHER is pushing her to cash in on this stupid media craze..I hope that fame doesn’t spoil her..

  85. Pirouette says:

    Hey Carol, good point!

    Further, the abstinance argument only appeals to underdeveloped minds. Critical thinking skills are important!

  86. so says:

    Bristol Palin is the same as a born again christian; do as I say not as I did.

  87. Hakura says:

    @Stef“This is NOT a woman who should be talking about abstinence. In fact, NO woman should be talking about abstinence – safe sex is far more informative and realistic. But since when have the Palin’s been informative or realistic?”

    I agree that safe sex is really the more realistic option to focus on. There’s nothing wrong with presenting abstinence as an option, but…You don’t need to learn anything to know how to be abstinent. You just don’t have sex, it’s not that hard to understand.

    Where-as safe sex not only requires knowing what you’ll be exposed to having sex, but also gives you all the common sense information you need to protect yourself if you so choose. Nothing wrong with that.

    This was one Bristol story I truly enjoyed reading, good for them. She has no right to complain about ‘trying to do the right thing‘. If she really wanted to do that, she wouldn’t be charging (or at least nothing more than the traveling fees.)

  88. bros says:

    hey Vic: being tolerant has nothing to do with tolerating everything that everyone does. I consider it civic duty to point out hypocrisy and craven exploitation. she wants 20k to go talk about sex to a bunch of students who are trying to make it honestly in the world and who are already more successful and smart than bristol.

    Bristol could have gone to college, just like my roommate in college did and she had a baby from getting pregnant at 15. She went to college, got a degree, got another degree and is now a medical professional. Why didnt this university ask one of its own mother-students to speak? I guarantee at least one of the student body is the mother of a child. that would at least be more relevant to the student body-at least it would be a student and a teen mom. what is bristol gonna each them? how to balance motherhood and dancing with the stars?

    on one hand she wants to use her famous last name to command exporbitant speaking fees and be on dancing with the stars and TV, something she could never do without her mom’s fame. And then when her famous name works in her disfavor, she’s crying about it and acting like it’s unfair. you cant have it both ways Bristol. sorry. it cuts both ways, and i would say its worked out more in her favor than not.

  89. renai(jrt) says:

    I think she looks cute in that photo and I love the platform heels!!

  90. Tess says:

    It’s always disappointing to realize how comfortable “liberals” are with stifling debate.

  91. mrsodie2 says:

    I agree that she shouldn’t get paid more than everyone else on the panel. Although, she is a celebrity in our famewhore culture, and they generally get paid. However, I think the university students would get more out of listening to her speak and debating her than banning her. To be educated, you need to learn to hear different points of view and not just have your own worldview continuously buttressed. And I’ll bet the Catholics are also going to talk about abstinence. Just a hunch.

  92. jc126 says:

    Stand on her own two feet? She’s only got the opportunities she’s got because of who her mom is. If not for SP, Bristol would probably be lucky to get a job in a Wasilla McDonald’s (if there even is one there).
    Oh, and people keep making the claims about liberals being intolerant because they can’t think of anything else to say.

  93. Brooke says:

    Would love to know how many of the student body at Wash U. (ugh) are pregnant while mommy and daddy are footing the bill for their (sex) education? Hmmmmmm??? Hypocrisy at it’s finest.

  94. Cheyenne says:

    What makes this stupid twit think anything she has to say is worth two cents, let alone $20,000?

  95. annie says:

    @Pirouette, are you implying that those who practice abstinence have underdeveloped minds? You stated that those who are swayed by the argument have underdeveloped minds. Could you show some evidence?

  96. Isa says:

    Why all this crap towards liberals?

    Are we supposed to just sit around without an opinion while Bristol cashes in once again on her teenage pregnancy? While the college wastes thousands of dollars on a speaker when they could’ve found that viewpoint from someone else for cheaper if not for free?

  97. Cheyenne says:

    @mrsodie2: The school didn’t ban her from speaking. They just refused to pay her for doing it. If she was really sincere about helping to prevent teenage pregnancy she’d do it for nothing. It’s not like she needs the money. And it’s not like she’s a celebrity, except in her own mind. She’s an unintelligent, untalented hack whose surname happens to be Palin.

  98. bros says:

    brooke, wtf are you talking about? even if you are even remotely correct about lots of pregnant people at college, is that supposed to be a bad thing? at least they are in college, as opposed to that twit who barely finished high school. also, it isnt hypocrisy: the student body didnt object to someone coming in to talk about teen pregnancy. they objected to the choice of bristol pailin and her exorbitant fees. try to understand the story.

  99. MissyA says:

    I think it’s very telling that Bristol refused to speak once WaU refused to pay her. It kind of negates the rationale behind her public service message, no?

  100. original kate says:

    “Then what does that make the professors?”

    @ tango: you can’t tell the difference between bristol palin and a professor? i’ll clear it up for you: one is a snowbilly grifter soaking up the limelight and one isn’t.

  101. Liana says:

    If not for SP, Bristol would probably be lucky to get a job in a Wasilla McDonald’s (if there even is one there).
    *********

    There are a couple, if I remember correctly.

  102. eja102 says:

    I recently read somewhere (here?? I don’t think so??) that BP wants Levi to give up his parental rights.

    Anyone know why that might be?

    also, if my university wanted to spend 20 grand on this speaker, I would protest also. The “do as I say, not as I do” attitude doesn’t wash with me either.

  103. Tess says:

    Speechmaking is a huge gravytrain and it doesn’t matter which side of the political spectrum the speaker is on. It’s surprising how people with some experience on any subject (often gained while employed on the taxpayers’ nickel), turn around and charge big bucks for making speeches at college and university forums.

    But the thing that’s most amazing about this Bristol Palin situation is the pure fear and hatred she and her mother engender.

    Her mother’s a blue-collar gal who’s made her own way without benefit of an ivy league diploma and elitist networking connections.

    Probably she’s got more in common with most of us than any of the establishment types who want to destroy her.

    Talk about useful idiots. Read Animal Farm. You’re being waltzed right down the primrose path.

  104. Cherry Rose says:

    eja102 – Levi has proven himself one of THE biggest famewhores by selling out Bristol and her mother, just so he could try to get a career in Hollywood, which obviously, he didn’t.

    While I’m not a fan of the Palins, that is a vile and low move to do. You don’t sell out your baby mama’s family, just so you can try to get your 15 minutes of fame. I highly doubt that Sarah Palin ever called Tripp a retard. While she has many faults, being a bad grandmother is not one of them.

    Levi has proven himself to be a lazy asshole, who has done nothing to try to help support Bristol and his son. He’s self centered and very egotistical, thus the Playgirl photoshoot. Levi even got back with Bristol, just so he could get back in the tabloids, WTF!?! Then he cheated on her, because he never cared about her, he just used her for the fame.

    I’m not saying Bristol is that great a parent either, compared to the many parents out in the world, but compared to Levi, she looks like the #1 mom. I would definitely want her to have all the parental rights.

  105. Jenn Jenn says:

    Tess #21 wondered,

    “Point of fact here: Planned Parenthood is subsidized by taxpayer dollars although many taxpayers seriously disagree with their methods and agenda.

    Should they be disinvited from the panel, too? ”

    Sure, if that reflects the wishes of WU students whose tuition is funding the speaking fees of panelists.

    Later on, Tess #90 wrote, “It’s always disappointing to realize how comfortable “liberals” are with stifling debate. ”

    It’s always sad when people misunderstand freedom of speech, which protects one’s right to express views in public but does not require others to pay for those views to be expressed or even to listen to them.

  106. Cookie says:

    Dr. M, it doesn’t matter at all what you, all 527 New Zealanders, or the rest of the world thinks about Sarah Palin. You don’t get to vote for the most powerful person in the free world. Americans do.

    Although our current president has done a fine job of reducing that post to less than most-powerful, that’s for sure.

    The poll info you referenced is old, for one, and two, you will never find a published poll result showing a favorable viewpoint of Sarah Palin as she is despised and terrifies most tv, cable and written news organizations. Her soaring popularity is among the enormous group that lies outside the very slim demographic that are covered in popular polls.

    That was easy. Next?

    Your roiling, outspoken hatred and indecency toward the Palin family fuel her wave of support. The louder you criticize and judge and skewer them publicly, the more her supporters push back. If you guys keep going, the election in 2012 will be just like this past Congressional one, but worse. For your team.

  107. eja102 says:

    thanks Cherry, for the synopsis.

    I read Animal Farm. 4 legs good, 2 legs bad.

    which ones are the Palins?

    hmm, really scary, read 1984.

  108. Ron says:

    The fact the ANYONE would pay to hear her speak is simply beyond me.

  109. annie says:

    @eja 102,Cherry made a reference,I did’nt read any synopsis. I doubt you read either one.

  110. Cheyenne says:

    Cookie, I sincerely hope that Sarah Palin is the republican candidate for president in 2012, and that Michelle Bachmann or Sharron Angle or the Delaware dimwit is her running mate, which will guarantee Obama’s re-election by the biggest landslide in American history.

    Sarah Palin is a blithering idiot who couldn’t get elected dog-catcher. Just deal with it.

  111. Cheyenne says:

    Cookie, you want a more recent poll? According to the January 2011 Gallup poll, 38% of Americans have a favorable view of Sarah Palin. That’s the lowest she’s ever been since she was picked to be McCain’s running mate in 2008.

    I hope that broad keeps running her mouth and spewing bullshit right and left. She’s digging her own political grave with it.

  112. Truthzbetta says:

    If you have no ability to debate, just put up your side and silence the opposition, eh?

    Yet JenJen up there still has her racist remark up? Nothing but a racist remark, and it stays in spite of the whole policy thing above saying no racist remarks.

  113. lori says:

    Someone who voted for Sarah Palin actually has the ability to reason? That doesn’t seem likely. There must be some mistake about who really made the statement. Or else someone typed it out for him and then paid him to say it.

  114. eja102 says:

    @ annie

    synopsis: brief or condensed statement giving a general view of some subject.

    I don’t care if you “did’nt” read any synopsis.

    I find it difficult to take you seriously when you misspell such a common word.
    Having a discussion about George Orwell and your reference, which was indeed a reference, to his acclaimed novel might have proved interesting.

  115. Jenna says:

    I love how the person defending her has NO IDEA HOW TO USE COMMAS

  116. CB Rawks says:

    Yeah right Bristol. Your opinion isn’t worth five cents, but universities should fork out tens of thousands. What a deludenac.

  117. Tess says:

    @ Jenna

    Your expertise in the finer points of punctuation is impressive.

  118. BB says:

    @Jenna: Well, you apparently don’t realize that a period signifies the end of a sentence, so you might want to rethink your plan of attack.

  119. Shannon says:

    I’m offended that abstinence was going part of the discussion in the first place. I’m a college student, and if someone were to come to my college to talk down to me and tell me what to do with MY body, I’d be pretty steamed to be honest. These people made it to college. They are adults. Obviously they’ve already made a lot of the right decisions. By this point they have presumably figured out how to use birth control or they’d have children. They don’t need to be patronized or told to “just say no” like a bunch of kids in junior high. Especially not by Bristol Palin, who in fact did NOT make the same good decisions.

  120. Shannon says:

    “Talk about useful idiots. Read Animal Farm. You’re being waltzed right down the primrose path.”

    I read Animal Farm when I was in 7th grade. I have since moved on to more mature and nuanced reading material. Perhaps you should do the same. Not hating on George Orwell by any means, but if you want to have a real discussion about the current state of political affairs, Animal Farm just isn’t going to cut it. Next you’ll be telling me that we should be taking cues from The Wizard of Oz for a populist uprising.

  121. Cookie says:

    Cheyenne, I agree with you. I think a Palin candidacy very well might be the final nail in the Republicans’ coffin in 2012. The Republicans are spineless and naive. I can only guess that more and more people who initially identified themselves as Republican will become completely disgusted by them and perhaps form and support the emerging Tea Party as a true third party? Who knows.

  122. Cherry Rose says:

    Sorry for my rant on Levi, but I find selling out people, especially family (no matter who they are) to be despicable. Family matters are private, and therefore, should remain private.

  123. GradStudentEatingHotPockets says:

    PEOPLE!
    Let’s remove politics for just one second.
    No matter what side you are on, no matter where you are from, and no matter what you believe-

    Yes, that was too much money to spend on one speaker when the school could have had a panel for the same price. It doesn’t matter if it is Bristol Palin or the very hot defense attorney that came to my private university to lecture us (the student athletes) on hazing (and he was gorgeous….but VERY VERY expensive).

    All that matters is that it was too much money for one person to do a speech. The students got what they wanted in the end…so why is everyone so riled up in the comments section? I mean, I think EVERYONE agrees that it was a waste of money. Can’t we save the debates and arguments about politics….for posts about politicians?

    *crosses fingers so this comment won’t produce an angry backlash haha*

  124. Tess says:

    Whenever “liberals” point out that something lacks “nuance” it means that there’s a simple truth that they’re at a loss to refute—so, instead, they claim that elegant simplicity undermines veracity.

    An empty argument.

  125. bunkins says:

    famewhores

  126. Cookie says:

    Wow, Shannon… You are an amazingly brilliant, capable and experienced adult if you can make it all the way to COLLEGE.

    Hate to break it to you, but like you said that 1984 isn’t exactly the benchmark for political discourse today, being a college student does not denote any kind of intelligence or capability either. Any half-witted retard can get into college. Sorry to burst that hot-sh*t air ballon you’ve been riding in.

  127. Cookie says:

    Oh, Gradstudent, you’re no fun!

  128. Shannon says:

    Cookie I was making the point that making it into college is quite the accomplishment compared to what Bristol has done with her life, and I was also pointing out that making it to college successfully means you’ve probably got your head screwed on straight. Where you got the idea that I was holding it up as a bastion of intelligence, I have no idea. I was not riding on a “hot-sh*t air balloon” at all – though since you’ve already thrown that accusation out, I’ll let you know that I’m graduating with two bachelor’s degrees in the spring (only 30% of people manage to earn one) and will be moving onto grad school in the fall, so yes I am amazingly brilliant, thanks for noticing.

    Anyway, back on topic; Bristol is not an expert on abstinence or college students, so I don’t see what business she has demanding money for talking about either of those things.

  129. Shannon says:

    Hey Tess, you may want to go back and read my comment about Animal Farm. Where did I say that it “lacks nuance”? Answer: I did not. I said I’ve moved on to MORE nuanced material. If you can’t even be bothered to read what I’m writing and respond to it instead of casting aspersions about my word choice, I’m not going to discuss this with you anymore. Nit-picking at a single word in my comment (and interpreting it incorrectly) does nothing to detract from my original statement. In fact it just makes it seem like you’re too cowardly to respond to what I was really making an argument about, although maybe it was simply an oversight on your part. That should probably be expected of someone who cannot differentiate between opinion and truth.

  130. Tess says:

    Shannon, your argument is so nuanced, I can’t follow it.

    I’ll just say that you clearly implied that Animal Farm lacks nuance and leave it at that.

  131. GradStudentEatingHotPockets says:

    @Cookie…I know, I’m sorry! haha It’s just that I read the comments and it’s like two angry mobs with pitch forks and fire and stuff ha.

    Normally I am not the “rainbow and glitter and happiness all around” kind of person..but man! Sooo much anger haha

  132. Cookie says:

    Well this is great, because I, too, am a two bachelor degrees holder, and I am also a mother of three young children. In my life experience, the idiots that surrounded me in college for the most part had everything done for them and couldn’t find their way out of a paper bag. They were able to jump through hoops and earn those degrees, though.

    The contrary is true. Making it into college is NOTHING compared to what Bristol Palin has endured since taking responsibility for herself and her pregnancy. College ain’t sh*t. It doesn’t mean you’re smart, it doesn’t mean you can perform a job, it doesn’t mean you have a work ethic or a sense of responsibilty.

    In my opinion, young Bristol Palin made an awesome decision for herself and the child she accidentally created. That decision and the care and raising of a child takes WAY more responsibility, devotion and principle than anything I ever had to do earning ANY of my degrees. And I have three. Does that make me more brilliant than you?

  133. Crash2GO2 says:

    I think it’s interesting that so many here assume that someone who was a teen mom with only a High School education, could never have anything worthwhile to say.

  134. SS99 says:

    Ok all I see here are a bunch of liberal’s attacking someone 😛 Really its kind of sad whatever happend to that no more hateful retoric?? Oh wait that only matter’s when its republican’s or conservative’s hypocrites

  135. MrsOdie2 says:

    Only about 38% of people who start college finish with any kind of degree. Getting to college is only the beginning. You have to finish.

  136. CB Rawks says:

    @Tess, a simple truth like the fact that Bush screwed the country up so bad that it’s taking smart people a huge effort to fix it?
    Also, you should study up on when to use quotation marks.

    By the way, this thread is ACTUALLY about Bristol Palin, who like her mother has absolutely no knowledge of politics or education or common sense, which is why people only ask her about what she has actually DONE in her life so far, get knocked up.
    The fact that she thinks she deserves huge appearance fees just confirms what a thorough moron she is. She obviously reeeally wants to help.

  137. Grace says:

    “Ok all I see here are a bunch of liberal’s attacking someone”

    # 131 – It’s fascinating to me that all you see are liberals attacking someone when 1. not all of the people who have a problem with Bristol Palin speaking were liberals. In fact, you don’t even know the political affiliation of any of the people who have expressed displeasure with Bristol and her family. There are Republicans who find the Palins distasteful as well. 2. This thread is full of people bashing liberals. Tess has plastered herself all over this thread hurling petty insults at liberals with no substantive arguments to back up that opinion. And yet all you see in this thread are liberals bashing someone. You have incredibly selective reading abilities.

    It does nothing to further your argument to jump to conclusions about those who disagree with you or to lump entire groups of people together into one category. It only serves to make your argument look weak and you look foolish. Why don’t you try telling us why we’re wrong about the Palins rather than just hurl petty insults at people.

  138. Trippin says:

    Hello this is Celebitchy not Politibitchy so enough with calling everyone liberal who doesn’t like the goofy ass Palins. Besides I thought the majority of conservatives believed that Hollywood is full of liberals so that would mean liberals would dominate on this website. Anyway for years and years Hilary Clinton was reviled and vilified by conservatives way more than Sarah or Bristol Palin has experienced. It’s more fun gossiping about celebrities than talking politics. Cut us a damn break. Just sayin………

  139. PersonalResponsibility says:

    What a bunch of envious misinformed libtards you all are. Everything you say about Bristol and the Palins says more about your miserable existence you call lives. When you all get your head out of obama’s ass, you might see that The Great Divider and Least Qualified Person in the Room, is selling you a bunch of nonsense and would have you all poor and dependent on big government. But that’s what you get when you have government education.

  140. annie says:

    eja102, yep, I made a reference and so did Cherry. You can’t take me seriously aince I made a typo? Oh, good grief, stop taking yourself so seriously.

  141. Mtn Girl says:

    @139, personal responsibility. Nice name, too bad the Palins don’t do that whenever someone disagrees with them and/or shuts them down after they have opened mouth and inserted foot. They constantly complain about being victimized by people, the MSM, etc, yet continually put themselves out into the public eye, where they are open to public opinion. Disliking the Palins has nothing to do with being conservative or liberal – it’s just that hypocrisy and bad manners are not endearing qualities and people get tired of being played after a while. Bristol bought a house and supposedly enrolled in college, good on her for starting her education and expanding her world outside Alaska and DWTS – too bad it is in AZ where I live – we have enough problems right now without adding yet another media circus.

    @ Trippin, Grace, et al, who have pointed out this is a fun gossip site – point well taken – sorry to add to the *politibitchy* aspect (lol at that word though). Rant over.

  142. Bodhi says:

    Wow, this certainly has gotten completely off track…

  143. benny says:

    She didn’t even finish high school, and she’s supposed to advise college students? She didn’t practice abstinence – or even safe sex – and she’s supposed to lecture on that? Other than being famous for being a pregnant high school drop-out, what qualifications does she have, exactly? Sure, she’s “qualified” to be a reality-show star, but that’s about it.

    If people were serious about reducing unwanted pregnancies, they wouldn’t hire someone who turned their unwanted pregnancy into their sole meal ticket. Her ENTIRE “career” is based on pimping out her unwanted pregnancy. Actually, she IS a role model – for girls who have no other options in life: get pregnant, and turn that into a way to get attention. Worked for Bristol. But maybe that’s not a message the schools should be sending.

  144. Cheyenne says:

    PersonalResponsibility: that’s what you get when you have government education.
    =========================================

    So what were you, home-schooled?

  145. Moreaces says:

    God help us all if Sarah Palin runs for president and she actually wins (which I don’t really see happening, but still).
    ==========
    Think Egypt

  146. tvf says:

    Whether you like the Palins or not, everyone who is saying she’s not worth the $17,500 speaker’s fee is missing a basic point of free market.

    As long as Bristol Palin can ask $17,500 an engagement, and continue to book as many engagements as she feels she needs to to cover her operating expenses, she is “worth” $17,500 as a speaker. If/when she is no longer able to book speaking engagements often enough to pay her operating expenses at that price, she will either have to lower her price to meet the market or raise her price and hope that she can find a price point where she can meet her operating expenses by doing even fewer engagements.

    The market is saying she’s worth $17,500 by the simple fact of her getting it, whether any of us agree with it or not. There are examples on both ends of the political spectrum of speakers who command fees that are considered entirely too high by their detractors, but as long as the market will pay it, they are “worth” whatever fee they can obtain.

  147. Grace says:

    @Personal Responsibility: It’s amusing me a great deal to see that you are lecturing all of us on what horrible people we are while spewing insults at others and bringing up things that have nothing to do with this discussion. This post is not about Obama, and the fact that you feel the need to spew anger towards him about an article that has nothing to do with him shows 1) that you are unable to defend Bristol Palin so you are instead attempting to deflect from the issue and 2) you have no interest in doing anything other than spew childish insults.

  148. garvels says:

    I can see why students may not wish to pay a huge speaking fee for someone they don’t respect but I was also wondering if the students have ever protested past speakers? If so who were they? I personally think free speech is a good thing and I think her experience of being forced onto the national stage because of her mother’s decision to accept a VP nomination would be very interesting to listen to on a personal level. Think about it one day you are a 15-16 yr old pregnant teen who no one has ever heard of then the next day you are known round the world as trailer trash, whore,hypocrite,stupid slut who ruined her life, because she decided to have the baby instead of discard it in a medical hazardous waste dumpster. I personally think Sarah Palin should have known that this was going to happen to her daughter upon accepting the VP nomination;so speaking as a mother, I don’t understand how she could place her VP ambitions above the emotional welfare of her daughter. In the same breath I don’t think it is fair to criticize people who lack a college education or a high school education. People have different perspectives and views based on life experiences.So I guess what some people are trying to say is that if you don’t have a college degree or high school diploma then your life and your experiences don’t count and your opinion is worthless???? I also am wondering if Sarah Palin were a man and a Democrat if this whole situation would have been spun differently in the media?? I do think all women politicians get held to a different standard than their male counterparts and are attacked on more personal levels. In other words-POLITICS SUCK!

  149. Kylie says:

    I’m not even sure why we should care about what the morons at Wash U.have to say. They’re like lemmings…tell them to jump off a cliff and they…well, you know the rest.

  150. thesaurophile says:

    Why should we be tolerant of blatant stupidity? Evil and stupid should be shunned.

    I didn’t need President Obama to tell me which way the wind was blowing on this family of hypocrites.

  151. Grace says:

    @garvels: No one is trying to stop free speech. They just don’t want to pay Bristol $17,000 for that speech. That’s not the same as trying to block freedom of speech.

    And also, I don’t think the experiences of a person who didn’t go to college, or who was a teen mom are worthless – thinking something is worthless and thinking that it’s not worth $17,000 isn’t exactly the same thing. The reason why I don’t think Bristol should be a paid speaker at that event is the same as the one listed in the article, because, unlike most teen moms, she benefited from getting pregnant, and so I don’t think her life would make a very good cautionary tale (which is what she’s trying to pass her speeches off as.)

  152. original kate says:

    “everyone who is saying she’s not worth the $17,500 speaker’s fee is missing a basic point of free market.”

    no, we’re not; obviously the students did not feel she was worth $17,500 and did not want to pay it. that is free market economics in action.

  153. garvels says:

    Grace-I understand your point but I guess I wasn’t clear with my response. I should have asked what is the criteria for determining the monetary reimbursement for a speaker at Washington U? Which leads to my next question as to if the students have ever protested the value of any other speaker? If so who? Does anyone know if Palin would have participated if only expenses were reimbursed with no $17,500 fees?? Would the student body have accepted that arrangement?? I just have a very strong sense Palin’s polarizing effect on the electorate played an integral role in the anti-Palin twitter campaign. If that is the case, I consider that as stifling or squashing the opposing view which I do not in turn consider free speech…and I am the farthest thing from a Palin supporter.

  154. CB Rawks says:

    @Cookie
    “The louder you criticize and judge and skewer them publicly, the more her supporters push back.”

    Cookie, doesn’t that wake you up at all? You seem to support her simply to spite her opposers.
    If you’re so educated, how can it not bother you that Palin is extremely dumb? She is woefully unqualified for any kind of office. She doesn’t keep up on current events. She doesn’t know where other countries are, especially Russia. She can’t keep her Koreas straight. She soullessly kills defenceless animals and then says that’s an “Accomplishment”. “Oh I really ACHIEVED something when I blew that harmless animal’s brains out.”

    Why do you have any confidence in her and how could you want her to be in charge of your country? I just don’t understand that.

  155. Statler says:

    thesaurophile- I completely agree.

    Grace & original kate- You beat me to it.

    garvels- You asked a question I want to address, so I’ll take a turn too. Don’t feel picked on 🙂

    re:
    ‘So I guess what some people are trying to say is that if you don’t have a college degree or high school diploma then your life and your experiences don’t count and your opinion is worthless????’

    Of course not, but stretching this relativism too far *is* a dangerous mistake. (And one that’s been creeping with increasing frequency into public debate.) So many people are openly contemptuous of intellectualism now, it’s ridiculous- what are they thinking, that we can just live off the fat indefinitely? Other countries aren’t so foolish.

  156. Grace says:

    @garvels: But if you’re going to argue that disinviting her is coming close to stifling freedom of speech then you would also have to argue that every student who shows up that day should be allowed to get up on the stage and speak – which we all know is not going to be possible. Or that people should be allowed to show up at radio stations and demand air time on a show they weren’t invited to be on. Or to show up at Harpo studios and demand to be on Oprah if they feel like it. That is not what freedom of speech means.

  157. TaylorB says:

    I have heard a ton of people say things like ‘if you don’t like Rush Limbaugh, Fox News or Al Franken, MSNBC etc. don’t listen/watch them and change the channel’ that choice is part of free speech. Well it seems that the students at Washington University have basically made the choice to turn the proverbial channel. It is their money to spend as they like, and if they object to padding the already quite large coffers of this young lady then that is them exercising their free speech. I agree with others, she is the exception, she has become very comfortable because of her situation not in spite of it. I know this is an extreme comparison, but It would be like getting a lecture on why dealing drugs will ruin your life from some reformed millionaire drug lord who owns 3 houses instead of a street dealer who is doing 20 years in prison.

    This has nothing to do with who she is, politics, or her mother. It is a group of people who are saying that while the message is valid, the person delivering it is taking advantage of that message on their dime.

  158. TaylorB says:

    I would like to add, I have no problem with her earning a living and providing for her son, but just because you want a certain job doesn’t mean the ‘boss’ (in this case the students that are paying for the fee) has to want you as well. That’s life. Suck it up, there are pleanty of places that will be more than happy to pay the fee.

  159. garvels says:

    Hi Grace-I completely agree with students deciding who they want to have speak on their campus, if they are paying for it. What is not clear, is do the students vote for ALL speakers who speak on campus.I don’t believe they do and I believe this may have been the only time they disinvited someone, and it just happened to be the vile Bristol Palin. This situation will probably occur more often in the future due to Twitter and Facebook. It is very easy to organize a good old fashion protest and alert the media and movie stars with technology. I would have to respectfully disagree with you and say it was all about Palin and Politics. If Bristol’s last name was Smith, we would not be discussing this topic today.

  160. rottenkitty says:

    Grace,

    No, it isn’t even remotely like “suppressing” Bristol’s free speech. No one is preventing her from saying anything she wants. (See all those super fabulous quotes from Palin? That’s indicative of her speaking freely.) The students are just refusing to pay for the privilege.

    Also, freedom of speech doesn’t mean anyone has to listen to you.

  161. Isa says:

    “If Bristol’s last name was Smith, we would not be discussing this topic today.”

    This is true. If her last name was Smith she probably wouldn’t have been able to profit off of her teenage pregnancy. No one would’ve cared about her.

  162. Hakura says:

    I wouldn’t say things have gotten off-track, just a bit… weighted-down on the politics.

    Bristol Palin wouldn’t be where she is if not for her surname, & definitely wouldn’t have gotten the special attention if not for her having become a teenage mother.

    Admittedly, (& especially considering her Republican background), Bristol & Sarah have been opportunistic, but have made the best of this situation. I don’t fault them for that.

    What I do fault Bristol for is hypocrisy (but I’d fault anyone for that.) I agree with the student’s actions, based on the reasoning given that they didn’t agree with her expensive fees being paid by the college. Some have brought up the point of wondering if the students have ever protested another speaker, but I think the reason behind this was Bristol’s being so well known in the public eye.

    Her fame made her more likely to be talked about as a possible speaker ahead of time, & her previous appearances meant the students were able to know ahead of time what sort of fees she usually asks for such things. The student’s reasoning made it clear that the decision was legitimate, & not based solely on political beliefs.

  163. Yesh says:

    Ok I get it liberal’s don’t like Bristol or Sarah because. They say they aren’t educated well I have a question how much more educated are you guy’s. You just say she is stupid and vile for what reason?? You know after the recent shooting it seem’s the far far left has gotten more hateful then ever. Not that some on the right haven’t but really you say unfounded .Thing’s like they are fact’s like Sarah is uneducated and stupid same with Bristol. You can’t say that cause you don’t know them neither can I say that about them because I don’t know them. Just attacking someone with sadiatic glee won’t get you anywhere good. And ive seen some pretty hateful and very vile things said here. Which is sad 🙁 its no longer debate its attack and attack 🙁

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