AP Interview with Levi Johnston

[SteveInBrooklyn]

Yes Steve, did I say it wrong? Was it not perfect? Did you not get what I was trying to say? In your 68 *young* years you should be very proud that you are entitled to judge people, just because you are you. Karma...well, you know what they say.

No, I would never correct somebody else's grammar when my own is so bad. I was trying to say why past tense? Why not present tense? Why "have walked" and not "are walking"? I was being sarcastic. All I did was call somebody in the public eye trashy. What's the big deal? I've toned it down considerably since I've been on this board.

 

[fourdaughters]

No, I would never correct somebody else's grammar when my own is so bad. I was trying to say why past tense? Why not present tense? Why "have walked" and not "are walking"? I was being sarcastic. All I did was call somebody in the public eye trashy. What's the big deal? I've toned it down considerably since I've been on this board.

Have a nice day.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm not a Palin supporter at all, I think she is a LOUSY choice as a VP candidate. But, the situation that these young people find themselves in (Bristol & Levi) really isn't unusual today. I do see the irony in the political standpoint of the Republican Party, and Gov. Palin herself, being in favor of abstinence education, and flying the family values flag...but this young couple, soon to be parents, should not personally be the targets of discussion.

I would not agree with Levi's choice to leave high school, but I think he is a young man trying to do the best he can in a difficult situation, and that situation has been made more difficult by the spotlight of politics. I give him credit for taking responsibility, and for trying to financially support his baby by taking a job in the oil fields. It is hard , smelly, and challenging work, especially in the Alaskan climate. I wish him, Bristol and the child the best. How awful it must be for him to come in to sudden celebrity simply by virtue of his future Mother In Law's political ambitions.

 

[castleview]

I do see the irony in the political standpoint of the Republican Party, and Gov. Palin herself, being in favor of abstinence education, and flying the family values flag....

Yet, Alaska's public schools supposedly have a comprehensive sex ed curriculum that is NOT abstinence only. While I support a full sex ed curriculum, I know a higher percentage of teens getting pregnant have been exposed to that full (not abstinence only) sex ed program. I don't think teen pregnancy always happens because girls aren't informed of contraceptive options. A lot simply have low self esteem, no goals and/or reckless behavior. When I was a teacher, I had a few students that intended to get pregnant.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Yet, Alaska's public schools supposedly have a comprehensive sex ed curriculum that is NOT abstinence only. While I support a full sex ed curriculum, I know a higher percentage of teens getting pregnant have been exposed to that full (not abstinence only) sex ed program. I don't think teen pregnancy always happens because girls aren't informed of contraceptive options. A lot simply have low self esteem, no goals and/or reckless behavior. When I was a teacher, I had a few students that intended to get pregnant.

It's a lie that McCain/Palin would promote an abstinence only program. Obama/Biden support sex education programs that emphasizes both abstinence and access to contraception.

 

[RitaE]

Palin is on record stating that she is pro-contraception and believes that teens should have access to information about contraception. She has never pushed an Abstinence only agenda.

She is against school funded clinics which disperse birth control.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Here's something that I find strange - if they are getting married anyway, why wait until after the baby is born. Flame away, but I can't stand when couples wait until they have a baby so they can have a big, traditional wedding. Worrying about who is going to be their best man and usher seem to be the least of their problems.

 

[castleview]

Here's something that I find strange - if they are getting married anyway, why wait until after the baby is born. Flame away, but I can't stand when couples wait until they have a baby so they can have a big, traditional wedding. Worrying about who is going to be their best man and usher seem to be the least of their problems.

Who knows why...she might want to be thin again or maybe she's under her parents' insurance. That doesn't bother me. Personally, I don't think you have to get married just because you're pregnant. Being a newlywed is the last thing these two need in addition to having/supporting a child, finishing their educations and just figuring out who they are.

 

[castleview]

It's a lie that McCain/Palin would promote an abstinence only program. Obama/Biden support sex education programs that emphasizes both abstinence and access to contraception.

Sounds like they're both on the same page...and the one that I agree with.

 

[RitaE]

Here's something that I find strange - if they are getting married anyway, why wait until after the baby is born. Flame away, but I can't stand when couples wait until they have a baby so they can have a big, traditional wedding. Worrying about who is going to be their best man and usher seem to be the least of their problems.

I guess we all have the choice of either assuming they are waiting so they can have a big wedding or maybe we could assume next summer will be better for some other reason that we are not privy to?

However, if you can't stand it, send your regrets and skip the gift.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Here's something that I find strange - if they are getting married anyway, why wait until after the baby is born. Flame away, but I can't stand when couples wait until they have a baby so they can have a big, traditional wedding. Worrying about who is going to be their best man and usher seem to be the least of their problems.

Here's something I find strange - why anybody would care or choose to judge them. Bristol is most likely covered under her parent's insurance coverage. Why should they be denied the wedding of their choice?? Clearly some think that they should have a shotgun wedding under the cover of darkness and not celebrate their mistake by having a party for a marriage that is surely doomed to fail.

 

[Magic Mom]

Palin is on record stating that she is pro-contraception and believes that teens should have access to information about contraception. She has never pushed an Abstinence only agenda.

She is against school funded clinics which disperse birth control.

Let's see it again but bigger!

 

[gmboy95]

Just read the AP interview with Levi Johnston. Sounds like a nice kid and says that he is looking forward to marrying Bristol Palin. What I found incredibly sad is that he has already dropped out of high school. Maybe the culture is different in Alaska but I think education is so important. So many future options are closed without an education and in most cases you really even need a college degree to be considered for the better jobs. An 18 year old father without even a high school diploma just seems sad no matter who you are.

Great catch for Sarah.....When family values go terribly wrong!!!

 

[freckles and boo]

Here's something I find strange - why anybody would care or choose to judge them. Bristol is most likely covered under her parent's insurance coverage. Why should they be denied the wedding of their choice?? Clearly some think that they should have a shotgun wedding under the cover of darkness and not celebrate their mistake by having a party for a marriage that is surely doomed to fail.

I think the longer they wait the better. One of them might come to his or her senses. At worst, they wait until after the baby is born and have a better understanding of what "married with a baby" is all about. My mom walked down the aisle between her parents when she was three years old (57 years ago).

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I guess we all have the choice of either assuming they are waiting so they can have a big wedding or maybe we could assume next summer will be better for some other reason that we are not privy to?

However, if you can't stand it, send your regrets and skip the gift.

Maybe I didn't make my post clear. It is not just Bristol Palin waiting until she has the baby to get married that gets under my skin. I don't think marriage is always the right answer in those circumstances either.

However, I DO think if you are sure that getting married is the right decision in that circumstance - then get married. Don't worry about having the "big party" - teenage marriages are NOT the ideal.

 

[RitaE]

Maybe I didn't make my post clear. It is not just Bristol Palin waiting until she has the baby to get married that gets under my skin. I don't think marriage is always the right answer in those circumstances either.

However, I DO think if you are sure that getting married is the right decision in that circumstance - then get married. Don't worry about having the "big party" - teenage marriages are NOT the ideal.

no you were perfectly clear on your opinion. You don't agree with the timing of their wedding. You think they are doing it wrong and it gets under your skin.

The only confusion I have is why you care when two complete strangers (I assume?) decide to hold their wedding. How does the date affect you in any manner?

 

[shortbun]

If a high school dropout got my 17 yr old daughter pregnant I'd beat the daylights out of him. I certainly wouldn't proudly parade him around during a national campaign.

It's weird isn't it? I am so sad for them.

 

[Buckalew11]

Until it happens within your own family, maybe you will never understand. My great nephew was born in June to his living together, unmarried parents. They waited until September to get married. They had their reasons. I stayed out of it. I figured if she did not want to marry him than they really should not get married. If she wanted to wait, I was sure she had her reasons. NOMB.

I think this is a terribly judgemental thread. All you people judging so harshly (or fairly in your own eyes) are the first to point fingers anytime anyone else judges someone. You know that old saying, pot, kettle...black.

A college degree is a wonderful thing. A HS degree is a wonderful thing. But you know, people can and do succeed w/o one--esp. people who are electricians, plumbers, machinests.

I had a boss for 11 years who was a HS dropout. She got pregnant by an older man and dropped out and married him. She lost the baby and stayed married for a few years. After dropping out, she went got her license to do hair and is still working 33 years later doing hair, owning her own successful salon with 8 employees. She's the best darn hairdresser I have ever seen--I'd put her up against any hairdresser you can name. She's done well for herself and her family--always able to take care of herself. Not what people usually think of HS dropouts or hairdressers. But hey, just think how much you pay for your hairdressing services and then think about how much that person makes an hour.

If Levi Johnson and Bristrol Palin get married or not, it is no business of ours. If he works under someone who knows their stuff and learns everything there is to learn about the business, he'll be fine in that area of his life anyway.

 

[eliza61]

If a high school dropout got my 17 yr old daughter pregnant I'd beat the daylights out of him. I certainly wouldn't proudly parade him around during a national campaign.

Stevie,
I am so there with you. If I got pregnant at 17 by a h.s. dropout, there wouldn't have been any thing left of him to interview. My NYC cop for a father would have beat him to a bloody pulp after my 3 big brothers got done with him.

 

[eliza61]

A college degree is a wonderful thing. A HS degree is a wonderful thing. But you know, people can and do succeed w/o one--esp. people who are electricians, plumbers, machinests.

I had a boss for 11 years who was a HS dropout. She got pregnant by an older man and dropped out and married him. She lost the baby and stayed married for a few years. After dropping out, she went got her license to do hair and is still working 33 years later doing hair, owning her own successful salon with 8 employees. She's the best darn hairdresser I have ever seen--I'd put her up against any hairdresser you can name. She's done well for herself and her family--always able to take care of herself. Not what people usually think of HS dropouts or hairdressers. But hey, just think how much you pay for your hairdressing services and then think about how much that person makes ananyway.

Yes but the odds are so terrible stacked against you and one job I think of any parent is to try and give your kid the best possible leg up on life.

-Drop outs are more likely to be unemployed, in poor health, living in poverty than graduates
-drop outs are almost 8X's as likely to end up in jail
-drop outs earn 10,000 less a year than graduates and 1 million dollars less over their life times.

http://www.silentepidemic.org/epidemic/statistics-facts.htm

Yes I know that every one knows that one dynamic, great person that is a h.s. drop out but unfortunately statistic do not bear this out.