Bristol and Levi: Getting Along as Parents, Not Partners

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com

Ron Devito covered this story here, and I will simply add my two cents:

News has emerged that Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston are moving forward and working together. That's all the talking heads need to hear and then they take off running with it--and get the information wrong.

Everyone wants something juicy to report. For example, "Good Morning America" and "The Early Show" quote a so-called source who said Bristol and Levi are spending a lot of time together and are a couple again. As usual, these outlets can't seem to discern fact from fiction. So let's set the record straight.

Radar Online got it right when they reported (emphasis added):

Sarah Palin’s daughter, Bristol, and their one-time outspoken nemesis Levi Johnston are back together—but just as co-parents to son Tripp, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.

19-year-old Bristol Palin told RadarOnline.com, "Levi and me are co-parents of Tripp and we are actively working on being good parents together."

What this means is two people who brought a beautiful baby boy into the world are doing what's best for their son. Of course, Bristol has been taking care of Tripp all along, and has done so under difficult circumstances. Levi, on the other hand, was bad-mouthing his son's family, particularly Tripp's grandmother, and he was dodging his financial responsibilities. I wrote then about Levi's "triflin'" ways here and expressed hope that he would take a turn for the better:

I believe there's hope for Levi; I really do. And I hope he grabs ahold of it soon because he's treading on very thin Alaska ice.

Now, as late in the game as it is, he appears to have seen the error of his ways and wants to do right by his son. For Tripp's sake, that makes me extremely glad. In the spirit of wiping the slate clean, however, I hope he will make a pubic apology to the Palins. That, of course, would be a true lesson in repentance and humility, a lesson that would mean quite a bit to his son in the years to come.

Perhaps young men could learn something from this experience and choose to "man up" right from the start. Levi's actions were detrimental to his family, and right now he seems to want to turn that around. What everyone should be doing is wishing him and Bristol well as parents who want what's best for their son, not being gossipmongers who twist a sound parental decision into something romantic, which it is not.

Bristol Palin Signs Up to Speak Out

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com




Bristol Palin told us some time ago that she wants the experiences she's had in her own life to make a difference in the lives of others. She has begun making that difference by promoting abstinence. The abstinence message needs to be delivered far and wide, and I applaud her for being a vessel to do just that.

After giving birth to her beautiful baby boy, Tripp, she discovered the challenges of being a teenage mom. Although her son fills her with incredible joy, she understands that her situation has been made easier because she has such a strong support base. Not everyone has a family to stand with them as the Palins have stood with Bristol. The love, stability, and encouragement she's received have made all the difference in the world. In spite of what her mother, Governor Palin, would call "less than ideal circumstances," Bristol is a good mother doing a good job. God bless her.

Her message to people now is to "pause before you play." In other words, wait. Is that hypocritical, as some people have asserted? I mean, how dare she, who did not wait, tell others to wait? Actually, what Bristol is saying is abstinence is the only 100% fool-proof method to avoid pregnancy, and she's embracing that in her own life. And is it ever hypocritical for one to learn from her experiences and then to share those lessons with others? No, it's called maturity, wisdom, and plain old common sense.

Bristol is taking her abstinence message a step further now. She has signed with Single Source Speakers and will be influencing even more people as she shares her personal story--about abstinence and a number of other topics.

New York Times reports:

Bristol Palin is hitting the speakers' circuit and will command between $15,000 and $30,000 for each appearance, Palin family attorney Thomas Van Flein said Monday.

Van Flein confirmed a report by celebrity news website RadarOnline that the daughter of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has signed with Single Source Speakers. He added her exact fees will depend on factors such as which group she's addressing and what she must to do prepare.

Bristol Palin, 19, is listed on the speaking group's website as available for conferences, fundraisers, special events and holidays, as well as women's, youth, abstinence and ''pro-life'' programs.

Her fee is denoted by four question marks, meaning ''Call to discuss!''

[...]

[Van Flein] said he believes she's interested in expanding her message beyond teen pregnancy to include her experiences on the campaign trail and in the media spotlight; her parenting approach; and her outlook on life.

Before I left for Alaska last summer, our youth pastor's wife said, "Tell Bristol Palin we'd love for her to come talk to our youth group." So...if you're reading this, Bristol, how 'bout it? A trip to New York?

Read the full NY Times article here. You can also read MotivationTruth articles about Bristol, her commitment to abstinence, and her son, Tripp. Read "Bristol and Tripp; Wisdom Beyond Years" and "Bristol Palin Embraces Abstinence; Oprah Suggests Retraction?"

(H/T C4P)

Pro-Choice or Anti-Life? A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

As a woman, I consider myself a modern-day feminist who stands on the side of life. As a pro-life woman, I believe every child has the right to live. I have to admit that I did not always feel as strongly about my pro-life views as I do today. While I have always described myself as a pro-lifer, there was a time when I didn’t really have a strong opinion either way. Many of you may be wondering, “What made her change her mind; what made her garner the strong pro-life stance she has today?” My response is simple and can be summed up in four words: Sarah and Trig Palin. Before Sarah stepped to the forefront, I never gave much thought to the whole “abortion” debate. While I knew that I would personally ALWAYS choose life, I never gave it much thought beyond my own personal beliefs. Blame it on society, blame it on the media and pop culture, or blame it on my young, naive self. My entire perspective changed when Sarah illustrated how wonderful giving someone life could be. Little Trig Palin represents how amazing an experience choosing life can be. This little angel has changed my whole perspective on the whole pro-life/ pro-choice debate. This little boy is a reminder that ALL life IS precious.

The love the Palins have for little Trig is clearly evident. Sarah has said on many occasions that she cannot begin to imagine her life without little Trig in it. She has also repeatedly stated how much she has already learned from her special, precious little boy. The images I saw of Sarah and Trig FINALLY awakened me and made me realize that ALL life IS precious. As a young woman, I am so glad to have a role model like Sarah. She is the epitome of a modern-day feminist. My definition of a modern-day feminist is any woman who values God, family, career and LIFE. A woman who has a successful career and a loving family. This is an every woman, a woman who knows what’s important and seeks to make the right decisions even when those decisions may be hard sometimes.

I don’t care what the NOW (National Organization for Women) women think of me or my definition of what a feminist, a REAL feminist is. They can hate me all they want. For me, I view anyone who speaks out against a woman like Sarah and the choice she made as not only hateful, but cowardly as well. They are cowards because these same women who preach choice and equality, are not able to commend a woman like Sarah, Bristol and Pam Tebow for the choice they made in choosing life. They say they are PRO-choice, but from this girl’s point of view, they seem to be against anyone who goes against their ideas and agenda. I’m sorry, but not only is this group and groups like it hateful, but way out of line and out of touch with the reality of the world around them. After all, it is important to note that more people consider themselves pro-life now than in years passed. That’s right, NOW women! It’s called pro-life, not anti-abortion. I’m sure many of you are as disgusted with the media as I am, especially when they refer to us, in the pro-life crowd, as the "anti-abortion" folks. If they are going to refer to us by using this “anti-abortion” rhetoric, I guess we can refer to those in the pro-choice community as “pro-abortion”? Yeah, NOW women, that doesn’t sound so politically correct now, does it?

Although it is not politically correct for me to refer to those in the pro-choice community this way, it is the truth. I'm sorry, but these pro-abortion groups are speaking out against the choice that a very brave woman, Pam Tebow, made. When they speak out, it is almost as if they are speaking out against life- Tim Tebow is that life. I come to this conclusion because these very same groups who are speaking out against this Focus on the Family advertisement are the very same groups who have NOT even seen the advertisement in question; instead, they are resorting to hate-filled tactics in order to spread, what seems to be, an anti-life message. I realize this is harsh, but I have no reason to believe otherwise especially when NOW and other female groups like them have yet to commend Pam Tebow on her decision to CHOOSE life, that's right NOW women, it was her choice, not yours. Get over it!

Just the other day, Sarah posted a Facebook Note in which she discussed the double standard of these so-called feminists. I am so proud of Sarah for speaking out against the double standard of so many groups that claim to be for women. I am so glad Sarah voiced her support for Tim Tebow and his mother's decision to choose life after doctors told her that it would be in her best interest to have an abortion. Just think how easy it would have been for Sarah, Pam and even Bristol to go into a clinic and get an abortion. Instead, they chose life, which illustrates that good can come from even the least of ideal circumstances. This is why I am proud to call myself pro-life.

Sarah, Pam and Bristol are my heroes. Trig, Tim and Tripp are living proof that good can definitely come out of difficult circumstances. These three individuals are living proof of the miracle of life. How dare feminist groups like NOW speak out against an advertisement that celebrates life? After all, where would these women be if their mothers had chosen to have an abortion? They would not be here today to speak out, voice their First-Amendment right and protest against this advertisement. As I stated above, I have yet to hear an argument that speaks out against the ad itself. When these groups attack groups like Focus on the Family, this further illustrates just how threatened they feel by a pro-life message and the groups who speak to the importance of choosing life.

I think these feminist groups could find a better use their time by going after advertisements that REALLY degrade women. I have some suggestions for them- how about going after companies like Go Daddy or PETA, who degrade women regularly. Like you, I love watching the Super Bowl and the advertisements that come with it, and just like in years past, I am sure Go Daddy and PETA will go for that “shock value” as these companies do every year come Super Bowl Sunday. Where are you NOW when women like me could use some real support? Oh yeah, that’s right, you stand silent. You stood silent when Sarah, Bristol and Willow were sexually degraded and personally attacked on a daily basis, and you stand silent now. How dare you call yourselves supporters of women, when it is clear you have a hidden agenda of only standing by those who share your values?

While I do not agree at all with Hillary Clinton politically, I repeatedly posted on my blog and spoke out publicly my anger at those who attacked Hillary and degraded her. Like Sarah, Hillary was put through the ringer and did not deserve to be treated the way she was. Sarah was right when she said that it is harder to be a woman in politics. It is harder because you have feminist groups like NOW who preach tolerance and equality, but show the most hate and intolerance for women who don’t agree with them and their message. I will say that there is a difference between Sarah and Hillary. While feminist groups like NOW stood by Hillary and supported her, they remained silent when Sarah and her daughters were attacked with the vilest attacks imaginable. This is further proof that these women just don’t get it. They may claim to support all women, but we KNOW the truth.

I am so proud to be a pro-life, modern-day feminist, and I will forever be grateful to all women who choose life. It is clear that life will throw you curveballs, but it is all about how you choose to go about hitting those curveballs out of the ballpark. While abortion may seem like the easy way out, it is important to think about that little life you are carrying inside of you. Think about this little life and the contributions this little girl or boy will bring to the world around them. When you think about this, it all is put into perspective, and it all makes sense. Think about all of the babies who are aborted each year and every year. Little angels who didn’t get the choice to live. Don’t they deserve the chance to succeed? Don’t they deserve the chance to grow up and be the valedictorian, the prom queen, the star athlete, the doctor, the lawyer, the veterinarian, or the president? They sure do. They deserve the same opportunities members of so-called feminist groups have been given. I applaud CBS for doing the right thing and agreeing to air the Tebow family advertisement, and like Sarah, I hope they stand firm next to the decision to let it air!

-Please click here to visit my friend, Robert Stacy McCain's phenomenal blog The Other McCain and read his take on this situation. As always, his take proves to be both informative and entertaining.

(Click here to visit Conservative Girl with a Voice and become a follower. Click here to follow me on Twitter.)

Levi: When Lying Dogs Won't Sleep; Updated

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com

Everyone has heard the expression "let sleeping dogs lie." Sounds good and is arguably good advice. But what does one do when a lying dog won't sleep, won't shut up, that is?

Normally I avoid all things Levi. He's not worth it right now. Writing about him is a waste of space. He wants the publicity, so don't give it to him. I totally understand, and usually I'm in agreement. But I also understand a basic principle, and that is this: there's a time to fight back. There's a time when you just have to deal with the barking, biting dog that's been dropping you know what all over the place everywhere he goes. And sometimes you just have to put him out--not just to deal with him--but for the benefit of those he's sniping at. This particular mutt, who's been wagging his tail all over Playgirl, refuses to sit down, shut up, or play dead--and this dog is lying every time he opens his mouth.

Levi Johnston has in his camp sensationalist media, foolish Alaska bloggers, and an obviously inebriated, delusional, or severely gullible lawyer. All that, yet he doesn't seem to have anybody in his life to tell him to put his mouth to sleep when it comes to attacking his son's family. No positive male role model to pull him aside, tell him to stop his lying, and just take care of his son. Where's the tough love from somebody who will look him in the eyes and say, "Dude, what are you doing? You're gonna wake up one day from your greed-induced stupor and wonder how you sunk so low as to try to hurt your son and his mom and grandmother like this, and that's gonna be a sad day--for you."

Every time you turn around, Levi's parked on somebody's couch, making mono-syllabic statements about the Palins. And for some reason, he's absolutely obsessed with the Governor. Constantly he's saying she's attacking him so he's going to attack back. Funny thing is, his jaws are the only ones flapping.

Levi, my dawg, shut up your lying. Man up. And please...pay up.

Concerning paying up, according to TMZ:

Levi Johnston's manager, Tank Jones, tells TMZ Levi has paid Bristol more than $10,000 since Tripp was born. Jones also says Levi does not make money off of every interview he does, though he did not say exactly how much Levi has made.

Levi has not given Bristol $10,000. Levi has not had an active role in his son's first year of life.

TMZ also reported:

Attorney Rex Butler tells TMZ, Levi has told Bristol on several occasions he wanted her to come to his house to pick up checks for Tripp's support. Butler says Levi also told her "it would be nice" if she brought Tripp along when she picked up the checks, because Levi wanted to spend time with his son. Butler says on each occasion Bristol was a no-show.

Butler says Bristol is partly to blame for the fact that she hasn't gotten the support she wants. Butler tells TMZ on one occasion Levi was prepared to hand over $3,000 ... but Bristol never showed.

As for why Levi didn't just put the check in the mail ... Butler says, "Why should he have to do that. He's not dangerous to her."

So let's get this straight. Levi loves his son so much that he'd rather give no money at all than put a stamp on an envelope and mail a check? Instead of being a father to his son and providing for him, he'd rather speculate that Governor Palin is behind the legal suit and talk about Bristol's new car. Can you say "dog"? Can you say "lying dog"? If that seems harsh, it'll just have to be harsh because one thing I can't stand is a man--that's right, he's not a little boy anymore--who won't take care of his responsibilities and then lies about it.

You know when tabloids are calling you deadbeat, you've got some stepping up to do. ETonline writes:

In an exclusive interview with ET, Levi says he believes he has given Bristol more than she claims. "I don't really know but my lawyer does. But it's reasonable, what he thought was fair. For them to call me a deadbeat dad's absurd. I attempt to call her all the time and give her texts to make sure he's doing well ... I call her all the time. I try and do everything I can to see my son. I'm making an effort. I'm trying to be there for him."

"I don't really know"? "Reasonable"? "Attempt"? "Try"? "Effort"? Huh? Your lawyer knows what you're giving your son?! Growing up in the church we used to sing a song called "99 1/2 Won't Do." Look, if 99 1/2 won't do, you know 1/2 ain't gonna do!

Bristol, on the other hand, is to be commended. She is taking care of her responsibilities. Here's a young woman who, as she recently told Oprah, gets up at 4:00 or 4:30 every morning, gets her son washed and dressed, works, and takes classes. It's not easy. It's a challenge, but Tripp is her life now, and she is committed to being a good mother to him, not a "reasonable" one.

What does she get in return? The love of her beautiful baby and the joy of knowing she's making a life for her son.

Her ex-boyfriend, however, is traipsing around the country making money by selling his soul--and his lies, gallivanting around Wasilla in his new truck and new trinket (hmmm...), and refusing to buy his son so much as a pair of shoes because his little feelings are hurt that Bristol wouldn't come to his house. In the Black community, we have a word for that. Let me hip yall to it. It's called "triflin'." Of course, the community at large is well aware of the more familiar term: low-down dirty dog.

Tripp deserves better. Bristol deserves better. She's working her tail off for her son, she's learned from some mistakes she's made, and she's committed herself to doing the right thing by remaining abstinent until marriage, to which Levi barks, "I doubt it." (The daily reminder of men like Levi might be the biggest asset to the abstinence movement ever!) By the way, instead of a "role model" like Oprah Winfrey commending her for that decision, she blasted her and gave her a chance to retract it. Are you kidding me?! (I'll deal with Oprah at another time.)

The last thing I want to do is spend a Sunday on Levi Johnston. However, I'll spend a hundred Sundays on the opportunity to applaud Bristol Palin for doing the mature, responsible thing--the hard work. She's a good mom, who has another good mom as an example.

I believe there's hope for Levi; I really do. And I hope he grabs ahold of it soon because he's treading on very thin Alaska ice.

Like I said at the start, there's something to be said for letting sleeping dogs lie. But when a lying dog refuses to put his rabid mouth to sleep, sometimes you just have to put that dog down.

Update: Anyone asserting that I am suggesting Levi should be killed is out of his/her mind. By "put that dog down" I mean put him in his place, call him out, fight back instead of letting sleeping dogs lie. Hello!