“Accusing me of hypocrisy is by now, an old canard. What Mr. Olbermann lacks in originality he makes up for with insincere incredulity. Mr. Olbermann fails to understand that in order to have credibility as a spokesperson, it sometimes takes a person who has made mistakes. Parents warn their children about the mistakes they made so they are not repeated. Former gang members travel to schools to educate teenagers about the risks of gang life. Recovered addicts lecture to others about the risks of alcohol and drug abuse. And yes, a teen mother talks about the benefits of preventing teen pregnancy.

“I have never claimed to be perfect. If that makes me the ‘worst person in the world’ to Mr. Olbermann, then I must apologize for not being absolutely faultless like he undoubtedly must be.

“To Mr. Olbermann let me say this: you can attack me all you want. But you will not stop me from getting my message out about teen pregnancy prevention. And one day, if you ever have a daughter, you may change your mind about me.”

***
“Now, there’s a lot wrong with this clip, from the awkward line readings to the cringe-inducing spectacle of ‘The Situation’s’ singsong display of his ‘Mag-nums!’ (a surer sign of overcompensation than a Humvee with a mirrored ceiling and a pair of ‘Truck Nutz’), but if there’s anything to applaud, it’s Palin’s embrace of safe sex alongside abstinence as a way to prevent unwanted pregnancy or disease. Amid all the natural revulsion at the two leads’ sand-and-water chemistry, this is a message that deserves some credit, a break from stereotypical social conservative orthodoxy.

“Perhaps it is Olbermann’s intention to draw fire from Mama Grizzly Sarah Palin, and he probably will. Certainly, anti-Olbermann sites like Johnny Dollar are already working on their ‘Keith Olbermann Compares Bristol Palin’s Child to Terrorist Attack’ headlines, but even a fair-minded person would find his quip jarring. Not only is it bad form for such a vocal critic of Palin to go after her child (a context that just made the bit seem mean-spirited), but using 9/11 as a punchline is a tiny needle to thread, and this misses by a lot.”