I’m of two minds on this clip. Bristol Palin isn’t running for office, but she had to know that doing big-media interviews would mean that she had to have an answer for some political issues surrounding her teen pregnancy. After all, for what other reason would Greta Van Susteren invite her onto her show?

GRETA: I don’t want to pry too personally, but obviously contraception is an issue here. Is that something that you were lazy about or not interested in, or do you have a philosophical or religious opposition to it, or —

BRISTOL: No, I don’t want to get into detail about that. But I think abstinence is like … I don’t know how to put it, like … the main … Everyone should be abstinent, but it’s not realistic at all.

GRETA: Why?

BRISTOL: Because — I don’t want to get into detail about it.

GRETA: [crosstalk] Just big picture, not about you —

BRISTOL: Because it’s more and more accepted.

Of course, acceptance is why many people want abstinence taught.  The entire idea is to push back against the acceptance of sexual activity among those who are ill-equipped to handle the emotional, health, and financial consequences of sexual activity.  That doesn’t mean that we don’t teach about contraception as well — it always amazes me when people consider the two mutually exclusive — but that explaining that only abstinence gives one complete protection against pregnancy and STDs in ways that condoms do not, as well as the risks of exploitation.

I had to laugh at Greta’s question about religious objections towards contraception keeping Bristol from using them to prevent pregnancy.  I haven’t yet known of a religion that objects to contraceptives but not to extramarital sex.  Catholics most famously object to contraception, and years ago my pastor discussed this with my young adult group.  He pointed out that having made the decision to sin with extramarital sex, using a condom would really be the least of our worries.

In case you need a lift after this clip, though, check out this video from Jim at Gateway Pundit.  Guess what Bristol thinks of bloggers obsessed with the pregnancies of herself and her mother? Gold:

Update: I second what Ace says — Bristol has a lot of courage in discussing this topic on national television. Also, please recall what I wrote when this story broke at the Republican convention. She and her family did the right thing when it counted, and we should remember that when watching this.