Levi Johnston. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Public beatings, it seems, have not gone out of style. Levi Johnston (for those of you who are unfamiliar: he is the young man who’s claim to national fame is the fact that he got Sarah Palin’s daughter pregnant out of wedlock) has agreed to do an interview with Vanity Fair about the shortcomings of the Palin family. While such an interview demonstrates an obvious deficiency of tact and character, it is more interesting to note that his motivation may be less than honorable. The question is abrasively raised in response to his upcoming interview, “what are his motivations?” When MSNBC, a news organization many would have expected to embrace the public humiliation of the Former GOP Vice presidential nominee, openly discusses the lack of class and the obvious lack of character Levi Johnston possesses, then you know his actions are less than respectable. (Click here to watch MSNBC and one of Sarah’s biggest critics distance themselves from Levi Johnston’s actions. It is refreshing to see that, on occasion, even MSNBC can fairly present a story.)
Excerpts from the interview show an obvious (and predictable) theme: the belittlement of Alaska’s former governor. Alleging that divorce was a common theme of discussion within the Palin household, and that parenting was essentially nonexistent, Levi demonstrates what at first appears to be a reserved disdain for Sarah and Todd. Levi continues to allege that Sarah came across as greedy and power hungry. He even went so far as to suggest that Sarah tried to adopt her daughter’s child in an effort to keep Bristol’s pregnancy a secret. (An allegation directly contradicted by an interview Levi gave to Larry King, in which he asserted no talk of adoption or other means had been discussed within the Palin household.)
As the allegations continue, and Levi’s portrayal of the Palin residence becomes increasingly one of a dark troubled family, it is curious to investigate his motivation. Normally, what could be gained by public degradation of a young man’s former “soon to be in-laws?” Levi Johnston has made clear his hopes of becoming an actor and a model. His thirst for public attention seems not to be in short demand, as he is slowly making such intimate revelations and public allegations common place in his search for the spotlight. Even his former interview with Larry King was met with some criticism, as many people objected to the idea of Levi exposing otherwise intimate and private aspects of his time spent with the Palins. The lack of respect he shows a family that, for all its faults, tried to help him make the best of his affair with their daughter, makes one wonder how much of his current comments are sparked by the temptations of fame. How honest are his portrayals of Sarah? It is certainly not out of line to suggest he has fabricated exaggerations to further his recognition in certain circles.
But there is no doubt that a handful of people throughout the nation will read his interview in Vanity Fair and take away from it a deeper resentment of Sarah Palin. The sad and unfortunate aspect of the story is the illustrative commentary the entire fiasco places on the American entertainment industry. It seems that the public lashing of a successful conservative woman is one of many ways to advance a career in the predominantly left-leaning world of entertainment. Occasionally one has to sit back and question the fact that a young man, with no credentials or expertise other than his ability to impregnate a teenage girl, can really become the center of focus of interest for an entire demographic of consumers.
Though I have not yet read the interview in its entirety, I have to assume one question was not asked of Levi with any pressing emphasis on honesty: “What role will you assume in your child’s life.” It can safely be predicted that if he continues advancing his fifteen minutes in such a fashion, his role will be one of minimal contribution. Bristol should be thankful.
To read excerpts from the interview, please click here.
To watch the video of MSNBC’s unusually fair reporting, please click here.
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Comments
This is writing?
Sarah Palin is a greedy, poorly educated opportunist who is nothing but a sell-out and a quitter, not to mention an absentee mother. To imagine her as a heartbeat from the presidency still makes me ill. Levi's assertions may be self-motivated, but I suspect there is more than a grain of truth to his insights.
Obviously, this young man has given little thought to anyone but himself. He is using his connections with the Palin family to promote his own career. Has he given any thought as to how this will affect his son? Has he even taken responsibility for him?
I would do this too :)
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! Mr. Schaus, your frantic and overwritten attempt to deflect attention from the VF article is a dud. It made me only more eager to go out and find it -- and what a damning piece it was. Any American who was gullible enough to buy the Republican Party machine's effort to sell Palin as an acceptable national office holder should be humbled to learn what a fraud she really is.
levi johnston is a big fat lie tellling jerk!
I think he is telling the truth. Was in tasteless and inappropriate to "air" their dirty laundry for his benefit, yes....but again, I do think he is telling the truth.
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