JV -- there was disclosure of about $10M one year. It wasn't from the foundation itself. It was from the corp group. A couple of the blogs (forbes included) picked up on this... The narratives to this story have provided absolutely no context. In fact, they've masked it. Seem like a tonne of money to me for probably a few days work for Ms Palin -- but it's probably in line for a national campaign. Crazy.
The goal of the organization isn't to give money to other charities, so the point about $35,000 from the article really shouldn't exist. The organizations purpose is to educate about teen pregnancy through the media and PSAs according to the return. The money they gave Palin/"The Situation"/ABC all go towards that goal, so there is nothing wrong with that. You also can't ignore the huge increase in contributions the organization received, which shows that Palin has helped to grow the charity in excess of her pay. You'd be amazed how much non-profits pay different people and organizations. I've never cared for it much, but it exists across many of the larger charities.
bristol palin wouldn't even be discussed if she hadn't been pregnant while her mother was using the rnc's money to go clothes shopping in nyc. it's the best thing that's ever happened to her. she's a terrible role model.
Did The Situation get paid? He wasn't on the 2010 filing. In any case, the question is whether spending a large sum of money to pay a celebrity (whether Palin or anyone else) to be in a PSA promoting abstinence is an effective way to achieve the goal of reducing teen pregnancy. I don't think there's anything wrong with Bristol Palin accepting money that people want to pay her, but I do wonder if many people know what kind price tag is charged for these things... sure it's right there on the form, but if it wasn't in the news I wouldn't have thought to google for it.
The difference is that she grew up being taught that abstinence is the only correct form of contraception, yet she had sex and got pregnant anyway, which pretty much nullifies the concept of abstinence as birth control itself. Of course not having sex means you won't get pregnant, but promoting this as a form of birth control is flawed since people have sex in the real world, no matter what they're taught. I would have the same problem with anyone who promotes abstinence as the only form of birth control, though
Also, it's a lot easier to raise a child when you have a rich family who's willing to help take care of the kid. Bristol's experience is in no way analogous to what the vast majority of pregnant teens will deal with
I don't think that was the question the thinkprogress article was suggesting. I think they wanted to imply that Bristol Palin was being given scads of money by a front organization without doing any meaningful work, which clearly isn't the case. But, as for your question, I really don't know if it is an effective method. (Candie's Foundation, btw, says they support both abstinence and safe sex; though I guess the Bristol PSA focused on abstinence? I don't know, I didn't watch it.) This group seems to think it is effective and has measurements to demonstrate or at least imply that it has some effect. I think it is enough for me that they have a mission they are trying to fulfill and they approach it in a professional way that attempts to measure how effective they are.
Since you have laid down the prerequisite that her ineffectiveness is based on the fact that she disobeyed a taught family rule does that mean a former teen who is now a recovered alcoholic/addict has no right to preach or spread the message of saying no to drugs, alcohol to anyone because they came from a family that taught them to say no to drugs, alcohol as they were growing up? I mean those are pretty much two other forms of absolute non sexual preventative abstinences that have been taught in most families by parents to their children for decades now even though they have had about as much effect as what Palin is preaching. Granted I to believe her message is flawed as well as I believe both popular messages/stances should be taught in tandem that isn't what we where talking about here. It is not whether she is right or wrong but rather that she can be an effective speaker for a cause she now believes in. Can she be convincing with her message to those that are willing to objectively listen to her and can she be heard by as many people as possible and the answer to that is yes and I would say even more so due to the fact that politicts are eventually going to play into it and given the fact that this country is effectively split 50/50 that is a lot of "willing ears" she has access to. With that said I still believe she is a highly effective source for those wishing to promote this message in that she has "experience through past mistakes" and she is an immensely popular/controversial figure made by her mothers enemies/opponents who lets face it are going to continue to make Bristol Palin popular/infamous until her mother disappears which doesn't appear to be any time soon.
i think the problem is she's not exactly an example of where having a kid can seriously derail one's life. seems to me that money would be better used assisting those whose lives have been derailed due to an unexpected pregnancy or having those women be the face of teen pregnancy. instead, a single mom who is already more well off than the vast majority of americans gets another cool quarter mil just cause she couldn't keep her legs shut.
Alright, let's go through your examples: Drug User: Hi kids, I did drugs. It screwed up my life and my body. It was the worst thing I ever did. Please heed my warning and don't do the same. Convict: Hi kids, I commited a crime. I hurt other people and lost years of my life in jail. It was the worst thing I ever did. Please heed my warning and don't do the same. Bristol Palin: Hey everybody, I couldn't keep my legs closed nor could I be bothered to use contraception, so I had to dropout of high school to have a baby. As a result, I got rich and famous! I got to fly around the country with my mom as a trophy teen mom; I got to be on Dancing with the Stars... and now, I'm being paid tons of money to talk to you right now! I may never have to work a day in my life! Getting pregnant was the best thing that ever happened to me... Please heed my warning and don't do the same.
I agree with this to a point but she still is an example nonetheless. And an example with considerable reach within this country. Agree totally. But is it her fault that Candies came to her with a spokesperson deal to spread a message that she was already trying to convey to which she excepted. It is not like she held them hostage and made them pay her the money. I am not going to fault or shame the girl for doing something the majority of the people (both rich and poor) in this country would do as well. I mean 250 grand for maybe a speech or two and an advert campaign. She would have been stupid to turn it down given this day and age and state of things. Problem I have with this article is it is first a foremost a slam piece on Palin when it shouldn't be as she did nothing more than anyone else out there would do. If anything it should be about the ridiculous deals that Candies contract their spokespersons with as opposed to the grants that they facilitate out to those in need but ultimately that isn't what is going to happen with this article in the end. It is just going to be a vessel to attack Palin and her family with when the target should ultimately be Candies.
At face value, it seems like the money they paid Palin was well worth it. In 2008 they received $924,000 in direct public support (donations, grants, etc.). In 2009, around $460,000. In 2010, with Palin as their spokesperson, they received $1,600,000. I don't know they ins and outs of their charity, but that's a large increase. Perhaps it doesn't have anything to do with Bristol Palin, but, as I said, at face value, it looks like a smart decision.
Here's the ad. I don't know if there's more than one. <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YpHlztPeHf8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Here's one from Ciara (don't know who she is). <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PU47oogkUg8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> seems pretty standard fair for PSA's. I'm not their target demographic. I suspect angry and bitter bbs posters and political commentators aren't either. If these types of campaigns are effective, I would guess Palin's would be no less effective then those from more 'worthy' celebs. Probably more so. Lots of hate on the interwebs about this. Ugly words and judgments about unwed moms. Mainly from so-called 'progressive' types. Pretty sad, really. Just because this girl's mom is a loon.
I gather the main beef with this is why should Palin (or other celebs) be paid, let alone $250,000? That's an absurd amount of money, especially when you consider Rebecca Black hasn't seen a dime for Friday.
I suspect the fee, although ridiculous without context, is pretty standard for these things. Seems crazy to me, but the organization and its donors seem OK with it. A friend of mine was paid about $150K for appearing in a national car ad. He has no 'celebrity factor.' Several yrs ago an environmental group I worked with tried to bring in some higher profile people to a talk and just couldn't swing the fees and expenses. If the singers and actors who have far more money then Bristol, and who benefit in other ways through exposure to the demographic that these ads target get a fee, seems unreasonable to expect Palin to decline one. It's not really for me to say what the best use of the organization's money would be. They're clear on what they do and how they do it. Not my thing - so I wouldn't donate to them. The budget, overall however, is pretty small. Especially considering the relatively high profile they seem to have, even before Palin. So I find it hard to be angry with them, their methods, or their objectives. I can't say the same for all advocacy groups.
But, at least you agree with the message that Bristol Palin presents: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=185178
BINGO! People think kids are stupid. 16 and pregnant . .. all these shows. . . While they may show some truth . .. but the image young folx are getting is . . FAME!!! FAME AND MONEY!! It's like someone brag about the best times of their life doing something wrong and then they turn around and tell you it was wrong and you should not do it. as a kid .. you want some of that good time too!!! It seems to have been WORTH the risk. Kids believe what they SEE more than what they told! They See Palin as cashing in on being irresponsible .. . Rocket River
Sometimes this stuff sounds like Money Laundering or a way to get public/charity money into certain folx's hands Rocket River
