The Other Side...

In a random fluke, the encouragement of friends (thanks Nida and Nicole), and a bit of knowledge on the reproductive health tip, I ended up on a panel on Good Morning America about Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential Republican candidate, Sarah Palin and the pregnancy of her 17-year-old daughter. I don't even watch Good Morning America. (I don't like morning TV talk shows so much) But it was something I'm passionate about and it had been on my brain all weekend since the Republican's well-timed buzzkill announcement after the Democratic convention.

So I was all hype for this panel, then come to find out it ends up being me, one 67 year old cool ass professor of Communications who is pro-choice (and from New York), and 3 pro-life Republican McCain supporters from Jersey and northern Connecticut. I knew it was gonna be a problem when one gushed about how she met John McCain and that he was so wonderful. I still think he looks like he's been embalmed already...he is painful to look at. I'm also trying to make sure that I speak carefully as an independent person, independent of affiliations of places that I work. So it added to my nerves.

Overall, I felt that they didn't necessarily hear what I wanted to say for a host of reasons but it was a good lesson in working with corporate media. I stayed on message as much as possible and really that's the only thing you can do. The times where I strayed a little bit were edited in a way that misrepresented me and took away from my other points. It wasn't horrible but I'm sensitive about my sh*t.

I'm proud of what I said on camera, off camera and everything that ended up on the cutting room floor. Evidence-based comprehensive sex education that supports healthy attitudes about sexuality for young people is paramount. It was important for me and continues to help me develop along my path.

I also realized that I look kinda slim on TV. Good positioning, I tell ya. Peep the clip here (while it lasts) and remember to critically think.

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