By Tina Morrison, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

On Monday, Bristol Palin, daughter of Alaskan governor Sarah Palin, gave her first interview since giving birth last December. The teenager sat down with Greta Van Susteren of Fox News to answer some incredibly soft questions.

Palin’s answers were peppered with typical teenage-speak, such as “awesome”, more than a dozen “ums”, and, (by my count) at least 18 “likes”. Like, when asked how it was breaking the news of her pregnancy to her parents, Palin responded, “ . . . which was like, harder than labor.”

The 18-year old Palin expressed a desire to be “an advocate against teen pregnancy.” Well I certainly hope she is prepared to debate that topic with . . . wait, is anyone for teen pregnancy?

Of course not. The issue is sex education, or lack thereof. Her mother, Sarah Palin, believes abstinence only should be taught in schools. Hmmm, how did that work out for her family?

When Van Susteren asked her toughest question regarding contraception (and believe me, she did it with kid gloves), the younger Palin replied, “everyone should be abstinent, but it’s not realistic.” So, everyone else should be abstinent but it just wasn’t realistic in your situation? How does that work? Alas, no follow-up questions from Softie Susteren.

Palin wanted to make it clear that her decision to have the baby had nothing to do with her mother’s politics. She stated, “It was my choice to have the baby.” I hope she realizes that if her mother and John McCain had their way, her choices would be very limited.

Speaking of her mom, Governor Palin dropped by at the end of the interview. She passionately explained that this situation “could happen to anyone.” After listing off all her daughter’s accomplishments, such as being a “great athlete” and a “great student”, the senior Palin emphatically cried, “It did happen to her”.

Excuse me? “Happened to her”? Pregnancy doesn’t just “happen”. I know, I’ve been pregnant. There are things leading up to it. Things you can control, such as how much wine you have with dinner, if your pants stay zipped, or whether or not to use a condom!

Also during the approximate 12-minute interview, Bristol Palin revealed that she has no immediate plans for marriage but is still engaged, wished she has waited ten years before she had a baby but has no regrets, and twice mentioned, “like, getting’ an education”.

Let’s hope she gets one soon.