Andrea Friedman in Her Own Words

The actress who played Ellen in the Family Guy episode that Sarah Palin has cynically criticized for personal gain not only talked to the New York Times last week — she also spoke on camera for “The Insider”.

Friedman has enjoyed a twenty-year career in television, starting with a regular role on “Life Goes On.” She is also a motivational speaker, described here in a blurb for a 2008 Oregon conference:

Because of her television activities, Andrea is often invited to be a motivational speaker and supporter of causes that help other challenged people. She has spoken to many local, statewide, national and international organizations, including the students and faculty at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, on the subject of the advantage of a “mainstream” education for people with learning disabilities.

In a better world, the former governor of Alaska could be a welcome advocate for the rights and dignity of people with special needs, much like the role of Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the Special Olympics.

In this world, alas, Palin waves Trig at crowds to gain support not for him, but for herself.

Andrea Friedman, actress from “Family Guy” sets the record straight after Sarah Palin’s Facebook rant [Palingates, via Sully]