Tennessee governor signs "gateway sexual activity" bill

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Tennessee governor signs "gateway sexual activity" bill

By Tim Ghianni

NASHVILLE | Fri May 11, 2012 8:17pm EDT

(Reuters) - Tennessee's governor has signed into law a measure allowing teachers to be penalized for promoting or condoning so-called "gateway sexual activity" by students, expanding the state's existing abstinence-based sexual education program.

"The bill language and provisions are generally in line with our current standards and law," said David Smith, a spokesman for Republican Governor Bill Haslam.

The gateway activity in question remains vague. Some critics have said it could punish teachers for allowing students to hug or hold hands. The bill has been ridiculed by television comedian Stephen Colbert.

(Reporting By Tim Ghianni; Editing by Mary Wisniewski and Cynthia Johnston)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/12/us-usa-politics-tennessee-idUSBRE84B00D20120512

[msongs]

1. sing along now, "I want to hold your haaaa....books" nt

[spanone]

2. my state is a daily embarassment...here in nashville it's tolerable, but we're screwn

repub congress/repub gubner

[SomethingFishy]

3. Bwhahahaha...

Yeah, that's going to stop all that teenage sexual activity...

[Initech]

4. And with this law the American Taliban has officially taken over Tennessee.

I don't even think Bill Maher needs to continue his Stupidest State contest - Tennessee is the clear winner here without question. Arizona is still a close second.

[Drale]

5. I don't know about that

North Carolina is still within winning distance.

[Initech]

6. True - definitely can't rule out North Carolina after this week.

[hifiguy]

7. Tennessee, Kansas, Florida, Arizona

Four-way tie for the looniest places in the country.

[white_wolf]

9. No, it's not. Tennessee is the worst. Trust me I live there.

It's hell.

[Lint Head]

8. Bill Haslam is an ignorant rube that made his money selling cars.

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. Announcement at the beginning of the TN school year next August:

"Books and Blinders pickup will be on Wednesday for 9th-10th grade, Thurs for 11th grade, and Fri for 12th grade. Boys starting at 9AM, followed by girls at 12 noon. This allows for a general sweep of the building to ensure all boys are off the premises before blinders are issued".

[iemitsu]

11. sounds like the end of school dances

in tennessee.
i thought they also had a law against imposing Sharia Law?