Mass. Gov. Romney expands sex-abstinence programs

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060420/pl_nm/sex_massachusetts_dc;_ylt=AirO1hHNapLf9SGh9.5fKcqs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3OXIzMDMzBHNlYwM3MDM-

...Mass. Gov. Romney expands sex-abstinence programs

By Belinda Yu Thu Apr 20, 7:02 PM ET

BOSTON (Reuters) - Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney unveiled an expansion of teenage sexual-abstinence programs in the heavily Democratic state on Thursday, polishing his conservative credentials ahead of a possible White House run.
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Under the plan, the federally-funded Christian organization Healthy Futures will fund abstinence programs in Massachusetts classrooms, adding the state to a growing list of U.S. states that have expanded sex-abstinence education.

From 2000 to 2005,
President Bush more than doubled funding for such programs, which teach that abstinence from sexual activity until marriage is the only sure way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other health problems.

"If we want our kids to wait to become sexually active until after they've graduated from high school, we're going to have to tell them that, rather than have them try to read our minds," Romney told a news conference.

[drhilarius]

1. In other words...

expect teen pregnancy to rise in Mass.

[donsu]

14. exactly

who benefits financially if more teens become preg.? and, like in S.Dak. can't abort?

and, as always the teenage boy gets away with everything.

[OKthatsIT]

19. Mitt is a joke. We'll be glad to see him GO AWAY

[rodeodance]

2. we taxpayers will pay the $800,000 in grants via DHHS. "Healthy Futures"

"If we want our kids to wait to become sexually active until after they've graduated from high school, we're going to have to tell them that, rather than have them try to read our minds," Romney told a news conference.

Some analysts said expanding the program appeared aimed at strengthening Romney's political support among Christian evangelicals and other conservatives at the base of the Republican party ahead of a likely White House bid.

"It's kind of a low-cost appeal to conservatives outside of Massachusetts," said Julian Zelizer, professor of U.S. history at Boston University. "He's looking for things he can do to say to conservatives -- especially Christian evangelical activists -- 'Hey I'm with you,'."

Healthy Futures will receive $800,000 in grants from the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services for the Massachusetts program over the next two years.

[Erika]

3. Remember the group of kids who chose to remain virgins

until they married? They ended up having a higher sexual activity rate than their peers.

Romney is following the "just say no" program.

Why is the government involved anyway?

[Breeze54]

4. He is such an ass!!

and tonight he flew off to Guantanamo Bay to "visit" the prison!
Hope he stays!!
:grr:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/04/20/romney_huckabee_to_visit_guantanamo_bay/
Romney, Huckabee to visit Guantanamo Bay
April 20, 2006
BOSTON --
Gov. Mitt Romney and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee plan to visit on Friday
the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, where they'll tour the detention center,
attend an intelligence briefing and meet with Defense Department officials.

[PublicWrath]

5. Abstinence programs tell lies to teenagers n/t

[Selatius]

6. Does Massachusetts wants to compete with Mississippi with teen pregnancy?

Is that what you folks up in Massachusetts voted for???

[Gloria]

7. Heck, my local Repug state rep sent out his end of session

missive touting all the great, POSITIVE work he had done on helping kids have great lives! Along the way he mentioned that 70% of the out of wedlock births in the county occur among teens.

I'd say his abstinence only shit program is NOT WORKING!

[Dogmudgeon]

8. If Mitt doesn't approve of teenagers having sex ...

... he shouldn't have sex with any teenagers.

Teenagers should make up their own minds. Education and a strong sense of self-responsibility are essential to making the right decisions about anything. Kids can't be expected to carry the Civil Code of Massachussetts around on their iPods.

--p!

[MrPrax]

9. I was under the impression

that Massachusetts was one of the more sane states.

:eyes:

[Divernan]

10. Romney's wife diagnosed with MS in 1998 - progressive disease

I don't know a lot about this disease, but from what little I do know, symptoms may come and go, and stress can exacerbate them. I think she is now 56 or so. It's now been 8 years since her initial diagnosis. She described the onset, which came as they were about to move to Utah:

As they prepared to move, the disease hit, and it hit hard. Ann became so ill she was hospitalized. From October to December of 1998, Romney deteriorated rapidly. "It's a very frightening place to be," she says. "I was numb in my right leg and couldn't get out of bed. I was on intravenous steroids for six months until May '99 because they were trying to stop the progression of the disease, and the treatment helped. . . . I really felt that I was on the fast track to being incapacitated for the rest of my life. . ."
(end of quote)
I think it's fair to say that the stress of the primary battles for a Presidential nomination, followed by the stress of a very hard-fought campaign; followed by the demands and stress of actually being the first lady, would not be what a loving husband would do to a woman with this disease.

She is reported to keep a low profile in Massachusetts. When she travels with her husband to other states where he seeks support for his presidential ambitions, she is reported to be a very charming and appealing speaker, but usually is "spontaneously" introduced by her husband and has not been scheduled to speak. This suggests to me that they never know what her energy level will be from day to day.

Any DUers with thoughts on a 56 year old woman with this history and how the stress of a presidential campaign/election would affect her?

[ecoalex]

11. What a caring Husband...NOT

[Sisaruus]

18. I can't stand Romney but

I also won't arbitrarily discriminate against someone with MS. I trust she will know her own abilities and act accordingly.

And may I remind us, Josiah Bartlet had MS and managed his presidency quite well.

[ecoalex]

12. Yes lets promote a documented failed program, for Jesus's sake

[walkon]

13. Anybody bothered by

the phrase "federally funded Christian organization"?
An article about Sun Myung Moon posted earlier gave me some insight about the BFEE "commitment" to abstinence programs.

[David__77]

15. "No sex until gay marriage!"

Interesting. Does the curriculum have to note that in that state, marriage includes same-sex couples?

[JPZenger]

16. That's what happens when Mormans get power

That's what happens when Mormans like Romney get power. They believe everyone must follow their church's teachings.

[matcom]

17. i'm waiting for local news tonight to guage local reaction to this

on the front page of the Globe this morning. REALLY pissed me off before coffee :grr: