Democratic Congress Increasing Funding for Abstinence-Only?

[babylonsister]

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/53355/

Democratic Congress Increasing Funding for Abstinence-Only?

Posted by Guest Blogger at 1:55 PM on June 6, 2007.

Ellen Marshall: It is unconscionable for the Democratic leadership to play into the politics of abstinence only programming, rather than paying attention to the public health evidence.



Thinking globally doesn't seem to apply locally for the Congress. In the same week, the House Appropriations Committee seems to be of two minds on ensuring that all people have the information and services they need to decide when they do begin to have sexual relations, and when they do, to be able to protect themselves against unintended pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

While yesterday the House Foreign Operations subcommittee approved legislation that enables global HIV prevention programs to determine at the country level the most effective and relevant mix of services needed by individuals there, the word is that the House Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittee is planning on spending $27 million more than last year (a total of $150 million) on abstinence-only programs (specifically for CBAE--Community Based Abstinence Education program--as early as tomorrow). Yes, the same programs that time and again have been proven to have NO impact on changing the sexual behaviors of young people--but can create increased risk because they are refused a breadth of knowledge on the subject.

It is unconscionable for the Democratic leadership to play into the politics of abstinence only programming, rather than paying attention to the public health evidence. Even more disturbing--in a time of limited resources for public health programs--that the United States think about throwing good money after bad by adding funding to these programs. Just take a look at the states--coast to coast and parts in between--that are rejecting this kind of programming. So why spend more money?

Certainly if the Congressional leadership can see the benefit of ensuring flexibility in international programs to enable the best public health outcomes, the same principle should be applied to domestic programs.

[sandnsea]

1. HR 1653, S 972, The REAL Act

Maybe if the left would pay attention to the legislation they should be supporting.

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/?p=89

[madrchsod]

2. do they even know that the program does`t work?

i do not expect them to read everything about the issue because that is what their staff is supposed to do. is the staff paying any attention to this? 27 million dollars can go a long way in the third world and it should be spent where it will be effective..

[Warren Stupidity]

4. They know they don't care they are arrogant idiots.

Not quite as bad as the total fucking asshole retards on the other side. Gee, what a comforting thought that is.

[Warren Stupidity]

3. "It is unconscionable for the Democratic leadership "

Yes well then again it is completely typical. My disgust is total.

Abstinence Education: our school had some complete asshole/fundamentalist-nut come in with pre-pricked (pun intended) balloons to prove that kids should not use condoms to avoid disease or pregnancy. She was, in my opinion, an accomplice to murder.

[bunnies]

5. this is ridiculous.

and I wish I were surprised. Seems like all our politicians DO is play politics. Its so disheartening. sigh.

[Rose Siding]

6. Using children's lives as an "olive branch" to REPUBLICANS

These Democrats are breaking my heart. There has GOT to be a way to govern without abandoning our youth to failed dogma.

snip>
Lawmakers say the olive branch extended to Republicans increases the likelihood that the bill will pass the House with a veto-proof majority. It also sends a strong signal that Appropriations Chairman David R. Obey, D-Wis., will avoid controversial social policy changes this year in the interest of moving bills.

Ralph Regula, R-Ohio, a former chairman of the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee, said Obey “balanced that out with an equal amount to Planned Parenthood.”

http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2007/06/07/beyond-shame-democrats-sell-out-youth#comment-559

I guess that's the same planned parenthood that endorsed Rape Gurney Joe?