Congress again extends funding for abstinence-ed programs

[babylonsister]

Foes hit continued abstinence funding

By Cheryl Wetzstein
September 30, 2007

Congress again has extended funding for a core abstinence-education program, sparking protests from sex-education advocates who want Democrats to pull the plug on such programs.

"Their actions defy logic and common sense," said James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth.

First, Congress funds what Mr. Wagoner called unproven abstinence programs. Then it commissions a study that shows they don't work, but lawmakers ignore those results and continue to fund the programs.

"Teens deserve better policies. We all deserve better leaders," said Mr. Wagoner, whose organization stresses rights, respect and responsibility in sex education.

Rep. James P. Moran, Virginia Democrat, said he supported "with frustration" the second three-month extension of the $50 million Title V abstinence-education program and several health programs that serve low-income families.

The health programs are effective, but unfortunately they are "held hostage" to the abstinence program, "which prizes ideology over science and ... harms our children through the provision of medically inaccurate information," Mr. Moran said Wednesday. The Senate passed its extension of Title V and other health programs on Thursday.

Abstinence supporters have been playing defense, especially since April when Mathematica Policy Research Inc. released a long-awaited evaluation of four abstinence programs. It concluded that the programs didn't affect teen sexual behavior.

"Abstinence programs don't as yet have a long track record," Janice Shaw Crouse of the Beverly LaHaye Institute wrote in a paper called, "Why the Left is Attacking Abstinence Programs."

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070930/NATION/109300045/-1/RSS_NATION_POLITICS

[gollygee]

1. "Why the Left is Attacking Abstinence Programs"

I can answer that.

I DON'T WANT MY DAUGHTER GETTING PREGNANT BEFORE SHE'S READY.

I want any sex education she gets to be effective in keeping her safe from an unintentional pregnancy or STD.

It isn't rocket science and it isn't political.

[babylonsister]

4. Why can't you teach her instead of relying on a program that

doesn't work?

http://www.actupny.org/YELL/abstinence_notworking.html

[gollygee]

6. I will, but she goes to school and will be effected by what is taught there

I certainly wouldn't rely on that.

If she learns one thing from me and another thing at school, that could be confusing for her.

[OneBlueSky]

9. The United States Congress: A Tribute . . .

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

[WCGreen]

2. It's like the DARE program...

There is irrefutable evidence that neither program works and yet...

[varkam]

3. Why the Left is Attacking Abstinence Programs?

Oh, I don't know...perhaps because we're a little bit more committed to reality? Because we value things like science and data? Because we'd rather our children grow up safe and healthy? I think the better question is why is the right defending abstinence programs?

[Solly Mack]

5. Unreal.

[Toots]

7. Demoocrats are "Less Filling" and Republicans are "Taste Great"

Yep huge difference between the two Parties.. It just gets proved over and over again..

[rodeodance]

8. Begiling!!