Congress Again Extends Abstinence-Only Funding

Washington Times:

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.

Read the whole story: Washington Times

Comments

[Jane22]

If you could give a medal for illogical thinking policy this one could win! It only seems logical that if one is against abortion, the next move would be to educate about responsible sexuality and birth control to lower birth/abortion rates. I am left of liberal, but I do believe that abortion is something to be discouraged with factual education and readily available info/birth control. These right-wingers are truly lost in ignorance and willful purpose. I've long believed that both sides of this issue are confused.

Abortion rights folks support abortion on demand, but for the most part are pro-peace,anti-war. So it's ok to take out before birth, but not in war. NOT logical!

The nuts on the neo-con right, religious front are against taking out pre-babies, but can't wait to kill them in another war or some other form. Or even worse, doom so many to poverty, homeless-ness, sub-standard healthcare or none and so on... The already brain-dead must live on. You name a negative, these nuts will find a way to justify support for it!

Thou shalt not kill is a subjective directive for them. Exclusions, if you are the president, tobacco company, drug manufacturerer et al, you can hurt, maim or kill! With some of these idiotologies, they require more servant-class fodder, war fodder!

That their abstinence-only policies don't work is just like every other issue for them. This is what we firmly believe regardless of reason and we will support it to the peril, negative impact, and even death of millions! Bottom line is the mantra! Genocide is the motive, Money is the result for those with no conscience. In this case, the young teens are the victims.

[Kansas Evans]

co-sign, if I may

[pangardenguru]

against abortion?? ....then don't have one!

[DemandTruth]

You're wrong about liberals. We don't take abortion lightly at all. It's not like we think abortion is a party for the woman involved. It is an expensive, emotional medical procedure that women should be allowed to use as a last resort.

And as far as "taking out" before-birth, some would say that a fetus is NOT a baby before-birth. It's like the question: if you were in an abortion clinic that was on fire and you could only make one rescue trip, which would you rescue: a petri dish full of cells that in the right conditions COULD become life, or a real, live child?

I know which I'd choose, every time. And I don't think that makes me anti-life. I think that makes me pro-life. The life of the already born takes precedence over the possibly-born in my world every time.

[godlessclif]

"Abortion rights folks support abortion on demand, but for the most part are pro-peace,anti-war. So it's ok to take out before birth, but not in war. NOT logical!"

Freedom is always logical. What is illogical is denying women medical care to save a mindless clump of cells. It is like refusing an appendix operation to save the appendix and letting someone
die of peritonitis. "But we saved his appendix!!!"

[SmallvilleSC]

Just say no worked so damned well in the 'War against Drugs', why not continue to use that concept in the fight against unwanted pregnancies?

"Just say No is cheaper than a condom!" can be these idiots rallying cry.

[Kansas Evans]

Well, what was spread in my area in the "War against Drugs" was "Hugs, not drugs." Ironic, huh?

[godlessclif]

The problem is vaginal abstinence increases the frequency of anal sex, which is really dangerous.

The abstinence crusaders refuse to accept this side effect of their method even though it was proved by studies.

[irishgawdess]

And, may I add...kids con themselves into thinking that oral sex is not "having sex." Except they get herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, or some other lovely VD that often goes untreated because they (and their parents) are in such deep denial.

Sad...

[GenericBlogger]

Did Larry Craig and Diaper David Vitter listen to laws passed by Congress, their colleagues?

[gappytoofcondi]

Never do as they do. Only do as they say. So much for their not wanting to interfere is our private lives.

[Prolix247]

My question is "Why do the two teens(?) on the pamphlet/picture appear to be black?" What covert message is being sent here?

[ZingoBonMot]

And what's up with the HANDS? Could it be some kind of subliminal message that it's OK to, you know...date Ms. Ruby Palm?

[godlessclif]

Palms exposed is basic ape body language for submission. That is these teenagers are submitting to the authority of the government or church to regulate their sex lives. It is like hands up. Shows you are not holding your weapon.

[lornejl]

Anyway, I'm pretty close to giving up on dems, its getting harder and harder to tell them apart from the repigs.

[NYC07]

No truer words spoken !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NCDog]

"who" not "you", sorry about that

[TJTelecaster]

I know a women a good mother nice women but now separated and her husband an ass-hole has custody of their girls and 3 of her 4 daughters have HPV..due to their being so active sexually with this stupid father who she calims offers them up even to men 23-24 years old when they were 15 16 and the judge is giving her a hard time..

This poor women breaks down crying when she just talks about it..

We have such ass-holes as leaders real hard core ass-holes..

Candidates too maybe even bigger ass-holes..

[JimGroom]

Well of course they extended this money pit machine. It has been proven over and over that abstinence-only programs are a waste of money and do not prevent shit from happening. Our government does not work and the abstinence programs don't work...so it is natural that the non-working congress would extend the money pit. What a country!

[ZingoBonMot]

Much like the war we are losing, but continue to fund.

[realitytrumpsbull]

The world today has 6.6 billion people in it,
by 2050, it'll be 9 billion...it's gonna get ugly...

[Marlyn]

That is one of the reasons that GAY is GOOD.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

"Congress Again Extends Abstinence Only-Funding."

What a buncha dopes, what maroons!

[EspressoAtNoon]

I'd like to see how the politicians voted on this.

[Marlyn]

Me too, but I couldn't find that vote at

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/a_three_sections_with_teasers/votes.htm

[irishgawdess]

Try here: http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:4:./temp/~c110LIYBd2::

If that link doesn't work, go to www.thomas.gov and type "abstinence" in the search bar, or "S 1701 ES" under bill #. This version just extends the original bill until the end of fourth quarter, 2007.

A search for "abstinence" pulls up other bills that Congress has attempted to get through relating to funding programs other than abstinence-only. It's not for lack of trying that abstinence-only programs predominate America's health education classes.

[stargazer13]

In the Fall Fire Them All

[stargazer13]

How about funding a no bombing bill that would be nice I would support that with my hard earned tax dollars

[godlessclif]

just say no to bombing. Do you think the Iraqis will buy it?

[getoffmedz]

More red meat for Conservative America. This is a lame political ploy.

Congress needs not to be in the shorts of America's teens.

Leave this crap to the insane White House.

[Quaoar]

Why aren't the conservative taxpayers groups objecting to this clear waste of taxpayer dollars and prime example of government inefficiency?

Crickets chirping....