by Senator Steve Urquhart (R - UT)
My legislative district in St. George, Utah, is conservative, and I am conservative. Yet, I am running legislation to promote contraceptive education. Why? Well, I'll tell you.
Though we can - and should - wrestle to our heart's content on issues of correct curriculum, three facts remain at the end of the day, independent of political affiliation: humans like sex, some kids are going to have sex, and information can avert tragedy. My task in working with a conservative district in a conservative state is to implement policy that balances those three realities with strong public preferences for local control and an abstinence message to youth.
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As the legislative process kicks, pokes or promotes my bills, I realize that it is moving my legislation where it needs to be. Those prompts, as well as the end result, would be different in different states. And that's appropriate. It leads to a representative and responsive government. Here's the story of how sex ed has been kicked, poked and promoted in Utah.
Last year, Rep. Lynn Hemingway, a democrat, ran a sex ed bill. The system told Lynn that he needed Republican involvement in a legislature with Republican supermajorities in the House and in the Senate. On a different bill - involving expedited partner therapy for chlamydia and gonorrhea - the process told me that I needed to pay more attention to the sexual health of Utah's teens.
My immediate involvement in sex ed was to augment local control elements - with districts, instead of the state, determining how instruction would be delivered. Even then, the process told us that we didn't move enough toward local control. Local districts would need to have more control in preparing instructional materials.
The process taught us that talismanic language in existing code cannot be touched. Thus, SHALL NOT language has to be preserved regarding things that can't be taught (e.g., same-sex relationships and kama sutra stuff); the key is to clarify that, even with those restrictions, contraceptive education does not violate state policy and curriculum.
Put it all together, and I believe we will pass a bill that improves existing sex ed instruction (where 36 out of 40 districts claim to include contraceptives discussions) by requiring districts to publicly examine sex ed instruction every 3 years (thus making sure actual instruction is matching policy) and by clarifying that contraceptives can be discussed in Utah classrooms. Importantly, districts also will be required to notify parents that instructional materials on contraceptives have been prepared by the state and the district, if the district desires. Parents, being in charge of the sex educations of their children, can review and discuss those materials with their children. It is simply a tool that parents can utilize.
I believe that Utah will pass legislation that empowers parents and children regarding sexual matters. I believe that every state can get there, by pointing the passion that parents have on the issue of sex ed toward the healthy discussions that can occur in legislative bodies honestly looking for solutions to society's complex problems.
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Rob Asghar: Bristol Palin And The Trouble With Christian Sex
and NIKANJ - what so "Destructive & Addictive" regarding Sodomy? HOW is it addictive??? Please do explain dear. You do Know sodomy is NOT just anal sex right? ..also - Dear, HYGIENE is NO#1 with any sex......nothing wrong with KNOWING ALL THE FACTS.....we know how you mormons are with facts!
http://www.prb.org/Publications/Datasheets/2009/2009wpds.aspx
This reference page goes on to forecast a full 7 billion by 2011, possibly even more than 9 billion by 2050.
What does this rapid rate show? That people don't have very many other hobbies. Actually, it shows that we're about to become victim to previous years' successes. And boy howdy, is it about to get crowded. Imagine a United States with half a billion people in it. Water table? See ya. Traffic conditions? Good luck. So, having 3,4,5,6 kids, as in days of old? Maybe not such a hot idea. Take a good look at some countries on the African continent. Dire tidings for other countries that don't at least mention birth control somewhere along the way for their students.
Interesting study about the efficacy of abstinence only education.
Will never forget the country doctor who was quoted as saying 'keep the pole out of the hole'
(guess that wouldn't work anymore anyway, as too many kids are exploring the 'other' portal
without the knowledge they need regarding just how addictive and destructive sodomy can be).
But what worked for me, as a female, was first a cervical cap and then a Dumas cap (only available
in England, naturally -- it is a much better fit than a diaphragm). I used fresh aloe gel for a spermicide
(can't get any fresher, cheaper and healthier than that, plus it makes an excellent lube). I think that
female barrier methods are seriously underrated -- they are simple, economical, nonhormonal, not
dangerous, and also allow the woman's partner to check to make sure she is using her barrier method
and it is properly positioned. Unlike the pill, he doesn't have to take her word for it, and checking for
positioning becomes part of the act. If he simultaneously uses a condom, both parties are very well
protected against both pregnancy and STD's.
There is lots of talk these days about making guys wear condoms. Fair enough. But to be reciprocal,
girls should be using a female barrier device at the same time. Both parties learn responsibility and
the virtue of each 'backing up' the other's birth control method.
But I don't understand your use of the word sodomy and characterizing anal sex as addictive and /or destructive. Any kind of sex can be safe if its done with communication and simple precautions - like condoms, lube, and cervical cap or diaphragm.