Reid Says Yes to Abstinence

[The Straight Story]

Reid Says Yes to Abstinence

Just when it appeared that Congress was about to erase one of the social-conservative legacies of the George W. Bush administration -- abstinence-only sex education programs -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is trying to bring it back.

Even though House and Senate appropriators voted four months ago to eliminate all spending on the programs, which according to most research do not keep teens from having sex or reduce teen pregnancies, the Nevada Democrat included a provision in the Senate health care bill that would restore some of the money.

That has thrown advocates on both sides of the sex education debate for a loop.

The president of the social-conservative Family Research Council, Tony Perkins, who has been and will continue opposing the drive for a health care overhaul, conceded that the Senate bill "would give a surprise boost to an abstinence movement." By contrast, Marcela Howell, a spokeswoman for the liberal Advocates for Youth, a longtime opponent of abstinence-only programs, said Reid's addition to the bill was "an unfortunate move."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20091206/pl_cq_politics/politics3260047

[laughingliberal]

1. WTF??!!??

Tell me, again how I can tell the Democrats have the majorities now.

[bamacrat]

2. Then they better start teaching proper masturbation 101.

Abstinence does not work, can not work, will not work. So stupid.

[Jamastiene]

3. I swear alien mutant body/brain snatchers have taken over

many leaders in our party. I don't even recognize many of them any more. :(

[Occulus]

5. I've always thought that Reid was a mole

and this sort of decision only reinforces that impression.

[Rockholm]

22. Maybe he meant OBSTINATE?

[readmoreoften]

4. GFG (good fucking god)

what next?

[Kerrytravelers]

6. Shhhh! Don't ask! We may find out.

[Jamastiene]

8. It just keeps getting worse and worse.

What parallel universe are we in right now? Stop the Planet. I want off.

[Kerrytravelers]

7. As an educator, I can not understand why we don't want to teach full and complete understanding of

one's body.

Are there people working feverishly to only allow certain math concepts taught? What is it about teaching people about their bodies that get some people so hot and bothered? :crazy:

[Jamastiene]

9. Abstinence Only is the opposite of education. It is anti-education. n/t

[Kerrytravelers]

12. Can't argue with that.

[surrealAmerican]

25. Exactly.

It's propaganda, masquerading as education.

[TexasObserver]

10. If only Reid would abstain from fucking ... up the country.

[NanceGreggs]

11. "Abstinence-only education WORKS!

Don't believe ME? Then ask my kids!"

[waterscalm]

13. Here is his reasoning ---for what it is worth. My guess he is

being pushed by faith based groups also.


Reid included the provision, according to spokesman Jim Manley, because he was sticking closely to the bill the Finance Committee approved in September. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, especially considering that Reid has long opposed the abstinence program, which for most of this decade has been providing $50 million a year in federal block grants to states to develop abstinence-only school curricula.

In that September vote, a coalition of 10 Republicans, led by Utah's Orrin G. Hatch , and two Democrats, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Kent Conrad of North Dakota, won the addition of language formally reauthorizing that abstinence program for another five years. At the time, Hatch said the vote was an indication of bipartisanship on the committee, although he was part of a united GOP bloc that tried unsuccessfully two weekends ago to keep Reid's bill off the Senate floor.

[dysfunctional press]

14. my guess is a little different...but just by a little.

a lot of the people making their money off the abstinence-only government teat are either his friends, friends of friends, or people he owes favors to

[waterscalm]

30. could be that also.

[Maraya1969]

15. I guess he wants more STD's and unwanted pregnancies which lead to more abortions.

Good job Harry.

[ck4829]

16. Unbelievable. K&R.

Study after study has said that it doesn't work, and it leaves kids saying "I don't even know how I got pregnant", but hey, let's continue to fund it.

[Maraya1969]

17. Remind him that he is increasing the need for medical care because of STD'S

abortions and pregnancy. Remind him that these things go up significantly with abstinence only teaching.

I tried to write the guy but the email address will not go through. If someone finds a working one can you put it here? Thanks.

[paulsby]

18. facts should matter

whether or not one is a social conservative, or believes that teens and/or unmarried people shouldn't have sex, the facts are in - ABSTINENCE PROGRAMS AT SCHOOLS DON'T WORK.

[Odin2005]

19. Good fucking God. Go to hell, Harry. Stupid fucking Mormon.

[AllentownJake]

20. self delete.

[Rockholm]

21. Easy for him to be abstinent. Who'd eff him anyway?

[RoadRage]

23. Is it in conjunction with a whole sex-ed program, or "by itself"??

I have no problem with Abstenince being 1 portion of a larger over-all program... but I can't comprehend why he would want this to be the "only" program to be taught.

Is this some wierd back-door deal where if he keeps this in, then 2 republicans will vote for health care or something??? It just doesn't make any sense.

[bullwinkle428]

24. Thanks, Harry, for reminding me to contribute to your primary opponent!

[myrna minx]

26. I am so sick of this stuff.

What was the point of last year's election? Apparently nothing. :puke:

[AzDar]

27. Has Harry Reid EVER delivered for us? EVER?

Ack.
:puke:

[liberal_at_heart]

28. This is exactly why so many democrats are angry

We can't tell the democrats from the republicans anymore. They are too much alike. You've got democrats that refuse to fight for a real public option, they are willing to compromise on women's health and now they include provisions for abstinence only programs. This healthcare bill is being written by insurance companies, republicans, and the Catholic church.

[bdamomma]

29. what BS!!

Abstinence does not work at all.

[Nikki Stone1]

31. Remember when we were told not to worry that an anti-choice Senator was elected leader?

Such a short time ago.....