Specter only federal lawmaker to earmark for abstinence.
By on Oct 31st, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Specter only federal lawmaker to earmark for abstinence.
Last month, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) quietly added more than two dozen earmarks for abstinence education, totaling more than $1 million, to a Labor and Health and Human Services measure. In an expose on Specter’s abstinence-only efforts, the Politico notes today that “no other member of Congress earmarks money for abstinence education.”
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Sure it was Specter? Sure it wasn’t just “one of his interns”?
Jackass…
October 31st, 2007 at 3:04 pmDidn’t Specter get the memo that abstinence education doesn’t work? That teens who receive abstinence education have sex about as much as teens who receive conventional sex education, BUT are more likely to engage in sex without condoms or any other birth control/STD control methods?
I suspect that even Specter can’t be that stupid. He’s quietly adding earmarks as a political favor to somebody, not because he truly believes it will protect the virginity of teenagers.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:08 pmWhat missmolly said. Abstinence only education is a business and someone is making money off of it.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:12 pmWhen are this asshat’s 6 years up? I’ll donate to whomever runs against him.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:13 pmIf Senator Sphinctor was capable of having sex anymore, he wouldn’t earmark for abstinence.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:15 pmprobably because he can get it up anymore, anyone ask the pages/interns if they’ve been approached or did anyone make sure his insurance isnt paying for his viagra?
October 31st, 2007 at 3:20 pmPersonally, I think lawmakers should abstain from earmarking.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:21 pmI’m practicing abstinence with the Bush Crime family.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:27 pmRuh Roh. Somone didn’t get the memo.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:32 pmEffing HYPOCRITE.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:33 pmI guess the other congresspeople know that abstinence doesn’t work.
Buck Fush
October 31st, 2007 at 3:38 pmGee, as a Pennsylvania resident, I’m so PROUD of our senior senator…
:rolleyes:
October 31st, 2007 at 3:43 pmHow old and out of touch with young people do you have to be to believe that abstinence only programs work. You have to be about Specter’s age I guess.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:44 pmSpector will be retired by the voters in 2010.
October 31st, 2007 at 4:03 pmand people still argue that he hasn’t really experienced the 21st century?
October 31st, 2007 at 4:03 pmComment by jayjaybear — October 31, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
As I former resident of the great state of PA, may I kindly ask you to contact the senator and ask him to get busy doing some real work for the nation by finding out what is holding up the distribution of Yuengling into New England. Thanks
October 31st, 2007 at 4:23 pmWhen we’re in our 80’s & senile we’re put in Nursing Homes.
When politicians reach their 80’s they’re put in Chairmanships.
How old is Sphinctor? Depends
October 31st, 2007 at 4:30 pmAbstinence education†is different from “abstinence only education.†In my opinion, the first is a good idea, when couple with education about artificial birth control, STD’s, pregancy, etc….
Comment by TCDon — October 31, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
No shit Sherlock. Do you believe there is anybody who wouldn’t want to teach children to just say no first. That isn’t the route your people take though, is it?
October 31st, 2007 at 4:55 pmIgnorance, scare tactics and misinformation will not work, facts pro and con when deciding about begining sexual relations is better. Planned Parenthood has an excellent website and great young counselors to answer questions that young people are uncomfortable about asking their parents. I wish the information had been around when I was a teenager, (in the stone age).
October 31st, 2007 at 5:03 pmSpector will be retired by the voters in 2010.
Comment by Coffins Draped with a Flag — October 31, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
Dear Lord, let’s pray you are right! Even two more years of the weasel is going to do damage that will take YEARS to repair.
October 31st, 2007 at 5:12 pm“Abstinence education†is different from “abstinence only education.†In my opinion, the first is a good idea, when couple with education about artificial birth control, STD’s, pregancy, etc…. “Abstinence only education†on the other hand should be left to the parochial and private schools that choose that route.
Comment by TCDon — October 31, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
You’re right. There’s a difference between “abstinence only” education and sex education programs that include recommending abstinence for teens.
Any comprehensive sex education program is going to include abstinence as an effective birth control method. Furthermore, it will be taught that it’s the most effective method of preventing both pregnancy and STDs — because it’s true, not because of any kind of morals agenda. Comprehensive sex education programs will also include accurate information about other methods, because when teens have sex anyway (and they do), they should know that a condom will help prevent STDs and birth control pills don’t. They should know that a condom prevents pregnancy a lot more effectively than withdrawal. Etc.
On the other hand, “abstinence only” or “abstinence until marriage” programs teach that abstinence is the only acceptable way to deal with sex for teens. Other methods of birth control are mentioned only to say that they don’t work. I can understand the motivation behind scaring teens into keeping their legs crossed, but I also know that in the real world, it doesn’t work.
I agree with you that I like to see teens get all the factual information they can from schools, and that they get the moral angle from their parents, their clergy, and other sources where they normally get their moral and religious values. Accurate factual information about birth control/STD prevention never killed anyone.
I attempted to find out which organizations Specter was funneling the money toward. I was only able to find one by name — and organization called “A+ for Abstinence”, which is an abstinence-until-marriage program.
October 31st, 2007 at 5:14 pmHeh. Republicans should PRACTICE abstinence.
That’s one species that ought to be extinct.
October 31st, 2007 at 6:02 pmAbstinence education†is different from “abstinence only education.†In my opinion, the first is a good idea, when couple with education about artificial birth control, STD’s, pregancy, etc….
Comment by TCDon — October 31, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
I’ve never heard of a program identified as “abstince education” that was anything but “abstinence only”. Maybe you have some examples to share? Because I’m really curious why any program would be identified by that word and also include information about birth control options.
October 31st, 2007 at 6:07 pmYou know that “just say no” to drugs is so ineffective. Teens need reasons along with family values to be able to be the one who doesn’t want to have sex, do drugs or smoke. Arm your kids with information and show them where to go for private answers.
October 31st, 2007 at 6:41 pmArm your kids with information and show them where to go for private answers.
Comment by texaslady — October 31, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
and make sure they let you know where the stash is.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:48 pm#27 I guess you are trying for humor.
October 31st, 2007 at 10:38 pmand “just say no” worked out so well for Jeb’s kids.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:10 am