My son just went through the fourth grade version of Washoe County’s S.H.A.R.E. program. I was explaining to him that some kids have parents who just don’t ever talk to them about their bodies or sex, “Unlike YOU,” he responded.
You may have seen recent stories on the latest research that shows, yet again, that Virginity Pledges don’t really work. Although the study does note that kids who take these pledges tend to have religious and family values that make them likely to delay starting sex until later than kids with different values. Also interesting: over 80% of kids deny or forget they took a pledge. The bad news is that the kids who take them are less likely to use birth control or protect themselves against STDs. All in all, one researcher noted that they are “useless.”
Taxpayers, take note: Federal funds for abstinence only education programs have increased from $73 million in 2001 to $204 million in 2008. That’s your tax money being spent on a program that has been proven, again and again, not to work. NICE.
“Republican failures are interpreted as the fall of conservatism.
Now I expect this from our opponents on the left. They will seize upon any pretext to announce the death of the conservative movement. They’ve been doing it for decades.
But too many conservatives today are buying into that fallacy. That is a dangerous mistake, because it will sap your will to fight. If you believe that the current sorry state of the GOP is a measure of the health of conservatism, you’re bound to conclude that the conservative movement is done for.”
And what the Heritage Foundation plans to do about it:
“The Heritage Foundation has embarked on our 10-year Leadership for America campaign. Now more than ever, we must stand by our principles and teach them to the widest possible audience. We must revive broader understanding and respect for the timeless truths that are the foundations of American life.”
“Raggio said Tuesday’s election was a clear warning to the GOP that extreme positions and intolerance in the party won’t attract a majority of voters in the former Republican-leaning state.
“My party is going to have to change,” the Reno lawmaker told the Nevada Appeal. “It’s gone too far to the right. … The Republican far right message does not sell.”
Will the Republicans return to their roots of small government and lower taxes? Or go with the social issues of abortion and gun control? What role will Sarah Palin and Ron Paul play? What happens here in Nevada? Interesting times.
And, of course, it’s not just young girls we need to worry about. We also need to be concerned for the young men who resort to violence, for whatever reason.
I know it can be easy to look around at one’s own family - or to the teens one meets in the community - and conlude that, really, the kids are alright. And mostly, they are. At the same time, one thing I learned from working on the quality of life indicators with Truckee Meadows Tomorrow is that there is a real shortage of services and support for teenagers in our community. The kids who are fine, are fine. The kids who are in trouble have few places to turn and few resources to help them get back to being fine.
We’re calling undecided voters to talk about women’s health issues this week. It’s amazing to me that people are undecided with only a month to go. This campaign has been underway for 18 months … lots of time for people to see where the candidates stand.
But I have talked to several who are genuinely still undecided. And I think the long campaign contributes to that. We’ve had a chance to hear where the candidates stand on SO many issues that there is a lot to balance. Most of the undecided folks were interested to hear what we had to say on the candidates’ positions on women’s health. You can learn more at www.PlannedParenthoodACTION.org or www.NevadaAdvocates.org.
My daughter, Morgan, spent almost a month in Uganda this summer, volunteering in an orphanage, a teen center and an AIDs clinic. A life changing experience for sure. She made this video to share.
How do they say “grandma” in Africa? Might as well start getting used to it now.
In Swahili, it’s Bibi (I like it). Not that they speak Swahili everywhere in Africa, I know, just easier to look up translations on-line.
In fact, at least half of Nevada Republicans consider themselves pro-choice. And many who don’t still believe abortion should be legal, even if they would like to see far fewer abortions done.
