By pmg634 Unfortunately, I think sex education is probably about as good as driver ed -- and we all read the stories about the teens getting killed on the road because they use poor sense behind the wheel!
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
As it's taught now, that's probably true. We need USEFUL sex ed.
Beth
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By Mitch Hinton I wrote this with Doug earlier but when the chat has ended it goes to archives right away.This is what I wrote that Doug did answer. Maybe they can fix that. "Regulating abortion is one thing but looking to ban abortion because you (pl.), believe it is against YOUR religion goes against everything our forefathers were trying to prevent.Religion has no place in making laws. My view this is more a debate with people trying to shove their morals and religion down others throats." "I've always felt that the role of a church is to lead its flock - not influence the politics of its host nation. If a church opposes abortion, by all means, preach that philosophy from the pulpit to those who choose to hear it. But stay out of Albany. Stay out of Washington." "The abortion debate is about controlling women." Thank you for the previous statements. You've answered the questions I had already, so no difficult questions today from me. Thanks.
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
Thanks, Mitch. I'll get this up without comment so it gets into the chat.
Beth
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By GrenadaMD Unfortunately, in response to teaching sex education in classrooms, just like anything else that is taboo (homosexuality), even if the administration paid for it no one can control what actually comes out of the mouth of the teacher. Sort of like the global gag rule. So we can hope that some teachers will always talk about birth control and abortion no matter what. As a future doctor, I would subscribe to the idea of choice in anything that has to do with your own body especially if it would be "good" for you.
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
Sounds like you'll be a good doctor - one who respects the patients.
Best of luck to you!
Beth
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By GrenadaMD I live in Grenada, West Indies. You know the Reagan "save out medical students from communism" invasion? I wish that was the same sentiment here but I've been in classes with several top officals of the current government and have heard them sing his praises. Fortunately, the opposition party makes you look right winged, so maybe things will change.
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
I would love to see common sense prevail - both here and in Grenada.
It would be nice if the government would stay out of our bedrooms and take care of the deficit, instead.
Beth
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By gparisi176 ok, point taken and agreed. Why should she have to deal witht this as a single parent? I know I can get pregnant. "He" knows he cannot. Young women should be "counceled" properly- from the start. The only thing stable in a young womans life is school thats where they can get their counceling. we cannot rely on our mothers and or father to councel us, they are too shy to talk to us about such a delicate situation. They think we are not having sex at 12 and 13 years old, why should they worry now? But the councelling, from an educational environment is where this can be prevented. If you are premiscuous, you will get pregnant. A condom, a birth-control regimen, is not 100% accurate. Nor is the morning after pill. Why do we put so much heed into these things that are not going to help us deal with truth? With reality. If you have sex you will get pregnant. If you do not have sex you will not get pregnant. Where is the NO sex ed class?
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
Abstinence-only programs are the ONLY thing getting funded by this administration - despite the fact that study after study shows they don't work. We're throwing money at a failed program.
I've always favored reality, myself. "Just say no" didn't work for drugs. It doesn't work for sex.
And, used properly, birth control DOES work. The problem is, not enough young people are educated about using it properly.
Beth
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By abbotn If Roe is over turned, it should be easy to show that organized religion has driven the way over the years. Do you think it would possible to revoke the tax-free status of all catholic churches? Shouldn’t the church pay taxes for influencing US laws?
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
I've always felt that the role of a church is to lead its flock - not influence the politics of its host nation.
If a church opposes abortion, by all means, preach that philosophy from the pulpit to those who choose to hear it. But stay out of Albany. Stay out of Washington.
And, yes. I do resent that any church that wants to directly influence public policy does so tax-free.
Beth
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By GrenadaMD I have been lucky enough to live outside of the US for most of time that Bush has been in office, however, i live in a place where abortion is illegal as well as homosexuality and several other "liberal" ideas. I have heard the buzz around here about America and how much better it is now that Bush is in office while simultaneously hearing about the increased support of communist China... that comparison concerns me. I have to say that I am also worried about this abortion issue in South Dakota making us fight a fight we've already fought and won.
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
Where on earth do you live?
The e-mail I get from around the globe generally says the opposite - that Bush is held in low regard worldwide, is considered an embarrassment to America, and is greatly feared because he's trigger-happy.
Beth
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By bminerly Last Saturday, there were a lot of things going on. There were Democratic party canvassing events all over the country, with local groups going door to door to shake hands and talk issues with regular people. There was a massive peace rally in New York City. There was a smaller event in Kingston. However, I'd like to borrow your soapbox to promote a much more significant event that is getting a lot less attention and a lot less participation. Last Saturday, a few local volunteers started going door to door to register voters in New York's 19th Congressional district. Five volunteers managed to get over 100 people registered in a few short hours. Do you think that the protests are more effective than the registrations as a means of countering what is going wrong in this country?
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
Why do we have to choose? Can't we do both? In fact, shouldn't we be doing both? Make noise, register to vote, talk to our neighbors, campaign for good candidates?
I think you're right that, right now, the most pressing issue for Democrats is the mid-term elections. Otherwise, there is no way we can possibly start reversing - or at least stopping - the damage perpetrated by the White House.
But all of the activities of the busy past weekend were enormously important. Don't forget how effective the demonstrations during the 60s were. We need the anger and energy of the 60s right now.
Beth
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By gparisi176 In the situation of rape, Mrs. Quinn. weather by stranger, family member, or a date. Extenuating circumstances. If what happened to a woman was illegal, then she should not ne forced to have the child by law, but if in the case that a woman has made a concious decicion to have sex with a man, and the "condom breaks" then she should deal witht this the best way possible, afterall, If you are protected by a condom, you know the opportunity is there to get pregnant, an nothing is 100%.
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
Rather punitive, wouldn't you say? She was a bad girl, made her bed and now must lie in it?
And what are the consequences for the man whose condom broke? He made the decision to have sex with a woman - but where are HIS consequences?
Please.
Beth
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By pmg634 And here's another hypocrisy: we all know contraception is one of the best ways to prevent pregnancy -- and easy access to contraception is the key. But now these pro-lifers want to make a woman's choice when it comes to birth control, also, especially in the case of the morning-after pill, which some pharmacists think they can choose not to dispense!
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
You bet.
Which is why abortion continues to be about controlling women. That's the goal of the extremists in the pro-life movement.
Bush has packed the FDA's 11-member subcommittee on women's reproductive health with the likes of Dr. David Hager and his ilk - he who authored the book about healing women as Jesus would. He prescribes Bible verses to treat pms and refuses the prescribe his own patients birth control.
THIS is the guy who was instrumental in preventing the morning-after pill from going over the counter.
So, yes. The abortion debate is about controlling women.
Beth
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By bminerly In 1996, Don Imus hosted the White House Correspondents' Dinner and told several sex jokes about President Clinton while he and his wife sat less than 20 feet away. His performance was reported far and wide in the media the next Monday. This past Saturday, Stephen Colbert hosted the same event and gave a bitingly satirical performance, bringing up both Bush's misdeeds and problems in office and the passivity of the press in not covering them. Nary a word on Colbert's performance is mentioned in the press. Where is my liberal media? By the way, there are 995 days until January 20, 2009. (I wrote some code to sign all of my outgoing email with the correct number.)
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
I've got the 995 days left notation at the bottom of my column today. I've been doing a countdown each week since January.
As for where your liberal press is, that's an outstanding question. I find it amusing that the press is always accused of being liberal, but we rolled over and died the minute Bush said "embedded."
A democracy cannot thrive without a contentious 4th estate, and we're now living in a land in which the White House has effectively merged with Fox Five. The most honest reporting right now is being done on Comedy Central and HBO.
We're doing out best here, though.
Beth
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By abbotn Hi Beth, How long do you think it will take to repair all the damage by this bungling nincompoop? It’s fairly sizeable; I estimate 20-30 years.
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
I'm starting to despair that I'll see it in my lifetime.
About 100 people or so met Friday night at Catherine's Restaurant in Goshen to celebrate the fact that we've broken 1,000 days left in his administration.
But if you think about it, 1,000 days was all that Kennedy had in total - and he was able to accomplish a lot in that time.
Bush still has plenty of time to do more damage. And his rhetoric regarding Iran is the scariest of all.
Beth
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By gparisi176 at this point I'd like to say that It's pretty unfortunate that we can not control the "small minority", because then they have a licence to kill.. putting it bluntly.
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
I'm not sure I understand what you're proposing.
Are you suggesting that the number of abortions a woman is allowed should be limited? Or that a strict litmus test be applied, somehow, before a woman can abort?
On a practical level, how would you suggest that women be allowed to have an abortion according to your - or someone else's - guidelines?
Beth
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By gparisi176 I'd like to agree with you on this matter. i am "pro-choice" women should have the ability to make this decision that will effect the rest of their lives, but unfortunately som e women have become careless witht this. Women/ girls of all ages, are aborting simply because they have the opportunity. Do you think that the decision should be viewed by a councelor, as well. To "help" a woman make her decicion?
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
Most doctor offices and Planned Parenthood clinics do, indeed, provide counseling to be certain the woman knows her mind.
I agree that, in some cases, young women view abortion as birth control, and that's a shame. But we can't write regulations for that small minority any more than we can restrict people's other rights simply because a small minority abuses them.
Beth
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By gparisi176 Good Afternoon, Mrs. Quinn. I would like to say first of all, thank you for being online for your readers.
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
And thank YOU for writing.
Beth
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By pmg634 I loved what you said about being pro-choice -- and choosing NOT to have an abortion. That was great! And that's what it's all about. I just posted to Doug, asking him how he thought the men who wrote the South Dakota ruling would feel if their wives or girlfriends were impregnated by a rapist -- and then were forced to have the unwanted baby all because of the total ban on abortion in their state. Banning abortion even with rape is what angers me most!
Response from Beth Quinn [ADMINISTRATOR]
What strikes me funny is that George Bush is pro-choice and doesn't even know it. During the first presidential campaign, a reporter asked him what his daughter would do if she were raped and became pregnant.
His answer?
"That's a personal family decision and not something to be discussed in public."
Helllloooo, George. That's the pro-choice position!
The hypocrisy is astounding.
Beth
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