Both the Obama campaign and many media commentators claim that McCain’s recent sex-education ad is a sleazy, dishonorable, blatant, clear-cut lie.
Do these critics have a point?
First, read the bill, especially line 14, and judge for yourself.
OK.
Let's take Mrs. Malkin's challenge.
As Malkin's party is the party of "context" lets look at the entire
section, even though the line that Malkin points out we should start with is clear enough:
6 (105 ILCS 5/27-9.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-9.1)
7 Sec. 27-9.1. Sex Education.
8 (a) No pupil shall be required to take or participate in
9 any class or course in comprehensive sex education if the
10 pupil's his parent or guardian submits written objection
11 thereto, and refusal to take or participate in such course or
12 program shall not be reason for suspension or expulsion of
13 such pupil. Each class or course in comprehensive sex
14 education offered in any of grades K 6 through 12 shall
15 include instruction on the prevention of sexually transmitted
16 infections, including the prevention, transmission and spread
17 of HIV AIDS. Nothing in this Section prohibits instruction in
18 sanitation, hygiene or traditional courses in biology.
19 (b) All public elementary, junior high, and senior high
20 school classes that teach sex education and discuss sexual
21 activity or behavior intercourse shall emphasize that
22 abstinence is an effective method of preventing unintended is
23 the expected norm in that abstinence from sexual intercourse
24 is the only protection that is 100% effective against
25 unwanted teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases,
26 and HIV acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) when
27 transmitted sexually.
28 (c) In this subsection (c):
29 "Factual information" includes without limitation
30 medical, psychiatric, psychological, empirical, and
31 statistical statements.
It should be noted that nowhere within the text does it state that ANY sex ed ( comprehensive or otherwise ) HAS to be taught in Kindergarden. The text clearly states that schools that already teach sex-ed will do so in a comprehensive fashion that is "age appropriate.
But, what is "age appropriate" to one won't be to another. Here, we see another instance where Malkin's droogies are more thinking that "the government" is going to tell them what to teach their children.
This is patently ridiculous.
The party that is more than willing to give up many of their individual rights all in the name of "national security" is suddenly affraid that the government - that they helped create - is going to tell them what your children are or aren't going to know.
No one is suggesting that children in Kindergarden be taught about sexually transmitted diseases, reproductions, and safe sex. It is easy to read a bill, filled with beauracratic legalese, and spin it's intended meaning in order to have it fit neatly against your poorly constructed theories.
Byron York, of the NRO, had this to say:
[T]he bill’s intention was to mandate sex education, especially concerning contraception and the prevention of sexually-transmitted diseases, for children before the sixth grade and as early as kindergarten. Obama’s defenders may howl, but the bill is what it is.
The bill, had York actually read it without already having the preconcieved notions as to what it said, is designed to education children and not indoctrinate them. It is a comprehensive form of teaching that is intended to provide balance against "abstenence-only" programs.
The bill goes on to state that no child HAS to take part, as their parents have the option to remove them from the program should they disagree with any portion of it.
If you scan through the comments section on Malkin's site, you'll see that this is simply tossed-aside. Their reasoning for this, is that children will "make fun of" the kids that don't take part in sex-ed. This doesn't give the children of today much credit. Sure, there are some bad seeds at school, but kids have come a long way since York and Malkin were young. Perhaps they teach their kids that divisiveness is acceptable. I wouldn't put it past them.
Malkin and York, as educated as they likes to pretend they are, should be able to not only read the written word but comprehend it.
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