The Red Scare continues.

[Magnoe]

Yes, and that's why conservatives don't want to teach kids about contraception, and embrace abstinence only education.

once again, the right wing makes no sense.

I'm apparantly one of those conservatives you are making huge generalizations about. Look, many kids are going to have sex and I agree that protection and contraception needs to be taught. What really grates me, though, are those who oppose ANY sort of abstinence education. It's as if some people believe than NOBODY waits until marriage.

I'm making myself very vulnerable here but I need to make this point. Both my wife and myself both saved ourselves for marriage. We both grew up holding true to a notion that saving ourselves for our future partner makes a bond uncomparable. Almost all of my closest friends (and spouses) share the same story.

None of us regret it and there are practical aspects to this decision as well (i.e. No worries of STD, unplanned pregancies, or comparisons in bed)... and let me tell you, a wedding night that made the wait worth it 100 fold

Now, I'm not sharing this to come across preachy. But I often hear how "everybody does it anyway", "abstinence is a myth like the sasquatch" is very offending. Every one of my siblings made the same decision as I did.

No, we are not backwoods geeks that live in a time warp. We are the same ski loving, poker playing, extreme sports, all-state athlete, party-having folks as the rest of you.

We need balance, balance and balance. Teach protection for those who are still going to engage, but also encourage those who want to save themselves for one partner. It IS the safest answer to these issues we're discussing.

Ok, let the target practice begin on me

[natty dread]

Ya’ll are a bunch of baby killers who hate Jesus and America.

I agree. Heaven forbid we have a society that protects the unborn.

I think magnoe wins the prize for most seriously damaged sarcasm meter ever on tgr.
It was really "cordial" of you to agree with that statement.

The lack of a rape or incest exception in the SD law is fucking medieval.

[MassLiberal]

Dude, I think you misunderstand, why would I make fun of you for a decision that's yours to make? If you feel that the decision you made was right, then it is yours.

But what I don't agree with is when counties, states or the gov't in general dictate that children are not able to handle honest discussions about sex. It's naive to think that everyone thinks the same way you do. And in general abstinence only education relies on deliberate falsehoods in order to scare kids into waiting for marraige.

[Cyber Cop]

What really grates me, though, are those who oppose ANY sort of abstinence education. It's as if some people believe than NOBODY waits until marriage.

I have never heard of any group opposing abstinence education. I have heard of groups pushing "abstinence only" education and groups who oppose that stance. I don't think it's only christians that encourage their kids to not be ho bags? but maybe I'm wrong.

[Magnoe]

I think magnoe wins the prize for most seriously damaged sarcasm meter ever on tgr.
It was really "cordial" of you to agree with that statement.

The lack of a rape or incest exception in the SD law is fucking medieval.

Natty,
At that point in the thread, nobody has brought up any other angle so I thought I would get the ball rolling... which it did.

Sarcasm isn't my first choice in a discussion. It's fairly juvenile utilizing saracasm to make a point. But I did

[Tippster]

Good for you. Here's a cookie.

Nobody - NOBODY on the Pro Choice side says "THOU MUST FUCK." That's the hubris of the Christian Right, that it's their way or Satan's railroad straight to hell. The problem is that they expect people to practice abstinence because "it's the right thing to do." That's bullshit. Abstinence, like any social activity, is a choice. Simply because one party choses differently from another doesn't make them WRONG, and thus shouldn't be legislated against. Not one single proposal for sex education at any level has ever tried to exclude abstinence. It's actually the first thing taught, but since there's not much to talk about after "If you don't have sexual contact of any kind you cannot get pregnant or STDs" the rest of the syllabus concentrates on the myriad of things that can happen if you chose the other path.

What your side wants is legislative and social support for something only practiced by a minority of people. To claim you're in the mainstream sexually or morally is ridiculous.

[Magnoe]

I have never heard of any group opposing abstinence education. I have heard of groups pushing "abstinence only" education and groups who oppose that stance. I don't think it's only christians that encourage their kids to not be ho bags? but maybe I'm wrong.

I'm on the board for a non-profit that works with counseling kids on high school campuses as well as juvenile detention facilities. It is amazing the opposition we receive to offer abstinence as a legitimate alternative when it comes to sex education. It's out there.

And I'm glad to hear your responses. Again, the attitude that abstinence is not even an option is the crux of my frustration. Protection AND abstinence should both be presented as viable options for kids.

[MassLiberal]

I do love how not a singe woman has posted on this thread yet (or so I think).

[natty dread]

No, we are not backwoods geeks that live in a time warp. We are the same ski loving, poker playing, extreme sports, all-state athlete, party-having folks as the rest of you.

^Keep on telling yourself that ^

Face it magnoe, you represent the extreme religious right wing view on this issue. You may party, ski, and play poker but you are the only person in this thread (or, I would guess, in this forum) who would like to make it illegal for a girl who has been raped to end her pregnancy.

How about free condoms in the schools, along with teaching that abstinence is the only 100% sure way to protect against pregnancy? You still haven't answered that question.

[Viva]

Again, the attitude that abstinence is not even an option is the crux of my frustration.

Kids who are well raised and unconditionally loved are far more likely to go the abstinence route.

What about teens who never had good parenting and/or come from broken homes, or suffered other childhood tramas? They're going to find fulfillment wherever they can. Magnoe, what's your experience with kids in this latter group?

[The Dad]

Not you, bro -- the SD Legislature.

Didn't I mention -- I'm also the South Dakota Legislature incarnate? Both houses, no less.

[Cyber Cop]

Didn't I mention -- I'm also the South Dakota Legislature incarnate? Both houses, no less.

Damn, you must look funny naked?

[MeatPuppet]

but you are the only person in this thread (or, I would guess, in this forum) who would like to make it illegal for a girl who has been raped to end her pregnancy.

No, not the only one. If, for whatever reason, a pregnancy makes it past the 24th week. I would be opposed to ending it(and willing to put that into law) with only one exception; the life of the mother is in grave danger. Regardless of how that life came about. See post #99. That's where I draw the line.

No brain activity=mass of tissue. It's the womans choice up that point.

Brain activity=human being with all the rights you and I have.

So, under certain circumstances, I would be opposed to ending a pregnancy that came about by rape or incest. But I know I am in a minority and others feel differently.

[Tippster]

His ass is HUGE.

I also agree with Meatpuppet. You should be able to tell within the first 6 months (I'd even go less) whether or not you should keep the baby. After that it better be a life-or-death issue for the mother. Cold feet aren't an excuse, and adoption is then the path to choose IMHO.

Then again I absolutely support the death penalty for serial killers, and especially the animals who rape and kill children. I'll pull the trigger myself and sleep soundly that night.

[Crinkle]

Magone, i think natty is just rubbing it in that he has lots of pre-marrital sex and you didn't.

[natty dread]

No brain activity=mass of tissue. It's the womans choice up that point.

I don't think magnoe would agree with you on that point, but he can correct me if I'm wrong. That's what makes him a right wing extremist. Your position is more nuanced and acknowledges that there are shades of grey in this debate.

[natty dread]

Magone, i think natty is just rubbing it in that he has lots of pre-marrital sex and you didn't.

How dare you judge me like that? I stopped being a slut WEEKS ago.

[rideit]

Pretty much high school and college are where good girls learn skills!
I mean, all of you except the chump who 'believes' his wife waited for only him...don't you all remember some damn good times, instructing, and being instructed, in the finer arts?
I sure do, and do not regret it.

IMO, abortion is simply one more tool that we have to fight the true, single problem that our planet faces, and will probably be our ruin...OVERPOPULATION.

ahh, college...yum yum good times!

[MeatPuppet]

the true, single problem that our planet faces, and will probably be our ruin...OVERPOPULATION.

BAAHHHH! Over population my ass(and I assure you it's not as gargantuan as Cyber Cop's communal ass). There are 8 million people crammed into a couple of square miles in NYC; it's one of the most densly populated places on the planet, yet we don't have mass famine in the streets on Manhattan. Our problems come from poor managment, not overpopulation.

But that is a conversation for another thread.

[rideit]

There are 8 million people crammed into a couple of square miles in NYC; it's one of the most densly populated places on the planet, yet we don't have mass famine in the streets on Manhattan. Our problems come from poor managment, not overpopulation.

:

key word: YET.

I'm taking your tone to mean "Meatpuppet didn't get any in high school, and he is still pissed!"

[schindlerpiste]

It's crazy how they wasted no time. Once Alito was confirmed, they went for the jugular.

It will be interesting to see which way Alito will vote on this issue. He may prove to be a big disappointment to the right wing extremists. While it is true that Alito has a history which suggests that he is in favor of restricting and/or eventually overturning Roe v. Wade, he has yet to build a reputation on the Supreme Court. One never knows...

[cj001f]

BAAHHHH! Over population my ass(and I assure you it's not as gargantuan as Cyber Cop's communal ass). There are 8 million people crammed into a couple of square miles in NYC; it's one of the most densly populated places on the planet, yet we don't have mass famine in the streets on Manhattan. Our problems come from poor managment, not overpopulation.

But that is a conversation for another thread.

One of the richest cities in the world doesn't have a problem with famine? Will wonders never cease

[bklyn]

I do love how not a singe woman has posted on this thread yet (or so I think).

Because you guys can fight it out, splitting hairs all you want and it doesn't mean a damn thing.

No woman is relying on abortion as birth control. If you knew the mechanics of abortion, you'd know that without debate. Abortion is a last resort, because the social safety net is not there for mothers who cannot raise the child.

It's easy to talk about a 40 week commitment and a six week + recovery that you don't have to make yourselves. Plus at least 6 months of everyone you meet knowing you're sexually active - not an issue for adults but certainly a big one for younger women where social stigma on sexual activity is still strong. Girls under 18 who have family friends and uncles that want to be lovers, and press the advantage of age and experience are in a different boat - how do they explain the situation to family? What happens if pops raped you and mom doesn't believe you? Rape and incest are more common than you might want to believe or admit. Single working women face being fired, even married women in certain professions have been fired for one pregnancy too many.

So many men beg to ride free of the jimmy hat, but you can because you don't have to deal quite as directly with the consequences. Women have later term abortions because they've exhausted their other options, and not because they're lazy or stupid as some have implied.

Back in the days of the writing of the much vaulted constitution, abortion was legal although perilous. It was easier to drink pennyroyal tea, pray for a miscarriage and worry about liver damage later. I know that an abortion is not a choice I would make personally, but I support the right to having a choice.

True choice means a medically safe option ...
-without being harassed and called a baby killer on the way to an already hard decision.
-without notifying parents, husbands or boyfriends, who if they don't already know, are probably not supportive.
-without having to travel hundreds of miles and paying exorbitant fees.
-in complete privacy.

[MeatPuppet]

One of the richest cities in the world doesn't have a problem with famine? Will wonders never cease

Nope, neither does Hong Kong, nor does Tokyo; places that have similar population densities.

It goes to illustrate what the source of the problem really is, and is not.

[rideit]

Nope, neither does Hong Kong, nor does Tokyo; places that have similar population densities.

.

And wealth distributions.
Uhh, Lima, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, LaHore, North Korea, San Jose, Bangladesh, uhhh...just enter a few more.