Friday, October 31, 2008

Religious Right: Teen Pregnancy OK as Long as No Abortion

As someone who supports sex ed and safe sex, I was amazed that the religious right didn't have more of a negative reaction to Sarah Palin's teen daughter's out-of-wedlock pregnancy which was revealed shortly after McCain named her as his running mate.

The New Yorker magazine is running an article on this very thing today which got me thinking.

Now, don't get me wrong, if I had a teenage daughter who became pregnant, I'd be nothing but supportive; however, the concept of it, to me, is wrong. Not because I believe teenagers shouldn't have sex, but rather that I believe they should be taught that anything but safe sex is unacceptable.

I do not follow the concept of not teaching sex ed and safe sex to our young Americans. Bristol Palin was, no doubt, never taught that condoms are a must if you're having sex. She was no doubt taught that children are something for marriage only, but given no alternative to unprotected sex.

The New Yorker reports that more than half of evangelical young females who take the abstinence pledge, usually by exchanging rings with their fathers, break that pledge; and usually not with their eventual husbands.

So what does this mean? Well, to me, like most things, it's easy to put on a show for the public (as I believe most overly-religious people do), but when it comes to what you do behind closed doors, those pledges don't mean so much.

Again, don't get me wrong, there are plenty of good people, and plenty of good people on the right who actually do what they pledge (at least half or so of the young women too); the point being the public is more willing than ever to say one thing and do another.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Only The Final Score Counts

Is He Too Much?

Politico suggests today that Obama's upcoming "infomercial" on national TV may be overkill for some voters. Can't say I disagree with that, but I'm not sure it'll hurt him any. He's gotten alot of press for doing this, and for having far more donations than McCain. Some often say there is no such thing as bad press (I don't really believe that), but this could come close.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Fed Bailout Failure: Why Is It Bad?

I'm astonished. The federal government failed to spend $700 Billion of my (and your) money to bail out poorly-run corporations and financial institutions and everyone is upset. Why? I understand the whole stock market crisis (another reason I own no stock), and that overall the financial industry needs some confidence.

I don't want my tax dollars going to help the private financial industry -- I'm never going to get any returns on that money if it actually works, and we're most likely going to enter a recession anyways.

What is amazing is that 2/3 of Republicans voted against the bill, and 2/3 of Democrats voted for it, but still, John McCain and Barack Obama are upset it didn't pass. Is anyone else confused?

The polls I've seen indicate the American people resoundingly don't want our tax dollars used to help corporations, yet both presidential candidates do, and they've both said they'll work hard until it's done.

I guess when rich people in Washington start losing money, the politicians will run from all over to help them.

Ridiculous.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Fox News vs. Sarah Palin

Don't worry, they were against her before they were for her....