There is a lot of media hype about an ad from the McCain campaign about Senator Obama's stance of sex education. Most main stream media bought Obama's talking points and called it a flat out lie.
The bill wasn't about kids protecting themselves.
I have read the bill and it is very poorly worded and should not have gotten out of committee with wording like:
"All public elementary, junior high, and senior high school classes that teach sex education and discuss sexual activity or behavior shall emphasize that abstinence is an effective method of preventing unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV when transmitted sexually."
How do you tell a 4 yr old the best way to avoid knocking up your classmate is to not have sex?
Another quote from the bill in question.
"Each class or course in comprehensive sex education in any of grades K through 12 shall include instruction on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including the prevention, transmission and spread of HIV."
I'm unsure how you would teach in a medically accurate, age appropriate manner the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including the prevention, transmission and spread of HIV to a kindergartner.
I agree with Obama's response of what is age appropriate, good touch vs bad touch etc... but this bill used all and each class to outline minimum info required for any class in sex-ed.
If I was on that committee I would have insisted on clarity prior to voting to drop the grade level from 6th to K.
Bottom line is Obama voted for a bill that would have required any sex-ed course from kindergarten through 12th grade to emphasize contraception and the prevention of sexually-transmitted diseases.
You may not like it but all McCain distorted was the fact that this was an accomplishment of the Senator.
Read other takes here, here and here.
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