Another day, another breath-taking ad from the McCain campaign:
Go read the supporting evidence at McCain’s site; here’s the relevant portion:
The Full Text Of S.B. 99 Included Changes That Would Offer Sex Education To Children Beginning In Kindergarten. “Each class or course in comprehensive sex education offered 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.” (S.B. 99: Illinois Senate Health And Human Services Committee, Passed, 7-4-0, 3/6/03, Obama Voted Yea)
Now I realize it’s been a while since I graduated from law school, so perhaps my ability to parse legislation is a tad rusty. But a clear reading of that sentence — really the only way to read that sentence — indicates that the legislation simply added the requirement insofar as they were already taking in a class. In other words: if (and only if) there was a Kindergarten class teaching sex ed (can anyone point out any curriculum where this was on the agenda? I’ll be stunned to see any link to any Illinois school where that’s the case; it sure wasn’t in Naperville), then that class simply needed to add language regarding HIV.
Put more simply: no class in Kindergarten? No HIV talk. The bill just toughened up existing sex ed to make sure it was more effective. You know, so that kids might not, um, get pregnant and stuff.
But that’s an entirely separate discussion.
Why was Kindergarten even mentioned? As Hilzoy points out, it was because Barack felt that age-appropriate education might help protect children from pedophiles. Hardly the “comprehensive sex education to kindergarteners” claimed by McCain.
Let’s not forget:
It's been a while since I never graduated (insert lofty degree here) ...
ReplyDeleteSeriously dude, do you remember how Obama hammered away at
McCain actually trying to tell Americans that John McCain really meant '100 years in Iraq'. And let's not forget the
'5 million is rich' comment he made - in jest- while at the
Saddleback Church. Do you remember the hammering from that one? All done my Obama and his Chicago style deep dish thugs!
Please, Mr Lawyer man, of course McCain will hammer at Obama. Of course it will be 'unfair' at times to the one you love - but what goes around comes back around.
I'm just an everyday American, but you can't fool me.
I'm also an everyday American. Yes, I recall the 100 years in Iraq. I also recall McCain defending that comment, and saying then that any commitment to stay in Iraq would be contingent on the Iraqi government wanting us to be there. Of course, now that Maliki has asked us to go, even Pres. Bush is on board with a time table... only McCain remains steadfast in his interest in staying in Iraq.
ReplyDeleteThe $5m remark was in jest? I watched that forum, watched that comment, and don't recall any indication that it was a joke. (And if it is a joke, what exactly is the punchline?) He said "I don't know, $5m?" when asked what would make someone rich.
There's a difference between making people stand by their comments (expected, and deserved) and twisting those comments to their complete opposite meaning (what us everyday Americans call a "lie"). One is the mark of an aggressive, respectable campaign. The other is the McCain campaign.
Clarification: just re-watched the clip of McCain at the Saddleback forum. Had forgotten the chuckle after the $5m comment, so I should allow that it was intended as a joke. But I'm still left wondering what exactly the punch line is?
ReplyDeleteThe broader point here is that McCain's economic policy - such as it is - is a disaster. The US government, thanks in large part to a war costing $10b a month and ridiculous tax cuts on the rich - is now over $400b in debt. (Last year alone.)
His plan for reducing that deficit is laughable. And his inability to understand who's rich and who's middle class - and how they shoulder the economic burdens imposed by these economic policies - is a concern were he to be president.
Obama's energy play lacks energy. No drilling, no nuke power plants. His tax plan is to quote you 'laughable' It's TRICKLE UP economics - and it defies gravity, unless you run the film
ReplyDeletebackwards! His 95% tax decrease is really nothing more than
a TAX REBATE CHECK - so Obama is bold face lying here. He has
never said what that means. And with Joe Biden now saying 'I'm not worthy', I guess he never will.
I'm more than 'concerned' about Obama economics.
And he'll also cut the defense budget.
Hi Rick,
ReplyDeleteWould you consider helping to launch this campaign to get more Obama volunteers? http://simplynutmeg.com/?p=803
Thanks for your help and your excellent coverage of the truth.
Meg Fitzpatrick