Bugged

Hope you had a great one, JUSTIBIRTHDAYBOY!

It was a day on which the world stood still for many of us. If we want to post about it in a thread somewhere on the net, so be it.

Harp. Not just a musical instrument. Some things are fun to listen to at first, but in short time, they'll put you to sleep. *big yawn*

Does this thread come with any options?

Nah. You can just call it a hunch. Of course, Lawson may call it BS. Afterall, would you admit to knowing, uh, "them" (we good now, Stuka?) in real life?

My lawyer-friend-of-Abbott's-son-who-is-way-too-friendly-with-the-Abbotts-to-be-completely-unknown-to-them-and-just-happens-to-live-in-Oregon-dar went off.

I've heard about this particular glitch.

Why not teach it in schools? Is the subject really so offensive that it can only be talked about at home? That's the kind of thinking that gets people in trouble in the first place. Go ahead and start teaching kids about the birds and the bees at home. Do it before the older kids at school start teaching them fallacies. My opinion is that sex ed starts at a young age in the home; back in the days of "Mommy, what is this/what are those?" Obviously I'm not talking about educating a child about the 'act of sex', but rather I'm referring to laying the groundwork for open discussions in years to come. If memory serves me right, I was quite well-informed about a lot of things by grade four. I remember being quizzed by some grade fivers after school one day and feeling awkward about answering their questions because I wasn't really sure in my answers. I ran it all past my folks later that evening to see if I got the answers correct. To my surprise, and to theirs, I was pretty bang-on with my answers. As kids, we take in far more than we're conscious of, I guess. Times have changed a lot and I suspect grade 2 is the new grade 4. Anyway, the point I'm getting to is that by the time I was in sex ed class, most of it was old news. I don't know at what grade sex ed starts in schools these days but my only concern would be that, like anything else being taught, sex ed needs to be age-appropriate. Again, if someone is opposed to sex ed being taught in school, I tend to think of them as more than just a little backwards. It's a natural thing that's part of growing up and learning. Is it really so naughty that it can't be discussed in a classroom? We're not in the 1950s anymore. Wow! Sex ed has really, REALLY changed since my day. Coitus? Autofellatio? Soft porn? Is it really like that nowadays? Oh wait, you don't know cuz you posted above that you didn't have sex ed. Nevermind. So Palin, and like-thinkers, can pull their kids out of that class on the days that it's taught but don't dictate to everyone else that they can't have it just because a few don't want it. Fight ignorance. I know that I'm speculating but I can only base my opinions on what the media has reported. Unless I learn otherwise, and I won't hold my breath (I understand she's against women's choice too), I'll stick to thinking that Palin is living in the dark ages.

My point is not whether or not sex ed 'does the trick'. To be against sex ed in schools speaks to the type of person who is opposing it. When I learned of Palin's objection to sex ed, I immediately formed an opinion of someone who is closed-minded, old fashioned, unrealistic, etc. She does not strike me as someone who is forward thinking or proactive. Yep, I got all that from learning that she opposed sex ed (whether it be explicit or non-explicit). Learning that her daughter is pregnant was an "ahhhh moment". No shocker there. To be clear, I was referring to unconditional love. And it was from the viewpoint of the daughter (as the receiver), not the parent (as the giver). Big difference. I did not say that Palin doesn't love her children unconditionally. What can I say to this? Men are from Mars, women are from Venus. I take your assurance that the baby was an unintended consequence for the guy involved, but it'll take a lot to convince me that all the young women who get pregnant do so "accidentally". You're right that there's nothing new about teen pregnancy and I'm sure you'll believe me when I say I've known a young woman or two who has found herself *wink-wink, nudge-nudge* "accidentally" pregnant. You said that there isn't an " American teenager who ... isn't aware that having unprotected sex with some [one] could possibly lead to a baby", then why does teen pregnancy exist? I don't buy the argument that young men are too "hugely horny" to use a condom or that young women can't get a prescription for the pill when they decide to become sexually active. Responsibilty isn't always an easy concept for teens, in general (don't flip your wig, stoat), to grasp. Making it easy for teens to get their hands on birth control is a must. Condoms are stocked right between the facial tissues and the cold meds in the 7-11 convenience stores in my neighbourhood. So why are teens still getting pregnant? It makes me wonder just how many "accidental" pregnancies aren't accidental at all.

Toughen up, stoat. We've all had to live through it. It can be worth a few laughs. *remembers the sex ed scene from the movie Grease* I have a strong belief that a woman who is against sex ed in school is closed-minded. When in the comfort of their own home, how much do you think that Palins talk about sex and the consequences of engaging in sexual activity? The ostrich with its head in the sand is what comes to mind. It's still ironic that Palin's daughter is pregnant. Sure, being educated on something does not ensure that a person won't make mistakes. Chances are, Palin's daughter did know what she was getting in to. Truth is, I think teen pregnancy has more to do with a teenager wanting unconditional love and, not getting it from her parents, she decides that a baby will fill the void. No matter how you cut it, there's still a stigma attached to teen pregnancies. And people will always look to the parents and the teen's homelife for answers.

Explicit sex education? That's a new one for me. I may have to put my google skilz to work on this.

Being against sex education in this day and age is incomprehensible. The fact that Palin's teen daughter is pregnant? Well, that's just icing on the cake. The irony is rich. *has a sudden craving for devil's food chocolate cake*

Maybe you can be the Warm-up Act? Open with a One-man Show of some sort? *passes Leeo a top hat and cane*

And make it quick! Depending on your response, we may have further questions and there's less than 17 hours 'til Coventry. *snap snap*

Seanachai put you up to this, didn't he? At any rate, I believe it is written somewhere in The Rules that a wife can not testify for (or against) her husband.

Coventry. Overdue.

Saaaay, are you That Guy? The guy who defends the heckler as he's being escorted from the comedy club or the movie theater? Was the young, pink-faced Seanachai told one too many times that 'little boys should be seen and not heard'? Is that when your crusade started?

Nah, I didn't mean I was leaving the thread. I meant that I'll let those who are cut from a more, uh, colourful cloth deliver the smack-down on those who deserve it. Much like the lip-synching Chinese girl in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, it's "in the National Interest". Or somesuch. Still, I could have sworn that I heard a man call out 'GIRL FIGHT!' while he was attempting to stroke my hair. Next thing I knew someone was nipping at my ankles. Then that man fired his pistols at the feet of another while gleefully yelling, "Dance, Redneck! Dance!" And the Redneck danced. 'Course it's all kinda blurry. Maybe it was just a bad dream. I dunno.

My apologies. I shall leave it up to those who do it best to do it at all.

Oh and, Abbott, take note of Seanachai's post. He just gave you a fishing lesson. And your wife took the bait.

Your "ancestors" should have taught you better manners. You are, afterall, merely a guest in someone else's house. Or is this just typical behaviour of a *cough*Lady*cough* Redneck? PS. Remember to reply with wit and verve.

She could simply have the words 'strength, courage, wisdom' tatooed in the language(s) of her heritage. Or in Celtic script. Or, she could just get a shamrock, 'cause when you have luck, you don't need the rest. ;-) http://www.tattoos-by-design.co.uk/library/viewtatoo.asp?ID=2520

...but only to those who have a sense of humour, mind you.

Oh, that's right... it's Joe that drives you away. I can see how you would feel confused and out-of-place around a fine and proper man* like Joe Shaw. Fear not, little one, for he won't hurt you. *link provided to help clarify something you are obviously unfamiliar with: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gentleman

By jeezus, if the mere mention of someone was enough to conjure their internet-self into this thread then we'd be over-run with the wives, ex-wives, girlfriends, ex-girlfriends, brothers, sisters, mothers, daughters, etc. of everyone who has ever posted here. Hell, the entire cast of Firefly would be in on the fun (not to mention Abbott's 2 sons, FFS). But alas, you most certainly ARE mistaken if you think I asked you - in any way, shape or form - to post here. I may be wrong but I suspect your husband made you aware of the goings-on and that's why you're here now. So, since you believe that I asked you here, I guess you'll be more than happy to oblige when I tell you to get lost. B'bye now.