Supporting the Separation of Church and State
Archive for April, 2008
Daily Show Covers Abstinence Only Education
Categorized: Politics
Tagged: Abstinence, Fundamentalism, Government Oversight, Religious Freedom
On the 23rd the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing on the (in)effectiveness of abstinence-only education. Despite the incredible abundance of evidence proving the dangers of teaching the religious doctrine of abstinence-only education the Republicans were able to hold onto their cash cow. RH Reality Check has a good overview of this disappointing outcome that I highly recommend.
I didn’t really expect the Republicans to allow their policies to be held accountable for being a complete failure. That would have been totally out of character for a party that seems to think accountability and responsibility only apply to other people. So even though it failed to produce any effective chances it is nice to see that the failure of abstinence-only education to educate and protect children is finally being addressed.
As a sign that this is happening the Daily Show ran a segment on this last night. Hopefully this marks a turning of public opinion away from failure and religious dogma. Enjoy the clip below.
My favorite part is when Rep John Duncan (R-Tenn) says “Seems rather elitist to me for people who maybe have degrees in this field to feel that they, because they have studied it, somehow know better than the parents”. Riiiiiiight, because being smart and knowing things is elitist. No wonder conservatives are hardly ever accused of being elitists. Mystery solved. I do feel the need to point out that intellectual bullying is one of the warning signs of fascism, way to maintain that perfect score.
William ~ WWJV4.com
God Smites Teens
Categorized: Religion
Tagged: Christianity, Fundamentalism, Wacknuttery
One of the key tenets of Christianity seems to be that God is responsible for everything that happens. Whenever a Christian survives a near death experience they are always quick to thank God, even if they should be surrounded by those that God chose to strike down. Such was the case recently when a plane crash landed in the middle of a crowded market in the Congo, killing at least 36 but sparing those on board.
On the flip side they are quick to attribute any disaster to the wrath of God. John Hagee for example has blamed the destruction of New Orleans on tolerance for homosexuality. Pat Robertson blamed America for the terrorist attacks of 9/11, saying it was punishment for turning our back on God.
Jim Slattery Launches Senate Campaign
Categorized: Democrats
Tagged: 2008 Election, Jim Slattery, Kansas Politics
Jim Slattery has officially launched his campaign to seek the US Senate position currently occupied by Republican Pat Roberts. I feel really good about Jim Slattery. He has a good record and strong support here in Kansas and I strongly believe that he has a chance to beat Roberts. It has been a long time since Kansas sent a Democratic Senator and now is absolutely the right time to do so.
Important Links
- Slattery’s Campaign Website
- Slattery’s ActBlue Page (psst! … Make a donation)
- Jim Slattery’s Facebook
- Jim Slattery on Myspace
- Jim Slattery on YouTube
If you live in Kansas and can I highly suggest that everyone donate time and/or money to this campaign. Slattery is already off to a very strong start in contributions but it will take more than that to beat Roberts. I will try to keep this website updated as much as possible on the campaign.
William ~ WWJV4.com
Madeline Neumann’s Parents Charged
Categorized: Religion
Tagged: Christianity, Fundamentalism, Wacknuttery
Dale and Leilani Neumann, the parents who prayed over their 11 year old daughter while she died from untreated diabetes, will be charged with second-degree reckless homicide. This ends the speculation on how the tragic and easily prevented death would be handled. Second-degree reckless homicide carries a maximum sentence of 25 years though I would expect that even if convicted the sentence will be reduced.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out but I made my feelings clear earlier this month when I stated that these parents are as much responsible for their daughter’s death as the woman who stabbed her “possessed child”. Regardless of the intent, both little girls are dead due to the actions of their parents.
I wrote this morning about the hidden dangers of homeopathy. Faith based healing is another issue that can sound harmless on the surface yet really results in great damage. The death of Madeline Neumann is hardly unique. There are many other children who have died in the recent years due to their parents’ religion.
On March 2nd Ava Worthington, a 15 month old infant, died of an easily treated infection. Her parents have also been charged with manslaughter and criminal mistreatment. Ava and Madeline are only two of the most recent deaths caused by fundamentalist beliefs.
While I would never support any restrictions on freedom of/from religion it is important that we hold those who allow the deaths of children accountable. It is good that Madeline’s parents are facing charges. Hopefully this case will cause others to think twice before they allow their children to die.
William ~ WWJV4.com
Pantysniffer Kline Looses Subpoepna
Categorized: Activism
Tagged: Phill Kline, Reproductive Rights
A judge has Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline’s request for the private medical records from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Phill Kline has been on a religious crusade against Planned Parenthood in Kansas in an effort to prevent abortion access. In his crusade Phill Kline has trampled over the privacy rights of countless women in a fruitless chase for any evidence of wrongdoing.
This was a good ruling that reinforces women’s right to privacy. I wish it was going to be enough to remind Phill Kline that he has an actual job to do other than pursuing his personal vendetta against abortion providers. I would think that after failing to indict Planned Parenthood the taxpayers of Johnson County would have reminded him of that. Guess not.
William ~ WWJV4.com
Posts
