Juno From Juneau

The Republican National Committee's 2008 convention draft platform pledges to continue waging the right's war on sex education. The platform reads: "We support abstinence education and oppose school-based clinics that provide referrals, counseling, and related services for abortion and contraception." These words seem ironic in light of revelations that the 17-year-old daughter of Vice Presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin, Bristol, was impregnated by her boyfriend, a self-described "f___ing' redneck" who will "kick ass" if anyone messes with him.

"Juno From Juneau," a video report from the floor of the Republican National Convention

Republican abstinence-only policies have been disastrous for teens across the country. A 2007 study by the Government Accountability Office found no evidence that the Bush administration's abstinence education programs, including those that have falsely claimed that AIDS can be transmitted through sweat and tears, have demonstrated any effectiveness. Could Bristol Palin have benefited from the sex education and contraceptives the GOP seeks to deny to public school students?

In my latest video, "Juno From Juneau," I probe the GOP reaction to this question on the floor of the Republican National Convention. Republican luminaries including Rep. Roy Blount and John McCain's 20-something daughter, Meghan, tried to elude my line of questioning (Blount complimented Barack Obama's handling of the matter, however).

But members of the Alaska delegation were forthright about their enthusiasm for faith-based abstinence-only programs and restricting abortion even in cases of rape and incest. One delegate, Grace Van Diest, told me she is so fervent about abstinence education that her three daughters are only allowed to go on dates with their father, who lectures them on chastity and makes them wear "purity rings" to remind them of their vows to not have sex until marriage.

If Palin moves into the Vice President's mansion, she will serve as McCain's liaison to the Christian right, and can be expected to promote the Bush administration's radical social policies with renewed vigor -- even though these policies, and the radical mentality behind them, may have harmed her own family.

Comments (38)

1. Yes, again, it's not about Bristol or even the Palin family....

   how do the Repubs (esp. Palin herself) promote abstinence-only "sex education"...with a straight face now?!??!?!?

   When the OBVIOUS rejoinder would be "You mean like the kind Bristol Palin got, Senator/Governor/Congressman????"

   Posted by Maskdelta at 09/02/2008 @ 12:12pm

2. Bristol can be the poster Child for the failed theories of the republicans, along with the kid going to fight "for his country" in Iraq. Sarah can proclaim "Hey! It worked for my family, it can work for yours too!"

   Posted by crabwalk at 09/02/2008 @ 12:14pm

3. ...and we'll all have to dress like the Amish. And dancing, drinking and unnatural acts of fornication will be banned!

   Geez....anyone notice that we have folks trying to turn us into a Christian-Taliban driven nation?

   Posted by leftofcenter at 09/02/2008 @ 12:16pm

4. how do the Repubs (esp. Palin herself) promote abstinence-only "sex education"...with a straight face now?!??!?MASKIAN

   the same way they promote the end of someones (not theirs!) corruption in DC, and the cost of the war, and the corruption of the war profiteers, the breaking of FISA rules, the politicization of the AG's office and the incomptetent (and guilty) appointees.

   With a striaght face, no recognition that the hypocrisy is the 9000 lb elephant in their convention hall and logo.

   rules and laws are for the rest of us, not them.

   Posted by crabwalk at 09/02/2008 @ 12:20pm

5. Geez....anyone notice that we have folks trying to turn us into a Christian-Taliban driven nation?

   Posted by leftofcenter at 09/02/2008 @ 12:16pm

   what took you so long?

   Posted by crabwalk at 09/02/2008 @ 12:21pm

6. I'm living in SW Indiana .. they already think like that. (But am doing my best Kevin Bacon impression!)

   Posted by leftofcenter at 09/02/2008 @ 12:25pm

7. BTW, Lyle Johnston is now my favorite personality of the 2008 Presidential Campaign!

   Posted by Maskdelta at 09/02/2008 @ 1:05pm

8. Bristol Palin/Mary Cheney-GOP, 2016

   Git your buttons here before the rush is on

   Posted by crabwalk at 09/02/2008 @ 1:19pm

9. Interesting that the last woman interviewed talked about having her daughters remain "pure" but there was no mention of her son. Is abstinence only important for girls?

   Posted by jkfreis at 09/02/2008 @ 1:43pm

10. "Until natural death"

    Like the natural death that Tookie Williams or Karla Faye Tucker experienced?

    Posted by randidliyo at 09/02/2008 @ 1:47pm

11. "I would rather teach the right moral standard and still have some failures than to do as the left does and embrace the moral decadence they appear to relish.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 09/02/2008 @ 1:44pm | ignore this person | warn this person "

    In other words, you'd rather leave teenagers with sharply diminished protection against STDs and unplanned pregnancy than make the slightest concession to proper health education.

    I would prefer that high school students not have sex but, unlike the Christian Taliban in this country, I'm not prepared to consider disease or unplanned pregnancy as condign punishment for doing so.

    It isn't about embracing moral decadence but about health and safety.

    Posted by brunowe at 09/02/2008 @ 1:58pm

12. There was a headline about a "Poll", which claimed that women made bad choices in men if they are on the pill. I didn't see the poll, but I wonder what their standards were for good men, and if the women were looking for marriage or "good" men. Whatever the motivation, the pill keeps you from making one stupid mistake.

    Posted by P. J. Casey at 09/02/2008 @ 2:01pm

13. >>>The platform reads: "We support abstinence education and oppose school-based clinics that provide referrals, counseling, and related services for abortion and contraception." These words seem ironic in light of revelations that the 17-year-old daughter of Vice Presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin, Bristol, was impregnated by her boyfriend<<<

    This IS a legitimate issue to focus on, despite Obama's statement that we should not look at this.

    Bristol Palin may be fine because her mother is governor of Alaska, but what about the MILLIONS OF POOR AND MIDDLE CLASS TEENS that don't have Governor Palin's resources at their disposal?

    Teen pregnancy in African American communities, in particular, have reached epidemic proportions, and this KIDS RAISING KIDS issue is the CHIEF CAUSE of the underperformance of black youth in school and the higher than average incarceration rates for black and hispanic men.

    Obama needs to get out front on this, and put his fear about family privacy aside for the betterment of the country. Sarah Palin's family woes should be trumpeted as a PRIME EXAMPLE of why abstinence-only education doesn't work, and why all teens should be encouraged to use birth control and condoms if they are to engage in sex.

    Posted by Metteyya at 09/02/2008 @ 2:09pm

14. LVLIBERTY1:

    I realize that this will fall upon deaf ears regardless, but I'll respond anyway.

    We live in a nation that does not sanction one religion or morality over another. Your conception of morality is different from most people's in this country, and as such, should not be forced upon others.

    Since abstinence-only programs have been proven to fail, and fail badly, at their stated goals, they should be officially deemed the failures that they are. You, being a Republican social conservative, are always talking about how we should cut failed policies... yet I don't hear you decrying this particular failed policy. Why is that?

    Could it be that your morality is blinding you to your own principles? Or is it that you're simply a hypocrite?

    Please tell me, what is wrong with teaching people proper sex education?

    Posted by jorcheim at 09/02/2008 @ 2:16pm

15. I agree with jrcheim, and I'll add a little more Liberty:

    Ever since the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the Republican Party has taken on the false moniker that they are the pure, unblemished, Family Value, Virtue Foremost, Devoid of Sin Party and they have shoved it down our throats. Now, in the 10 years since, we have had Senators visiting Big Easy prostitutes, Congressmen soliciting underage pages, an admitted adulterer/wife cheater that demeans Chelsa Clinton for sport, and now, unfortunately, we have a teen pregnancy staring the Banner Carrier of Abstinance straht in the eye. People, if you cannot Walk it, do not Talk it.

    Posted by Sherri Wong at 09/02/2008 @ 2:28pm

16. Go Max! I loved that. Not one of those questioned answered the questions directly.

    Posted by politicky at 09/02/2008 @ 2:34pm

17. Posted by lvliberty1 at 09/02/2008 @ 1:44pm

    LVLIB, purely on a political basis...

    don't you wish that Bristol Palin and Kyle Johnston had been taught to use, even GIVEN, a condom?

    Posted by Maskdelta at 09/02/2008 @ 2:36pm

18. I would rather teach the right moral standard and still have some failures than to do as the left does and embrace the moral decadence they appear to relish.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 09/02/2008 @ 1:44pm

    I would rather teach reality, then hope the kids make the correct choice. As mentioned above, whose morality are you espousing? Rev Haggards? Rep Foleys? McCains/Gingrich/Guliani?

    Won't it be a hoot to see the First L'il Bastard running around the WH lawn, playing with moms tiara?

    Posted by crabwalk at 09/02/2008 @ 3:06pm

19. Posted by jorcheim at 09/02/2008 @ 2:16pm

    !!

    Well said.

    I predict equivication.

    Posted by crabwalk at 09/02/2008 @ 3:08pm

20. Nope. It was the standard taught to my parents and they succeeded.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 09/02/2008 @ 1:56pm

    so why do you blow up toddlers?

    Posted by frosty zoom at 09/02/2008 @ 3:13pm

21. Posted by frosty zoom at 09/02/2008 @ 3:13pm

    Now, now, FROSTY....LL has explained that.

    The cluster bombs he built were ONLY to be used on open fields against troop formations....

    if on a "rare occasion" the bombers failed to read the instructions on the side of the bomb....and a few Muslim kids (destined for Hell anyway) were killed...

    it is DEFINITELY NOT his fault!

    Posted by Maskdelta at 09/02/2008 @ 3:18pm

22. Sunday! sunday Sunday!

    come one come all

    Baby killers vs everybody killers

    who will win the moral highground!

    who will be champ, who will be chump?

    (the real winners will be the cockroaches and other creepy crawlers, in the end, BTW)

    Posted by crabwalk at 09/02/2008 @ 3:26pm

23. I don't agree with Palin's teen sex views but I can deal with. What I cannot tolerate is her abandonment of her DOWN's child 3 days after birth. It seems like these do gooders only care about the child in the womb and once it's out they kick it to the curb since it doesn't have any political meaning anymore. I am horrified that such a callous, cruel and shallow person stands a chance at 2nd in command. Good God, and we accuse other countries of human right abuses? Hypocrites, every single politician in both parties. p.s. Any bets on how long before we find out McCain had his hands in Sarah's pants?

    Posted by shellbgood at 09/02/2008 @ 3:53pm

24. p.s. Any bets on how long before we find out McCain had his hands in Sarah's pants?----Posted by shellbgood at 09/02/2008 @ 3:53pm

    Noooooooooo. And see his "sugar momma" cut him off from the ...what is it?...seven houses or six?

    Posted by Maskdelta at 09/02/2008 @ 4:07pm

25. LvLiberty-I haven't noticed that you are moral despite your self righteous claims.I know that you believe that you get to decide what is moral and what isn't,but when it comes to certain subjects,like sex,morality is not quite as clear as it is when it comes to subjects like theft and murder.One can argue that you show a lack of concern for human life because your views increase the number of abortions and increase the number of people who get AIDs.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 09/02/2008 @ 4:32pm

26. While I try not to question the behavior of other mothers, I find myself continuously disappointed by everything Palin represents. As the mom of a child with extensive medical needs, a college student and wife of a merchant mariner I know a thing or two about juggling. With the current health care system we can't make it on one income, and this necessitates that I pursue my education. Unlike us, Palin is putting her family through undue stress for her own ambitions. If she knew her daughter was pregnant (big if in light of the questions regarding Trig) how could she put her on the national stage with the knowledge that she would be receiving all this attention? What does this say about her values?

    Posted by janju2319 at 09/02/2008 @ 7:31pm

27. Posted by JOMAMMA at 09/02/2008 @ 4:45pm

    I was DEFENDING McCain, MAASCH, from charges of possible adultery. It'd be a stupid move.

    Know I know that's who he and Cindy MET....but I think he'd keep it zipped around Palin.

    After all, Cindy got him to sign a pre-nup!

    Posted by Maskdelta at 09/02/2008 @ 7:57pm

28. I was just wondering if any of the female posters were or know anyone who was pregnant at 17. My guess is that you would be scared /happy /embarrassed /joyful /overwhelmed /optimistic etc. What part of the coverage of this child's situation is going to help her? This story is going to be old news in 7-10 days, how we deport ourselves in relation to the story will not be forgotten.

    Posted by Next Door at 09/02/2008 @ 8:28pm

29. Posted by Next Door at 09/02/2008 @ 8:28pm

    What if Bristol had said to her mom, "Mom, I DON'T WANT my pregnancy to be spread all over the news...don't accept McCain's offer!"

    And since she DIDN'T say that....what does that say?

    Posted by Maskdelta at 09/02/2008 @ 9:49pm

30. Posted by Maskdelta at 09/02/2008 @ 9:49pm

    I guess we are now justified in attacking a 17 year old child.

    Posted by Next Door at 09/02/2008 @ 10:01pm

31. "The morally bankrupt view of the left as well demonstrated in this thread is that it is better to just condone and even enable doing wrong, said "LVLiberty."

    The Left is more diverse than you suppose, "LVLiberty." Where we differ is in our responses to two questions: (1) what is wrong and (2) what we ought to do about it.

    The issue of "abstinence education" is a great opportunity for all of us to do a little clarifying.

    For starters, the term "abstinence education" is too vague for anybody to use who wants to be clear about anything. Nonetheless, probably every popular educator from Sarah Palin to Jocelyn Elders uses it, and for the same reason: to appeal to the broadest number of ignorant US-Americans.

    What Sarah Palin wants, precisely speaking, is "abstinence-ONLY education." It is a sexual education program that imparts an absolute minimum of information except for that which makes sexual intercourse seem most frightening and discourages young people from discovering it on their own.

    What Jocelyn Elders wants, precisely speaking, is "abstinence-BASED education." This program ALSO teaches children that it's prudent to wait before they have sex. But beyond this, it teaches them how to have sex safely, and how to deal with its consequences, in the event that they make mistakes.

    Unfortunately, though Dr. Elders's curriculum is demonstrably more effective than Palin's (against the greatest evil, namely STDs), it struggles against popular prejudice. Too many people believe that teaching kids about condoms will cause them to be more promiscuous. But that's like saying teaching them about helmets will cause them to ride motorcycles.

    The fact is, condoms save lives - just as motorcycle helmets do. We do not make our children safer by keeping them ignorant.

    Posted by JakobFabian at 09/02/2008 @ 10:23pm

32. actually,

    she's a 17 year old woman.

    (not that she should be attacked)

    hey,

    does anybody remember mr. mccain?

    Posted by frosty zoom at 09/02/2008 @ 10:24pm

33. Posted by frosty zoom at 09/02/2008 @ 10:24pm

    What is the age of majority in AK?

    Posted by Next Door at 09/02/2008 @ 11:03pm

34. so, when someone reaches a magic number they become an adult?

    i think being pregnant is a better indicator.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 09/02/2008 @ 11:07pm

35. I'm reminded of the guy in Afghanistan who was asked why he didn't send his daughters to school. "Why bother," he replied, "one day we'll all be dead."

    Posted by takemyveepplease at 09/02/2008 @ 11:37pm

36. Yeah, I'm sure that a dime-store ring with a cubic zirconium chip is going keep these kids from reveling in the ultimate passion of sex.

    Lady, you seriously need to wake up to the realities of the world. When the mood hits, your kids are going to be riding riding bareback and you're going to be a deer in the headlights, just like McCain/Pailn. When that happens, you, AND I, are going to pay the price. You emotionally and me, (as well as the rest of this country's taxpayers) financially. (Though Alaskans are conditioned to be on the teat, what with their "dividends" and all.)

    Condoms and other birth control - Learn it, Live it!

    Posted by Tobin Davis at 09/03/2008 @ 02:58am

37. I'm sure the Palin family will welcome the self-described effing redneck into their own.

    Maybe they can live in a trailer on the Naval Observatory grounds. Put all their old washing machines and cars out on the lawn, buy the Hee-Haw boxed set.

    That'll be nice for when them dam furriner dignitaries show up wantin' to be fed some vittles. Moose or squirrel stew tonight, woman?

    Aside: a Gentleman is someone who knows how to play the banjo, but doesn't.

    Posted by chimpunk at 09/03/2008 @ 04:52am

38. Ms. Palin assures us that her daughter's choice to keep the baby was her own. I find it commendable that she would entrust her daughter to make such an important decision about her life and her body. It's really nice that we live in a country where women have this choice, isn't it?

    Why isn't she willing to grant this option to women generally?

    Posted by timtw at 09/03/2008 @ 5:19pm