[KBC]

During the week,Fox news has aired stories ranging from how unethical it is for teaching children as young as 5 years old about human sexuality,the reproductive system,etc, this is physical science,not sex acts,not porn.

Today they aired a story about how the Tea Party is 'reaching out' to this same age group, teaching the US Constitution,making sure these same children will be knowledgeable in the ways of government.These kids can't vote,they won't be able to vote for 10+ years.. but they will be sexually active within the next 5.

What is the direction these 2 areas are going?

We can't teach sexuality(the view shared by the news),yet we can teach the Constitution,to 5 YEAR OLDS!:eek:

What influences are we really encouraging?

Not that these are similar,or different, they are simply 2 stories I have picked for discussion.

Let's teach our kids not to have unprotected sex,be safe,be responsible for the acts we have with our partners... BUT... do it in a way that the (now 234 year old) constitution says we should do it?:confused:

For the last 10 years my father has had the Declaration of Independence read publicly at our local historic site,we have videos made of this..

The turn-out has grown considerably in the years since it started.

YET!

If I proposed to those attending that we should discuss sexuality, even the same sex sexuality issues of today, hmm, that would send the entire community packing.(and the ears of the kids covered quickly by the conservative public, taboo for open discussion)

Sexuality has been a 'quiet' issue in the US for as long as I can remember,in school,I believe it was the 7th grade,we were first 'taught' reproduction, that was '78 for me.I was 12:rolleyes:

Yes,even I can see a problem with teaching kids at 5 years old about certain things regarding sexuality.I also see problems with teaching them how the influential adults they are supposed to trust, teaching them politics at age 5.

Are they really different issues?

[NeedKarma]

I have a 5 year old. It's not the time for human sexuality nor politics. Seriously what schools are doing this??

[DoulaLC]

I have a 5 year old. It's not the time for human sexuality nor politics. Seriously what schools are doing this???

I've been teaching in the public education system for awhile and I'd like to know the same thing.

Any schools that would conduct such a program would be very much a minority.
You'd be hard-pressed to find the majority of parents giving permission for this and that is what would be required.

How would the Tea Party being teaching to five year olds in schools? What is presented to most five year olds in social studies would be along the lines of community helpers, being a good citizen (as in how neighbors help each other, taking care of the environment with things such as not wasting water or littering), some info about becoming the President, some basic geography, getting along with others, different cultural celebrations and festivals, etc..

It sounds more like Fox is trying to get things stirred up by picking up on some obscure situation and trying to make it sound as though it is a national campaign. Typical media hype.

[albear]

If they want to teach them about the constitution doesn't that mean they will learn about their rights which as far as I'm aware they will be using

Isn't it basically teaching them what they can and can't do from an early age which isn't really a bad thing

[KBC]

I am liking all this input so far, The school teaching the sexuality based issues is in California(if I remember correctly),and the teaching of the US constitution was just aired this AM.Not sure where that is happening.

[excon]

Hello, K:

Here's where I see the two issues intersecting. Kids should learn that they have the RIGHT to say NO to ANYONE who wants to do CERTAIN things to them. That would include taking their clothes off for a relative who wants to see their wares, or for a school administrator who wants to search them...

excon

[KBC]

Hello, K:

Here's where I see the two issues intersecting. Kids should learn that they have the RIGHT to say NO to ANYONE who wants to do CERTAIN things to them. That would include taking their clothes off for a relative who wants to see their wares, or for a school administrator who wants to search them...

excon

That is from a legal and moral standpoint pertaining to sexuality, can't say much for the constitution teaching there though.

What is a 5 year old really going to learn about either issue, like the teachers and new mothers have added, 5 year olds are just simply too young,too suggestible,and probably won't even retain things other than the shock value of one or 2 items offered them.

Let the kids BE kids.

[KBC]

.
It sounds more like Fox is trying to get things stirred up by picking up on some obscure situation and trying to make it sound as though it is a national campaign. Typical media hype.

How better to stir up the public(either the ire or radical interests),than through the media?

They(the Tea Party) have added commercials to children's programs ,at children's mentalities,to insure their views are expressed to the kids, that's quite a stretch,kids being targeted by ANY political faction?

Who is reaching for what here?

Are our kids going to turn on their country?(Children of the corn ring any bells here?)

I could see high schoolers watching O'Reilly for a homework assignment,seen that here,out in the boonies.But to target preteens and juveniles with political adds between the (now very settled,non violent cartoons) with political agendas?Views from a party who,yes,might open the kids eyes to the possible future of the USA's political movement,it seems like early Big Brother to me.

[NeedKarma]

How better to stir up the public(either the ire or radical interests),than through the media?

They(the Tea Party) have added commercials to children's programs ,at children's mentalities,to insure their views are expressed to the kids,,that's quite a stretch,kids being targeted by ANY political faction??

Who is reaching for what here?

Are our kids going to turn on their country?(Children of the corn ring any bells here?)

I could see high schoolers watching O'Reilly for a homework assignment,seen that here,out in the boonies.But to target preteens and juveniles with political adds between the (now very settled,non violent cartoons) with political agendas?Views from a party who,yes,might open the kids eyes to the possible future of the USA's political movement,it seems like early Big Brother to me.

Fox News is a joke, no one should be getting their news from there.

[DoulaLC]

How better to stir up the public(either the ire or radical interests),than through the media?

They(the Tea Party) have added commercials to children's programs ,at children's mentalities,to insure their views are expressed to the kids,,that's quite a stretch,kids being targeted by ANY political faction??

I'll have to wait until I see any of them show up before I can form an opinion. Politics filtering into the arena of children isn't new however and generally tends to have more of a pro-america stance than any sort of fervent partisan view.

[KBC]

Fox News is a joke, no one should be getting their news from there.

Unfortunately, those in the Boyhood hometown of Ronald Reagen have a big interest in the Fox News station.

In order to be a part of the society I am now living in(IE:customer base,even competition for the work I do,much less the neighbors),one needs to know what they see,how to approach a discussion.etc.

I am the devils advocate in some of the discussions,and the quiet one,listening to the rhetoric being spread by the radicals.The Rush Limbaugh listeners(of which my father is),I have to have ammunition to fight back the lies and blinding untruths thrown out by him and his listeners.

I tend to not take much of a political stance.NO side has been acceptable to me,no politician has been without agenda which I find gut wrenching and an extreme turn-off.I have no friends in politics.

Yet I do live in the real world,I do have customers, acquaintances,people I need to connect with, schmooze on occasion.Knowing what THEY are endorsing,what they discuss,what they stand up for,and have my own views... that is necessary for me to have.

The sexuality teachings will turn some of them aside,that is too liberal for them to discuss in the open.BUT the politics of teaching 5 year olds the Tea Party agenda, why,that can make for weeks of discussion which opens doors(and closes others),but mainly opens doors for further conversation,further contact with potential income,, for me and my company.. my own personal agenda.Same as this thread does on AMHD..

[tomder55]

On another posting Excon complained that children were being denied a decent civics education. I agree with him.

Sexuality on the other hand is best left at home with the exceptions of the caveats that Excon identified in his reply.

[speechlesstx]

Fox News is a joke, no one should be getting their news from there.

Where should they get their news? Hmm??

[speechlesstx]

I can't really comment on the Fox news stories because all I know about them is your description and NK's blanket condemnation of FNC. I see no link to articles or videos so what are we supposed to be evaluating here?

You say "this is physical science,not sex acts,not porn." I don't know what it is, but I do know that Planned Parenthood is the largest force behind the initiative and the curriculum to both teach "comprehensive sex education" beginning in Kindergarten, and promoting "reproductive freedom" for kids, regardless of the parents wishes. I object strenuously to that, it is as Tom said best left at home with the same caveats he mentioned.

I don't know anything about the Tea Party "reaching out" on the constitution, but I see nothing about any Tea Party school curriculum for 5-year-olds being taught in schools so I don't know why we're even comparing the two.

[KBC]

Naturally,I was not 100% on top of this 'story'.

No,I didn't research any links,no blow by blow reporting, I am simply stating my observations of the news.

What was I looking for?

Input from anyone who understands words.(without links,without guides to ease their lives,etc)

What I have written wasn't up to internet standards,I realize that, sorry for making a post where the crossing of the t's and dotting of I's is now a standard.

For those who can do the ancient art of DISCUSSION,perhaps you all can add what your perspectives are with this information offered in the archaic means I offered.

If not,perhaps I can offer this link:::::::: FOXNews.com - Health Watchdog Wants More Sex-Ed for Children

Naturally you don't see the 90-180 second interview where the actual 'news' is found, only the words posted.

The Tea party link perhaps later when I return from working.:)

[excon]

Hello again, K:

I thought you wanted comments on sex education and civics for 5 year olds... Now, you want a comment on FOX. Ok, FOX is the public relations arm of the Republican party. Their designation as a news organization is a fraud, and their license should be suspended.

excon

[speechlesstx]

Now, you want a comment on FOX. Ok, FOX is the public relations arm of the Republican party. Their designation as a news organization is a fraud, and their license should be suspended

As opposed to what, MSNBC? I thought you didn't drink the Koolaid, ex.

[excon]

As opposed to what, MSNBC? I thought you didn't drink the Koolaid, ex.

Hello Steve:

I figured somebody would say that... If you'll read my post carefully, I said that FOX NEWS designation as a NEWS organization, is a FRAUD. MSNBC, on the other hand, doesn't bill itself as a NEWS organization. It's the "Place for Politics"... That isn't a MINOR difference. It's actually kind of BIG.

One is telling the truth. One is lying. The one who's LYING should have their license revoked. Ain't no more difficult than that, Steve.

excon

[speechlesstx]

For those who can do the ancient art of DISCUSSION,perhaps you all can add what your perspectives are with this information offered in the archaic means I offered.

KBC, I can engage in the ancient art of discussion, which is what I did on the sex ed portion. Planned Parenthood has advocated exactly what I said for many years. The terms I used in quotes are their terms and it's been discussed here at length many times, so that's easy to discuss.

On the flip side, any time Fox News and the Tea Party are the topic, knees start jerking. I need context.

[speechlesstx]

Hello Steve:

I figured somebody would say that... If you'll read my post carefully, I said that FOX NEWS designation as a NEWS organization, is a FRAUD. MSNBC, on the other hand, doesn't bill itself as a NEWS organization. It's the "Place for Politics"... That isn't a MINOR difference. It's actually kind of BIG.

One is telling the truth. One is lying. The one who's LYING should have their license revoked. Ain't no more difficult than that, Steve.

Excon

Aren't you glad you have me to keep you on your toes? When I Google MSNBC this is what's returned:

Breaking News, Weather, Business, Health, Entertainment, Sports...

Sep 21, 2010... Msnbc.com is a leader in breaking news, video and original journalism. Stay current with daily news updates in health, entertainment,.

Breaking News, Weather, Business, Health, Entertainment, Sports, Politics, Travel, Science, Technology, Local, US & World News- msnbc.com - Cached - Similar

So that's the website, clearly a "leader" in news, according to them. How about the brand as a whole?

The Msnbc Digital Network is a collection of innovative and powerful news brands that deliver the most compelling, diverse and visually engaging stories on your platform of choice. The world-class brands featured in the digital network include msnbc.com, TODAY, NBC Nightly News, msnbc TV, NBC Sports, Newsvine, EveryBlock and BreakingNews.com. We provide something for every news consumer with our comprehensive offerings that deliver the best in breaking news, original journalism, lifestyle features, commentary and local updates down to the block level.

"The place for politics" is a slogan, that's all. They are no more or less a "news" organization than Fox, and I'd say MORE biased. Like I said, I thought you didn't drink the Koolaid.