Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Dumb-as-a-rock Repub pol records abstinence video with his mistress

No, really:
Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) had an affair with a part-time staffer named Tracy Jackson, Fox is reporting. Jackson played the role of interviewer for a Souder Web video show on the issues of the day -- including one on the value of abstinence. * * *

In the November 2009 abstinence video, Jackson introduces Souder this way: "You've been a longtime advocate for abstinence education and in 2006 you had your staff conduct a report entitled 'Abstinence and its Critics' which discredits many claims purveyed by those who oppose abstinence education."
I haven't watched the video; evidently, it's not terribly persuasive.

Souder, having consulted with his family (and Ms. Jackson?), appears to be resigning, perhaps the better to practice his motivational speaking skills.

... At his soon-to-be-defunct House website, Souder's press releases include "opposition to Democrat gay-rights bill" and, yes, "Souder Defends Abstinence Education at Biased Hearing":
“The fact remains that the only fully reliable way young people can protect themselves from pregnancy or STDs is by abstaining from sex until in a committed, faithful relationship with a partner who is also free of STDs,” Souder added. “Abstinence education is a medically-accurate, age-appropriate method that promotes character, healthy relationship-building skills, and self-worth to young people.”
He could have made a stronger case by using himself as an example of what happens in the absence of said education.

... Also in the busy world of abstinence education, there's this:
Bristol Palin to charge tens of thousands for speeches on how to avoid teen pregnancy
... In case you were pitying Souder, see this:
Souder frequently meddled with CDC research into at-risk behavior, and made life difficult for medical researchers of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. For example, in March 2004, Souder hauled Dr. Jonathan Zenilman, a former C.D.C. officer and S.T.D. specialist at Hopkins who happens to be my father, before his committee and proceeded to lecture him on the sins of condoms and sex outside of wedlock and its liberal enablers. * * *

Souder ultimately responded by saying that teen sex needs to be aggressively confronted, like date rape, because out-of-wedlock sex always leads to pregnancy and ruins lives.
Batting .500 so far, I must admit.

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