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# ‘Just say no’ chatter is cheap
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/just-say-no-chatter-is-cheap-editor/
- Published: 2007-04-12T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T00:33:35.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Ron Lowe Santa Monica*

Since when does intolerant religious dogma dictate the national policy on sexual education for our culturally active children? Since George Bush and Republicans forced an abstinence-only agenda on states in lieu of federal funding. The stated goal: Achieve chastity for our hormonally active children. I would have had to lock my six daughters in their rooms for the duration of their teenage years to achieve this goal.

The absurdity of the abstinence-based programs became apparent last year when Health and Human Services issued a memo stating that applicants (states) “must not” promote contraceptive and condom use to receive funding. So much for enlightened society.

How did religious ignorance creep into America’s sex-ed program?

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 12, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/041207.pdf?ref=smdp.com)