" Vegas,

You're STILL making the argument that kids are too animalistic to overcome their hormonal urges.

And, from what you say, the inner city kids (blacks?) are even MORE of a lost cause.

The trouble with you and everyone who thinks like you is that you're lazy. You don't want to step up and do the work that might be required to do the right thing.

Life's easier for you if you can just look the other way, isn't it.

This is the same rationale behind the "pro-choice" stance.

We need YOU on the side of good. You can't sit on the sidelines anymore, Vegas. "

" Peggy your comparison between cigarettes and alcohol doesn't fly, those are peer pressure issues both are learned and acquired tastes. Hormonal attraction is natural and far more powerful no one needs to be egged on to start that ball rolling.

No you didn't say abstinence was the only message which could totally eliminate teen pregnancies however your original post to me on the Nov 5 could easily be taken that you hold that ludicrous belief when you said to me 'You're a fool, too. You must not think much of America's youth and their ability to reason.'

Maybe you just need to be clearer in your posts; I didn't start the debate with you, I was just commenting on the post before mine.

You ask 'How can the abstinence approach possibly fail anymore than the contraception/abortion route already has?' Easy kids many are not getting educated at all. Like I said its obvious you have not lived in a big city, it is a far different world and the level of desperation inside low income neighborhoods is unlike anything Sioux City has or will ever experience so you can't possibly know. "

" Vegas,

Does society say "They're gonna' smoke anyway so let's teach them about low tar cigarettes," or "They're gonna' drink anyway so let's make sure we provide them with a designated driver"?

At no time have I ever said - nor has anyone else - that the abstinence only message would totally eliminate teen pregnancies in this country so don't talk down to me like I'm some naive airhead.

You have got to start thinking this through and looking at what's best for our children and society as a whole.

How many more kids have to be born into an unstable or single parent home before we say enough is enough?

And the answer is not to KILL THE BABY but to tell Mommy and Daddy to keep their pants on, take responsibility for their actions and start thinking of someone and something other than themselves and their instant gratification.

How can the abstinence approach possibly fail any more than the contraception/abortion route already has? Teen pregnancies, STD's, abortions...they're all through the roof. "

" Peggy you simply don't get it, maybe you forgot what it was like being a kid. If I had a buck for every time I heard this abstinence only gibberish. No question some teens will wait but a large number wont no matter how good you bring them up. The old stereotype about the preachers daughter didn't come about unwarranted.

Tell a 3 year old to stay out of a cookie jar and turn your back and the little munchkin will be in the cookie jar. If cant keep a 3 year old from out of the cookies 100% of the time what makes you think its any different with a teen. It is highly irresponsible to teach abstinence only, that's why the preachers daughter gets pregnant because teens taught your nonsense wouldn't know what a contraceptive was if hit them in the head. Need I remind you of Sarah Palin's daughter, hello?

If you ever lived in a big city for any amount of time then you wouldn't make silly assertions as abstinence only, you clearly have no idea. "

" Gee, I haven't even mentioned religion on this thread!

I think you're just pissed 'cause I make sense. "