No Promo Homo in Tennessee
The Tennessee legislature is considering a bill that will prohibit teachers from discussing any sexuality except heterosexuality for kids in grades K-8. SB 49 is set for full Senate action on Monday, May 9.
Sen. Stacey Campfield (R) is passionate about this legislation, which he previously sponsored unsuccessfully in the state House for six years. In 2009, Campfield explained that he’s not homophobic; it’s just that the issue is “complex.” He clarified this past September that he supports promoting tolerance, but not acceptance:
You can talk about TEA and NEA resolutions talking about how they think there should be not just tolerance of the lifestyle, but acceptance of it. That flies completely in the face of a lot of people. A lot of people say, hey, I understand tolerance. I’m all for tolerance. I’ve co-sponsored the anti-bullying bill. But to say we have to go to acceptance, that’s something completely different.
He also thinks teachers don’t have enough time to teach core subjects:
If I can take one thing away and say, hey, you don’t have to teach about homosexuality to your second-graders, you can spend more time on arithmetic.
So instead of job creation, the GOP majority in TN is concentrating on micro-managing the school system. I always thought that conservatives wanted the government out of people’s lives. There are no penalties in the bill, but I’m sure that Sen. Campfield will come up with something, like wearing a scarlet H or public flogging for any teacher who even mentions the H-word.
And Campfield is a man of honor willing to debate this issue, for a price.
Film director and producer Del Shores recently challenged Campfield on Facebook to debate his bill. Campfield agreed but demanded a $1,000 retainer. According to Drew Rawlins of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, such an honorarium could be found to be an ethics violation if a formal complaint is filed. Though TEP has rejected Shores’ request for assistance in funding the retainer request, Shores seems committed to making the debate happen.
Yeah, so much for small government.
Tags: Homophobia, Republican Crazy, Wingnuts
Would discussion of heterosexual topics include Republican officials and extra-marital (but straight) liasons?
I think it should, Reis.
But they will include info on the safe and effective procedures in romancing domestic stock, I’m sure.
Maybe its time “people who know the dirt on some of these politicans start spilling their beans! For too long the politicans and their elitist cronies have been doing some pretty nasty things and its all covered up. Lets start outing what we know and make them deny it.
Where is Michael Corleone when we need him?
Or Larry Flynt?
Six feet under.
Or the “badger game”?
Flynt has a new tell all book about Sex in the US referring to some past presidents like Lincoln who when researched discovered he bedded with men. He was on CNBC last night talking about all the escapades “we” never hear about until their dead.
The best long run job creation is to get education back to being about education. I agree with him that we need to spend more time on math in second grade and less on homosexuality. I doubt many people with children would disagree. I think if he made his bill K to 6, he would have a deal. People are sick of this type of indoctrination.
and Im SICK of God in schools – I want that I will pay for it
that is indoctrination as well David – wake up
Keep your God off my food, my kids, my education etc… I want God Im sure I can find her myself – thank you
I do not need your “nanny state” to do it for me
david, exactly how much time do you think is spent on homosexuality in second grade? like … for real. not in right wing talkshow land.
what a ridiculous thing to say. you’re a city councilman now, be better than that.
And David shows us once again that a mind is a terrible thing to waste. Your comment has to be one of the stupidest ones you’ve posted on here, and you’ve posted some whoppers.
Yeah Aoine, I remember when I had God in school.
He was represented on Earth by the priests,or so I thought as that was taught in my catechism.
And the one who made an unsuccessful grab for me?
He’s convicted and the diocese of Wilmington has paid on the average $750,000 to his subsequent “timid” or shocked to be assaulted victims.
Just teach the three”R’s” in school.
Leave the magic world of the afterlife to the parents.
And if they drop the ball, FUCK IT!
Those kids will either innately realize to do GOOD is best or they will fall. We’ve got plenty of prisons.
And David and his BLUNT-SKULL buddies should stay the FUCK out of it.
I swear, I will meet him one day.They’ll be takin’ me away in handcuffs.
He SICKENS me.
Skip, we have to pity people as closed-minded as David and his minions over at DP. They can’t help being as bigoted as they are.
And David, I don’t know why I expected more from you, but your comment is truly offensive. You have reached a new low.
I am a fifth-grade teacher and I can honestly say the only time this issue has been brought up in my class is when one of my students has used the term “gay” in the pejorative and I’ve kindly asked that student to stop because he or she likely doesn’t understand its proper use. This is more fire and brimstone BS from the cultural warriors of the hard right.
why hasnt he been back yet to answer how much gay sex is taught in second grade? i think i’ll ask him in public when he runs for re-election to his prestigious post.
He’s probably off trying to see how hard it would be to repeat second grade. Some knowledge you just can’t pass up.
SB – why wait until he runs for re-election in 2 years. You should confront him during the public comment portion of a city council meeting.
exactly how much time do you think is spent on homosexuality in second grade?
Catholic school or public?
/goingtohell
@anon – naw, Catholics are way forgiving
I brought it up all the time – just to piss them off – got kicked out of religion class until they discovered that was what I was angeling for…..
/beentohell, not so bad