first off, responding to a comment that was posted by Dale: "Keeping it from the parents may even de-sensitize the teenager. ("Hey. That wasn't so bad. I can do that again if I have to.") Oh yeah. That'll help."

i have helped prevent, as a personal and a public service, more than one little SRB from being in this world. and please hold the applause, it's not something i take any pride in whatsoever.

NOT ONCE did my partner in irresponsibility EVER express ANYTHING along those lines, Dale. it is a SERIOUS and TRAUMATIC life event. there is nothing easy off-shruggable about it, for either party involved. it stays with you a long time, whether you choose to deal with it or repress it.

boy i hate to quote clinton, but he did say that 'abortion should be safe, legal and seldom used.' and i agree.

and let's not get into partisanship with it, otherwise we'll have to discuss the foolishness of trying to combat mankind's strongest instinct with such nancy-esque bromides as 'just say abstinence'. ridiculous.

as always, education, empowerment and a conscious control over one's reproductive system are the ounces of prevention. at what age, in what venue, and at whose financial expense are topics of ongoing debate. for each randy kid who gets sex-educated and then goes and does it as a result, there will be plenty others who get sex-educated and make intelligent and informed decisions - and isn't that the most desirable result?