The Shofar

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[shofarsofar]

The Shofar turned 5 today!

[thedailywhat]

Abstinence-Only Bill of the Day: With the nation’s attention trained on the media’s breathless coverage of Super Tuesday, Utah’s legislature this evening quietly passed a bill requiring schools to teach abstinence-only sex education, or else skip the classes altogether.

Additionally, both teachers and students would be prohibited from discussing contraception and homosexuality in the classroom.

HB363 passed in the state Senate by a vote of 19 to 10. Utah’s House approved the bill last month.

Senator Stuart Reid (R-Ogden) said the legislation takes sex ed out of the hands of teachers “who we have no idea what their morals are” and turns it over to parents.

But Democrats countered that parents already had control over their children’s sex education, as they were given a choice whether to keep their child enrolled in sex ed classes or pull them out.

Under the new legislation, sex ed classes — if they are offered at all — must teach abstinence only, and parents are required to opt in if they want their child to attend.

“It’s concerning when now we’re trying to dictate morality,” said Sen. Ross Romero (D-SLC). “We’ve been discussing this as if every child has the benefit of two loving and caring parents who are ready to have a conversation about appropriate sexual activity, and I’m here to tell you that’s just not the case.”

The Utah PTA expressed vehement opposition to the bill. “I just can’t believe they did this,” said the association’s president-elect, Liz Zentner. “I think they’re going to have to revisit it in a couple years when the teen pregnancy rates and teen [sexually transmitted disease] rates shoot through the roof.”

It remained unclear if Gov. Gary Herbert would sign the bill into law or veto it. Speaking ahead of a House Education Committee hearing on HB363 last month, Herbert said he felt the existing curriculum “works pretty well,” but also said he personally supports abstinence as a form of pre-marital contraception. 

[sltrip / fox13.]

[think-progress]

The transportation bill moving through the House of Representatives is literally a love letter to Big Oil. 

[theatlantic]

Top Susan G. Komen Official Resigned Over Planned Parenthood Cave-In

Three sources told The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg that the organization’s top public health official, Mollie Williams, resigned in protest immediately following the Komen board’s decision to cut off Planned Parenthood. Williams, who served as the managing director of community health programs, was responsible for directing the distribution of $93 million in annual grants. Williams declined to comment when reached yesterday on whether she had resigned her position in protest, and she declined to speak about any other aspects of the controversy. Read more.

[Image: Associated Press]

[shofarsofar]

The day after I get my iPhone I hear that the factory in China that is manufacturing them employs 13 yr olds. This would never, ever be allowed in the States. We deem this unfair and cruel. Yet, it is ok if they aren't in America? Guilt crept in. I try to be careful & aware about what I purchase, but I let my guard down for an iPhone. Reading this article nearly brought tears to my eyes. What can we do?! How about every time you use your iPad, iPhone, or any other electronic device for that matter, think about whose hands have touched that item before you even bought it. Think of their quality of life. Was someone beaten in the process because they didn't work fast enough? Did someone die at the factory while making it? Use those thoughts & feelings next time you make a purchase. Check where it was made. If it wasn't in America, chances are those people aren't treated right. Research companies you buy from. "Your dollar is your vote." All I can think to do right now is share, spread the word. Maybe someone smarter than me will create a plan of action. Use these devices that people suffered to make for us to spread the word. Let's protect human life.

[good]

Jesus-Approved: The Rise of the Celebrity ‘Purity Ring’

Celebrities like Tim Tebow brought purity rings to the forefront of public consciousness. 

But research shows that virginity pledges generally are ineffective: A 2001 study published in the American Journal of Sociology found that out of 2.5 million adolescents who made pledges by 1995, just 12 percent remained abstinent until marriage.

See more at  GOOD→ 

[forzionssake-deactivated2020041]

“What’s more, there is little evidence that the vast majority of Americans actually want to see the United States so dramatically disentangle itself from international affairs. Many of those supporting Paul or saying positive words about his candidacy may not fully comprehend that under a Paul administration it is quite possible that the United States would no longer be a member in good standing at the United Nations, turn to the World Trade Organization to resolve trade disputes, patrol sea lanes that are transit points for U.S. commerce, work with international organizations to fight global diseases or support economic development, and consult with allies in multilateral forums to deal with global challenges. In short, it’s not clear that Americans are as prepared as Paul is for the United States to no longer be a global power.”

[cheatsheet]

Rove Tells Boehner to Cave on Tax: The House GOP continues to take criticism over its failure to pass a payroll-tax extension. Meanwhile the Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor are taking heat from Republicans for failing to warn their Senate counterparts that, you know, it wasn’t...

[shofarsofar]

Don't know who your presidential candidate is? Simplify with this Match-o-Matic!

(If you already know Ron Paul is your jam, no worries. You will be able to recognize his statements. Just look for key words such as "eliminate" and "constitutional".)

[rissaronithemassachusettstreat]

Google knows what’s up.

[shofarsofar]

Not gonna lie and say I didn't try it.

[shofarsofar]

For all you avid FACE-ers out there...

2011 major news updates via Facebook updates.

[pri]

Kim Jong Il, the long-time leader of North Korea, died on Saturday morning at 8:30 local time, North Korean state media announced Sunday night.

According to Yonhap News Agency in South Korea, the supreme leader died on a train ride of “physical fatigue.” He was 69 years old.

BNO...

[shofarsofar]

Short Version: Kim Jong Il has died. What will happen next?

[theatlantic]

Kim Jong Il has an exceptionally discriminating palate. There is an episode I remember well that demonstrates this. I was preparing sushi in the Number 8 Banquet Hall. All of a sudden Kim Jong Il said, “Fujimoto, today’s sushi tastes a little different.” He had had a lot to drink that evening before the meal, and I suggested that maybe that was the reason. He replied, “Maybe…” He seemed doubtful, but didn’t pursue it any further. However, when I returned to the kitchen, I checked the seasoning used that day and found that the sugar was ten grams less than usual! Kim Jong Il was the only one who had noticed. Even I was astonished at this. With respect to rice, before cooking it a waiter and a kitchen staff member would inspect it grain by grain. Chipped and defective grains were extracted; only those with perfect form were presented.

I Was Kim Jong Il’s Cook

True stories from the Dear Leader’s onetime chef

(via theatlantic)

[shofarsofar]

Jewish Fertility rates in Israel have grown in Israel by 20% while Christian and Muslim rates are decreasing.

submitted by Cass VanBuskirk

[shofarsofar]

[shofarsofar]

"I don't think about what people think, or what they say, or how they look at me. You have to shield yourself, to some degree, from what everyone else thinks and then pay attention to the people that you really respect and learn from those people."

Matisyahu

[forzionssake-deactivated2020041]

[shofarsofar]

It's all fun and games until...