Huron Expositor, 2014-12-17, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, December 17, 2014
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IjJI I ISeaforth
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Ilion Expositor
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Canada',
editorial
Sex and politics
just don't mix
Former premier Dalton McGuinty discovered in
2010 that sex and politics just don't mix. That's
when he first tried to re -vamp the sex education
curriculum.
He was forced to backtrack not because parents are
prudes, as some would have you believe, but because
parents believed they know what's best for their ldds.
And they weren't consulted.
They weren't ready for a curriculum that would have
kids in Grade 1 identifying body parts and that would
have taught eight -year-olds about same sex marriage
and gender identity.
Grade 6 students would have learned about such
issues as oral and anal sex.
The proposed curriculum was not age-appropriate
and it triggered an uproar. While some would have you
believe it was the homophobic religious right or Catho-
lic school boards that led the fight, it was clear most
parents weren't comfortable with such a radical
overhaul.
Premier Kathleen Wynne has pledged to re -visit the
curriculum after "parental consultation."
It turns out that discussion is a vague questionnaire
filled out by only one parent at each school - the chair
of the school council. It asks leading and vague
questions.
Now Wynne's making noises that the latest spate of
sexual assault revelations make the sex -ed revamp
urgent. Nonsense.
A school curriculum, whether it's math or sex -ed
shouldn't be a vehicle for social change. It's about edu-
cating young people based on fact. You start down a
slippery slope when you use it to promote the social
agenda of a pressure group.
We have no problem with sex -ed being taught in
school. We have no problem with naming body parts in
any grade or with providing education about sexual
abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and gay, lesbian
and gender identity issues - so long as it's done in an
age appropriate way.
This country does a good job of sex education. Can-
ada has one of the lowest rates of teen pregnancy in the
Western world. If it ain't broke, why fix it?
Of course the curriculum should be updated to edu-
cate children on cyberbullying and the dangers of sex -
ting and other on-line perils.
But let's show common sense and give parents credit
for knowing what's best for their children.
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I got 99
problems and a
Grinch ain't one
VVith only a week left
till Christmas, we're
constantly reminded of how
important it is to think of
others.
From carols to cards, the
message is clear. There's a rea-
son for the season.
And no better quote can
describe the meaning of the
holidays for me than one from
Canadian missionary George
McDougall.
"Christmas means a spirit of
love, a time when the love of
God and the love of our fellow
men should prevail over all
hatred and bitterness, a time
when our thoughts and deeds
and the spirit of our lives man-
ifest the presence of God."
These words have always
resonated with me and regard-
less of how anyone may feel
about religion; the sentiment
is one we can all relate to.
Show love to one another
and leave the drama behind.
Unfortunately, not everyone
seems to feel this way.
Last week I received a call
from a Centre Street resident
who had their Christmas lights
stolen. Further, a brief glance
at the Seaforth Buy and Sell
Facebook page yesterday
yielded another such com-
plaint, lamenting a pilfered
lawn sign.
Honestly people, where's the
love?
I really doubt anyone would
need these items for survival.
Truth is, when it comes to
pinching something as silly as
Christmas decorations, there's
Column
Whitney South
Huron Expositor
no other explanation than
pure Grinch -like behaviour.
What's next, sneaking in
windows and making off with
Who -presents?
The Who -pudding?
What about the roast beast?
Looking at a situation like
this, it's easy to just get mad.
But sometimes, even
through adversity we need to
remember McDougall's words.
A time for love to prevail
over hatred and bitterness,
when thoughts and deeds
mean so much to so many.
Last week I talked about
how we all could use an angel
on our shoulders, not just at
Christmas but all year round. I
little reminder to stay positive,
show kindness to others and
keep love in our hearts.
I can't think of a better exam-
ple of the importance of find-
ing peace than having some-
thing taken from you for no
other reason than mischief.
And though these holiday
hooligans will most likely not
read my diatribe, maybe this
Christmas something will
change.
And may their small hearts
grow three sizes that day.
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