Today my wife and I received a packet from my daughters elementary school.  To my daughters delight she learned that she was put into the class with the teacher she hoped for.  Also in the packet was a letter from the principal, the school cafeteria menu and one thing I was not expecting.  Information about AIDS awareness education.

Now, as the father of a perfect 9 year old self-described tomboy, the last thing I was expecting was the last item.  But, after discussing it with my wife we agreed that she should participate.  The school gave us a complete outline of the course and what it would cover along with a form to opt our child out.  Fortunately, our school district is not as liberal as most so we feel safe in the belief that they will not be teaching anything that is inappropriate.  But like good parents, we will monitor the content throughout the year. 

Now, while my mind was satisfied with our decision, I began to think about the lessons that some areas of society would have us teach our children.  Those on the left would have us teach our children that the best way to prevent AIDS is to use condoms.  These same people look scornfully on the concept of abstinence until marriage.  While this is a dimwitted view, it does fall in line with other lessons that the left (and their supportive pals in the media) would have us teach. 

For instance, we should legalize marijuana but outlaw tobacco.  While I smoke the occasional cigar or indulge in a pipeful of tobacco, I fully recognize that smoking is dirty habit.  Or, we should teach our daughters about choice when it comes to unplanned pregnancies but the only choice they should make is to terminate the child.  I guess adoption is only acceptable when it is done by an unwed hollywood starlet.

The media, for its part, looks scornfully on Mel Gibson for getting drunk and saying some rather moronic and vile things but we should all tune into Oprah the next time Robert Downey Jr gets busted for drug possession and wants to have a healing session on the couch with the queen of voyeurism.  (As a side note to the Gibson debacle, on the same weekend former President Carter blamed all of the problems in the Middle East on Israel.  I am pretty certain that is antisemitism but he was sober!)

The scariest part about all of these lessons that the left (and some on the right who just want to be loved by all while retaining political office) is that the machinery is in place for them to achieve their goals in the form of the NEA and the UFT.  But there are two monkey wrenches that can be thrown into the machine.  First, is for parents to be vigilant in monitoring their childrens education and to speak up when they see something wrong.  Second, is for true statesmen (and women) to run for office and for school boards.