A Cure and a Trumped Up (Non) Controversy

This I can't understand. I just can't put my head around it.

There's a new vaccine that's about to be released (it's targeted for next year) that prevents cancer.

Let me repeat: IT PREVENTS CANCER.

That's right, a VACCINE FOR CANCER!!! (Note: it's actually a vaccine against a virus that causes cancer).

Cervical cancer to be precise. When's the last time a drug was released that actually helps REAL ailments? We're inundated with ads for drugs we never even knew we needed, and they're advertised in a way that's so vague that anyone could think they have the symptoms described in the commercials.

Ever have trouble sleeping? Try Cialis!

Tummy hurt? You've got acid reflux and must buy Zyrtex!

But now we have a vaccine for a cancer that kills thousands of women every year. That's right women - men don't have cervixes (or is it cervixi?). The "women only" thing is important to my next statement... don't worry, I'll tie it all in, I promise.

THE HIJACKED CHRISTIAN RIGHT DOESN'T WANT THIS MIRACLE DRUG TO BE RELEAED!!!

Why? Because it provokes and promotes teenage sex.

Because as I'm sure you know, nothing deters teens more from sex than the threat of getting cancer at some point 20 or 30 years later. That's why none of them smoke or drink. Teens really do look ahead, and none of them think the only things that matters are the here-now and what they're wearing to High School tomorrow.

Here're some fun quotes:

Because the vaccine protects against a sexually transmitted virus, many conservatives oppose making it mandatory, citing fears that it could send a subtle message condoning sexual activity before marriage. Several leading groups that promote abstinence are meeting this week to formulate official policies on the vaccine.

And this one:

The vaccine appears to be virtually 100 percent effective against two of the most common cancer-causing HPV strains. Merck, whose vaccine is further along, plans to ask the Food and Drug Administration by the end of the year for approval to sell the shots.

So what have we got?

On the one hand, we've got a vaccine that's 100 percent effective.

On the other, we've got people who don't want to send a wrong "message". I can only assume that message is "sex is bad!!!!!" (exclamation points added by me for effect).

Are they saying that getting cancer is an appropriate punishment for doing something (possibly reckless and stupid) when you're a teen?

Ah, but it's more than that. As noted above, this cancer isn't an equal opportunity offender (i.e. lack of a cervix in males). Women are the only ones at risk. It's the Right's little way of saying women should be punished for having sex. They'd rather see their daughters die than actually take responsibility as a parent and talk to their kids about sex. They'd rather shape society to their own narrow view than have confidence in themselves that they can teach morality to their kids. And in doing so, they are putting all girls at risk.

Why not just lie to their kids in the same way they tell their sons that masturbation causes blindness? They can say they're going in for a flu shot instead of the vaccine. Just an idea.

So what will happen when someone develops an AIDS vaccine? Same thing, I'd wager. For this group of people, AIDS is punishment from God sent down to kill the gays. They would rather have millions die every year than send "the wrong message".

This is the crowd that calls themselves "pro-life" and swears on Jesus Christ. For all their life talk, they sure do love when their enemies die (not just lose... but die). What was it Jesus taught again?