The city of Philadelphia is battling an epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among its young people. From the city’s 2011 statement:
“According to a national survey of high school youth, Philadelphia has the highest number of youth who have been sexually active, the highest number who became sexually active before age thirteen, and the highest number of youth who have had four or more sexual partners. Yet we have one of the lowest numbers of youth who report using a condom,”
So you may have heard about one of the plans to stop the spread of STDs that has the city placing free condom dispensers in one third of its public high schools. This comes on the heels of a reported slight decrease in the STD rates after the city of Philadelphia handed out four million free condoms. (The “free” condoms are paid for with money from the Federal government.)
Image: Philly.com
In schools, the condom distribution program was initially handled through the nurse’s office. However, not every school in the Philadelphia system has a full time nurse on duty, so the machines will make condoms available to students in those schools.
Some parents are not happy about the free condoms. The schools countered the parental objections by offering an “opt out” option. Parents just need to send a note to the schools. But the schools don’t seem to be too interested in the parents’ wishes. According to a story in the Daily Mail, schools seem to look the other way when a student wants to defy the wishes of a parent.
”Opt-out letters are to be maintained by the school office,” Assistant Superintendent Dennis W. Creedon wrote in a letter to school health officials. “Students are to honor the wishes of their parents. If a student disrespects their guardian’s directive, that is an issue of the home.”
Image: Philly.com
Philadelphia’s mayor Michael Nutter is strongly behind the program. His statement:
“Discussion about whether or not they should be sexually active is an appropriate discussion, but if they are, then we need to make sure they’re engaged in safe sexual practices.”
Where do you stand on the issue of free condoms in public schools? Join the conversation in our comments section and take our Blaze Poll.
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Comments (117)
rl
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:26amWould be a good idea IF they were smart enough to use them……
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oldguy49
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:29amhow about free rolling papers and the morning after pill
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Walkabout
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:41amI have 3 criteria for judging a person an adult. They are physically mature, socially mature & financially mature. Sure a person can lose their financial footing due to job loss after they initially became financially independent.
But in this day and age we are letting adolescent do about everything without demonstrating that they are physically mature, socially mature & financially mature for one day or any length of time.
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stablepar
Dec. 26, 2012 at 10:29ami can see a lot of water balloon fights coming.
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Susan
Dec. 26, 2012 at 10:30amIt just sends the message, You’re gonna have sex anyhow, everyone else is. Thats not the case. My son made it through school without ever giving in to temptation and so do I. If we respect and believe in our children they will most often live up to our expectations.
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Susan
Dec. 26, 2012 at 10:37amOf course that sgould read, so “did” I.
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TAXEVERYONE
Dec. 26, 2012 at 11:07amGreat idea, should be fewer Obama voters in 20 years.
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naughtycal
Dec. 26, 2012 at 11:49amNo but they could install condom machines that charged enough to cover the cost of material and inventory. Like a not for profit condom dispenser but also not a tax burden as well
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HuHuNazuLa
Dec. 26, 2012 at 12:14pmIt would seem to follow that they also provide “recreation” rooms where they could use these freebies in comfort and privacy.
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ranepowel
Dec. 26, 2012 at 12:46pmYeah, I’m sure your son made it through without temptation. He’s either a.) ugly and awkward or b.) lying. Neither would surprise me.
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aproudinfidel
Dec. 26, 2012 at 1:04pmThat machine will be empty after the first gangsta leaves the bathroom.
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Yeah_Buddy
Dec. 26, 2012 at 1:40pmI’ve seen the Phila pubic school system, and believe me, you want as few of these people procreating as possible.
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Walkabout
Dec. 26, 2012 at 3:32pmDoes ranepowel believe that a virgin is an ugly 3rd grader & that the age of consent should be lowered?
What is your picture rating?
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DesdemonasCrew
Dec. 26, 2012 at 5:17pm@ranepowell
You sir or madam are clearly a result of condom use gone bad. Your parents knew that they should not spawn, but alas…
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Quester55
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:28pmBetter Ideas Please?
How about Free Serializations ( Reversible ) For the Girls & Free Neutering for the Boys, This would have a 2 fold effect, one, ” No more Unwanted Pregnant Children dropping out of School or Turning into Murders of Aborted Children & ZERO POPULATION GROWTH, Sure to please those Greedy Pigs in D.C.
As for the Boys, maybe they’d keep greater attention on their Studies & NOT on the Areas between a Girls Legs.
Then again, ALL schools are GUILTY of Pushing UNPROTECTED SEX, So maybe They should Cover the Cost out of their Pockets.
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piper60
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:22amIf parents had the ****** to teach their kids from an early age, that pre-marriage sex is NOT o.k., a lot of this would not be needed. Also a few years of Sunday school while growing up wouldn’t hurt.
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Walkabout
Dec. 26, 2012 at 10:41amOften birth control fails. Adolescent mothers tend to have lower birth weight babies. It is obvious the potential problems there.
Will liberals take responsibility for the abortion & low birth weight babies or the kids born without an intact family? HeII no. they will just redefine what a family ought to be.
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patricking49
Dec. 26, 2012 at 5:38pmOh, sure, that’s going to work. “I need to but my dad told me I shouldn’t.”
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BehindBlueEyes
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:15amThis type of education belongs with the parents not bureaucrats. Schools should focus their resources on the three “R’s”. They haven’t mastered that yet.
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Stab_friendly
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:14amNah, lets just pretend that our kids aren’t having sex…and everything will be okay..
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Walkabout
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:26amAnother liberal exercise in harm reduction instead of getting at the root of the problem.
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nonwinger
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:32amYour comment is strikingly condescending. The opposite of support of free condom distribution in the schools is not necessarily denial that kids are having sex. However, providing condoms in schools is tantamount to encouraging them to do it. Liberals are famous for co-opting the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” How about working with parents and for the benefit of kids as opposed to giving in to the easiest solution to a difficult problem?
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Walkabout
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:37amStab_Happy
Why not graduate kids at 16 with a highs school diploma? Provided they earn it. In Europe kids can graduate at 16 & go to trade school or college. The age or a majority in the United state comes in 2 stage, at age 18 & 21. We could change that. it was changed in the 19th century based on ___?
Schooling 11 months out of the year helps prevent basic skills from going stale. Kiss could start working an apprenticeship for the trades or go to a local community college & still live at home & transition as they reach financial independence If they are meeting their goals scholastically, professionally & financially (independence) chances are they are probably mature.
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Walkabout
Dec. 26, 2012 at 10:06amnonwinger
Stab_Happy writes 1 or 2 line zingers (in their mind) that are full of truth & wisdom. They think they are spreadiong some sort of liberal Gospel while they are not reading comments on this site for chuckles. Because obviously they are a gift to society since they are so wise.
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Susan
Dec. 26, 2012 at 10:33amIf you believe your CHILDREN can’t get through their CHILDHOOD without having sex, they won’t let you do. After all, if their parents believe they’re that weak…………………………………
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MDECKER
Dec. 26, 2012 at 11:48amOk, like Philly is a civilized city anyway.
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grand slam grandam
Dec. 26, 2012 at 6:49pmHow about threatening them with their lives if they have sex outside of marriage and making them believe it? That takes real parental authority, forget this “friend” thing parents do with their children nowadays!
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love the kids
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:10amMore than half of them would fail the education class on their usage anyway. There will be some boy with 10 on his fingers wondering what happened.
Just remember when the federal govt. says that they need more money for education, this is where it is going.
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seek.the.truth
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:09amAbsentee or lazy parents who never took the time to teach these children about God or having any kind of morals — Look what a good job the government is doing raising your children!
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ranepowel
Dec. 26, 2012 at 12:48pmThere’s nothing immoral about having sex. Just because you, personally, think it is immoral doesn’t make it universally so. And before you spout off anything from that book of myths you call The Bible, just remember that it’s filled with ancient wisdom from a group of people riddled with STDs. Jesus probably had them as well from having unprotected sex with all of those ‘disciples.’
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seek.the.truth
Dec. 26, 2012 at 5:09pmFor future reference — I will only debate points that actually make sense. Randomly made comments intended only to instigate anger will be ignored.
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sizzlinsexybeckster
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:05amYesterday it was HO HO HO, but today it’s NO NO NO. There should NOT be condoms in the schools. This promotes sex.
If there were too much marijuana use in the schools with kids running out of papers so instead of smoking it properly they would just eat it and burn their tongues… would you supply paper dispensers with marijuana papers? No, because it promotes smoking.
If there are too many drug users in the schools getting HIV, would you supply free needles? No because that would promote drug use.
If kids had teeth falling out of their mouths all day long from drinking too much soda, what would you do? a.) Would you educate them to brush their teeth? b.) Take away the soda? Or c.) create free toothbrush dispensers?
The answer would be “A” EDUCATE THEM. Teach them what happens when you drink too much soda and never brush your teeth. Teach them to drink sparingly and to brush appropriately or to avoid soda all together. Gee………. Obama’s want to ban soda to get rid of fatness. But they want to supply condoms to avoid pregnancy. Hmmm…..
Use your brains.
If you have a child who is pregnant would you give her condoms? Put her on birth control? Or teach and educate her not to have sex. Sex should be with someone special (not with Uncle Joe), your body is a temple not to be shared with whomever, ban her from dating, teach morals and marriage, put mines outside your daughters window so boys don’t sneak in. Sex is not a hobby. EDUCATE. Meet these boys
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ranepowel
Dec. 26, 2012 at 1:03pmMarijuana use is illegal in Philly. Having sex is not.
Anymore ignorant arguments you want to make, or are you content looking like a fool with just this one?
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SpankDaMonkey
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:55am.
Have any of ya’ll ever been to Philly? If so a Spay & Neuter Station would be better………
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truthnstuff
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:12amNo that I could get behind.
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kat747
Dec. 26, 2012 at 10:45amTake away those Welfare checks, food stamps and free health care for anyone under the age of 21 and you will see such a drop in teen pregnancies ! Feed off of your parents instead of the taxpayers for a change.
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banjarmon
Dec. 26, 2012 at 12:17pmThat is a GOOD START!
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The_Thumper
Dec. 26, 2012 at 12:56pmGood start … Or just let them infect themselves, then the spaying and nuetering issue would be moot.
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QC Ghost
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:55amAnything to stop them from reproducing.
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happygranny
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:59amI love your idea of spay and neuter! That in the long run would help the economy, less people on welfare.
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Marine25
Dec. 26, 2012 at 1:07pm@QC Ghost
who is ‘them’?
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wingedwolf
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:51amI am all for anything that stops the birth of more entitled ghetto liberals. Where shall I send my contribution?
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cdn1979
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:50amthats a tuff one. Do we pay for the condoms upfront and hope for prevention, or do we pay for the treatment of STD’s and welfare for single teenaged unwed uneducated mothers? tuff call on that one.
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jp2feminist
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:45amGiving kids condoms only encourages them to separate sex from commitment. They give boys a free pass at using girls for their own sexual pleasure. Condoms do not protect against HPV (which is linked to cervical cancer). Proper use of condoms involve nine steps — Do you think high school boys, especially those under the influence of alcohol, are going to follow those steps? Condoms are made of latex which breaks down over time. They should not be subjected to extreme hot and cold temperatures. Condoms rip. There is no such thing as “safe sex.” This is a BAD IDEA.
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zman173rd
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:42amSOmeone here made a good point. The one’s that should use them won’t. What the school is doing is giving the okay for sex with 14 year olds. My daughter is 12 and in her second year of middle school. She’ll be in high scholl in a 1.5 years. Makes no sense for me to go to jail when I find out someone is screwing my daughter because the school says it’s okay but I say it’s not. More of the GOVERNMENT telling your kids they ae the deciding factor in their lives. If the govn’t says it’s okay then the parents must fall in line because it’s the law. It won’t be much longer before sex is okay no matter what the age. Now that sex between “consenting” teens is okay it won’t be much longer before sex is fine between anyone. Where does statutory rape apply in a case when the school gives it’s approval? It’s too late when the school system has control over your childrens private lives
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willbedone
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:41amHow about birth control pills in the girls locker room. After all it takes 2 2 tango.
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Arphaxad
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:40amSome kids have to learn their lessons the hard way. If they can’t keep their johnsons in their pants maybe getting an STD will teach them a lesson.
Some funk on their junk will remind them to keep it away from the trash.
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KingCanon
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:36amBen Franklin would be proud of Philly!
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KingCanon
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:36amWhy sure!
It ties right in with prophecy!
A worldly era saturated with a lack of morality and lawlessness.
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Winedude
Dec. 26, 2012 at 12:24pm“A worldly era saturated with a lack of morality and lawlessness.”
That sounds far better to me than reverting back to a world based on religion and some bizarre belief of some sort of “higher being”. We had that early in the country’s history (Salem witch trials) and it’s not a bright part of our wonderful history. However, it is American Exceptionalism…
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kickagrandma
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:34amWe’ve got a fight on our hands.
1. SAVE our children.
2. SAVE our faith.
3. SAVE our country.
Get after it, PATRIOTS. We are the only hope. And, of course, GOD IS OUR HOPE, FOUNDATION and VERY LIFE.
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DoctorRon
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:34amThe fewer the births in these neighborhoods, the less we will have to pay in welfare and the less crime in 15 years.
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KingCanon
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:41amEducation in the use of condoms would take 15 years to achieve!
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zman173rd
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:11amDOCTORRON, those who are going to pop em’ out like loaves of bread will do so anyway. That’s what welfare is all about. As long as an unwed mother of an infant has no job or education the gov’t (you and I) will suppoort her habit of free everything. remember these?
Real-life Welfare Quotations (SNOPES cannot validate their truthfullness, so that means…)
Some of following are taken from actual letters received by the Welfare Department in applications for support.
1. I am forwarding my marriage certificate and 6 children. I had seven but one died which was baptised on a half sheet of paper.
2. I am writing the welfare department to say that my baby was born two years old. When do I get my money?
3. Mrs. Jones has not had any clothes for two years and has been visited regularly by the clergy.
4. I cannot get sick pay. I have six children can you tell me why?
5. I am glad to report that my husband who is missing is dead.
6. This is my eighth child. What are you going to do about it.
7. Please find for certain if my husband is dead. The man I am now living with can’t do anything until he knows.
8. I am very much annoyed to find out that you have branded my son illiterate. This is a dirty lie as I was married a week before he was born.
9. In answer to your letter, I have given birth to a son weighing 10 lbs. I hope this is satisfactory.
10. I am forwarding my marriage certificate and my 3 children one of which is a mistake as you
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vaman
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:34amIt a excellent ideal. Condoms are cheap. Society raising another unwanted kid is expensive.
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whatthecrazy
Dec. 26, 2012 at 10:04amWell i voted no but after being reminded of who is out there breeding i think that dispencing condoms would be a great idea.The kids that are taught morals will do the right thing anyways and the others who use the condoms would be protected and so would our walletts.
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Mandors
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:31am“Discussion about whether or not they should be sexually active is an appropriate discussion, but if they are, then we need to make sure they’re engaged in safe sexual practices.”
Oh please. NO ONE in the community, the schools or the city government is discussing whether they should be sexually active.
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mensa141
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:50amNext we will be showing porn in the auditorium. No one is suggesting we are promoting sex but we give them condoms? How detached from reality is that poster? I suggest it gets awful dark with your head up your arse so far MANDORS.
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LIBSALWAYSLIE
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:27amIts wrong to protect people from their own stupid choices. All that teaches is anything goes and everything will always work out fine.
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poorrichard09
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:27amMoney for condom machines but not for an armed guard.
Protect the kiddos from STDs and pregnancy-but not murder.
How does this make sense?
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love the kids
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:13amTHere are very strict gun laws in philly, so that means that a shooting will never happen there.
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zman173rd
Dec. 26, 2012 at 9:21amPOORRICHARD09: It makes sense when you can go to a school nurse for help to get an abortion and no one is obligated to tell the parents. It makes sense that abortions are okay for teens when they engage in unprotected (OR OTHERWISE) sex and they get pregnant. As usual the liberals are hyporcites. SAve the spotted owl, Save the Snail Darter, Save the wolf, but kill that aggrivation in my belly because I don’t want to be bothered with responsibility. Makes sense to me.
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ranepowel
Dec. 26, 2012 at 12:51pmAbortions are not murder, nor have they ever been. Just because you equate a zygote with a living, breathing human being doesn’t make it so — no matter what fantasy land your ideas come from (see: pastors talking time away from molesting little boys to rail off lists about morality not found in any religious book)
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zman173rd
Dec. 26, 2012 at 6:12pm@ RANEPOWEL: I guess that depends on your perspective. to kill an ant isn’t “murder” I suppose. Or is it if you do it without regard to it’s life, It’s function, and what it will produce or provide within it’s lifecycle? I love how you digress into the pathetic perversion that some religious leaders show. I’m not a religious person so Pontificate away cause it’s wasted on me. I mean there’s a God somewhere that’s gonna clean Your clock when the TIME comes. That’s you conscious not your physical being so don’t go postal on me and now get into some nutcase of an excuse that God isn’t there and if he were he wouldn’t harm because blah blah… Your kind really are pathetic. Bouncing around all the arguments with Extreme replies. Stay focused bub, or bubbette whichever. I’m still of the opinion that your kind use whatever excuse you find to blast away at religion. Hey, why should they even give away rubbers if no one cares what that “thing” is inside a woman? I mean heck, a rose by any other name…? If the degradation of our society allows folks such as yourselves to feel guilt free about just about anything then why not just have at whatever. We really don’t need all those pesky laws do we?
Well, I work for a living, doing some online work and saw your excuse for a reply. I don’t have time to go to detail and really don’t expect any reply I make will penetrate your thought processes. And I’m not name calling so try to keep it on center and focus. 10
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jungle J
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:23amanimals won’t use them.
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RJJinGadsden
Dec. 26, 2012 at 8:23amScrew the funds for security, the kids have to be able to safely fornicate for free!
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zman173rd
Dec. 26, 2012 at 6:19pm@ Ranie;
I took a look at your earlier posts. All pretty much reflect your anatogonistic attitude. I won’t bother replying to any more of your posts and if others here see you as I do, maybe they won’t either. You’re just here to waste others time and efforts to explain reasonable thoughts. You really don’t deserve any replies here from anyone other than others like you. Sad that you can’t be open, I think you’re just a kid with time to waste. So go back to your FPS games and we’ll eventully be reading about you when you take you turn behind the sites of your favorite weapon of choice.
Ignore you and you’ll eventually get the message.
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