Carol Nichols

This is what got published today instead of my recent letter on the same topic.

"First, as an American, I am aware that in many of our school districts, such teaching has begun at the kindergarten level."

Is Ms Nichols referring to school districts in the U.S. ("as an American") or is she referring to school districts in Taiwan? And if the latter, then why on earth is her being American relevant?

"Although the current proposal stipulates that it should begin at the fifth-grade level in Taiwan, the door would be open to lowering the age of the children subjected to a homosexual agenda."

I would think that's probably true, since the decision to target 5th grade children appears to have been made for no other reason than the calculation that that's the youngest age TAPCPR think they can get away with (because it was done in Canada, so it should also therefore be done in Taiwan). Is Ms Nichols correct to call it a "homosexual agenda"? I don't know, but in any case, I agree with her when she says this:

"I think that within the educational system, the less emphasis on the entire subject of sexuality, the better, at least until students reach high school."

In fact, if I was responsible for sex education - I'd make sure the entire syllabus was condensed into less than a minute in order to save time for real subjects like history, commerce, science, mathematics and literature.

"Second, I believe we should differentiate between respect for others (whether they are of different races, religions, or sexual orientation, to name a few differences found among members of the human family) and total acceptance of behaviors that most people find morally wrong."

Sorry, no. The issue is not one of respect, the issue is one of tolerance: these are basic concepts. I tolerate homosexuality in other people but I do not respect them because they are homosexual - that would be like someone telling me I have their respect merely on account of my blue eyes. Ridiculous. Moreover, the assertion that "most people" find homosexuality to be morally wrong - whatever its' empirical merits - is entirely irrelevant to the ethics here: it's nobody else's goddamn business if two bean flickers want to get it on in privacy. Just last night, the last thing that dreadlocked, Proust-quoting dude said before he left was "fuck, breeders man!". No - I am a "breeder" and I reserve the right to tell people who don't like this fact to go forth and wanktify themselves in their vaunted, anti-capitalist sexuology elsewhere. Two people's sexuality is nobody else's business (i.e. all public expressions of moral judgement are impertinent) unless there is coercion involved or one of them is a child.

"I am totally opposed to name-calling, alienation or any cruel behavior by any individual to any other person for any reason."

I'm not - some people deserve to get called certain names (e.g. Bruno Walther deserved to be called an "eco-fascist") because those names either describe what they are, what they do or what they advocate with the appropriate connotation of contempt or disapproval beyond mere contempt. Having said that, I'm not a bully and I don't approve of such behaviour - when it is uncalled for.

"Furthermore, emphasis on sexual diversity issues is not the business of public education. Parents are children’s most important teachers; they should be the ones to deal with their own children when questions naturally arise during childhood."

Agreed. Just earlier tonight as I was walking the dogs I almost decided to intervene with a spoilt brat who was kicking and screaming wildly at his elder brother and sister for some reason whilst his mother walked away ignoring him. I would never have carried on like that at his age simply because I'd have got a clip round the ear without a second warning.

"I hope Taiwan’s education leaders will sort through the issues carefully and teach respect, not sexuality, to our children."

I hope not - I hope they have a road to Damascus conversion, turn around and become advocates for free markets in education. Pigs do sometimes fly after all.