Spin cycle: Silver Ring Thing settlement

The ACLU has settled the lawsuit against Silver Ring Thing, the Jesus-fied abstinence-only program. HHS froze Silver Ring Thing’s funding back in August, and this week’s settlement ensures the program won’t receive federal dollars to Bible-thump until they change the curriculum.
But, like all federally funded abstinence-only programs, Silver Ring Thing will still be able to tell young women they’re sluts and spread misinformation about condoms. Anyway…
Check out the ACLU’s press release on the settlement, then compare it to the one put out by the Alliance Defense Fund, the group that defended Silver Ring Thing:

“Apparently, the ACLU of Massachusetts would have us believe that discussion of abstinence is unconstitutional, and that it is purely a religious issue,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster. “ADF is pleased that abstinence-based sex education programs like Silver Ring Thing will continue to have the right to seek federal funding for its educational programs.”

Nah, we pretty much think that discussion of abstinence is a health issue. Discussion of religion in sex-ed programs? That’s a religious issue.
Also, Silver Ring Thing is indeed allow to reapply for federal funds. But they have to change their curricula first.
And I love the misleading link near the bottom, to a Zogby poll showing most parents prefer their kids learn “abstinence is best.” Not so much a poll about the abstinence-only curricula, which parents are far less likely to support. Where have we seen this before?
The pro-comprehensive sex-ed group SIECUS has a report on the new requirements for federally funded abstinence-only programs. Who’s gonna get sued next??