The school board says, "We're not making any value judgment; we're just making them available."

Think for a minute if you were to put drugs on the table in the Jr. high cafeteria and told the students, "We're just making them available. We're not making any value judgment. It's your decision." Would that be conscionable? "Of course not," you say, "these are drugs. Kids might take them and use them." Then you've made my point. It would not be conscionable because making them available would be tacit encouragement to their use. In other words, availability would increase use.

Which is exactly what statistics have shown. Planned Parenthood's own statistics show that when they give their full regimen of instruction (including how to use condoms) sexual activity rises by 30%. Another study shows that under those same circumstances that out of 1000 teens 50-120 more will get pregnant than if they had been given no instruction. Usually that's not a problem to Planned Parenthood because that "problem" can be aborted. But you can't abort AIDS.

Or should we make guns available? "Of Course not." Why? "Because guns are dangerous." Bingo. Case Dismissed.

"Drugs. Guns. They're destructive. There's no parallel." No, it's a perfect parallel. You don't make potentially harmful things, drugs or guns, available to kids. Why? They're dangerous. But if you make condoms available to kids your telling them there's nothing dangerous about them or inappropriate in their use. That's a powerful message about values. Giving out condoms to kids delivers an unmistakable message.

I'd think more people would reject this just for pragmatic reasons even if there is no moral offense. Condoms offer false hope of protection.

"Well, we know you're going to do it...." Would your children expect you to be shocked, dismayed or angry if you found out they were cheating on tests? Of course. But what if you told them, "We know you're going to cheat, so here's a way you can do it without getting caught and expelled." Do you think they would feel a bit betrayed if they followed your instructions and then got angry because they cheated? You bet they would. You were their partner in this.

Giving condoms to kids in junior high is unconscionable. It violates the parent's role in their lives. It encourages sexual activity, and it makes a powerful statement about values. Worst of all, it won't cut down on the spread of AIDS; it will encourage it, along with a lot of other garbage.

Be real, folks. You can't get a junior higher to take out the trash or make his bed. You think he's going to show the maturity and self-control to wear a condom? They blow them up and pop them, they fill them with water; they wear them on their ears. They're kids. And they should be allowed to stay that way for just a little longer.

File this thought under "Kondoms Are Us."

At least that's the way I see it.