Dr. James Dobson Criticizes Bush Appointment to the CDC

Focus on the Family
Tuesday, 2 July 2002

Pro-Family Leader Responds to Administration Pick

Dr. James C. Dobson, president of Focus on the Family, responded today to reports citing Dr. Julie Gerberding as the new head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

"We are baffled as to why President Bush would appoint someone so out of step with his stated priorities. Dr. Gerberding has been in positions of leadership in the CDC for years, but there is nothing in the record to indicate her opposition to 'safe-sex' ideology. She has no apparent concern about the ineffectiveness of condom usage, nor any stated disagreement with the positions of the homosexual activist movement, or with the provision of free needles to drug users. To the contrary, her writings clearly show that she believes the 'safe sex' lie that has entrapped millions of our teenagers—many of whom are now fighting incurable sexually-transmitted diseases.

"The president campaigned on a policy of morality and ethics in government, and yet he is now asking us to hope that Dr. Gerberding's policies will be consistent with those promises. We are reminded of the assurances given to conservatives that Justice David Souter would not lean radically to the left. But by the time the truth was disclosed, it was too late to oppose his confirmation for the Supreme Court.

"This new appointment sends a disturbing message that the problems surrounding rampant sexual behavior can be solved with a false promise and a piece of latex. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is already the world's largest promoter of homosexuality and 'safe-sex' programs, and now the president has appointed someone whose positions indicate that the organization will continue dishing out more of the same.

"America needs a bold, proven leader who will help undo the damage the 'safe-sex' message has created. Dr. Gerberding is not that person. We hope President Bush will consider the potentially harmful message this appointment is sending regarding the issue of sexuality."

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