Powell comments on condoms spark attacks from religious right

Secretary of State Colin Powell came under blistering attack from Religious Right groups after he told a national television audience that sexually active young people ought to use condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

While taping a special for MTV Feb.14, Powell took a question from a teenage girl in Italy who asked him about the Catholic Church's opposition to the use of condoms to prevent disease.

Powell replied, "I certainly respect the views of the Holy Father and the Catholic Church. In my own judgment, condoms are a way to prevent infection, and therefore I not only support their use, I encourage their use among people who are sexually active."

Religious Right groups immediately declared all-out war. Kenneth Connor, president of the Family Research Council (FRC), called Powell's comments "reckless and irresponsible" and added, "President Bush should repudiate Secretary Powell's comments and publicly exhort him for his irresponsible remarks."

Gary Bauer, ex-presidential candidate and former head of the FRC, also castigated Powell. The secretary of state, said Bauer, should "get a briefing on the fact that he's in an administration that is stressing abstinence rather than condoms."

James Dobson of Focus on the Family was also not pleased.

"Colin Powell is secretary of state, not the secretary of health," he said. "He is talking about a subject he doesn't understand."

Powell refused to back down. Asked about the matter Feb. 17 on CNN's "Late Edition" Powell replied, "I have no apology for the way in which I answered the question." He also told NBC's "Meet the Press" program, "[It is time] for us to speak out clearly and responsibly to help millions. And as my daughter told me when I was getting ready for MTV, `Dad, don't try to snow these kids."'

Despite the entreaties from the Religious Right, Bush did not publicly take Powell to task. In fact, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters that Bush did not object to what Powell said.

"There's, of course, a group of people who are going to be sexually active no matter what anybody in the government, or anybody's family, says about abstinence," Fleischer said. "The president's point is they both need to be highlighted."

Dobson claimed victory anyway. Appearing on CNN's "Larry King Live" March 7, Dobson insisted that Bush "absolutely contradicted Colin Powell" when he spoke in favor of abstinence-- based programs at a Catholic church in New York City shortly after Powell's remarks were made public.

Copyright Americans United for Separation of Church and State Apr 2002
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