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I wept when I heard just bits and pieces of this discussion. Is it possible that God will not forsake America when we don't even protect the most vulnerable and impressionable hearts and minds of our own children?

as a recently graduated student from FHS, i can see where some people may be offended by what was said. and i understand that many parents would rather teach their children personally than have them learn at school. but let me ask you this. how many of you parents know how abortions are performed? or that you shouldnt drink water when on ecstasy because it will kill you? what these panelists did was tell kids the truth, they are going to have sex, and chances are, they are going to experiment with drugs or alcohol, if they havent already, they will in college. people are complaining about these kids being influenced and coerced but the reality is that teen pregnancy is down, teen abortions are down, pot use is down, alcohol use among teenagers is down, and realistically, it is because kids are educated. these panelists do not deserve the scrutiny and criticism they have come up against, all they did was try to be realistic with teenagers. as a teen myself, i know, i respond much better to the the truth than lies fed to me in health class who doesnt want to be there any more than i do. i applaud all the parents on this site who have decided that this panel was good, thank you for having an open mind and not judging our town or our educators based on one instance. boulder high and fairview have some of the highest test scores in the nation, obviously, we know what we are doing. for all of your who are convinced that it is our liberalists garbage that is destroying the country, i beg to differ. it is ignorance and intolerance that is destroying not only the country, but the world. please open up your mind and at least attempt for one moment to not judge others based solely on their opinions.

If my children we subjected to this kind of garbage I would be positively livid and would file a law suit against the school administrators. I'm livid as it is and I live several states away

As a person who has worked with at risk and troubled teens, I feel that the panelists spoke very matter of fact and realistic, which would probably reach those who would "turn off" at another abstinence and " just say no" talks. Sure, some of the comments may be risque, but I did more than my share of experimentation, and I'm a college educated, ethical, moral, and socially responsible person. I was bluntly honest with my children, and none of them have ever gotten in trouble or done a fraction, of what I did. I wish I had had more frank adults in my life in high school. Everyone on this panel advocated responsible personal choices, and did not condemn any view.

This is really no different from what my mother said to me in high school, and what most of my friends have told me that their parents told them. If you actually read this transcript, the message becomes quite clear: talk about it, laugh about it, but most importantly think about it. The most harm comes from programs that endorse ignorance, like abstinence programs that ignore safe sex. Is it really responsible of us to prevent high schoolers from finding out about these things from their elders, and leaving them ignorant and vulnerable when the time comes to make a decision? No, it's not, and everyone should realize it.

I say WELL DONE to the student who was brave enough to stand up and say what she did. Obviously, the applause resonating from many students showed the panel and truly all of us that they felt the same way. The main message was very garbled by what the panelists said and gave conflicting messages to students who are already confused about such issues. I know that these are not black and white issues, but this panel was unbelievable in their "candor" and opinions on sex and drug use. I live in Los Angeles and we are NOT the Amsterdam of the United States. We are certainly not perfect, but Mr. Becker must live in a very different world than most of my friends, neighbors and co-workers. He sounds more like a drug pusher than a panelist.

I consider myself a very liberal person and I had issues with this. I understand that many parents don't speak to their children about these issues, but it almost seemed that they were encouraging the students to participate in certain activities. I'm surprised that this event ever happened and after all the media surrounding it, I'm not sure it'll happen again. I believe these issues should be discussed in school, but definitely through a different medium.

THIS WAS ONLY ONE OF THE WORLD AFFAIRS ISSUES!! WHY ARE THERE NOT THE 7 OR SO OTHER ISSUES THAT WERE DISCUSSED?! Saving the controversial one for the public? The other panels, such as those talking about safe drinking habits and even discussing the film Borat (making fun of American's), why aren't those up here? TRUTH IS, TEENAGERS KNOW BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY. IT'S TIME THAT THEY QUIT BEING FED ONE SIDE OF THE STORY WITHOUT EVER GETTING TO KNOW THE OTHER SIDE. I HIGHLY DOUBT THIS CHANGED ANY OF THEIR VIEWS ON DRUGS, ALCOHOL, OR ANY OTHER CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE BROUGHT UP. MERELY EXPANDED THEIR THINKING. ISN'T THAT PART OF WHAT SCHOOLS ARE FOR? TO TEACH KIDS?!

I'm so proud of the student who stood up for herself. Kudos to your parents for having instilled those values in you!

I thought the panel was insightful and had the right message. They did not actively encourage the kids to do drugs, have sex, or any of the other things that they are being accused of. They talked about consequences and self control and other things these kids need to know.