Tenn. Rep Blames Parents For Teen Suicides

Wow. Just wow.
Tennessee State Rep. Jerry Faison apologized Tuesday after saying poor parenting and improper values were the main causes of teen suicides, and not bullying.
The remarks Faison apologized for had possibly referred to two Tennessee teenagers, Phillip Parker and Jacob Rogers, who took their own lives after being constantly bullied for their sexual orientation.
Here’s what Faison said, exactly:

“We can├óΓé¼Γäót continue to legislate everything. We├óΓé¼Γäóve had some horrible things happen in America and in our state, and there├óΓé¼Γäós children that have actually committed suicide, but I will submit to you today that they did not commit suicide because of somebody bullying them. They committed suicide because they were not instilled the proper principles of where their self-esteem came from at home.”

Only after state Democrats blasted Faison’s comments did the representative finally issue an apology.
Here’s the statement that Faison announced yesterday:

“After reviewing my comments on the House Floor today, I regret what was a poor choice of words. My true intent was to protect children from becoming criminals. Suicide has touched my family, and I would never want a parent or family member to feel they were responsible for such an unimaginable tragedy.”

Hm.
Do you think he apologized because he sincerely regretted his remarks or because it was the right political move?
We’re going with the latter.