BOY SCOUTS: BREAKTHROUGH OR BRUTALITY?

It never ceases to amaze me how deftly the mainstream media and even many gay rights groups and leaders dance around the most important gay rights issue in the land:  child abuse.   Gay marriage is a subtle version of this devil's dance.  This latest decision by the Boy Scouts of America is less a breakhrough in my view than it is yet another perverse blow to society's core responsiblity to provide a safe and nurturing environment for childhood.  What nation can hope for any kind of positive future without that basic and essential guarantee?  With each daily assault by clergy, politicians and so-called conservative media on the self-esteem, personal security, hopes and dreams of our gay children, many of whom begin to realize their orientation as early as the age of four, we condone child abuse.   The BSA decision tells our kids that while they won't be punished for being themselves, they must not forget that they will never be worthy enough to stand as a mentor, leader, role model or fully realized, loved and accepted human being.  The BSA decision will send even more gay kids down the road to substance abuse, chronic depression, shattered hopes and even suicide.