Forcing agenda with a hammer

Local Red Star columnist Doug Grow, an apologist for radical and counter-culture elements in our society, writes a typical one-sided article on 10/21/05 titled "One armed force meets another force -- for equality". The story is about the radical homosexual movement versus America's traditional, longstanding cultural institutions. Guess which side Grow is on?

The nation can breathe a sigh of relief. The U.S. Naval Academy didn't crumble Friday when it was invaded -- by about 40 gays and lesbians and their supporters. The mission of the invaders was to try to enlighten an institution that discriminates against gays and lesbians.

Whether you agree with it or not, you can't avoid seeing the pervasive influence of these activist groups in all areas of our society. We've seen it with the Rainbow Sashers invading the Catholic church, with prime time television celebrating the homosexual lifestyle, and even in our children's schools with shaping of the curriculum to include positive references to alternative lifestyles while eschewing harm that comes from them.

"We left an impression," said Jacob Reitan, organizer of the demonstration against the military's policy regarding homosexuals. "In a real way, for one day, 'don't ask, don't tell' did not exist."

Reitan, 23, came out of the closet in his senior year -- 1999 -- at Mankato West High School. He's refused to go back in.

What impression did you leave? And why is Clinton's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy discriminatory? The institutions the homosexual "rights" groups are invading are acting within the parameters of federal and state law. What they want in reality is acceptance of their lifestyle.

Working for an organization called Soulforce, which is dedicated to ending homophobia among religious leaders, Reitan has created Equality Ride. Over the coming months, Equality Ride plans to show up at many of the 200 colleges in the country where discrimination is practiced.

Homophobia, of course, means fear of homosexuals. Rest assured that no one at the US Naval Academy is afraid of homosexuals. What they may be instead is practitioners of traditional lifestyles.

The champions of the Navy were threatening right up to the moment Friday when the Equality Riders stepped through the gate.

For example, there was this missive from Capt. Helen Dunn, the academy's deputy superintendent: "Be advised that accessing the academy grounds for the purpose of protesting or engaging midshipmen, faculty and staff, may subject you to arrest and prosecution."

How were they threatening, Mr. Grow? And why weren't these radicals arrested, despite the TV cameras? This is how they've bullied their way into the mainstream - by threats to sue and ruin the institution. They have no less rights than anyone else, but they want more, and the MSM is glad to help.

As a matter of fact, Reitan said, many of the midshipmen were very cordial during the group's three-hour stay.

"They came up to us and were shaking our hands," said Reitan.

This last quote is suspect. We'll never know if its true or not, because Grow did not present the other side of the story.

By the way, Mr. Reitan's mother is one of the most prolific writers of letters to the editor at the Red Star, always in support of the homosexual lifestyle. She has the right to do that, of course, but we have the right to know who we're dealing with.