Double standard

By now everyone has heard that last Thursday's "balloon boy" incident turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by the parents in an attempt to market themselves for a future reality TV series in which they would star.

I'd like to highlight a few things about this situation for you to consider:

• It was reported on CNN that the Heenes pitched a reality show idea to the cable station TLC which was rejected.
• The parents' "hoax" was actually a lie and a fraud for which they will likely face legal charges.
• They forced their 3 children to participate in this fraud and set a terrible parental example for them.
• Their fraud cost the police and other authorities considerable time and money, and resulted in a temporary diverting of airline traffic.
• The Heene family participated in an episode of a reality show called "Wife Swap" where two very different families live for some period of time with the other family's wife/mother while camera crews film the resulting tension and family discord.
• Richard Heene refers to himself as a meteorologist, although he possesses nothing more than a high school education.
• Heene sometimes brings the family along when he chases storms, endangering himself and his family.
• A former colleague described Heene as hyperactive, driven by fame and self-promotion.
• According to the New York Post, Heene is convinced that he was once abducted by extraterrestrials, and that Armageddon will arrive in 2012.
• A 911 call from the Heene's home earlier this year raised suspicions of possible domestic violence against Mrs. Heene. During the "balloon boy" incident authorities spoke at length with her about domestic violence as well as the children's safety.
• One can only imagine the emotional trauma inflicted upon the Heene children by their obviously unsteady parents.

Where are the Heene children now? At home with their parents. Sheriff Jim Alderden says the children remain in the home with the parents because authorities "didn't have enough that would allow us or Child Protection Services to physically take the kids."

Really? Not even temporarily, until the parents were either charged or exonerated? Does the list above sound like the description of healthy, fit parents to you? I think not.

But here's the real kicker: Imagine how different the situation would be if Richard Heene were gay and parenting these 3 children. I'd be willing to bet a week's salary that the sheriff and/or Child Protective Services would have removed the children from the home immediately if Keene were gay.

Isn't it ironic that in many states stable gays and lesbians can not be foster parents or adopt children, solely based on their sexual orientation, while the Heenes and others can endanger their children's safety, involve them in illegal activities, inflict emotional trauma, and set an example of bad choices and illegal behavior?

What a sickening double standard.

Crush du Jour: Mark Salling

Unfit

In many states it is still illegal for financially and emotionally stable gay and lesbian couples to adopt children. Somehow their being gay makes them unfit parents.
Yet there is absolutely no requirement for heterosexual people to be decent parents as long as they can reproduce. They can be unemployed and abusive, but as long as they're fertile, they can be parents.

This point was brought home to me when a friend emailed me this article. The Smith family's pet, 1/2 dog 1/2 wolf, named Dakota snatched the Smith's 3-day old baby from its crib, which resulted in a skull fracture, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, contusions and cuts. The animal was removed by authorities, but Mr Smith wants the wolf-dog to be returned to the house!

Despite the animal nearly killing his newborn son, Mr Smith wants to bring Dakota back home.

Perhaps this shouldn't be so surprising when you consider Smith's complete disregard for family safety. Authorities responding to the baby mauling found a loaded gun sitting on the coffee table.

So, I ask these 2 questions:

1. Why is a gay couple, together 8 years, both of whom are professionally employed, who have the money to hire a full-time nanny while they are at work, denied from adopting a child because they are gay?
2. Why is the Smith family, who wishes to bring their wolf-dog back home where they leave loaded weapons sitting around, after the said animal nearly mauled their infant son to death, allowed to keep their child?

I only come up with one answer: discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Something is WRONG with this picture.

Crush du Jour: Jesus Luz