The Gay Adoption Controversy

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Hi, I'm Bill O'Reilly.  Thank you for watching us tonight.

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The Talking Points Memo this evening is a No Spin look at the Rosie O'Donnell gay adoption controversy.  Let's take it step by step.

The primary objection to gay adoption is that it goes against nature, and that's true.  Nature dictates that the primary caregivers for children should be a man and a woman, the people who created the child.  That situation is undeniable.

Also undeniable is that homosexuality is an aberration, a departure from the normal state of nature.  Now, whether that aberration is morally wrong is impossible to state as fact.  In the consciousness of some, homosexuality is an acceptable alternative lifestyle.  But for others, it is sinful.  It depends on your belief system.

But since we live in a secular country where laws and policy are not based on religious beliefs, the immoral argument should not be a basis for banning gay adoption.  America is not Saudi Arabia, and the fact that only three states limit gay adoption —Florida, Mississippi, and Utah — tells us that a blanket rejection of gay adoption is certainly the minority view in this country.

That being said, there is no question that a child is better off in a mainstream home with responsible heterosexual parents.  Confusion is diminished, security heightened.  Kids need to feel as secure as possible in order to develop fully.

But in cases where children face a continuing merry-go-round of foster care as opposed to a stable home run by gays, a caring person must choose the latter.  The concern should always be for the child, not for any hatred of an alternative lifestyle.

There are obviously many good, caring people who are gay.  These people should not be rejected as adoptive parents by the state of Florida or anywhere else.

Now, for Miss O'Donnell, I respect her cause but strongly disagree with her methods.  There is no reason for her to define her sexuality in public.  She could have led her crusade without getting into what she does in her private life.  Does she have a right to — quote — "come out"?  Sure she does.  Is it a smart thing to do?  No.

From now on, many people will be judging Rosie O'Donnell.  Some will dislike her because she dropped her sexuality into the consciousness of children.  I really don't want to explain to a 7-year-old why Rosie called herself a dyke in a comedy club, OK?  I don't even want a 7-year-old to know what a dyke is.  Call me a Philistine, but kids should have a childhood free of sexual nuance.

The more famous people blab about what their sexual preferences are, the worse it is for society.

Rosie O'Donnell and every other American should just shut up about their sex lives.  It's dumb to define yourself by sex anyway.  O'Donnell is an Irish American woman, OK?  There's your definition.  This in-your-face sex stuff is all about power and acceptance.  Many gays believe their proclivities should be considered normal, but that will never happen because of the nature thing.

Should gays be denied the rights that other Americans have?  Definitely not.  They should be allowed to adopt and live their lives without harassment.  Should gays embrace discretion and privacy?  You bet they should.  The kids and everybody else would be better for it.

And that's The Memo.

The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day

Time now for "Most Ridiculous Item of the Day." 

And it's not ridiculous but informative.  Earlier this week, we did a segment on the widow of Pedro Czecko who was killed on 9/11 at the World Trade Center.  Because the woman was involved in a common law situation, her compensation by the federal government is in question.  But special master Kenneth Feinberg writes to us, "Based on the information provided on The O'Reilly Factor, the couple's three children should be eligible recipients.  We will review the family's individual circumstances.

Well, that is good news and not ridiculous at all.  We passed Mr. Feinberg's note along to the family's lawyer.

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