By Ed Oliver

Alan Keyes brought the voice of moral authority to the halls of the Statehouse last month.

The former Ambassador to the UN expressed outrage about the homosexual activism against children in our schools.

After energizing the crowd with his passionate defense of traditional American family values, the former UN Ambassador led a dramatic procession to Governor Cellucci's office to deliver a proclamation. 

Flanked by Brian Camenker of the Parents Rights Coalition and the throng singing "God Bless America," the pair were icily received by staff member Barbara Burke, who said the Governor "was not available" to meet with them.

In contrast to the Governor, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Fran Marini, displayed leadership and political courage when he took the podium to warmly welcome Ambassador Keyes as well as to voice his solidarity with the parents in the audience. He even invited Keyes afterward to visit the House chamber where Keyes was greeted with affectionate applause by the assembled legislators.

Marini stressed the importance of holding events like yesterday's rally because it brings the "voice of the people of Massachusetts" to legislators from both parties, who "are listening" and "want to stand up for what is right, our children and our families." He said the people of Massachusetts "know right from wrong and ultimately make the final decision."

After an introductory prayer to the event by Reverend John Ensor, beseeching the Lord to "expose teachings, which are secret" to the light of good people in the legislature, Brian Camenker reminded the crowd that the last century taught us what happens when governments lose their moral compass. "There is no end to where it leads," he said.

Talk Host Jeanine Graf of 96.9 FM gave a brief chronology of Fistgate, recalling her first reaction to the "triple X-rated tape" of the GLSEN Conference. "The state is sponsoring this? This is what we call a safe school program? This is supposed to be all about teaching our children not to commit suicide? Where are the doctors? The psychiatrists?" 

Attorney Chester Darling had the honor of introducing Alan Keyes to the audience. Darling is defending the Parents Rights Coalition members who were sued by homosexual lawyers for taping the controversial GLSEN Conference.

Regarding the snub by the Governor, Darling told Massachusetts News, "I'm on the Republican Town Committee in Andover. I held a sign on a pole for the Governor at the last election. I insisted today to  his aide that he at least extend some courtesy to a United Nations ambassador. We delivered the proclamation, and he could have at least come out and acknowledged the man. I think that is sandlot baseball. That is what he is in there negotiating, the Fenway Park deal. He could have taken a break for the ambassador."

The proclamation delivered to the Governor's office listed five demands:

• The $1.5 million which is used to indoctrinate the youth be removed from the state budget.
• The Governor's Commission for Gay and Lesbian Youth be disbanded.
• State Commissioner of Education David Driscoll be fired.
• An "opt-in only" Parents Rights bill be enacted.
• Public employee crimes against children at the March 25 Tufts Conference be investigated.