An outsider's view of CPAC: the gay issue

  Many reports, excited, disturbed and thrilled, have been blowing out of CPAC, the conservative convention held in DC this weekend. 
  Several issues have emerged as trends in the conservative movement, one the issue of homosexuality and the conservative movement.
  Traditionally, the Democrat party has been the home of gays; it will remain the home of militant gays.
  But for patriotic folks like the Hillbuzz guys and Tammy Bruce who love this country and its traditions and respect the viewpoints and religious beliefs of others, a sea change has occurred. These people have shifted their allegiances to conservative organizations. This is why Breitbart and Coulter have welcomed conservative gays into the party.
  In fact, Breitbart put on a huge party for GOProud which was the event of the weekend, according to reports.
  More than a kerfuffle has erupted over this issue, particularly when Chris Barron of GOProud uttered a slur against a popular hardworking conservative who didn't accept his point of view on an issue. 
  In addition, for some reason as yet unknown, Tammy Bruce has resigned her position on the advisory board of GOProud.
  From Red State, which has been consistently critical of GOProud:

What started out as a merely edgy move by CPAC’s organizers, including a self-proclaimed gay conservative organization, quickly mushroomed out of control after a disastrous and intemperate interview given by GOProud Board Chairman Chris Barron and Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia to Washington’s gay and lesbian magazine Metro Weekly.

  In addition, just by virtue of including GOProud in the GOP tent, Joseph Farah has gone ballistic over Sarah Palin's stand on homosexuality and the GOP. From WND (which, admittedly, tends to get hysterical and one issued): 

Do you think it's appropriate to condone, even affirm, sinful behavior and the destruction of a God-ordained institution like marriage? 

Do you think the U.S. military is a good place to conduct social experimentation? 

Do you think homosexual activist voices are not getting a sufficient hearing in our media and culture today and need one inside the conservative movement?

  Saving Western Civilization does not necessarily mean that gay marriage is antithetical to the cause. 
  While Christian and Catholic churches should never be forced to participate or involve themselves with issues they consider anti-religious, such as being forced to hire those of opposite religion or belief or being forced to join homosexuals in matrimony, one has to realize that the culture is changing.
  Years ago it was "acceptable" to discriminate against blacks; now it is realized how wrong that was. 
  Many of today's young people simply do not see gay marriage/civil unions the way many older religious people do.
  Indeed, it's really hard to see why two committed people cannot have the right to legally determine medical treatment for their partner in a medical crisis. Commitment is the bedrock of many conservative stands. 
  This issue is a culturally divisive one; there are several aspects of the homosexual community that disturb conservatives. 
  One aspect is the militant behavior of many gays regarding the education of young children regarding a lifestyle considered objectionable by many families. Why should the state have authority over that? Who is determine the "correct" curriculum?
  Parents have every obligation to fight using their own taxpayer dollars to brainwash the upcoming generation.
  Another concern is that, nose under the tent, the gay lobby in the conservative movement will evolve into characters akin to Andrew Sullivan or David Brock, both former "conservatives" who are today vicious and erratic in their attacks on conservatives. Wolves in sheeps' clothing, one suspects they were never representative of conservative ideals, but rather like Arianna Huffington, will desert to whatever side offers the most personal benefits and wealth when opportunity presents itself.
  The truth is that true conservative principles are so deeply embedded in someone's being that to turn on those principles is inconceivable. Once you're there, really there, it's impossible to turn away. 
  That does not mean that conservatives have to accept a militant gay lobby's influence on their movement. 
  We don't.
  But to reject someone who shares the same viewpoints and whose primary difference is just being gay is something most younger people will not tolerate. In addition, to be conservative does not necessarily mean you have a religious viewpoint that rejects that choice/lifestyle.
  We are not God, and, after all, this is just politics. 
  Emily Dickinson:

I never saw a Moor --
I never saw the Sea --
Yet know I how the Heather looks
And what a Billow be.

I never spoke with God
Nor visited in Heaven --
Yet certain am I of the spot
As if the Chart were given --