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Mary Kay LeTourneau is the daughter of the late John Schmitz, a rightist California politician of the 1960s and 1970s, who was also a devout Catholic opposed to the Vatican II inspired changes to his church. Despite his public positions against sex education and abortion and his traditionalist Catholicism, his political career ended when it was revealed that Schmitz, a married man and a part-time college professor, was having an affair with one of his students (who was of legal age for consensual sex).

Ms. LeTourneau's sexual liaisons were "cutting edge," as they involved sex with a minor. There is some irony to this situation, given her father's staunch, though hypocritical, social conservatism. Cases like hers may be used by the Left, to topple existing laws forbidding sex with minors. Rest assured that pornographers and homosexuals will use their influence and money to bring about the abolition of such statutes.

Even many liberals oppose pederasty. Laws abolishing the criminal sanctions against this activity would not be approved, even by the legislatures of Massachusetts and California. However, given another two or three Ruth Bader Ginsbergs to the Supreme Court and a hundred or so liberals to lower Federal courts and a widespread campaign by the liberal media casting a "new light" on this perversion, it could occur. Perhaps Ms. LeTourneau could pose as a martyr for this cause.

For those who say that "it can't happen here," let me remind you of recent history. Who would have thought in 1990 that homosexual marriage would make the progress it has? In 1980, few would have believed the "F-bomb" and nudity would be commonplace on television. Would someone who lived in the relatively wholesome atmosphere of the 1940s or 1950s believe that the most lurid pornography would be a mouse-click away and that "adult" book stores would be plentiful on off-ramps of Interstates, even in the Bible Belt?

Be afraid, be very afraid. But stand up for decency and morality as well.