Quarterbacking the Noblest Sport in the World - David Keith

Monday I had lunch with a dear friend. You may have seen him in An Officer and a Gentleman, Firestarter, Heartbreak Hotel, Law and Order or in any of hundreds of roles – David Keith is an actor. But this week he was a man with a cause and a steadfast conviction – The National Organization to PROTECT Children.

David is the epitome of the Alpha Male, never content to passively support a cause, but by definition, the sheer allure of his personality garners others to follow. Watch his PROTECT presentation; hear his plea and you too will sign on the dotted line. Sure I’ve heard of child porn and molestation, but I never thought of it as a mom and pop business, have you?

According to recent statistics, the level of child porn in the USA today is astounding. Even babies in diapers are tortured and raped! Some people pimp homemade pornographic movies of their children for others to download. I had no idea this kind of stuff was going on much less rampant. I had no idea that there were “How To” manuals to introduce or coax children into this hell on earth. I had no idea that these sadistic minds produced videos narrated by children telling pedophiles how to abuse them and not get caught. I had no idea that nearly a million people fed on this filth.

David is working to change the laws in our country to protect children. He is working to assist law enforcement and special task forces already in place to secure what they need to bring these horrific criminals to justice. Members of Congress have responded, led in part by Senator Joe Biden with bipartisan support because they heard the call by constituents, teachers, counselors, local and state law enforcement, and even Oprah to help PROTECT Children.

Legislation in over 30 states gives preferential treatment to sexual predators who “grow their own victims.” PROTECT has overturned these laws in 6 states, and even in California where the budget deficit is staggering, David convenienced Governor Schwarzenegger to find the money for the PROTECT child rescue programs.

Yes, one person can make a difference and everyone should try. At a corner table in an Irish pub on the Capitol corridor, David and a PROTECT staffer sat down with agents from the FBI and ICE asking what they needed to do their job. Authorities could only investigate 2% of the thousands of known crime scenes. The PROTECT Act of 2008 was the largest crime bill in Congress, naysayers snickered. Two years later PROTECT became the law of the land. More children are being rescued, more pedophiles are receiving longer sentences, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. “Aggressive fighting for the right,” Teddy Roosevelt said, “is the noblest sport the world affords.”

I’m becoming a member of PROTECT and so can you http://www.protect.org. I am also helping David, Tennessee Titan Coach Jeff Fisher, Martina McBride, Sony BMG president Joe Galante and a few others with a fundraiser in Nashville. David always dreamed of being a UT quarterback, well now he’s gotten a bigger gig quarterbacking the noblest sport in the world. It's a starring role and one he was destined to play. Go David!

Please help David Keith and PROTECT spread the word through your blogs, emails and organizations. You are welcome to use any of this post. I greatly appreciate your assistance.