John Morgan, over at The Pennsylvania Progressive has an excellent post about Carl Paladino’s recent honesty surrounding his dislike of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender folks. A worthwhile read for sure, so check it out. Also linked below is a blog post about Paladino’s questionable apology. First Morgan’s post:

I’m sorry you have no compassion for all the LGBT youth who are bullied, tormented, assaulted and killed every year simply for who they are.  Perhaps if we lived in a world where dangerous bigots were held to this despicable conduct you might understand.

I think the world of John Morgan, and I can’t say emphatically enough how valuable it is to have someone like him writing about progressive issues here in Pennsylvania. If you don’t read the blog on a regular basis, you are missing so much.

via The Pennsylvania Progressive:: Mr. Paladino’s Bigotry.

But on to Carl Paladino. The crazy guy who could end up as the next governor of New York.  I thought I might say that he makes even Tom Corbett look like a better choice, but that isn’t true. Corbett isn’t crazy, just dangerous for civil liberties and equal rights because of how smart he is, and for what he stands for- not for insanity.

Carl Paladino Softens Remarks on Homosexuality, but Says Children Can Be ‘Brainwashed’

This is supposed to be a softened remark? Give me a break. It is the same hate mongering we get from the National Organization for Marriage, or the American Family Association of Pennsylvania. Protect the kids from the scary and dangerous homosexuals! Here is what he had to say:

“I just think my children and your children would be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family, and I don’t want them brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option — it isn’t,” said Paladino, who has a reputation for being frank to the point of volatility. (emphasis added by me)

Neither of these comments are vague or open to much interpretation. Many are picking up mostly on the marriage comment, but the other is the one most bothering to me. It illustrates beautifully, why Tea Party candidates, even when they try to pass themselves off as fiscal conservatives are actually pushing a deeper social far right agenda.

Like any politician, his handlers tried to pull him back from the honesty, and he released an apology:

I am Carl Paladino, a father, a husband, a builder and a business owner. I am neither perfect, nor a career politician. I have made mistakes in this campaign – I have made mistakes all my life- as we all have. I am what I am – a simple man who works hard, trusts others, and loves his family and fears for the future of our State.

Yesterday I was handed a script. I redacted some contents that were unacceptable. I did also say some things for which I should have chosen better words. I said other things that the press misinterpreted and misstated. I sincerely apologize for any comment that may have offended the Gay and Lesbian Community or their family members. Any reference to branding an entire community based on a small representation of them is wrong. My personal beliefs are:

1) I am a live and let live person.

2) I am 100% against discrimination of any group. I oppose discrimination of any kind in housing, credit, insurance benefits or visitation.

3) I am 100% against hate crimes in any form.

4) I am in support of civil agreements and equal rights for all citizens.

5) My position on marriage is based on my personal views. I have the same position on this issue as President Barrack Obama. I have previously stated I would support a referendum by New York voters. I have proposed Initiative and Referendum so New Yorkers can decide important issues like this.

6) The portrayal of me as anti-gay is inconsistent with my lifelong beliefs and actions and my prior history as an father, employer and friend to many in the gay and lesbian community.

I am concerned with the future for all our citizens, gay, straight, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim and Agnostic. Although I am not perfect I do admit my mistakes. I will reach out to leaders of the gay community to educate me on how to better represent my support for the rights of all citizens. If elected as your governor I will stand and fight for all gay New Yorkers rights. I ask you for forgiveness on my poorly chosen words and the publication by others not involved with our campaign of unredacted script that did not reflect my oral statement or match my personal feelings. Please go to my website www.paladinoforthepeople.com to learn more detail about the issues including my staunch support for civil rights for all New Yorkers.

For me the 2 biggest laughs in the apology are his talking point #3 and #6.  #6 is a no brainer. All you have to do is read his words and it is clear that the label of anti-gay is right on the money. But #3 is for the big laughs. Have you ever heard anyone say that they are for Hate Crimes?  What is being against hate crimes mean? What type of action will his “againstness” create?  Note he didn’t say he was for protections from hate crimes. He didn’t say he was for Hate Crimes legislation.

I forgot about the laugh in talking point #4. He is opposed to Gay Marriage, but he is for the Equal Rights of all citizens. That means that he doesn’t consider Marriage a “rights” issue.

If the battle for Equality is to keep moving forward, we must do everything in our power to stop anyone who espouses such viewpoints.

And then, there was the comment about Gay Pride being disgusting…..