SLIME AND PUNISHMENT


There's been a lot of deserved frustration with the Obama administration and Democrats in general by LGBT activists, as 21 months after the President took office, the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy and the federal Defense of Marriage Act still exist, thanks in no small part to what some believe is Obama's reticence to take executive action on equality.  There are definitely those who wish to punish the President and the Democrats in a few weeks as a result of less than speedy action on the issue, particularly in reversing Bush's executive orders.

To those who wish to do so, allow me to interject some perspective this morning on what the alternative to the Democrats will be.

The Republican candidate for governor, Carl P. Paladino, told a gathering in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Sunday that children should not be “brainwashed” into thinking that homosexuality was acceptable, and criticized his opponent, Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, for marching in a gay pride parade earlier this year. 

Addressing Orthodox Jewish leaders, Mr. Paladino described his opposition to same-sex marriage. 

“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,” he said, reading from a prepared address, according to a video of the event. 

And then, to applause at Congregation Shaarei Chaim, he said: “I didn’t march in the gay parade this year — the gay pride parade this year. My opponent did, and that’s not the example we should be showing our children.” Newsday.com reported that Mr. Paladino’s prepared text had included the sentence: “There is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual.” But Mr. Paladino omitted the sentence in his speech. 

As slow as the Democrats may be proceeding forward on equality and civil rights, they are proceeding forwards.   The Republicans will most certainly not.  Something to keep in mind for those who wish to withhold their votes this year to punish the Democrats over their lack of winning the battle yet.