Sunday, October 10, even as eight people were being arraigned in NY Court for brutal attacks on October 3rd on a gay man and two gay teenagers; NY Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino made serious anti-gay comments on a campaign swing through traditional Jewish sections of Brooklyn. Speaking at a synagogue in the Williamsburg area and a rabbinical college in Borough Park, Paladino preached that there is "nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual."

Paladino said in regards to being gay, "That's not how God created us and that's not the example that we should be showing our children." He further stated that children who later in life choose to marry people of the opposite sex and raise families would be "much better off and much more successful." He added "I don't want them to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option."

A multimillionaire from Buffalo, Paladino has not hid his objection to gay marriage and stated that if elected he would refuse to sign any legislation allowing same sex marriages. He also has previously chided his opponent, State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for participating in this summer's NY Gay Pride parade. Not surprisingly, Paladino refused to participate or support that parade. Paladino had to apologize earlier in campaign for sending racist and sexist campaign e-mails.

He did however say he did not condone violence against gays stating: "Don't misquote me as wanting to hurt homosexual people in any way. That would be a dastardly lie," he said. "My approach is live and let live."

GrumpyBear's assessment: Swell, he is willing to let gays live as second class citizens just not in his New York State.

Full story:
Paladino makes anti-gay remarks | NBC-WKTV News Channel 2 - Utica News, Weather, Sports - | New York State News

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Paladino appeared on ABC's GOOD MORNING AMERICA and on NBC's TODAY shows to defend his remarks on Sunday. He claimed that the comment about "nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual" was cut from his speech before he gave it, but synagogue members could not be contacted. He went on to state that he does not discriminate against gays in his personal or business life, and would consider hiring a gay in his administration. He even admitted he had a gay nephew and understood the discrimination his nephew faces.

He continued his objection to Gay Pride Parades with a description of marchers wearing "Speedos and grinding against each other." He also objected to children being exposed in anyway to gays or gay culture.

The most startling comment IMO was "I wanted to clearly distinguish that my feelings about homosexuality were no different than those of the Catholic Church. I'm a Catholic. ... I wanted to make it clear what my position was and I think I clearly defined it," Evidently, demonstrating that he will place the Vatican over the US Constitution.

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Did you see this, Grumps?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO5lFcVrWGk

Matt Lauer grills Paladino.

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Thanks, Keith. I had not seen the actual TODAY show interview, and was relying on news reports and transcripts. Interesting that he admitted he allows groups he is appearing before to make insertions into his speech such as the Jewish group. I know politicans tailor their speech for the group, but allowing other groups to advance their agenda as your views is not leadership material.

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