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Subscribe to RSSCarl Paladino's campaign just sent out an something of an apology for his recent comments.
It might be one of the weirder apologies ever: (By the way, he misspells President Barack Obama's name.)
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.
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Another A...hole being paid by a...holes. When is this country going to get leaders who have integrity, support their president, and stop living in fear. Our president needs help - just like DUBYA did from Cheney, Rove and the rest of the renegades who believed they owned the world, and used poor old George as their scapegoat.
Idiot. Our (your, not mine) president isn't for America.
How does someone like Paladino even get into the public arena? Does anyone----repeat ANYONE really think someone like this with such obtuse views of Americas needs should even be running, much less elected??? Talk about convoluted thinking----how did we come from eight years of almost having everything stolen from us (my 401k dropped 65%), homes lost, jobs lost, etc., to wanting more of the same, and it seems even worse. Seems like every nut case in America has come out of the woodwork to give us their version of whats best for our country, and the even nuttier conservative talk show hosts just love it, because they think that groups like the Tea Party legitimize and make right the rantings from them. We used to laugh at their extreme, and mostly not true views of what was good for America, but we are being duped as never before. When the Gingriches, Palins, Becks, etc of this world can spout hatred and give policy guidence for the masses, then most of what matters is lost to us. We have an honest President now who wants to help the common people for a change. Lets help him do it by voting in as many good Demos as we can. Do not fall for their rhetoric and lies about Obama, and don't think the Tea Party represents us angry Americans. All they represent is the hatred and bigotry for anything that is different from them and their lifestyles, if only they were honest enough to admit is. If you want a real revelation, try checking into the backgrounds and lifestyles of them, instead of believing our President is not a US citizen, of a Muslim, etc. That is a front lie for the real feelings which are "I am a Bigot. Remember its not who is right, its what is right !!!!
Ok, Carl...I'm a gay man and I was and am ready to accept your apology except for one major issue...#5 on your list.
I'm fine with you disapproving of gay marriage "based on your personal views".
What I'm not ok with is you or anyone else putting my and every other gay American's civil and constitutional rights to be treated fairly and equally under the law up for popular vote.
It is unfair, unconstitutional and un-American to think anyone has the right to vote on whether someone else has the same rights as they do!!
Our civil and constitutional rights are NOT your's to give or take!
Get that through your freaking heads already!
that may be true, but people also vote for their congressional representatives. ---- if those people in state and federal congresses pass legislation that opposes your point of view, then what ?? ---- and yet, that happens all too frequently. --- almost all of us can claim membership to some sort of minority group, and we all have to decide how to deal with what seems like an unfair situation, especially when people outside the group don't seem to understand our problems. ---- all a person can really do is struggle on the best you can, and hope for better times in the future ---- the alternative is to live a large chunk of your life feeling frustrated all the time.
one thing that congress could do to help unmarried couples is to reform the tax law. ---- atm, couples i know, are filing under head of household, which helps a little. ---- the other thing is to make people more aware of legal remedies such as power of attorney. ---- my brother and his partner did that, and have had no problems regarding hospital visitation, etc. ---- but that might not work equally well in all states.
You are what you are seems to be the buzzword....That's fine with me, but I don't need a parade and I don't have to reinforce my life choice by demanding this and yelling that. It seems most folks I talk to emphasize, how about keeping your views to yourself. I also am Catholic, and I don't preach my religion all over the place, but I do believe in a few basic philosophies. One is same sex marriages aren't my cup of tea. I just saw a documentary on the sufferings of adopted children in gay marriages. Seems its not all cut and dry. Seems this is an attempt to normalize and justify the event. I don't profess to be an expert or have all the answers, but I wonder what would happen to the Planet if all the species of mammals suddenly became Gay........I'm voting for Paladino based on Andy Cuomo and his Fathers Politics. That's my sole reason. I could care less what Paladino likes or dislikes. Time for a change.
Any of you ever paid a dime in NY State taxes?
You bet! I pay 10,000 dollars a year in property tax, and that's about average!! That's one of the biggest reasons I'm voting for Paladino!!!!
Unfortunately as governor he may have to deal with this social issue. If you knew the man, you would know that he got in to the race to address the fraud, and over taxation of the People of New York State.
IMHO...Tea Party people like Palladino and Palin will have very little affect on what happens in less than 30 days. The real Hope and Change will be delivered by those voters who are capable of making informed choices because they are capable of independent thought and want to see this country grow and become what it once was. These are people who simply want to restore "We the People" to the representation they send to Congress and have their voice heard again.
A man named Edmund Burke once said, " The only thing necessary for Liberty to fail, is for good people to do nothing". The parties need not worry about "getting out the vote" because the good people of this country will make that happen of their own free will.
Anyone running for governor of the great state of New York should know better *before* he reads such inflammatory and hateful remarks. I believe in forgiveness, but I don't believe in Paladino's assertions that he is an equality lover. Andrew Cuomo, you SO have my vote.
Found this from ancient Greek chronicle as it may help resolve the nature/nurture question. It precedes biblical references offered here so arguably supercedes Bible. "Yea I say unto the least of you, and in accordance to rites of age’s gone, the fairest nubiles from the shores of the Mediterranean were betrothed unto a caste of puritanical, conservative, Rigthtwingtites. So utterly revolted, and given to vomitus in the intimate presence of the Teabagtite Dolts, they fled the abhorrent men and sought refuge on an isle among their own and naming it Lesbliss, where they were happy, contenting themselves eagerly plowing the isle’s humid, mossy delta with Lingua Basium. And in ages since, it is said that if not begotten a Lesbisotites, one’s fondness can be driven to such a state owing to discountenance fromTeabagtite Tribesmen." From The Chronicles Of Lesbliss 500 BC
Pretty funny!
Who and what organization ever gave the rainbow homo's any rights
I never voted to let gay's have rights...I think Hitler had the right idea..just murdered millions of the wrong people...But he was a Biosexual..So I guess running on both sides of the fence is better?....Myself I love women..can't see playing with the same sex when you have the same organs...why not just play with yourself?....They are going to hell for what they do anyway so leave them alone I guess.
Maybe we ought apologizes to the islamics.
Even Funnier!! (except for the Hitler part).
Before I get "straight bashed" all you better lighten the F up!
Telling the truth and following what most people believe isn't the way to go in American politics. The main stream just doesn't speak out. someday they will.
The Paladino was never endorsing improper conduct against homo_exuals. He simply said it is wrong, which it is. Very wrong, and morally compromised. No one approves of harassment or molestation of the homo_exual group - however in many ways it is they who are the bullies. Forcing the normal people to accede to the warped perversions of homo marriage and the associated monstrosities of homo_exual adoptions and the fundamental deceipt which is foisted onto children in homo_exual households. Instead of getting a normal mother, they are presented with a homo_exual who pretends to be the mother. What a hideous deceit. Tricking children like that is one of the most horrendous things than can be seen. If you have ever seen it in real life, a confused child looking at a homo_sexual man who has taken on the role of "mother" you would know the horror of it. It really is appalling. Really really appalling. And they should not be allowed to do it. Not be allowed to do it. Should homo_exuals be safe parading around on Christopher Street ? Yes, absolutely. Should they be safe elsewhere ? Yes. The problem is that given sanctuary and a reasonable degree of tolerance and decent treatment by society, they then turn into bullies, bullies who push and push and push some of the worst possible perversions onto society, including onto children. Marriage is between men and women. Children are entitled to a normal mother, and not have to watch grown men kissing other men, and women kissing women. Come on. Once the game of making everyone "agree" that perversion is not perversion is over - it will not even be fun for the homo_exuals anymore. The collective conduct of the homo_exual "community" has become nothing less than abhorrent and hideous. And, the victims are not only Mr. and Mrs. Main Street, the victims include children. And, that is not acceptable. Not acceptable.
As a gay woman I am extremely offended by your comment. I am raising three successful, balanced, unbigoted, open-minded children. My oldest is a father and in college and my two youngest are still in high school and participating in sports and on the honor roll. Unlike alot of straight Christian America I have taught my children that no matter your color, your sexual orientation, your econonmic status, handicap, or whatever we are all the same. That they are to judge others on their actions, I have raised them not to condemn others (unlike you). You don't hear me say a straight couple is perverted when they hold hands, or kiss, or get married. You don't hear me calling straight america bullies because they shove their belief systems down my throat while they are telling me I should be set on fire, have my children taken from me, not be allowed to be a part of society because I don't love who they tell me I should love. I mean really? You are calling me a bully? You feel that you have the right to tell me how I should live me life, what I should be allowed to do, and what rights as an American citizen I should have and you are calling me a bully? Gay Pride parades are a celebration and are one of the few times we are allowed to walk hand in hand with our partner without having to worry about comiing to harm from someone who is straight and feels offended and feels that they have the right to beat on me for not doing as they say. And yes some people do get carried away but how many nights a week are straight people dirty dancing on the dance floor in a bar or somewhere? But yet that isn't perverted for children to see, nor is it perverted for children to see hetero sexual acts on the TV but it is a perversion for my children to see me hug and kiss my partner who has been a very awesome step-parent to them? I get so tired of straight people telling me how to live my life, who to love, what rights I can have while telling me what a bully and pervert I am for wanting the same rights as any other american citizen. To me you are the ones being bullies as you feel you have the right to tell me how to live my life, I don't see alot of the gay community saying how perverted it is to be straight. I am sure there is some, but really people walk a mile in our shoes, be treated as we have then wonder where the anger may come from.
taffinang,
Thank you, THANK YOU for your beautiful and eloquent response. I am also a gay woman, and your words nearly brought tears to my eyes. Your living example should be what speaks for all of us.
Huh? Does he think his chance of being elected is in jeopardy? Sure sounds that way.
Finally a politician that doesn't censor his thoughts trying to get the vote. Absolutely refreshing. I admire his candor . Come on...In the PC current state of society aren't we all hyprocrites for coming down on Carl Paladino?. You know that some of us have the same thoughts but being afraid or condemed in this PC climate we swallow our comments or outbursts. We are not perfect and the constitution guarantees us freedom of speech. So Carl , keep it coming. Personally, if you don't like me don't fake that you do. That also goes for my ethnicity or my sexual preference. He has my vote to clean up Albany.
Knowing the numb-nuts in this country he'll be elected by a landslide.
just listen to all the hatefull hatefull vile BIGOTED crap being spewed by you tolerant tolerant liberals!! LIBERALS ARE THE BIGGEST HYPOCRITES OF ALL!!!! If we still had any shred of a free society anyone should be entitled to their own opinions. TOLERENCE HAS TO GO BOTH WAYS - oh wait - liberals are running things
Crazy Carl translation: I will say anything anywhere anytime to get elected
Sounds like this guy ought to move to Arizona where I live. He'd just be another hater, like Russell Pierce (a Mormon from Mesa, AZ) and all the others who do nothing but promote hatred. We don't need him and neigher to those in New York. Keep this guy down on the farm where he can play with the animals.
ronpal...Yes they have but not with such a use of virulent language and with such frequency and magnitude from all members of The Party of NO....You are probably to young to remember when we has some sense of comprimise.Since the GOP and it's president got caught in the Watergate mess the Party of No lost all sense of civility
i am old enough to have heard plenty of vitriolic language from both sides, and since i don't like either party, i can clearly remember it in an unbiased manner. ----- let's put it this way --- i am old enough to remember eisenhower. ( i like ike )---- however, i also remember a time when our leaders were treated with a little more respect, but that started disappearing right around the late 60's, early 70's --- perhaps in conjunction with the anti-war protests.
this was all, of course, entirely predictable. ---- when bush was president, the hate speech in conjunction with him was embarrassing ---- i visit foreign comment threads once in awhile, and many of the folks i communicated with were shocked that so many would speak of their president with such lack of respect. ---- and i tried to tell people on newsvine -- "ok, have your fun now, but don't start complaining about it next time your guy is in office" ---- but of course, nobody listens, and here we are, wondering why there are so many hateful comments about obama.
I'd rather vote for JONATHON "THE IMPALER" SHARKEY
apologizes for what ,freedom of speech,if it offended anyone they didn't have to listen or can voice thier opinion
new world order harry - we better get use to it. Tolerance to the liberals means you better be on board with whatever we're jamming down your throat because if you dont we'll brand you a racist , a homophobe, sexist , zynophobe, child hater blah blah blah blah....
Sarah Palin without lipstick. This guy is as stupid as she is.
I am glad that I do not live in New York.
I am not "for" or "against" gays. At most, I am ambivalent about gays.
However, I think the candidate should be able to speak his mind. Once he has put forth his thoughts, why the hue and cry?
Why not just file it away in the back of your mind as, "something to remember, come election day."?
I don't live in New York, but if I did he would have just lost my vote. I'm sick of spineless "conservatives" that say something and then start apologizing for saying it because they are afraid to stand up to the Democrat's media storm. Say what you mean, and mean what you say, wimp.
I agree - better he should have stood behind his statement. Excuses are weak and in bad form. At the very least it was honest
He apologized and explained that he was reading from a script someone on his staff prepared for him. He didn't write it and has acknowledged that he doesn't agree with it. He's a good no nonsense politician who made a mistake in using a poor choice of words. Gays need to let it go. There are far more important issues facing the citizens than one remark that was misconstrued. Let's move on.
He also said that he had redacted parts of the speech, so either he can't read or chose not to redact those comments because that is his true feeling on the issue.