NY Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Carl Paladino Anti-Gay Remarks

NY Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino has made his views on homosexual lifestyle and gay marriage clear. Paladino does not support gay marriage. Does that make Paladino's comments 'anti-gay' and Paladino himself 'homophobic'? Are Paladino's words being manipulated by AOL and other news sources, to present him as anti-gay? Are Paladino's comments 'hate comments' or do they simply present his party platform stance on gay marriage. Here are several of the comments, Paladino has made, in speeches. You decide.

AOL news quotes Paladino on a speech to the Jewish orthodox community, 'children should not be "brainwashed" into believing homosexuality is an acceptable way to live.' AOL goes on to quote a portion of Paladino's written speech "There is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual." Note that Paladinos didn't even use that comment in his speech. This comment was lifted from a copy of his speech and never uttered in public.

AOL quoting the NY Daily News accuses Paladino of 'slamming' his opponent Andrew Cuomo for marching in a gay pride parade. This is Paladino's 'bashing' comment: 'That's not the example that we should be showing our children'.

Last comment under fire (New York Times) 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,"

AOL News inserted irrelevant comments about Carl Paladino's religious background as a Catholic. AOL News also drew connections between Paladino's remarks and the Latin Kings Goonies gang's anti-gay attacks trial. Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto needs to reread the definition of 'homophobia'; 'fear of homosexuals'. Has the term 'homophobic' been misused and over-used? Does opposition to gay marriage constitute 'anti-gay hate remarks' and 'homophobia?

We want our politicians to state their party platform agenda and fault them when they don't. Are Carl Paladino's remarks 'anti-gay' or simply his views as candidate for governor? Where do first amendment freedom of speech rights enter in? Or is speech only free as long as someone is saying what we want to hear? And does intense media attention on 'anti-gay remarks' actually detract attention from real anti-gay, hate crimes and homophobia- brutality, sodomization, torture and suicides like Tyler Clementi, caused by cyber-stalking and bullying?