Are you an anti-LGBT conservative? Did you just sound like a homophobe? Then this piece is for you.

October 13, 2010

Hey, everyone- I’m stopping back in to have a little nostalgic fun with an earlier piece I did here, and with Carl Paladino

Cross-posted at my home blog, OpenLeft.com

By Adam Bink

So I haven’t written much about my fellow Buffalonian Carl Paladino and his ugly comments on sexual orientation, partly because I have to keep my blood pressure down. But his “apology” is just something I have to dismantle, because it just makes me roll my eyes at the same old story.

A week or so ago, I did a piece on these recent suicides anti-LGBT conservative responses to it, titled “Are you an anti-LGBT conservative? Are you worried about people questioning your role in anti-LGBT bullying? Then this piece is for you.“ In it, I wrote that there is a time-tested recipe for how they respond to such news. Example:

1 teaspoon each of the words “tragic” “appalling” and “heartbreaking”. Optional substitutions: “terrible” or “sad”. This will emphasize that you really do have a heart.

1/4 cup of compulsory “bullying is wrong”. Here’s [Chuck] Colson:

First, we must absolutely, positively condemn harassment and bullying in all of their ugly forms.

1/2 cup of trying to show that LGBT kids aren’t especially targeted.

Here’s Kathleen Parker:

Although Clementi was filmed with another man, one can imagine as easily a roommate spying on a heterosexual encounter.

Here’s Colson:

Cyber bullying is an equal-opportunity crime.

Here’s Maggie [Gallagher]:

…the cruelty of cyberbullying is causing teen suicides among those who are not gay, as well.

1 quart of “social media is really the problem, here- not homophobic kids or where they get their homophobia from.”

Here’s Parker (after discussing social media):

I don’t want to downplay the gay aspect of this travesty, but there isn’t space in a column to tackle everything.

Here’s Colson:

Teenagers have always intimidated and harassed other teenagers. And now with the advent of social media—Facebook, Myspace, Twitter—young people have a new way to abuse and torment each other. It’s called cyber bullying.

You get the idea.

Along comes Paladino, who says some disgusting homophobic comments. And surprise, surprise, he follows the same, tired, scripted recipe for the kind of apology everyone makes when they offend the gays. And so we have a recipe for “How an anti-LGBT conservative can make a seemingly heartfelt apology for homophobic comments”:

One tablespoon of blaming the media. Here’s Paladino:

I did also say some things for which I should have chosen better words. I said other things that the press misinterpreted and misstated.

One cup of “I really do support homosexual, er, gay rights!”

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

I am 100% against hate crimes in any form.

No word, of course, on whether he’s reversed his opposition to actual laws banning discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation, or opposition to hate crimes legislation.

One teaspoon of denial (however incorrectly stated). Paladino on the ABC’s “This Week”:

I am not a homophobic.

One quart of comparing yourself to someone the larger public thinks is “gay-friendly: (spelling aside)

My position on marriage is based on my personal views. I have the same position on this issue as President Barrack (sic) Obama.

One pint of naming lots of types of people to show you like everyone.

I am concerned with the future for all our citizens, gay, straight, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim and Agnostic.

Mix well, and voilà! You have a boilerplate written apology, radio interview, or TV appearance to show you’re not a raving homophobe.

Too bad no one believes you, Carl.

Filed under: Community/Meta,Right-wing

30 Comments Leave a Comment

  • 1. Lesbians Love Boies  |  October 13, 2010 at 2:30 am

    scibin

  • 2. Alan E.  |  October 13, 2010 at 2:38 am

    housing, credit, insurance benefits or visitation.

    and that's it. It sounds like he supports discrimination in all other areas, such as jobs, marriage (which I know he's against), bullying (or against anti-bullying programs supporting LGBT youth), etc.

  • 3. Alan E.  |  October 13, 2010 at 2:39 am

    This was immediately noticeable because there are already such protections in the state of NY.

  • 4. Ann S.  |  October 13, 2010 at 2:51 am

    yes, please

  • 5. Skemono  |  October 13, 2010 at 2:55 am

    When someone says that they doesn't believe gay people are equal to straight people, and doesn't want children to believe that either, how the hell could anyone buy that he's not a homophobe or that he somehow supports gay rights?

  • 6. Sagesse  |  October 13, 2010 at 2:56 am

    As I said on the previous thread

    “poorly chosen words.” The man’s an asshat.

    Paladino Apologizes for Remarks About Gays
    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/nyregion/13pala…

    And the ever-helpful Rabbis wrote his speech with him.

  • 7. adambink  |  October 13, 2010 at 3:02 am

    Exactly.

    I also think he left out employment because, as one of the largest employers in Western New York, he would like to be able to fire people who make him "squeamish".

  • 8. StraightForEquality  |  October 13, 2010 at 3:03 am

    Just subscribing for now….

  • 9. Kathleen  |  October 13, 2010 at 3:22 am

    also

  • 10. Rev. Will Fisher  |  October 13, 2010 at 3:29 am

    "I have the same position on same-sex marriage as President Obama…" A common refrain from homophobes. Sad.
    Some leadership from the White House, please…

  • 11. fiona64  |  October 13, 2010 at 3:34 am

    Isn't it too bad that the people who say that don't seem to understand that he views his position as a personal one and not a legal one, and does not support efforts to make same-sex marriage illegal?
    http://www.calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=6307

    Quote: That is why I support extending fully equal rights and benefits to same sex couples under both state and federal law. That is why I support repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, and the passage of laws to protect LGBT Americans from hate crimes and employment discrimination. And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states.

  • 12. Ronnie  |  October 13, 2010 at 3:58 am

    Put the lime in the coke you nut….& put em both together…put the lime in the coke you nut & shake em all up…. ; ) …Ronnie

  • 13. Kevin S.  |  October 13, 2010 at 4:07 am

    If only his actions backed up his words. Barack Obama has done nothing but fight gay rights ever since he got into office. I'll believe him once he finally does something positive – until then, he's just another lying politician.

  • 14. Anonygrl  |  October 13, 2010 at 4:33 am

    I don't often say things like this… but Paladino is a whackadoodle!

    He is attempting the Palinesque hypocrisy of blaming the media, but for those of us who saw the video, we know that there is no twisting that. He said it.

    Not to mention, you are a candidate for the highest office in the state. Someone hands you a speech. You a) don't bother to read it, just deliver it and trust that it is ok or… no, wait.. if that option is even on your plate, you are a nutjob who needs to be protected from yourself.

    Now, I realize that sometimes a politician has to trust that his speechwriter is doing a good job and just run with it, because of a time crunch, but even so, if you see phrasing in the speech as you are delivering it, and it is THAT inflamatory and against your actual beliefs, you stop reading the copy and saying those words and you punt. Because a politician who can only speak the words written down in front of him is of absolutely no use to me.

    But, since Paladino knew his audience, and knew their bent, and let THEM write the speech, we all know that his apologies were flat out, useless lies.

  • 15. Carpool Cookie  |  October 13, 2010 at 4:35 am

    As I posted in the earlier thread, In the article, he’s quoted in the NY Times as saying, “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.”

    How old is he at this point? How many different people and ideas has he been exposed to as an educated, well-traveled person?

    He’s just another bad apple who’s missed the boat.

  • 16. Anonygrl  |  October 13, 2010 at 4:41 am

    Which translates to "I will ask some spin doctors how to make it sound like what I MEANT was "gay pride parades! Fun for the whole family!" and hope that you people buy it."

  • 17. Carpool Cookie  |  October 13, 2010 at 4:43 am

    PS: I may just keep posting this from thread to thread until someone tells me how brilliant I am, and/or simply agrees.

  • 18. Carpool Cookie  |  October 13, 2010 at 4:44 am

    Oh! Someone responded!!! We can kiss that post GOODBYE….am on to bigger and better : )

  • 19. Mark M. (Seattle)  |  October 13, 2010 at 4:58 am

    Adam, you forgot to garnish it with:
    "I have a nephew who is Gay"

  • 20. Anonygrl  |  October 13, 2010 at 5:06 am

    I agree, you are brilliant! It is one of the many things we love about you.

    You are correct, he SHOULD be experienced enough at his age to handle these things. Sadly, he appears not to be.

    Can I mix a metaphor too and add that he is a wolf in the emperor's new clothes?

    :)

  • 21. Mark M. (Seattle)  |  October 13, 2010 at 5:18 am

    Truly one smart cookie!!!!
    :-)

  • 22. Richard A. Walter (s  |  October 13, 2010 at 5:21 am

    And what lies will he tell when he is caught with his own Rent Boy a la George Rekers?

  • 23. Ronnie  |  October 13, 2010 at 5:24 am

    "Oh he's just me new speech writer"….. ; ) …Ronnie

  • 24. Ronnie  |  October 13, 2010 at 5:25 am

    "my"…dang it..typo…oh gravel road…I hate when a typo ruins a pun… : ( ….Ronnie

  • 25. allen  |  October 13, 2010 at 5:27 am

    I thought that typo was intentional lol

  • 26. JonT  |  October 13, 2010 at 6:12 am

    again

  • 27. Carpool Cookie  |  October 13, 2010 at 6:13 am

    Oh thank you, all!

    "Can I mix a metaphor too and add that he is a wolf in the emperor’s new clothes?"

    Yes. And you may agree with me, that his feet of clay should be held to the fire.

  • 28. Rhie  |  October 13, 2010 at 7:04 am

    I swear the Far Right has the following written in a memo somewhere:

    "When caught in corner, blame the media. When that doesn't work, blame those smarter than yourself."

  • 29. Freddy  |  October 13, 2010 at 8:47 am

    Leadership? From the White House? Do you realize what you are asking for?

  • 30. adambink  |  October 14, 2010 at 12:18 am

    Oh right, that's a good one too. Let's ad a tablespoon of that.

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