Comments on: Gay war vet presses candidate on gays in the military

By: OhioDemGuy, Westerville OH

OhioDemGuy, Westerville OH — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:19:18 +0000

Mark in Birmingham, AL the comment you made about not wanting to live 24 hours a day with gay men because your worried they'll check you out is absolutely the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Do you honestly think a gay man joins the military to check you out? NO, they are there to serve their country just like you are. Not every gay person is a perve contrary to what the republicans want you to believe, just like not every hetero is a perve. Your comment once again proves how narrow minded those in the republican party truely are. If you are so uncomfortable about the situation, maybe your questioning your own sexual orientation. I happen to have many gay friends and they are the most loyal friends you could ever have, it never crosses my mind to think "Oh god I hope their not checking me out, that's sick." They are just like anyone else human.

By: Mark, B'ham., Al.

Mark, B'ham., Al. — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 10:27:15 +0000

As a 20 year retired Navy Vet., I do not want to live 24 hours a day with a gay man in my berthing, my shower, and my latrine. That is like putting hetero men and women in the same berthing. They are going to check you out. If they say they are not go to check outtheir shipmates they lie better than lawyers and politiciians. If they allow gays to serve openly the only way it will work is to have seperate berthing, showers, and latrines or give the hetrosexuals the privilage of checking out the opposite sex they are attracted to by coed showers and berthing. The civilains in this blog do not understand that you do not just work with them and then go home to the privacy of your home, you have to live in close quarters 24 hours a day for months at a time.

By: dustin st.charles mo

dustin st.charles mo — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:01:46 +0000

the point some of you people are missing is that cnn flew this guy in to ask his question. if he was just someone who sent in a video then i could understand the oversight but if they took the time to book this guys flight and pay for it you,im sorry i, would think they would check his background. think about if the dems had the courage to debate on foxnews and someone on a committe for gulliani asked a question how do you think the media would have reacted? i can tell you this it wouldn't have been swept under the rug and treated as a honest mistake.

By: Tom W - Dedham, Mass

Tom W - Dedham, Mass — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:28:57 +0000

This bears repeating as NONE of you sheep can answer the question as you know it is the truth.

Maybe that's why you are voting for Hillarity.

"IF this guy was part of someone's Republican campaign and this debate was on Fox, all you progressives would have no problems with ANY question that they asked, correct?"

By: Just a suggestion out here

Just a suggestion out here — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:23:20 +0000

Who cares! It was a question that needed to be asked! If I were a republican I think twice before voting for any of those guys. They are out to strip women of their rights and start a tidal wave on the gay community. Vote Democrat.

By: Veronica Bloom, Jacksonville, FL

Veronica Bloom, Jacksonville, FL — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:21:32 +0000

it does not really matter who he works for, it was a VALID question.

By: Paul Markarian Tampa, Florida

Paul Markarian Tampa, Florida — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:28:10 +0000

It is obvious that CNN is still the Clinton News Network. Not only is the general involved in the Klinton Kampaign, he is a high ranking member at that. CNN threw softball questions to the Democrats posed by Democrat supporters with one possible exception. While it was Democrat supporters asking questions delibertly slanted to make the Republicans look bad. YOUR NETWORK IS A FRAUD!

By: Tom Dedham, Mass

Tom Dedham, Mass — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:33:58 +0000

IF this guy was part of someone's Republican campaign and this debate was on Fox, all you progressives would have no problems with ANY question that they asked, correct?

Yeah, and there's this bridge.

At last count the amount of supposed "undecided" debate voters who have proven ties to Democrats is up to 5, but the day is still young.

By: Jan Toledo OH

Jan Toledo OH — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:58:49 +0000

How do you plant a question when they had thousands of questions to choose from. People, let's get real

By: AP, Boston, MA

AP, Boston, MA — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:04:40 +0000

actually the man isnt even a general he is a colonel!! The Brig. General apparently was an honorary title given at retirement.

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=23698

By: HEHEHE

HEHEHE — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:54:42 +0000

Screw you CNN. Even if you don't post a single post contrary to your agenda, we all know you're not a real news agency, and that you're just a bunch of useful idiots for the socialist Hillary Clinton and the rest of the far left commie facist controllers of the now defunkt democrat party. And the last laugh is on you, by all of us who don't need morons like you to tell us what to think. Have a nice day

By: Candace

Candace — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:41:20 +0000

Shame on the General for allowing himself to be a cheap useful idiot for the clinton campaign in more of their shady shenanigans. And shame on him again for living a lie for 43 years rather than coming out of the closet. He is not the upstanding citizen everyone is whining he is, he is dishonest.

By: LQ, ROCHESTER MN

LQ, ROCHESTER MN — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:46:40 +0000

Shame on those audience members who booed the general.

By: Allan Camden, SC

Allan Camden, SC — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:06:58 +0000

I am simply amazed that so many people automatically assume that 1) Hillary planted the question and 2)CNN was taking sides. Who cares? The question was totally valid, needed to be asked and answered (it wasn't), and if I have any complaint about the debate it was that three of the candidates got most of the talking time. WHY? If anything, more pointed questions should have been used? We are talking about leadership of the – supposedly – leader of the free world. Who cares about the Red Sox/Yankees in this context? Or about pearls and diamonds? And the next time, don't apologize for using a valid question. I am irritated by all the comments assuming the question was planted, and somewhat disappointed in CNN.

By: Confused Cape Coral FL

Confused Cape Coral FL — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:45:54 +0000

Has anyone considered the possiblity that this veteran did this on his own initiative? Is he still working for the Clinton campaign? Even if he is, that does not lessen his right to speak out and express his own opinion independently of his committment.

By: its obvious

its obvious — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:43:22 +0000

Nick, Atlanta, Ga

he SERVED on the committee of a gay rights orginization that doesnt mean he works for clinton. they are preety far removed from eachother especially because of one little fact....hes a republican...yes a gay republican...

By: Steve in SC

Steve in SC — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:43:13 +0000

First of all this broke the CNN format. Why did that happen unless to embarass the repubs! Will CNN allow something like this to happen during a Dem debate? They haven't yet will be not in the future! CNN, you just got busted for your bias!

By: Joe, Boston, MA

Joe, Boston, MA — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:59:04 +0000

Who cares if he works for Hillary's campaign? Since when does that mean that a question cannot be asked? That is ludicrous. When Bennett mentioned that last night I couldn't believe it.

So this means that Republicans are only suppose to receive questions from Republican voters? That's not democracy folks!

I actually think CNN should have allowed the questions that some of the democratic candidates put up on youtube to the republican candidates.

Also, I thought the debate was pathetic. No questions about healthcare, education, etc. It only focused on the one topic that republicans are drooling over...immigration.

Once again the republicans get away without telling us what they would do with domestic IMPORTANT issues.

By: spinstopper

spinstopper — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:48:24 +0000

Why did CNN substitute this non issue question for the one on Health Care reform?

By: Finished with Hillary

Finished with Hillary — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:46:20 +0000

I felt a deep sympathy for Gen. Kerr when he presented his case at the Republican Debate last night.

This morning, I learn that he is another Hillary Clinton plant.

I now feel that I have been manipulated once again by this Clinton tactic, and I have determined that there are absolutely no circumstances which will allow me to vote for Hillary.

I will not be lied to or manipulated by a candidate that is in office to serve the American people.

This is the last straw with Hillary. I am finished.

By: Heather, Chicago IL

Heather, Chicago IL — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:44:14 +0000

Well, as further odd coincidence for the evening – did anyone notice that the guy who asked the last question of Ron Paul ALSO asked a question in the democratic youtube debate? out of those thousands of submissions, this guy gets to ask two over two debates?

this debate was just as fixed as the rest of them. But instead of being a Hilary love-fest, it was a Huckabee love-fest. Yawn.

By: joseph, austin,tx

joseph, austin,tx — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:26:31 +0000

as a christian I could care less if your gay, just dont be mad that I think its icky. i cant believe they booed this man, that is just flat out wrong. his service outways his sexual orientation in my book.

By: David, Gilbert Arizona

David, Gilbert Arizona — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:22:20 +0000

I didn't have a problem with the initial question posed by the brigadier general. What got me most is that CNN invited Mr. Kerr to personally attend the debate and asked him, live on camera, whether or not his question had been answered. Mr. Kerr took the opportunity to make his own speech that lasted longer than the answers given by the republican candidates. It became pretty obvious that the general was grand standing.

It doesn't surprise me that the liberal left would plant someone to futher and agenda most Americans disagree with. It does surprise me that of all the people who asked questions it was the plant who CNN asked to personally attend the debate.

By: demwit

demwit — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:18:40 +0000

President Clinton OK'd that policy. Why would a Clinton plant be against it??

By: Coy Slavik

Coy Slavik — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:17:09 +0000

The fact that Kerr, who works for Hillary Clinton campaign, was allowed to not only pose a question via YouTube but also live at the debate without CNN doing any background check on him shows how much of a joke CNN is. One word CNN: "Google."

By: MC- Atlanta,GA

MC- Atlanta,GA — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:39:36 +0000

the audience booed Him!???

this man gave 43 years of his life to his country and all they can do is boo him for being gay?

This is disgusting and reprehensible and just goes to show the frat boy mentality of the Republican party these days.

By: Walt, Belton, TX

Walt, Belton, TX — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:52:04 +0000

I'd be happy to serve as President of general Kerr's Courts Martial Board.

By: Steve in Charlotte

Steve in Charlotte — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:49:11 +0000

I was an officer in the US Army for 5 years and two deployments to Iraq... I would have NO PROBLEM serving with an openly gay or lesbian soldier. I am more concerned with whether a soldier knows how to do his or her job rather than their sexual orientation. This is why I don't like Republicans, I can't stand bigoted people. Right now there are homosexuals serving in the military, and that other service members know about their lifestyle, and they DONT CARE AS LONG AS THEY CAN DO THEIR JOBS.

Funny how some people seem also seem to think that homosexuals don't make good soldiers (kind of similar to the way some bigots thought black people would not make good soldiers a long time ago). Remember a guy named Alexander the Great? He was bisexual. He also conquered most of the ancient world and kept his army together for years on the march. Sounds like a good soldier to me.

By: Brian Walker

Brian Walker — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:20:38 +0000

Finally someone mentions free speach. Anyone can ask a question. It doesn't matter if a republican asks a democrat, or a democrat asks a republican. If it is a valid question, it should be asked. It would appear then that no one would complain if it the same question was asked by someone else of equal rank then?

By: Tevin, Raleigh, NC

Tevin, Raleigh, NC — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:45:14 +0000

The response to this question was sickening! The booing was unacceptable! I'm so sick of bigotry. It's a shame the Republican party stands behind such ignorance!

By: Tom H, Palm Valley, FL

Tom H, Palm Valley, FL — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:37:44 +0000

I think CNN is a bit biased to the Dems just as Fox is to the Repubs. Allowing someone of a rival's political advisory committee to ask a question is a bit overboard, and then continuing to let him rant in the audience was severely discrediting to CNN. That said, his question was a good one and viewers were given good insight into certain candidates position on the subject or in Mitt Romney's case, lack of any position.
CNN has a chance here to emerge as a premiere and honest news agency, if they quickly and loudly admit to the error and even go so far as to rebuke Kerr for knowingly plant himself.

By: Michael Wales, Fort Morgan, CO

Michael Wales, Fort Morgan, CO — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:53:11 +0000

It seems to me that the "planted question" is a question that was correctly planted.

If the hopefuls for the Presidency cannot answer the questions posed by ANY American (let alone one with Kerr's service record) than does that candidate deserve to lead our nation?

By law employers cannot discriminate against any individual based on race, sexuality or religion, except for the United States Military. Why the double standard, land of opportunity?

By: Dan Miller, Lewiston Idaho

Dan Miller, Lewiston Idaho — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:49:57 +0000

I'm tired of hearing of the gay and lesbian issues. Do you really think that the majority of Americans are concerned about that. When do we start working on real issues. Why does this subject take so much time on the national news especially on CNN. How about talking about what concerns American families instead of garbage. All CNN proved by giving this guy a microphone and time was that they wanted to put the republican candidates on the spot. Looked like a setup job to me. CNN is as liberal as FOX is conservative. What about reporting unbiased news for a refreshing change!!!

By: quyen tran, rosemead, ca

quyen tran, rosemead, ca — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:10:36 +0000

gay or not gay, those people who serve in the military have a job to do, to protect the country. gay or not its their own personal rights and style of life. if you are gay or not you should keep it to your self.

By: Ginger

Ginger — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:07:49 +0000

Not that I had much left, but I think I've lost all respect for Mitt Romney. If this was a question regarding prayer he would have said "yeah, all for it"...but what about Muslim students who pray in school he'd say that was a "distraction" or cause "moral problems." If you're old enough to be in the military, you're old enough to be a grown up and suck it in that not everybody agrees with you.

By: Michael Graham Iowa

Michael Graham Iowa — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:47:55 +0000

it is stuff like this that makes me want to go somewhere else for my "news".

By: Karen Illinois

Karen Illinois — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:46:51 +0000

I am getting tired of the blatant campaigning that CNN does. Stick to the News and stay out of politics.

By: Shannon NY

Shannon NY — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:45:38 +0000

Why does CNN even get to do a debate? all they do is muck it up. Why not have some sort of journalist or someone who isn't a sell out moderate? Anderson Cooper I am sure gets a check from the Hillary Campaign. I really can't believe that CNN is so incompetent that they wouldn't know the background of the brig. gen. the question is why was he the only one in the audience and why did he get extra time? also I am glad they talked about the stars and bars instead of spending more time on something important.

By: Dave,Immenstadt:Germany

Dave,Immenstadt:Germany — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:35:32 +0000

What difference does it make whom Mr.Kerr supports or works for?He presented a legitimate question to a topic that is just idiotic.The arguments that some in the miltary have used against having gay and lesbians serve are ridiculous.It brings back memories of arguments against having women serve in certain combat roles. I speak from experience.I served in the Air Force during the 80's as a security specialist. At the time women were also banned from this career choice.The arguments were the same as they are now concerning homo-sexuals.The policy changed-women were given the go ahead to become security specialist.The first arrived in our unit.The reaction was:"what on earth was the big deal all about?" My point is we now have female fighter pilots-openly homo-sexual elected public office holders.Yet some in the military and Republican politicians still kling to their old hat arguments about gays in the military.How grown people decide to lead their personal lives is nobodies business.It's time to move on to more pressing problems facing our nation.Gays should also have the right to serve their country also if they so choose.

By: Wayne, Williamsport, PA

Wayne, Williamsport, PA — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:01:53 +0000

Regardless of whether or not the question was planted by Hillary Clinton, this question shows the great divide in our country and the need for a leader who will bring this country together. It amazes me that most of the Republican candidates (with the exception of Ron Paul) favor a continuing presence in Iraq, but seem so staunchly opposed to gays and lesbians serving openly in the military and serving our country. Let's get real and stop worrying about the boogyman in the closet and bring back freedom in America!

By: Jason, Twin Falls, ID

Jason, Twin Falls, ID — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:52:43 +0000

Hey Nick, the last time I checked this is the USA and we do have freedom of speech. He's a registered voter, he has a right to ask any candidate a question regardless of party affiliation. CNN you need to be harder on these candidates like you are with the dems.

By: Christine, Hamilton MA

Christine, Hamilton MA — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:51:13 +0000

Hmmmmmm.....my goodness, CNN. How surprising!! From what Bill Bennett said, he was being plastered with emails as soon as the gentleman spoke up. Maybe you'd like to hire a few dozen of Bill's friends to do the crackerjack work of spotting a plant. No embarrassing apologies later!

By: Ryan, Chicago, IL

Ryan, Chicago, IL — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:42:28 +0000

It was stunning moment to have not only the Republican candidates dismissing a former GENERAL, but to have an audience booing a man calling for the most basic of civil rights.

The same exact–literally word per word– fallacious and bigoted arguments were made when some brave individuals demanded blacks be allowed to serve in the military.

Congratulations to the General!

By: Tim, Washington, D.C.

Tim, Washington, D.C. — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:41:10 +0000

Wow, class act by the Republican audience members booing a retired general.

"Support Our Troops – Until They Speak Their Minds"

By: Surri

Surri — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:32:50 +0000

The supposed Republican woman in the "post-game analysis show" who said she decided to vote for Edwards after the debate is also likely a plant. Any Republican with a working brain would NEVER go from Republican to as far left as Edwards, unless they had brain damage from some accident or some mind control drugs with programming by a lib.

By: Rick, Knoxville TN

Rick, Knoxville TN — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:21:54 +0000

Looks like Kerr fell on a political grenade for CNN and Hillary. It's obvious that he was a plant and that CNN was complicit in the act. Cooper of all people should know who this guy is. Was it coincidence that he was the only questioner in attendance? I think not.

Hillary's camp was caught again only this time a major news netork was in bed with her.

Why doesn't this network post a disclaimer at the beginning of each segment telling the viewer that CNN is an affiliate of the Hillary for president campaign?

By: Ryan, Frederick CO

Ryan, Frederick CO — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:08:55 +0000

CNN - do your homework on the background of who asks these questions - your reputation for partisan politics was just confirmed for me tonight in the way you screened this questioner - there is no excuse to have a member of a democratic campaign asking a question in a republican debate.

By: Rex, Toledo, Ohio

Rex, Toledo, Ohio — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:06:16 +0000

CNN obviously knew ahead of time who the questioner was. And yet, I bet they don't hold themselves responsible. More shady work by the Clinton News Network

By: john, arlington, va

john, arlington, va — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:04:18 +0000

I don't remember the Dems getting tough questions on partial-birth abortion or the redefinition of marraige, but the Rs get multiple gay questions and a Clinton adviser gets an extended rant. Could it be because AC is in charge? He seems to be in favor of "don't ask, don't tell."

By: Joe from NC

Joe from NC — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:52:19 +0000

In the current system of "don't ask, don't tell" and in the previous system of barring gays from serving period, a person could, in the event of a draft, get out of it by simply claiming to be gay. This increase in draft dodging could severly affect our army's ability to fight, especially in a war of the magnitude of world war II. I can't wait to hear the conservative response to this.