Carl Paladino, Republican candidate for governor of New York crossed the line and actually said something negative about the most celebrated and protected group in the liberal universe.

Paladino recently told CBS’s Today show that he thinks “gay” parades are “disgusting.” And he questioned the judgment of his gubernatorial opponent, Andrew Cuomo for taking his daughter to a “gay parade.” Paladino had the audacity to suggest that a public event laden with various and sundry acts of indecency, e.g., grown men “grinding” against one another, might be inappropriate for children (and a violation of New York Penal Law Section 245.00).

To add context to the times, a beauty contestant was excoriated with unmentionable vulgarity for simply giving an honest answer to a question from a “gay” activist about “gay” marriage. The offensive answer of Carrie Prejean was: “I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised.”

It’s quite revealing that Perez Hilton asked Ms. Prejean a question even though he was not prepared to accept any response but the scripted, politically correct answer -- so much for the integrity of diversity.

In our culture, politely defining marriage warrants vulgar ridicule and mistreatment and any expletive uttered against “gays” warrants therapeutic treatment for the offender. Liberals have “phobia” labels ready to hang around the necks of all dissenters, but interestingly, the most fearful of all people are those afraid to stand against the spirit of the age. Think the “homophobia” labelers might be using a little projection?

Manipulation by fear of being labeled is not limited to those on the left. The weak-kneed chairman of the New York State Republican Party, Edward F. Cox, has made that plain for all. “‘Insofar as Carl Paladino’s statements can be construed as homophobic, those statements are inappropriate and we condemn them,’ Mr. Cox said.”

Oh that Mr. Cox had answered the reporter with a question: Are you suggesting that gay parades are not lewd and disgusting?

Is Paladino irrationally fearful of disgusting behavior? Or is he not allowed to identify disgusting behavior? Or are we to pretend that men kissing and grinding in public are signs of progressive virtue?

The New York Times has a piece out titled, “Unrepentant, Paladino Calls Gay Parades ‘Disgusting.’”

That’s an interesting title that speaks volumes. The Times uses a religious term and reveals one of the fundamental tenets of liberalism: the sanctity of all things “gay.” In our upside down world, wrong has become right, unholy has become holy and disgusting has become charming.

Liberals tout themselves as a tolerant bunch. Yet, liberalism is the most intolerant of all ideologies (with maybe the exception of Islam). Detractors dare not voice their contrary opinions on articles of faith. “Gay” marriage has become a sacrament of the faith by which loyalty to the party line is expressed with unquestioning agreement. Mr. Paladino has transgressed and now the question becomes: will he repent? The implicit thought is: how dare he remain unrepentant.

As people run to “distance” themselves from Paladino, the left apparently believes he must suffer penitence to be accepted back into impolite society. Perhaps a few months of sensitivity training will be sufficient.

But then, Paladino did say “gay” parades were “disgusting.” And, he remains unrepentant: “No, I don’t regret the remarks.” Therefore, he may have committed a Cardinal sin against liberalism.