The Cau(cuss!)

[Shaymac48]

Our Nation was based on and connected with, religious freedom. Not freedom from religion. There is no Church and State Law written into the Consitution of The United States. Jefferson was misquoted and some Latter Day Saint anti religionist pressed it.Our Government never check it . So based on our State Consitution we do have a valid Opinion about Gay Marriages in The United States. Because of Religous belief we are right to say "We do not want Gay Marriages. God is our Foundation.

[lifeworld1977]

Some of us hypothesize that homosexuality is somehow relevant to the meandering reflections presented in this and other videos (those concerning the political question of gay marriage, for example) posted by Mr. Machelli. We have been testing this hypothesis against the facts of various known universes; as of yet, we have no reason to believe that the onto-theological foundations of the cosmos are at all at risk. Sometimes things just happen. Don't ask us to explain why.

[romeo2rafino]

gross you fag!

[zooftra]

it seems really stupid, but a lot of people, not just politicians, will stick their heads in the sand to get away from a topic that they deem dangerous.

[Andrew22915]

Because they said so???

No but on a seriouse note seperation of church and state. They don't want to offend people on topics like those. Even at my school the teachers could not even say Abortion till just recently.

And the whole Gay marrage thing. Like I said before every one has there opinion. You can't change it no matter what. All you can do is state the facts. Some people think 9/11 was a scam and done by our government. Others think it was the middle east.

[jrs6598]

If the Republican party is going to debate about their party stance on different issues, then the issues of gay marriage and abortion are fair game. It is an important issue for this election and, possibly, for many elections to come as long as these issues keep getting sidelined and go undiscussed by each party.

[jaredsax47]

Wow - that's horrifying. Absolutely ridiculous. Words escape me.

Let's face it - Machelli makes my complete and utter world. *sigh*

[cryan71]

Okay, here's my question: If the Republicans are afraid of questions of Gay Marriage and Abortion, how are they supposed to defend America with such cowardice?

[dasevergnini]

oh quit complaining...

[ttandizzle112]

Their logic is completely wrong, but it is their debate. They didn't have to open up to youtube at all and it is naive to think they they wouldn't be selective about the questions being asked.  That being said, what they cannot censor is their democratic opponents come one on one debate time. Let us hope that the democrats, or any supporter of gay/lesbian marriage on the republican side, has the gumption to make this an issue of contention and expose their faulty logic.

[mykonstantine99]

I want to move to NY, NY in a few years to make an attempt at being an Interpretor for the UN, but considering the direction that the US is heading on the laws regarding homosexuality... I'm not all too sure I'd like to. I can't describe to you how good I feel that my country as a whole will accept me, and how horrible I feel that other fine countries, like your own, won't even give you a good reason as to why you should be denied something that is given to people far less loving and deserving.

[MrazzleDazzleEm]

I don't really understand why they ask for the questions that matter to us, and then only allow the questions that matter to them to be asked....

[ftodd1]

As a gay republican I would like that question asked very much, it matters to me and my party. I feel CNN and the RNC is afraid to address this issue because the candidates that do have a favorable opinion on this mater would be either seen on the fringe or lose the CC "conservative Christian" vote. That CC is a hole other issue and the one of the true problems with the republican party.

[doxielady24]

That is so dumb! What is the point of getting the people's opinion's and questions if they can only ask CNN approved questions? Oh I'm sorry, my comment probably won't get read, because it is a "lobbying grenade" against CNN. OOPS!

[eustazio]

i remember how the us managed (for a very limited amount of time but still) to eradicate every that was french with their freedom fries and spilling wine in the streets. Couldnt' we, instead, label everything republican or affiliated unacceptable and use our gay money to buy "tolerant" ? honestly. ok maybe that's the booze talking, but i feel like that's a language they would understand.

[cryan71]

All the republican debates so far have had a question about gay marriage or abortion. Why should this one be any different?

[eustazio]

they probably made the calculus they would get more votes without it. that or they are plain and simply homophobic. gay is the new black, remember. (i think i left this comment only to blurp it out, if must sound very cheesy).

[3mmerz]

the issues that you listed are very important, if we have freedom of rights, shouldn't we be able to discuss what we want to discuss??? It is like they are asking us to provide our opinion, but everything they find objectionable is censored out.

[angelmezzanine]

I agree, this topic should definately be open for discussion. All topics should be open, how can it be a fair debate otherwise?

[peacock43]

Leaves a bad taste in mine, too, Machelli.

Typical Republican tactics though.

[giver1988]

I think that CNN will not allow gay marriage and perhaps other homosexuality questions to be asked because, maybe just maybe the republicans see how ridiculous their standpoint is and will do anything to admit or make it obvious to their own party. Now I am christian don't get me wrong i love jesus. But I hate how the republicans go back to the bible for legislation. I think its just ridiculous lets be logical for once and think outside the box. no? WWJD

[swickscrumtralescent]

I think your question about gay marriage is a very good question. Why shouldn't they have to answer it? I think CNN realizes that it wouldn't be a debate because they would all have the same opinions on gay marriage. The Republicans all think the same way on gay marriage. I would have liked to see them fumble around with that question.

[jogenova]

they may fumble with the question, but i bet ya them republican men get around pretty good in a pair of heels "behind closed doors" LOL

[swickscrumtralescent]

Haha yeah. Why do they hate themselves so much?

[kipesquire]

I think you should ask the Log Cabin Republicans.;-)

[raconter1]

No embarrasing questions!..it's that simple! The impression is a party all in line with the "family values" platform, let no one crack that facade!

[morganfairy2003]

ok my opinion isnt much but this is what i do think cnn is just a bunch of fucking Republican Nuts that want to control everyone well the gay people dont take this shit and we should all reply just as hard to this as Matthew has

[jason530]

I can completely agree with you, Matthew. If CNN/the GOP can't question their own policies and deal with 'lobbying grenades' in a civil, fair and democratic manner, what's the point of even having a debate? I mean, isn't a debate a gathering in which many issues are discussed..

To provide a nice quick soundbite, my opinion's this: I think that if CNN was a good news agency, it would allow all opinions and select based on how good the questions were, not what the questions were about.

[IAGuy06]

I'm guessing that they have decided that the group of religious voters that oppose gay marriage/issues is larger than the group of gay voters or supporters. Just a thought. I am by no means an expert but there is usually a reason they do things.... votes.

[viewfromthepeak]

Well, the only thing i can think of (and since i am watching another gay guy's vlog i will assume bias on both parts) is CNN is afraid that the Republicans will stonewall (ha used a gay reference) this debate much like the dems did with the fox debate. Of course, seeing individual leanings when referencing gay marriage and rights should be fundamental to the party, since many forerunners this year have very liberal social views (formerly Romney, still several others)

[pinkfloydfan111]

I have no words! I can't even explain my feelings without exploding!

Just another attempt to dodge the truth, Democrats are much more reasonable than Republicans.

[KirstenKane]

wow. i can't belive the kind of censorship some government are willing to openly admit to. it's absolutely indefendable (maybe why they wont take thsoe questions) to prune things like that very relevant question out.

[pro7o7ype]

Because their position is indefensible to anyone who doesn't believe a 2,000 year old fairy tale.

[scooter952]

I'm a christian, i see no problem with gays i think these republicans are just looking for someone to discriminate against and well... cant really do that to the blacks anymore... hmm... lets do it to another minority! yeah!

[boportsmouth]

theres still mexicans... last time i checked it was still ok to hate the mexicans...

[JoeFelice]

Matt, you hit on the answer when you said, "an opinion held, not just by you, but also by a majority of your fellow Republicans."

Bigotry is the paradigm in the party, and Republican voters don't care how each candidate will justify it, so long as they all agree...which they do. This is a private event for Republicans and CNN's job is to choose questions they want to hear asked--not you or me.

[wolfgangss]

I don't even know what to say to that. WTF there just like lets toss this under the rug and hope it doesn't come back to bite us in the ass. all I can hope is that every single gay person who is of voting age is voting. make your voices heard!

[boportsmouth]

I think this is a rather clever move on their part. this way they get all the hype of the gay marriage issue with out having to dirty their hands. you can be sure that your not the only one who noticed that little caveat of theirs. its going to cause some stir. The republicans know thay can win this election riding on the coat tails of the gay marriage issue just like they did the last one.

[boportsmouth]

only this time they dont have the blind devotion that was inspired by the "sucess" of the Iraq war. they have to be a little more sublte this time around.

[ThePieGuyIsI]

That is just plain wrong, dodging such important questions is not a good way to do anything, Youtube needs to stop beig such idiots. If those two questions are enough to scare poeple to censorship...

[ProfMTH]

CNN has increasingly become a disappointment over the last few years, spending more of its time being cowed by, e.g., the Republican National Committee and the Bush administration than doing what the channel's promos claim, i.e., "keeping them honest." You make a compelling case for this question being part of a debate of and within the Republican Party. I suspect CNN has been told that if wants this debate, it will dispose of such questions. The cancer of Fox News has spread, alas to say.

[lili4trees]

oh, wow.

[DeoMachina]

Wait a second, didn't they allow the Democrat debate to have that kind of question?

Foul play detected. Which is funny because I've been often told that CNN has a pro-democrat bias.

[DallasGuyZ]

Hey, wait a minute! I recognize that guy (Jon)... He's the one who freaked me out with those anonymous text messages and YOU put him up to it! (LOL!)

Oh yeah, I'm supposed to be commenting on the topic of your video...

[DallasGuyZ]

Well, I can definitely see how hearing about and reading that article caused you to become enraged. CNN probably has representatives from all of the campaigns sitting around hand-picking the questions their candidates will and won't answer. Gotta love American politics, huh?

*Nick*

[whitemagick4]

Are you really that surprised Matt? This is typical of republicans. Lobbying grenades are of course a term made by their own lobby in an effort to avoid those type of questions. they know that if their candidates are asked these question and they express their opionions and intetions about the issue they will loose the support of swing voters.

It is not a debate for their party because they are all homophobic and agree that gay rights need to be fully oppressed!

[patton54]

no surprise here. there are no "gay" republicans. why discuss it really?

God forbid the repulican closet door should ever swing open wide!

[STONEDTOTHEBONE]

tap, tap, tap .. is that the sound of a toe in the stall next to me? Tax paying, legal citizens won't have all the freedoms they deserve until enough of the republican hipocrits get caught climbing under the divider!

[STONEDTOTHEBONE]

Unfortunately, the people don't YET have the power. YT scares the s**t out of the republican because it is a crack in the wall of power that separates the rich few from the masses that work to make them rich. BUT they can only say "let them eat cake" for so long before the people will take their just desert. The power of the pen (or YT) IS mightier than the sword, we must just learn how to utilize it effectively. You are making a start with this.

[STONEDTOTHEBONE]

BUT then, it is the CNN selection team that has the choice here. I can't help but wonder when the "old" medium of communicating will truely recognize if they don't get on board with the "new" medium they will fade into being the "dead" medium. To be fair, CNN is taking a baby step by having these YT debates, but they still operate under the fear of the powerful money mongruls.

[mnewman8]

Here's why in metaphorical form: It would be like asking the various members of old South African Nationalist party competing for party leader how they can justify apartheid.

More literally, the question attacks the premises assumed by the candidates and party in general, log cabin notwithstanding. Now, you can claim, "No, I seriously want to knowm," but as you know, there is no rational reasoning behind it. So you attack the premise and are therefore deemed a grenade

[dkatzism]

A debate of their own party?  Isn't that like when you play tic tac toe against yourself? You know what's coming and you still look crazy...

[zainyk]

Mac, they are republicans, what answer did you expect? Romney would have quoted the book of nephi to you, mccain doesnt know what gay people are, Huckabee would have stoned you, Tracredo would have deported you and rudy, well rudy would have put on a dress and tried to date you.

[TestSubjectXIV]

unbelievable... I don't really know what I can say right now, I'd have to think it over to give a more cohesive response, but what really frustrates me is that, probably, none of these comments are going to do much good. Even when the "power" is given to the "people," we're not the ones running the show. At all.