Sen. Burr Under Fire for DADT Vote
The Charlotte Observer reports:
Some county commissioners are upset with fellow Republican and U.S. Sen. Richard Burr's vote to repeal a Pentagon ban on gays serving openly in the military.
The harshest remarks came from commissioner Bill James, who said he suspects Burr will pay a price for his vote. He said he won't support the senator in future elections.
"I think there are a lot of things that people of all political stripes tolerate from their politicians," James said. "But endorsing immorality and allowing military recruits to be preyed on by homosexuals is not one that I will tolerate."
James' comments referring to homosexuals as "sexual predators" drew quick criticism this week. Some commissioners have received e-mails asking them to censure James, and some say they may speak against James at next week's meeting.
"When are we going to stand up and say that this type of hate speech is not acceptable?" said Richard Thomas, chair of the Mecklenburg Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Political Action Committee.
