To say that David Paterson has been a disappointing governor for this state is an understatement. He has abandoned most of his liberal values on becoming governor in order to pander to wealthy donors. The worst example of this so far has been when he appointed Kirsten Gillibrand to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate. Gillibrand's involvement in the same corrupt, Republican political machine as indicted, former Sen. Joe Bruno should have automatically disqualified her for the seat. Gillibrand's opposition to gun control and her extremely irresponsible gun ownership should have made her appointment unthinkable.

Gun control opponents share in personal responsibility for all crimes committed with guns, including but not limited to, robberies, gay bashings, rapes, and murders. There are absolutely no legitimate reasons for private gun ownership. Any honest person who takes the trouble to actually read the Second Amendment is perfectly aware of the fact that it only applies to government sponsored militias defending the country from foreign threats. All claims to the contrary are NRA terrorist propaganda with no basis in fact.

Guns kill roughly 30,000 Americans every year. That's ten 911s every year. Gillibrand's opposition to gun control makes her as bad as ten Osama bin Laden's every year, no ifs, no ands, no buts, and no excuses.

As someone who has been held up at gunpoint three times, at least one of which was in a homophobic hate crime, I have an inalienable right to a gun free society. I also have a right to punish the responsible, including the pro gay bashing, robbery, rape, and murder politicians who oppose gun control.

I will punish Kirstin Gilllibrand for what she has done to me by voting against her and giving money to her opponents for the rest of her political career.

I also object to her homophobia. She tried to pull a time honored GOP trick and temporarily stop enforcing the military ban during a time of war. GOP politicians have been happy to use queers in the military as cannon fodder, only to kick them out of the armed forces when the war is over.

Gillibrand's delaying tactics on lifting the ban also are offensive. There is no need for any hearings. The military ban has been publicly debated for over 30 years. All that is necessary is legislation to end it to pass already. Gillibrand's efforts to fillibuster lifting the ban into perpetuity are offensive and absolutely unacceptable.