Jeff Wilson of scvtalk.com fame said in a blog response to me, “There's clearly a segment of the GOP base that is highly intolerant, however. They cheer when the death penalty is mentioned, scream "You lie" at the President from the well of Congress, shout that uninsured sick people should be left to die, and boo gay soldiers. Tell you what- I'll condemn Joe Biden and Maxine Water on this blog the same day RightOnSCV condemns the remarks and sentiments expressed at the recent debates.”

I accepted Jeff’s challenge. My observations and comments are as follows:

I viewed the Republican Candidate Debate of September 22, 2011 on the internet after its original airdate. I listened carefully and even took notes on some of the questions, answers, and the comments of those in attendance.

I paid particular attention when Stephan Hill who self identified himself as a gay soldier asked Rick Santorum a question regarding what Santorum would do  if elected President regarding the military’s recently overturned policy of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and specifically whether Senator Santorum would reinstate DADT.

Some members of the audience booed after Mr. Hill asked the question. I am not personally certain whether they booed the question itself or the soldier asking the question but for the sake of this discussion, I will concede that they may have booed the soldier.

All of the candidates lost points with me for not denouncing the members of the audience booing the soldier.

First of all, I thank you Mr. Hill for your service to our country. I am sorry you were treated poorly; I apologize on behalf of those few misguided souls, and am ashamed that any American would be boo a soldier.

Right here, right now, on RightOnSCV, I denounce the behavior, comments, and sentiments of anyone booing a member of our all-volunteer military. I also denounce comments or actions by anyone, which are derogatory or disrespectful based upon race, ethnicity, gender, ancestry, physical attributes, religious beliefs, economic status, education, sexual preference, marital status, etc.

I do not accept that the few ill mannered or ignorant folks from whatever political party who make comments to incite, boo, etc represent the majority. Nasty disrespectful behavior is not accepted by or worthy of decent Democrats, Republicans, Tea Partiers, Decline to State, or anyone else with an ounce of sense and emotional maturity.  The crass and vulgar  name calling, race baiting, unreasonable intolerance of those unlike us, and partisan hateful  behavior all need to stop and we need to come together as a nation, engage in meaningful discussion, and  solve our problems as Americans, One Nation Under God.