Comments on: AG Holder urges new hate crimes law

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:34:02 +0000

Before this argument over whether Eric Holder is or isn’t excluding LGBT people here are a few snippets from the proposed legislation that might be of value.

“(1) The incidence of violence motivated by the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim poses a serious national problem”

“A) IN GENERAL- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, in any circumstance described in subparagraph (B) or paragraph (3), willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, a dangerous weapon, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of any person”

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s909/text

My beef with the proposed legislation is that despite the reference to the murder of George Tiller in the article above it doesn’t appear to cover crimes against abortion providers such as Dr. Tiller, though perhaps they would be better protected by anti-terrorist legislation similar to that passed against animal rights terrorists.

By: Yhitzak

Yhitzak — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:35:32 +0000

Wow. If these comments are truly representative of the views of gay people, I would love to remove myself from this “community.” The hypocrisy that has become so prevalent here is shocking, simply shocking. A whole bunch of gay people are saying, “Screw everyone else! What about US!?” Are you kidding me!? Holder is suggesting that we as a nation expand hate-crime legislation to keep us ALL safe, and all you people can say is screw that!? Because gay people weren’t at the heart of the statement or the sole group that the statement was about, you feel slighted!? This group really needs to open up its minds and hearts and realize that we’re not the only minority currently struggling for social acceptance, and that we, gay people, are all kinds, including Latinos, Jews, and Arab-Americans.

By: Rob in Phoenix

Rob in Phoenix — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:42:32 +0000

Oh my, it is straight people being killed. We need a new hate crimes bill. We must take action now. Ten years since Matthew Shepard was tied to a fence and left to die? Where is that hate crimes legislation? Oh yes. Waiting in the homophobic, democratic controlled senate for a vote. We must attach it as an amendment to another bill. We cannot pass it as a stand alone bill. Why not? After this legislation passed in the House, Obama urged a swift passage in the Senate. No more words from Obama. Harry Reid–grow a pair of balls and a spine or resign as Senate Majority Leader.

By: Eddie in LA

Eddie in LA — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:07:18 +0000

A federal hate crimes law will happen when DOMA and DADT are repealed and hell freezes over.

Face it folks, the DNC are just gutless extortionists who rob us blind every single election cycle.

David Geffen must feel like an ass.

By: Craig B

Craig B — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:54:53 +0000

Perhaps if the US Gov’t actually did not encourage HATE through policy or lack there of, there might be less HATE to go around. Let us start with Mr. Holder’s brief in support of DOMA…

By: Steve, Albany, NY

Steve, Albany, NY — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:39:18 +0000

How does dehumanizing gay people in a DOJ brief affect hate crimes?

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:26:00 +0000

Quote: “Holder said that to stop such violence, Congress should pass an updated version of hate crimes legislation in order to more effectively prosecute those who commit violent attacks based on gender, disability or sexual orientation.”

I think that right there is a call for LGBT Americans to be included in hate crimes legislation…

This administration is finally realizing, “Oh shit, we’re screwed!”

By: Alexa

Alexa — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:57:31 +0000

Alan,

The ARTICLE mentions gays, but Holder himself did not.

By: drewski

drewski — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:23:57 +0000

Dance, Holder, dance–seems you too are feeling a push from somewhere. Maybe it’s a push to stop alienating a core Democratic constituency. Maybe the Dems are letting him know that he and this Congress need to do something now, before it really hits donations for the midterm elections.

By: ALAN

ALAN — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:03:01 +0000

Hate crimes against LGBT people are mentioned in the last paragraph. The percentage was 16.6 and was the highest in 5 years.