Comments on: Congress extends hate crime protections to gays

By: Yhitzak

Yhitzak — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:10:29 +0000

I wonder if so many people would be railing so hard against anti-terrorism laws..? I fail to see how hate-crimes are ultimately very different from acts of terrorism: acts which are committed with the intention of inspiring fear within a group. I’m all for proper punishment and rehabilitation. Thought crimes… what a joke! I don’t want to cure anyone’s homophobia (although that might have its merits, that is NOT what this legislation was designed to do), I just want the homophobic to understand that they can hate me withOUT beating or murdering me. Hate crime laws are a step in that very direction.

By: Craig in AZ

Craig in AZ — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:16:06 +0000

The hate crimes law may, in fact NOT stop thugs and others from gay bashing. Fine. BUT it will allow them to spend more time in jail, on probation, or whatever type of punishment is meted out to them for their crime.

Personally, I don’t much care if it is a law that is liked or not. What I see it as, is another stepping stone to full rights under the law. If you don’t like the law, fair enough, but we WILL gain benefit from it as we continue the struggle.

By: MJoseOC

MJoseOC — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:28:08 +0000

First, yes Obama will sign the bill it is to be expected. Second, this bill will do NOTHING to protect us from gay bashing. Criminals and thugs will always continue to break the laws, no matter what it is. Third, embrace the second amendment – If Matthew Sheppard was packing a weapon on that cold fateful night he would be alive today. This law will only further an already complacent community to further depend on bureaucrats instead on the ability to arm and protect our lives and property from aggression.

BTW When are gay “news” websites going to allow gay journalists who don’t posses liberal ideology leanings but just want to analyze issues in a objective fashion? Instead of having moveon.org, media matters, and Huffington post bloggers, but like more real investigative journalists, you know the kind of journalists that actually went to school for it and has done actual reporting. Hmm… I guess never.

By: Southernhemisphere

Southernhemisphere — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:04:23 +0000

ARE YOU CRAZY? “….CLASS OF VICTIMS..” WHATEVER! The exstension of the law is in accord with “one nation under God with liberty and Justice for ALL.” The murders and other abuses created the c”class of victims, not an extension of the law. Some Negroes are gay and lesbian as well.SC

By: Raymond H. Clark

Raymond H. Clark — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:09:10 +0000

Tony Perkins needs a good old-fashioned Navy “high, hot, and a helluva lot,” followed by a LARGE cylindrical latex “pacifier.”

By: bystander

bystander — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:14:53 +0000

a pointless, useless piece of legislation which will help no one…..

By: Ginelle

Ginelle — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:39:45 +0000

Hate crime protections are long overdue and most welcome now that they are about to come into force. It will be most interesting to see how this legislation plays out and whether it provides the much needed deterrent to these senseless beatings and murders of Gay people by intollerent bigots. Ted Kennedy, Judy Shepard and all the thousands of activists over the years, have to be proud that their selfless dedication and very hard work through the many years have seen this legislation come to pass.

By: Kari

Kari — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:41:21 +0000

pinkfone: Eh. The health care proposals floating around Congress have little in common with the UK’s approach with the NHS.

If anything, what’s being considered in Congress is more in line with Germany than anything else.

By: nadador

nadador — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:52:57 +0000

I too am having a hard time being so enthusiastic about this. I guess if there is going to be a “hate crimes” designation (and I don’t agree that there should be), at least I do think sexual orientation should be included. But even now that this has passed, it’s hardly more than a symbolic victory. True, it might benefit a VERY VERY TINY number of cases where someone is assaulted and the local law enforcement statutes or courts might not be sympathetic to a gay victim.

HRC and other activists have been spending a lot of time on this, and I wish they’d concentrate more on ending DADT, repealing DOMA, etc. Now THAT would really have a practical benefit for a LOT of people.

By: michaelinaustin

michaelinaustin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:26:31 +0000

It’s been over a decade coming! UNBELIEVABLE! I remember how moved I was with the news of Matthew Shepard years ago – Just beside myself over it. And there was just no hope, nothing you could do but talk, sing, make art about it… It seemed like the congress would never do it back then. Here we are after Bush’s years and we finally turned it around. Thank you Judy Shepard and all the leaders in this effort – this one’s for you!

http://michaeltitusparkes.com/art/For_Matthew.mp3