Comments on: House committee takes up hate crimes bill

By: James Swift

James Swift — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:19:24 +0000

Hope this passes, I survived a hate crime, I know what it feels like to be stabbed, and to hear my own bones break. The police were called, but did not start their investigation till the next afternoon. That was in the mid 90s. I hear the hate speach every day at work cause my boss listens to AFR radio.

By: Johannes

Johannes — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:04:19 +0000

The difference between a hate crime and another crime in the case of assault or murder is that these crimes are intended to harm an entire community by spreading fear and intimidation. In that sense, hate crimes are just like terrorism. With terrorism, we also punish not only the crime (for example, attempted murder), but also the intend to terrorize.

By: Bud Burgoon-Clark

Bud Burgoon-Clark — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:19:44 +0000

And Quackers Wild-Man is laying an EGG. So are the rest of the professional haters. They’re scared $hitless that they’re going to be held accountable for the results of their hate-speech.

As well they should be.

Their hands and their bibles are covered with blood.

Ours.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:18:47 +0000

OK. Good idea Wayne.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:45:51 +0000

I challenge fellow Canadians to do as I have and access the Human Rights Campaign site and send a message of support for this bill. Our own Conservatives and right wing religious groups want to roll back our hate speech laws and supporting a strong hate crimes law in the United States is one way we will show our government (and all governments) that hate speech is not free speech– and definitely not consistent with governments’ “law and order” agendae. “An injury to one is an injury to all”

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:12:33 +0000

No. Every crime is NOT a hate crime. Robbery is not a hate crime; it is merely an attempt to get money. What makes a hate crime a distinct category is that, by targeting a member of an identifiable group, AS A MEMBER OF THAT GROUP, it becomes a crime not just against that specific individual, but, implicitly, an attempt to intimidate all other members of that group.

By: Will I am

Will I am — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:56:55 +0000

Even in common sense.As was stated before here.All men, straight gay bisexual.Are not protected from rape, in any way.This issue is totally ignored just everywhere.

By: LOrion

LOrion — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:34:15 +0000

See new video by Judy Shepard here. So very, very sad, and we haven’t even helped her yet!

youtube.com/watch?v=y1JiN4IcyvA

If you want to be a help not just whine, go here to sign petition to send to your congressmen,… and call them too.

gayrights.change.org/actions/view/urge_congress_to_pass_hate_crimes_laws_protecting_sexual_orientation_and_gender_identity

Be a help. Help all the families and people who have and will suffer from this.

By: dr. bob

dr. bob — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:35:03 +0000

Yes, every crime is a hate crime, but this bill will add sexual identity and orientation to the list of those protected by the law. Up to now, all other groups except lgbt have been protected.

By: The Menstruator

The Menstruator — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:00:51 +0000

Isn’t every crime a hate crime? In the case that isn’t the situation… ok.
But at least isn’t every violent act towards a woman a hate crime?
When a man beats his wife, isn’t that a hate crime? Rape?
Will there be special circumstances for the century long abuses women deal with everyday? Or is it just for gay men? Trans?
Where there is money giving to task forces for sensitivity training, will they teach male officers to be sensitive to females who are abused by men?
Granted, that’s supposedly the case now, however we all know this isn’t how victims are treated daily.