Hate Crimes Law Hysteria
A new hate crimes bill has the anti-gay religious right hate groups going apoplectic… (additional updates below, bill passed the House, more commentary)
Let me say upfront, I am an agnostic when it comes to hate crime laws. I am not completely convinced that they would reduce crimes based on hate, maybe they do… I’ll need convincing on that point. I’m not convinced they a ‘bad’ thing either, we have often increased penalties of a crime based on the intent of the crime (premeditated vs. manslaughter) or the victim (pregnant women in some jurisdictions). So, I tend to sit on the side lines on hate crime laws and focus on other political actions.
A bill has come up to a vote in the Congress that would add sexual orientation to the existing hate crime statute that now includes race, gender, religion, and national origin.
The FRC is tying themselves into all kinds of knots trying to oppose this thing without sounding like they are racists or anti-semitic. Lying and lying some more to make it sound like Christians will start being led to prisons in droves.
They really hate us, and in the end that is why they are fighting this bill tooth and nail. Maybe I’ll call a congressman or two.
The bill has passed the House today (237 to 180) and will probably pass the Senate soon. Bush says he will veto the bill.
Even though Andrew Sullivan is against hate crime laws in principle, he decries the double standard of those opposing this bill.
Just all goes to show you that the religious right oppose this bill not because they are against hate crimes laws, but because they despise gay and lesbians.
About The Author
Comments
Leave a reply