Hate crimes bill passes House….with a lot of hate in the process

Download

Silky Johnson Getty Images

HATE HATE HATE HATE... Passing updated federal hate crime legislation has been a priority for the Democratic Party for quite some time, and has been a major target for scorn by Republicans during that same period. Last week the House of Representatives did pass a bill that expanded the definition of hate crimes to those committed because of a victim’s sexual orientation—unfortunately for Democrats the only way to pass the bill was to attach it to a defense spending authorization, infuriating Republicans. Was it a cheap way to pass such an important bill, and how will the new hate crimes definition affect law enforcement?

Share: Facebook Twitter More... Mail Print Comment (4)

Passing updated federal hate crime legislation has been a priority for the Democratic Party for quite some time, and has been a major target for scorn by Republicans during that same period. Last week the House of Representatives did pass a bill that expanded the definition of hate crimes to those committed because of a victim’s sexual orientation—unfortunately for Democrats the only way to pass the bill was to attach it to a defense spending authorization, infuriating Republicans. Was it a cheap way to pass such an important bill, and how will the new hate crimes definition affect law enforcement?

Guests:

Tim Lynch, director of CATO’s Project on Criminal Justice


Upcoming Event

Comedy Congress, Hosted by Patt Morrison

Wednesday, September 29, 2010
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Comedy Congress from the Crawford Family Forum!

The comedic material emanating from Washington D.C., and state capitols across the country, is enough to make any sitcom writer jealous, even if most of that comedy is unintentional. Our motto on Comedy Congress is that just when politics makes you want to ... » More info

Comments

Bill G.

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Link to this comment

As a gay man who cares about social justice, hate crime legislation makes me uncomfortable since mandatory sentencing has been so misused and, in many cases, often morphed into further injustice. The theory behind hate crime legislation is similar to the death penalty and the questionable rationale of deterrence. It seems to me that we need different tactics to get at the root of homophobia rather than locking up people.

planetspinz

10 months, 2 weeks ago

Link to this comment

This bill is attached to defense funding. Will this funding also be used to continue hate crimes against gay men and lesbians serving in the military under Don't Ask Just Beat the Gays Up, Discharge them & Replace them with Fascists and Felons?

zippo

10 months, 2 weeks ago

Link to this comment

All crimes of victims are out of Hate,and all go to jail or prison for their crimes, if i was to assault a senator because i hated what they do, why would that be any different then any other crime? what our government is doing is making a bad feeling a crime, what i think or say could be criminal? if not now, later for sure.,But what really pisses me off is that they sneak this bill in with the founding of the military at a causal time when the solders need it badly. its a form of blackmail.
I really hate some of these people that are in the senate, is that a crime? I am sure it will be. protect freedom of expression and freedom of speech before its to late. write to these as#holes and tell them that the language,( Hate crime) is not needed, we have laws that protects everyone of all races.

Quatsimita

10 months, 1 week ago

Link to this comment

Hi !!!
http://www.sarendol.com/penicillin.html
http://www.sarendol.com/logitech-mouse.html
http://www.sarendol.com/minnie-mouse-party-supply.html

Excellent site with fantastic references and reading.... well done indeed...!
http://www.sarendol.com/sarafem.html
http://www.sarendol.com/xeloda.html
http://www.sarendol.com/zafirlukast.html

Thanks much!
http://www.sarendol.com/fish-tank.html
http://www.sarendol.com/morphine-sulfate.html
http://www.sarendol.com/mickey-mouse-clubhouse.html

Added to favorites!

New comments disabled after 14 days