The Senate passed groundbreaking legislation Thursday that would make it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
The expanded federal hate crimes law now goes to President Obama's desk. Obama has pledged to sign the measure, which was added to a $680 billion defense authorization bill.
Several religious groups have expressed concern that a hate-crimes law could be used to criminalize conservative speech relating to subjects such as abortion or homosexuality.
Attorney General Eric Holder has asserted that any federal hate-crimes law would be used only to prosecute violent acts based on bias, as opposed to the prosecution of speech based on controversial racial or religious beliefs.
Holder called Thursday's 68-29 Senate vote to approve the defense spending bill that included the hate crimes measure "a milestone in helping protect Americans from the most heinous bias-motivated violence."
The expanded federal hate crimes law now goes to President Obama's desk. Obama has pledged to sign the measure, which was added to a $680 billion defense authorization bill.
Several religious groups have expressed concern that a hate-crimes law could be used to criminalize conservative speech relating to subjects such as abortion or homosexuality.
Attorney General Eric Holder has asserted that any federal hate-crimes law would be used only to prosecute violent acts based on bias, as opposed to the prosecution of speech based on controversial racial or religious beliefs.
Holder called Thursday's 68-29 Senate vote to approve the defense spending bill that included the hate crimes measure "a milestone in helping protect Americans from the most heinous bias-motivated violence."
the guy formally known as Kalin
I really am shocked I am posting here again... but then again I'm sure you are to...
I really am shocked I am posting here again... but then again I'm sure you are to...
Matthew Shepard act passed
- 23/10/2009 07:54:07 PM
926 Views
Meh
- 23/10/2009 08:06:22 PM
541 Views
I'm sure Orwell would be intrigued by his own prognosticative abilities.
- 24/10/2009 12:52:24 AM
545 Views
Didn't we already slice crimes by degree of intention (e.g., murder vs. manslaughter) pre-Orwell?
- 24/10/2009 05:23:56 AM
528 Views
How about DADT, or employment non discrimination, or federal benefits for civil unions/marriages?
- 24/10/2009 01:23:06 AM
535 Views
See..this is much more important than Hate Crime Legislation, and it actually accomplishes something *NM*
- 24/10/2009 01:52:31 AM
193 Views
Agreed, but
- 24/10/2009 02:12:11 AM
504 Views
I'd be more supportive of hate crime legislation as a whole if it made any real sense to me
- 24/10/2009 02:22:46 AM
516 Views
I'm sure the law is not supposed to deter crime, but rather to ensure justice.
- 24/10/2009 03:49:58 AM
449 Views
Re: I'd be more supportive of hate crime legislation as a whole if it made any real sense to me
- 24/10/2009 04:07:52 AM
557 Views
Re: I'd be more supportive of hate crime legislation as a whole if it made any real sense to me
- 24/10/2009 04:51:43 AM
524 Views
Re: I'd be more supportive of hate crime legislation as a whole if it made any real sense to me
- 24/10/2009 05:02:27 AM
506 Views
Re: I'd be more supportive of hate crime legislation as a whole if it made any real sense to me
- 24/10/2009 05:27:35 AM
492 Views
So it's inherently worse for a gay man to get beaten up than a straight guy?
- 24/10/2009 03:45:43 AM
629 Views
Doesn't there have to be an indication ...
- 24/10/2009 04:33:49 AM
495 Views
Doesn't matter, Same crime, same punishment, with no extra preference given to anyone.
- 24/10/2009 04:48:22 AM
488 Views
All orientations are protected.
- 24/10/2009 05:17:55 AM
496 Views
yes and how many black men are sentenced for attacking white men?
- 24/10/2009 02:00:26 PM
478 Views
Minor point.
- 24/10/2009 04:46:25 PM
528 Views
well since almost everything he said turned out to be BS why not that too?
- 25/10/2009 02:36:25 PM
509 Views