by Leo Lemmer
Member since:
February 10, 2008

Finally a hate crimes bill has been passed!

October 23, 2009 01:15 PM UTC (Updated: October 23, 2009 01:17 PM UTC)
views: 0 | comments: 44

Hate crimes statistics:  almost one every hour

I have been affected by hate crimes against gays. I have two friends in wheelchairs because of gay bashing. A friend, Paul Broussard, a twenty-eight year old banker, was beaten with boards and pipes by five young people. Gays have their own media, which I follow. The mainstream media rarely reports these crimes unless there is a death or very serious injury.


The U.S. Senate yesterday passed the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, named for Matthew Shepard, the young man who died at a Fort Collins hospital in 1998 after being beaten in Wyoming by men who targeted him because he was gay. Democratic lawmakers championed the bill. Senator Kennedy long championed the bill. Republicans largely opposed it.At least four Republicans voted with theDemocrats, reportedly to end a possible filibuster. They were Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine, as well as George Voinovich of Ohio, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. The vote was 68-29.  I was surprised that both my Texas senators voted for the bill--Hutchinson and Cornyn.The president will sign the Act into law in the coming days.


Hallelujah!


FBI hate crime data shows that attacks founded on sexual orientation continue to be characterized by a high level of violence, with a higher proportion of personal assaults than in other categories of hate crime.  Some victims faced serious injury or death.


Colorado U.S. Sen.Michael Bennet lauded the passage of the measure.

“As we learned in the civil rights era, sometimes communities need assistance and resources from the federal government when they have to confront the most emotional and dangerous kinds of crimes.”


In the nearly twenty years since the 1990 enactment of the Hate Crime Statistics Act (HCSA), the number of hate crimes reported has consistently ranged around 7,500 or more annually — that’s nearly one every hour of every day,” says a new study by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF), the research arm of the oldest and largest civil rights coalition in the United States.


There were 29 votes against:

Alexander (R-Tenn.)

Barrasso (R-Wyo.)

Bennett (R-Utah)

Brownback (R-Kan.)

Bunning (R-Ky.)

Burr (R-N.C.)

Chambliss (R-Ga.)

Coburn (R-Okla.)

Cochran (R-Miss.)

Corker (R-Tenn.)

Crapo (R-Idaho)

DeMint (R-S.C.)

Enzi (R-Wyo.)

Feingold (D-Wis.)

Graham (R-S.C.)

Grassley (R-Iowa)

Inhofe (R-Okla.)

Isakson (R-Ga.)

Johanns (R-Neb.)

Kyl (R-Ariz.)

LeMieux (R-Fla.)

McConnell (R-Ky.)

Risch (R-Idaho)

Roberts (R-Kan.)

Sessions (R-Ala.)

Shelby (R-Ala.)

Thune (R-S.D.)

Vitter (R-La.)

Wicker (R-Miss.)


Feingold voted against the bill for reasons other that the hate crime section.


Comments: 44

Diana Raabe Oct 23, 2009, 1:20pm UTC
This is great news, but can you elaborate on Feingold's vote?
Leo Lemmer Oct 23, 2009, 1:39pm UTC
Feingold said he supported the hate crimes extension but opposed the defense bill, a part of the bill, because it allows too open-ended of a commitment to keeping U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
Diana Raabe Oct 23, 2009, 2:13pm UTC
OK - thanks!
Col. George W. Oct 23, 2009, 11:48pm UTC
My problem is what the two were doing together as one bill.
M O. Oct 23, 2009, 1:30pm UTC
Shame, shame, shame on this list of GOP reps. I hope this list is printed in every single newspaper in the country and people remember them for this.

I am extremely happy to see this finally passed. I saw Matthew Shepard's mother in C-Span speaking to a large audience. Although very self-effacing as a speaker, her message was extremely powerful. I was totally appalled when a man stood up and called her a liar. The audience was, too. Mrs. Shepard was extremely polite and gracious to this person, though, and referred him to the trial transcripts for the facts. I felt so angry for her...to have to face this horrible man calling her a liar in public and defacing the memory of her beloved son, all because of his religious convictions. It was so disgraceful.
At least he did it in public for all to see. Can you imagine the mail she must get?
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 23, 2009, 4:10pm UTC
sad
M O. Oct 23, 2009, 4:13pm UTC
Sarah - she did say that her family has received many, many death threats and terrible communications, many from supposedly religious people. She herself is an Episcopalian - a group she chose to align with in part because of their heroic stance re: homosexuals and equal rights.

She made me cry listening to her for an hour - such a wonderful, wonderful woman. And what pain she must carry because of how her son died. It's bad enough losing a child, but in such a hateful, needless way...it breaks my heart.
Leo Lemmer Oct 23, 2009, 4:34pm UTC
There are many mothers like Matthew's.
Dawn G. Oct 23, 2009, 2:01pm UTC
The abuse, beating, robbing, etc is a crime with punishments on the books. However, it seem we need to label everything. I am not saying some people are not targeted for their race, religion, or sexual preference. I am saying that a hate crime is just another law that will get certain people punished and others will be considered just an ordinary crime.

I do watch the news in my state and there are crimes against all races and sexes. The ones that end up on television the most are the crimes about white people abusing or killing black people. I am sorry if that is not the correct term don't mean to offend. There was a young boy who was killed by a black box and that only made a quick foot note on the news.
It would be nice if this law helped but it is just another tool to push discrimination.
Diana Raabe Oct 23, 2009, 2:15pm UTC
How do you feel about the "disability" part of the bill? Is it ok to use the disabled label in this context? Is a crime more heinous when it is committed against (and especially targeted toward) a person less able to defend themselves?
Push discrimination? I think until the hate crimes were labeled we were free to write them off as run-of-the-mill urban crime. Now we know that the country has a minority that is vicious beyond all hope or reason. Do you think rape should just be reported as another "assault"?
Kris M. Oct 23, 2009, 4:14pm UTC
"Pushing discrimination" isn't really an accurate portrayal of what the bill addresses. There are crimes committed at random, and there are crimes committed deliberately upon individuals because of a mindset that runs counter to everything the country is supposed to stand against through our (albeit alleged) commitment to equality. Sarah's point is well-taken; it should also be noted that a crime of gay-bashing, or committed by a member of the Klan against a person of (any other) color, stems from something other than a random urge. What is a shame is that in the 21st century, there is still a need for this legislation.
M O. Oct 23, 2009, 4:15pm UTC
With that logic, Dawn, then you must agree with Iran's President - that the Holocaust never existed. It was simply some people who were taken into internment camps during a war.
Larry M. Oct 23, 2009, 2:08pm UTC
Burr of NC is running for re-election next year. Hmmmm.
So would Bunning of KY if he hadn't decided to announce the imminent death of Justice Ginsberg. Still, we hope to beat them. We darn near ditched Mitch last election, which should have put the fear of God into him, but he continues his vicious ways regardless. Good luck in NC..
Larry M. Oct 23, 2009, 3:32pm UTC
It will take a lot of hard work. I fear that this vote will actually help in here in N.C.
Kris M. Oct 23, 2009, 4:15pm UTC
The irony of Lindsey Graham's vote is just sickening.
Kay M Oct 23, 2009, 2:15pm UTC
At last! Hooray!
Chris Brockman Oct 23, 2009, 2:30pm UTC
Oh man, can you believe the Rupublicans voting against criminalization of violence against anyone? They let their prejudices turn them into grotesque caricatures of defenders of freesom.
And again my outstanding senators proved themselves to be sub-human. How do you justify voting against this bill? Guess I'll have to call them and find out.

But still, we are again just a little bit closer to being a civilized nation. Over the dead bodies of some very evil people...
Holly K. Oct 23, 2009, 3:24pm UTC
Do you know why so many Republicans were against this bill?
Leo Lemmer Oct 23, 2009, 4:31pm UTC
To please the their conservative base who claim that gays get "special rights." Most who voted against it are from red states.
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 23, 2009, 4:11pm UTC
Hooray!
Georgiana S. Oct 23, 2009, 5:39pm UTC
Finally. I notice that all the opposing were Republicans, just more of that Christian loving kindness showing!
Lee C. Oct 23, 2009, 6:01pm UTC
It's a sad day in the US when the government attempts to legislate politically correct thought.
Jennifer K. Oct 23, 2009, 6:49pm UTC
That is great news Leo. This is something that should have been in affect long ago. People need to get out of the dark ages. There are many gay people in the world, get over it. I don't understand why it's anyone eles's business what anyone does with their lives especailly if it doesn't affect theirs in any way. It's a shame to see and hear what happend to Matthew Shepard. I applaud his mom for standing up to that idiot in the crowd. I was born and raised Catholic. I have no problems at all with people that chose to date within their own sex. It's their life. Everyone has the right to be happy in their lives. Why should these people have to suffer because of who they are? All I want for my children is to be happy. I don't care who they chose to date, as long as that person treats them with the respect that they deserve. If you treat my child like crap, then you'll have me to deal with. It's just easier to be nice to everyone.
Col. George W. Oct 23, 2009, 11:56pm UTC
I don't mind this being passed but have a question in my mind. If it's murder how do you execute more serverly? If it is assult, which most of these are, why give the perp as extra 5 or 8 for hate? If it is a conviction on assult that would normally get him, say, 8 but if hate double that, say. Why not just give the perp 16 period.
Leo Lemmer Oct 24, 2009, 5:15pm UTC
In many places the police try to ignore certain cases because of their prejudices.

As to this legislation, by providing federal officials the authority to investigate and prosecute cases in which violence occurs because of victims' real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender or disability, the "Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act" will significantly strengthen federal response to these horrific crimes. Already, such protection exists where crimes are committed on the grounds of race, religion and national origin.
Angel sent from God Secret Sisters Oct 27, 2009, 8:16am UTC
So cool! :D
Rude D. Oct 29, 2009, 12:11pm UTC
Crapo (R-Idaho)
Risch (R-Idaho)

Went to a civil rights function where Crapo pledged his commitment to human rights. LYING SACK OF DUNG!!!!

I will blast him in a letter to the editor suggesting he is gay himself, hence his gay hatred!!!!
Erik Edson Oct 30, 2009, 2:11pm UTC
"...suggesting he is gay himself, hence his gay hatred!!!! "

That reminds me of a certain Republican senator from Idaho...
John S. Oct 29, 2009, 5:48pm UTC
I also had friends who were victims of hate crimes against gays. One was beaten with baseball bats, but recovered from the broken bones and is now fine. Another was burned to death while watching a movie at a gay movie house.

We really need this legislation.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Business | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Giveaways | Health | Money | Moms | News | Politics | Sports | Style | Technology | Travel | Writing
Version 18247, "Zach"; Copyright © 2013 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.