Congress acts to extend hate crimes to cover gays

[Chris_]

Congress acts to extend hate crimes to cover gays

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House voted Thursday to make it a federal crime to assault people because of their sexual orientation, significantly expanding the hate crimes law enacted in the days after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968.

With expected passage by the Senate, federal prosecutors will for the first time be able to intervene in cases of violence perpetrated against gays.

Civil rights groups and their Democratic allies have been trying for more than a decade to broaden the reach of hate crimes law. This time it appears they will succeed. The measure is attached to a must-pass $680 billion defense policy bill and President Barack Obama - unlike President George W. Bush - is a strong supporter. The House passed the defense bill 281-146, with 15 Democrats and 131 Republicans in opposition.

"It's a very exciting day for us here in the Capitol," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., saying hate crimes legislation was on her agenda when she first entered Congress 22 years ago.

*snip*

Some 45 states have hate crimes statutes, and the bill would not change the current situation where investigations and prosecutions are carried out by state and local officials.

But it would provide federal grants to help with the prosecuting of hate crimes and funds programs to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles.

The federal government can step in after the Justice Department certifies that a state is unwilling or unable to follow through on a purported hate crime.

Commit crime "x", get punishment "a".
Commit crime "x" while thinking bad thoughts, get punishment "a+b".

Makes sense.   

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[Alpha Mare]

I thought gays were already covered.

[Thor]

and, all the while, us disabled people are hung out to dry through this legislation. Yep, give a faggot preferential rights..... 

[NHSparky]

This from the same people who won't include protection for military members.

[bkg]

did pedophiles make the cut like planned?

[Deuce]

did pedophiles make the cut like planned?

They got involved with an argument with furries and the administration promised to review their cases at a later date.

[mamacags]

So if I get my ass beat the one beating my ass has extra punishment because I am straight, right?  I mean if we are protecting someone because of their sexual orientation then straights should reap the benefits too.

[Chris_]

So if I get my ass beat the one beating my ass has extra punishment because I am straight, right?  I mean if we are protecting someone because of their sexual orientation then straights should reap the benefits too.

Oh no,  you are not part of the protected class.  This only works one way.

[Deuce]

So if I get my ass beat the one beating my ass has extra punishment because I am straight, right?  I mean if we are protecting someone because of their sexual orientation then straights should reap the benefits too.

Only if you get beat up by a gay man.

Does it count if its a lesbian? I'm not really sure.

edit: And gays are a fairly non-violent sort. This seems unlikely. 

[Chris_]

This from the same people who won't include protection for military members.

It just figures

[ColonialMarine0431]

So if a bunch of gays attack me and try to give me a makeover and I kick their a$$es do I get prosecuted?

If gays attack Christians, will they be prosected under this law?

Militant Homosexuals Attack Church Service in Michigan

[JohnnyReb]

So if a bunch of gays attack me and try to give me a makeover and I kick their a$$es do I get prosecuted?

If gays attack Christians, will they be prosected under this law?
Militant Homosexuals Attack Church Service in Michigan

NO. They're special.