See other Editorial Articles
Title: New Hate Crimes Bill Criminalizes Words and Thoughts
Source:
[None]
URL Source: http://www.newswithviews.com/NWV-News/news143.htm
Published: May 3, 2009
Author: Jim Kouri
Post Date: 2009-05-03 19:00:40 by christine
Keywords: None
Views: 417
Comments: 22
Wednesday night, while President Barack Obama held his televised press conference marking his first 100 days in office, the federal hate crimes bill -- HR 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 -- passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 249 to 175. But not everyone believes this piece of legislation is a great idea. They are cautioning many supporters that such a law is a two-edged sword and may have unintended consequences that includes misuse by overzealous and politically motivated prosecutors. Critics fear that this legislation would prosecute individuals not on the basis of their crimes but on their alleged motivations for committing those crimes. It requires law enforcement officials and prosecutors to gather evidence of the offender's thoughts rather than of his actions and his criminal intent. Some of the provisions contained in HR 1913 include: • Federalization of crimes that already are being effectively prosecuted by our States and local governments. • The forcing of law enforcement officials and prosecutors to gather evidence of the offender's thoughts and words, regardless of the criminality of his actions. • Blurring the line between violent belief, which is constitutionally protected, and violent action, which is not. "This should strike us all as inherently dangerous," said a New York City police detective who asked for anonymity since the city's mayor favors such legislation. "Now we'll have feds looking over our shoulders to make certain we arrest people based on their views regarding homosexuality and others who would be protected by a federal law enforced by federal bureaucrats," she added. "The First Amendment of our Constitution was crafted because our Founding Fathers recognized that the freedom of thought and belief is the cornerstone of every other freedom. It is the foundation of liberty itself, because, without it, every other freedom, including the freedom of speech, becomes meaningless," warned Congressman Trent Franks of Texas during the debate on the House floor. "[With all of the challenges that we have in our country, the wonderful reality is that we still hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal and that they are all equal because they are all God's children," said the conservative lawmaker. During a discussion of HR 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, opponents of the proposed law offered compelling arguments for scrapping the bill. For example, Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics contained in the Bureau's annual Uniform Crime Report showed that the number of so-called hate crimes has actually declined over the last 10 years. Also, the last UCR released by the FBI revealed that of the approximately 17,000 homicides that occurred in the U.S., only 9 of the murders were determined to be motivated by bias. "This new law opens the door to suspects being questioned about their thoughts rather than their actions. Are we going to start interrogating people about what they are or were thinking?" asks a New York City detective who opposes the law. "We already have a hate crime law in our state Penal Code. What are the feds doing getting involved in state crimes?" said the veteran cop on condition of anonymity. During the debate over the new law, US Congressman Paul Broun of Georgia voiced his opposition to HR 1913 and explained why he voted against it. “Regardless of its motivation, I believe that every violent crime is appalling. Furthermore, I believe that all people should be equally protected by law from violence, no matter who they are," said Broun, who is also a licensed physician. “In addition to posing a litany of constitutional problems, today’s legislation alarmingly overturns the cornerstone of equality in our justice system by placing a higher value on one life over another. In no way could I support a bill that more harshly punishes criminals who kill a homosexual, transvestite or transsexual than criminals who kill a police officer, a member of the military, a child, or a senior citizen. I believe that all victims should have equal worth in the eyes of the law," said Rep. Broun. Rep.Virginia Foxx of North Carolina said that a federal hate law would preempt the Tenth Amendment which delegates most law enforcement to the states. She said the claim that Matt Sheppard was murdered because he was a homosexual was a "hoax;" he was killed, she said as the victim of a robbery. Sheppard's murderers did not know he was gay at the time of the robbery. Supporters of the law complain that laws for dealing with hate or bias crimes differ from state to state and that this new law will codify the definition of a hate crime. They believe that the federal government will be able to utilize the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 in order to force local officials to protect gays, minorities and others as "protected groups." While opponents support the prosecution of criminals to the full extent of the law, they believe the police power is traditionally mandated to the states by the US Constitution. Murder, rape, assault and other felonies are crimes for individual states to adjudicate, according to several police commanders, some of whom said their politically motivated superiors support HR 1913. “This unconstitutional hate crimes bill also raises the possibility that religious leaders or members of religious groups could become the subject of a criminal investigation focusing on a suspect's religious beliefs, membership in religious organizations and any statements made by a suspect," said Congressman Paul Broun. "Religious leaders and others who express their constitutionally protected beliefs should not be silenced out of fear of prosecution,” he said, The US Senate has a similar version of the bill and will no doubt vote soon on their own hate crimes legislation.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: christine (#0)
Look out 4um members. You're about to be outlawed.
• Federalization of crimes that already are being effectively prosecuted by our States and local governments. The smooth criminal transition from Bush/Cheney to Obama
The line in the sand is very clear on this one; those that support this mess need to find a new forum home.
It's one thing to legislate, and quite another to enforce. Let them try. To those that haven't the stomach to fight this, they surly can't be counted on for any other restoration effort. It's best to know here and now who stands and who cuts and runs.
it will effectively obliterate the 1st Amendment...and i have no doubt they will quickly go for the 2nd.
The smooth criminal transition from Bush/Cheney to Obama
This is a massive strengthening of the Federal government's authority. Civil libertarians should unite against it. It has Stalinist implications, and that's no exaggeration. It appears to pay the authorities to look for hate crimes.
I'm more concerned about the sudden lack of ammo, then this nonsense. No doubt some will crawl off into their hidey holes, but it's best to know who is a coward and who isn't.
you are absolutely correct.
The smooth criminal transition from Bush/Cheney to Obama
Congress clearly has too much time on its hands. They've demonstrated their obsolescence. There is little point in leaving them in Washington DC to continue wasting our time and frittering away our liberties while the economy continues to crash.
Congress is a festering pus bag with, the last I looked, a favorable rating of 19%. Disregard the oafs.
They blow.
Hate crime legislation always seems to come back to protecting Jews from criticism. No wonder they're taking such a strong interest in it. It's not altruism that drives them. It's knowing that the sentiments against them are rising due to their unduly disproportionate influence on our media, entertainment, and politics — when problems arise, people start asking how they could happen, and who's to blame.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Indie, I'm not concerned with this legislation. This criminalizes a god given right, and to the degree anyone complies is their business. I expect many are applauding speech restrictions (not here, but elsewhere). Their day too will come. Legislation like this may just be something that unites those of us who reject Obama and his ADL inspired cabinet. As for me, I'll do what I always do w/o fear of their pending law. EDIT: Compared to this administration, Bush was George Washington.
When hate becomes a crime, only criminals will hate.
God is always good!
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition JURY NULLIFICATION should apply to abominations like this too. Send THAT message to your congresscritters, your senators and pResident Obama.
I always kinda liked the ones in the funny dress. It just seems more... honest.
Everything lasts and everything ends. Longer than our children could ever imagine, faster than we could ever imagine. Children are the stuff of life; god was right to deny us immortality.
That's what's great about having a king -- you know who to blame.
Everything lasts and everything ends. Longer than our children could ever imagine, faster than we could ever imagine. Children are the stuff of life; god was right to deny us immortality.
Fear is hate.
Everything lasts and everything ends. Longer than our children could ever imagine, faster than we could ever imagine. Children are the stuff of life; god was right to deny us immortality.
#2. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
• The forcing of law enforcement officials and prosecutors to gather evidence of the offender's thoughts and words, regardless of the criminality of his actions.
• Blurring the line between violent belief, which is constitutionally protected, and violent action, which is not.
#3. To: christine (#0)
#4. To: christine, Deasy (#2)
#5. To: Deasy (#1)
#6. To: Jethro Tull (#3)
#7. To: Deasy (#6)
#8. To: Jethro Tull (#4)
To those that haven't the stomach to fight this, they surely can't be counted on for any other restoration effort.
#9. To: Jethro Tull (#7)
(Edited)
#10. To: Deasy (#9)
#11. To: Jethro Tull, HOUNDDAWG, Esso, bluegrass, Prefrontal Vortex, Zoroaster (#10)
#12. To: Deasy (#11)
#13. To: Jethro Tull (#12)
#14. To: Jethro Tull, christine (#3)
(Edited)
The line in the sand is very clear on this one; those that support this mess need to find a new forum home. Bump.
#15. To: IndieTX (#14)
(Edited)
#16. To: christine (#0)
(Edited)
#17. To: Jethro Tull (#15)
(Edited)
#18. To: christine (#0)
Oh what a DUFFLE-HEAD that Barack Obama is !!! Duffle-Head (As used in a Felix the Cat cartoon) A wicked person of limited intelegence but with pretenses of intelectual grandeur. Their only successful endevors are usually the invention of self punishment machines.
#19. To: christine, *libertarians*, *Jack-Booted Thugs* (#0)
but the sheiks would shriek and the barons would bellow if hemp was made legal...and people became mellow
#20. To: Deasy (#11)
except the Orthodox ones
#21. To: Deasy (#13)
It's knowing that the sentiments against them are rising due to their unduly disproportionate influence on our media, entertainment, and politics — when problems arise, people start asking how they could happen, and who's to blame.
#22. To: christine (#0)
Critics fear
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest