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To: Brandon

No, the very real danger in this legislation is that it opens up the prosecution of thought, or even public Bible reading. This is very dangerous, and every Christian needs to take a stand against it.


36 posted on 06/26/2004 9:19:31 PM PDT by YepYep
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To: YepYep
You are quite wrong. I provided a link in a previous response that will lead you quickly to the actual text. It clearly states that a crime of violence must be involved. Here's the gist:

SEC. __04. SUPPORT FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS BY STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.

(a) ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.--

(1) IN GENERAL.--At the request of a law enforcement official of a State or Indian tribe, the Attorney General may provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or any other form of assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that--

(A) constitutes a crime of violence (as defined in section 16 of title 18, United States Code);

(B) constitutes a felony under the laws of the State or Indian tribe; and

(C) is motivated by prejudice based on the race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of the victim, or is a violation of the hate crime laws of the State or Indian tribe.

SNIP

(a) IN GENERAL.--Chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``§249. Hate crime acts

``(a) IN GENERAL.--

``(1) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN.--Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person--

``(A) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and

``(B) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if--

``(i) death results from the offense; or

``(ii) the offense includes kidnaping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.

``(2) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR DISABILITY.--

``(A) IN GENERAL.--Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, in any circumstance described in subparagraph (B), willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person--

``(i) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and

``(ii) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if--

``(I) death results from the offense; or

``(II) the offense includes kidnaping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.

Perhaps you can explain how any of this supports the prosecution of public Bible reading?

40 posted on 06/26/2004 10:35:53 PM PDT by Brandon
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