Posted on 07/17/2007 4:07:15 AM PDT by Man50D
Sen. Edward Kennedy's "hate crimes" plan – feared by Christian leaders as a way to censor biblical condemnations of homosexuality – has been proposed as an amendment to a defense spending bill, a maneuver opponents are calling "shameless" and "manipulative."
The Kennedy plan, which earlier was introduced as separate legislation, would classify gender and sexual orientation as specially protected classes of people under federal law. Opponents say it would require law enforcement personnel to become "thought police" to determine whether a crime already addressed by existing law could be prosecuted under an enhanced standard of "hate crime."
The White House already has suggested the proposal is unneeded and a veto would be in order if it is approved. But Kennedy has proposed inserting it into the defense appropriations plan, which Bush wants to pass.
The maneuver is one clearly calculated to put the president in the position of ending up vetoing a defense appropriation," Mathew Staver of Liberty Counsel told WND.
Joe Glover of the Family Policy Network said the move is "shockingly manipulative."
"It is a shameless attempt to push the homosexual agenda on the American people by exploiting American soldiers who are currently in harm's way around the world," he said.
Many dismiss the idea Christian pastors and others who oppose homosexual behavior on biblical grounds would end up being punished for their beliefs and thoughts, including the ACLU. The organization issued a statement endorsing the plan to amend the defense spending bill to include the hate crimes legislation.
"The serious problem of crime directed at members of society because of their race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability merits legislative action," the ACLU said.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldnetdaily.com ...
Congress Critter ping!
Watch for needless amnesty provisions snuck into necessary bills too. They will show up soon....
Hmmmm... I wonder if we can attach an amendment for those that drink and drive cars off bridges, killing unsuspecting blondes.
The President needs to address the American people and make the case when he vetos this bill. That the defense bill needs to be sent back to him clean, without unnecessary attachments. The only “new tone” in Washington that works is hardball.
As you say LLS, Toon was wrong and won. Why do you think that was? Because the MSM spun it his way.
If W shuts it down the MSM will certainly pound the Blame Bush button and he will lose! The Dims know this and use it to get their agenda passed.
The MSM’s blame Bush strategy has lost its edge. A recent poll suggested 70% or so of the American public believes the media is biased to the left. They are out on a limb now. There is no more monopoly.
70% believe the MSM is biased that does not mean they think the MSM is wrong.
Yes, the MSM is slowly dieing but they are still a powerful force when their all on one track.
Bush should put forward a bill of his own banning this practice of attaching pork and underhanded special interest group agenda’s to bills once and for all.
How did this practice begin anyways? It’s insane.
The gag reflex starts while reading all the righteous indignation. Both sides sneak failed legislation into appropriations bills. That’s a tactic as old as the republic.
Yes the MSM is still very powerful indeed but they are losing ground consistently, on a downward trend. This is good news. The new media is filling in the gap. It will take time, of course, but there is hope where little existed in years past.
I agree. Make that case to the American people and he will win hands down.
Bush should put forward a bill of his own banning...He could advocate a bill. Or one of his allies in congress could put forward a bill.
But I don't think the President can do it.
The President OWNS the Bully Pulpit... and that along with talk radio will win the day. We beat ‘toon, all dims and the lsm when it came to amnetsy... we will do the same when it comes to this.
LLS
Gee, no LOVE crimes?
Like leaving a young woman to DROWN in your car after a failed attempt to “get some” and driving off a bridge while wasted?
Copiously Corrupt Cowardly Commie Congress Critter bump!
Just a thought, since it seems to work for Lib cities & their beloved illegal aliens.
Are these “hate crime” provisions going to be applied to the words of the Koran as well?
Because the Muslims claim that homosexuality is just one sort of mischief that gets body parts lopped off. For the one who is unfortunate enough to get caught while engaged in this sort of behavior, his best bet would be decapitation.
Because it would be quite painful to sit down to urinate for some time. And the reminder would be there for the rest of his life.
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