Senate votes big expansion of federal hate crimes (aka Pedophile Protection Act)

Associated Press ^ | July 17, 2009 | Jim Abrams

[DesertRenegade]

The Senate on Thursday approved the most sweeping expansion of federal hate crimes law since Congress responded four decades ago to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

The legislation, backed by President Barack Obama, would extend federal protections granted under the 1968 hate crimes law to cover those physically attacked because of their gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

"This bill simply recognizes that there is a difference between assaulting someone to steal his money, or doing so because he is gay, or disabled, or Latino or Muslim," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said.

Voice vote passage came immediately after supporters cleared a 60-vote procedural hurdle imposed by Republicans trying to block consideration of the legislation. That vote was 63-28.

The hate crimes bill was offered as an amendment to a must-pass defense spending bill that the Senate is expected to finish some time next week. Several Republican amendments to the hate crimes legislation still could be considered on Monday, but Thursday's vote determined that it will be part of the defense bill when it passes.

The 1968 hate crimes act covers violence related to a person's race, color, religion or national origin. Federal involvement is confined to a narrow range of circumstances, such as when the victim is using a public facility or attending a public school, serving on a jury or participating in a government program.

The proposed legislation, in addition to expanding the categories covered, ends the "federally protected activities" requirement.

[DesertRenegade]

Not a surprise that the DemRats decided to push this through late at night. This is the bill that threatens to imprison Pastors who speak out against homosexuality and also protects every alternative lifestyle (including pedophilia). This was a big deal last month and many decent Congressmen tried to put a stop to it. Unfortunatley, it looks like the Dem slime and the homosexual lobby snuck it through.

[Tax Government]

Don’t pass the GD bill.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

Harry Reid is safe since this bill obviously protects the mentally ill from needed treatment.

[Eagles6]

Another brick in the wall of our prison or another straw on the camel’s back?

[sourcery]

"This bill simply recognizes that there is a difference between assaulting someone to steal his money, or doing so because he is gay, or disabled, or Latino or Muslim,"

There is no such difference. A person's reasons for doing wrong are quite irrelevant. To criminalize the reason is to criminalize thought and belief—a very vile and evil thing to do. This is thought crime legislation, and should be referred to as such.

[pissant]

F*** this shit. And F*** the marxists who voted for it.

[guitarplayer1953]

So when you have a gang of blacks attacking a family like in Ohio who were white will they be charged with a hate crime?

[napscoordinator]

I don’t see anything at all about protecting pedophiles...Are you just trying to be funny?

[lowbridge]

bump

[RWB Patriot]

“This bill simply recognizes that there is a difference between assaulting someone to steal his money, or doing so because he is gay, or disabled, or Latino or Muslim,”

And of course, who gets to decide which is the case and by what standards?

[nathanbedford]

Here we have revealed in a single spasm so much of what is wrong with the American way of government since the ascension of Barack Obama.

The passage of legislation at night; the passage of legislation by stealth, strategy, and artifice; the federalization of every itch and neurosis; the pandering to in-favor special interest groups; the triumph of identity politics; the elevation of one group at the expense of another; the sacrifice of constitutional rights to special interests; the exaltation of the group over the individual; the criminalization of civil issues; the distortions which occur from one-party rule; the hubris of rulers who operate without effective press oversight.

[peyton randolph]

I don’t see anything at all about protecting pedophiles...Are you just trying to be funny?

---

The key distinguishing characteristic for now is that homosexuality is legalized but pedophilia (and polygamy for that matter) are illegal. That being said, given enough time, you'll find a judge who will apply the legislation to other deviant behavior that falls within the category of "sexual orientation."

[Luke21]

Anybody got a roll call on this?

[what's up]

Looks like almost 10% of the Senate didn’t vote on this.

[NoLibZone]

This must be used against Sotomayer.

She is a documented racist.

Then use it to go after Reverend Wright.

[sourcery]

So when you have a gang of blacks attacking a family like in Ohio who were white will they be charged with a hate crime?

No. Didn't you get the memo? Only whites can be racist, and only whites can commit hate crimes. That's so vile, wicked and hypocritical any socialist knows it intuitively.

[DesertRenegade]

“I don’t see anything at all about protecting pedophiles...Are you just trying to be funny?”

Unfortunately, no: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=97115

[guitarplayer1953]

Is that like whites need not apply?

[Iron Munro]

In a democrat utopia everyone would be entitled to equal protection under the law.

That is, everyone except normal everyday people, especially heterosexuals, Christians, caucasions who are not registered democrats, all conseratives and republicans, along with tobacco smokers, gun owners, global warming deniers, Sarah Palin and her family, people who didn’t vote for Obama and people who won’t pretend that Michellle Obama is beauty incarnate.

And of course, little boys and girls desired as sexual objects by queers and lesbians.

People who choose to live in small towns, the country and rural areas aren’t on the list yet but their behavior is considered highly suspicious.

[Tahoe3002]

“...there is a difference between assaulting someone to steal his money, or doing so because he is gay, or disabled, or Latino or Muslim,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said.

Yo, Harry, latinos frequently beat up homos as “sport”, will that be a hate crime? What about black vs. latino violence, hate crime? Not likely, only white vs (fill in the blank).
And BTW, anyone assaulting me for my money needs to understand that the penalty for this decision will end up looking down a gun barrel, regardless of the hoodlum's race, religion or gender.