Religious Right Spreads Lies About Hate Crimes Bill »
Posted By Spadecaller 7 months ago in ReligionNew hate crime legislation will soon be under consideration by Congress and the religious right is flipping out about it. When a crime that results in death or serious injury is committed against any American because of the victim's race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, the proposed legislation would grant the U.S. Justice Department the authority to offer assistance. Religious Right leaders keep playing the "your-pastor-will-go-to-jail" card. "An offended homosexual could accuse a pastor, Sunday School teacher of broadcaster of causing emotional injury simply by expressing the Biblical view that homosexuality is sinful," blares the Rev. Donald Wildmon of the American Family Association in an e-mail alert. Are their fears of censorship credible?
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Spadecaller
Welcome to my profile. About me: I'm an artist of several kinds; from bull to painting. I don't spare too many words. Most ...
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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Is censorship a realistic fear in reaction to this legislation? I think not. On the other hand, perhaps the paranoid homophobic right wing religious zealots out there really do have something to worry about. What if pedophiles who use the church setting to prey on children were to be prosecuted more effectively? That could become a real damper on the business of selling God.
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libsRfunnyComment removed: Hard Banned1 Reply
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capecoralMComment removed: Retracted by user4 Replies
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hyperbola7 months ago
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Censorship is already a serious problem in America (see below) and "hate crimes" legislation will make it worse. We do not need to reduce tellers of truth about the corruption of America to be reduced to "american samizdat" - we already have too much suppression of real information in America.
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The Pulitzer-winning Investigation that US TV Censored
The New York Times' David Barstow won a richly deserved Pulitzer Prize yesterday for two articles that, despite being featured as major news stories on the front page of The Paper of Record, were completely suppressed by virtually every network and cable news show, which to this day have never informed their viewers about what Barstow uncovered. Here is how the Pulitzer Committee described Barstow's exposés:
Awarded to David Barstow of The New York Times for his tenacious reporting that revealed how some retired generals, working as radio and television analysts, had been co-opted by the Pentagon to make its case for the war in Iraq, and how many of them also had undisclosed ties to companies that benefited from policies they defended.
By whom were these "ties to companies" undisclosed and for whom did these deeply conflicted retired generals pose as "analysts"? ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN and Fox -- the very companies that have simply suppressed the story from their viewers. They kept completely silent about Barstow's story even though it sparked Congressional inquiries, vehement objections from the then-leading Democratic presidential candidates, and allegations that the Pentagon program violated legal prohibitions on domestic propaganda programs. The Pentagon's secret collaboration with these "independent analysts" shaped multiple news stories from each of these outlets on a variety of critical topics. Most amazingly, many of them continue to employ as so-called "independent analysts" the very retired generals at the heart of Barstow's story, yet still refuse to inform their viewers about any part of this story.
And even now that Barstow yesterday won the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting -- one of the most prestigious awards any news story can win -- these revelations still may not be uttered on television and are actively censored.
http://www.propeller.com/story/2009/04/21/the-puli... -
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hyperbola7 months ago
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Furthermore, we already have numerous examples of zionists like Spadecaller attempting to use chants of "hate crime" to cover up zionist crimes against humanity. Frankly I suspect that this "campaign for hate crime legislation" is mainly supported and financed by rich israel-first billionaires that are scared shiitless that Americans may wake up to what the rest of the world already recognizes. Did you see this news on your "mainstream" media news tonight?NO creation of more excuses for more censorship in America.
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Norway: 10 Israelis named in war crimes complaint
A group of Norwegian lawyers filed a complaint Wednesday accusing 10 Israelis of war crimes in Gaza under the country's new universal jurisdiction law, officials said.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and opposition leader Tzipi Livni were among those named in the complaint, the lawyers said.
In a statement, the lawyers claim that Olmert, Livni, Barak and seven Israel military officers shared responsibility for "massive terror attacks primarily directed at Gaza's population."....
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truthfirst7 months ago
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Spadecaller -
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I have noticed that you just love this type of so called reporting. You seem to scour the Internet looking for articles that bash Christians. I find this appalling and consider it a hate crime against my personal belief as a believer in Jesus Christ. James 4:4 says, "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
Spadecaller, you a treading on dangerous ground and I would warn you of the disastrous results if you continue down this path, because God will not be mocked. By your actions it is obvious that you hate God and anyone who believes in Him. Your hatred for Christians and Jesus is based on what John 7:7, "...the world hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil."
The Scripture is very clear that homosexuality is a sin and it time that people stop trying to justify their sin by saying that it something other than it is. There is coming a day when you will be standing before God to give an account for your hatred towards Him and His followers. So my advice to you is to repent of your sin and turn to Christ for forgiveness. -
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galletta61217 months ago
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He who denies me, shall be denied a place with my father!
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You could bash religion all you want, but you will find yourself alone and without comfort at the time of your death. And it will be here for you Spadecaller, sooner then you know. -
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galletta61217 months ago
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The Liberal seeks to dominate any institution that can interfere with, weaken or destroy individual parental rights. Thus you will note that Liberals completely control and dominate public schools, child abuse agencies, pediatric associations, welfare departments, social service agencies and all NGO's that feign concern for the welfare of children. Why? Because in order for Liberals to impose socialism upon a people, they must undermine the ability of the people to govern themselves according to God's moral law. To accomplish this they must weaken the main support of morality. Strong families are one of the greatest threats to the final goals of Liberalism. The total disintegration of the American family in recent decades among some ethnic communities has occurred as a direct result of the design and intention of Liberals.
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CHAM7 months ago
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http://www.populistamerica.com/the_thought_police_...
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The above is an article about what can happen to you or me if we say the wrong thing when there are zealous prosecutors and judges out there trying to make a name for themselves.
Be very careful about supporting "Hate Crimes" legislation. If there were some way to keep the law from being abused it might be OK but as the link provides, well judge for yourself.-
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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<<The bill penalizes assault and physical violence, not speech. In fact, the legislation makes it clear that free speech is protected. Section 10 states, "Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution.">>
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One must read the specific language of the bill to understand that it does not threaten free speech. -
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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<<The bill penalizes assault and physical violence, not speech. In fact, the legislation makes it clear that free speech is protected. Section 10 states, "Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution.">>
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It is certainly wise to be concerned about free speech; however if you read the bill, it is designed to offer local courts assistance with hate crimes and does not jeopardize free speech. One must read the bill as it is written.
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Ciera-Marie7 months ago
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What do you expect when they get their info from the American Family Association? They're against deregulation of the Oil Industry (how does that promote Christian Family Values?); are against the Employee Free Choice Act (in other words against employees participating in, forming, joining, or assisting labor unions.); among other things that they're against.
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The more I read on them the more I realize how people are being indoctrinated who listen to AFA broadcasting (they own radio stations.) and are a big lobbyist.-
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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I agree. what concerns me is also that hate crimes are going up; not down. WE have communities where the problem has become so bad that one must rely on outside help (not local municipalities) because some of the perpetrators are local police.
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Racial profiling and ripping off motorists of their money by threats of imprisonment from law enforcement official have been reported in numerous cases recently and in more than one community.
Nonetheless, this bill refers to physical violence and death due to hate crimes and is extremely careful in its language to make sure that it avoids impinging on anyone's right to free speech. Unfortunately, we have a serious back lash by some people in this country and the victims of hate crimes are escalating. -
galletta6121Comment removed: Spam
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF HATE CRIME.
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In this Act--
(1) the term ‘crime of violence’ has the meaning given that term in section 16, title 18, United States Code;
(2) the term ‘hate crime’ has the meaning given such term in section 280003(a) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (28 U.S.C. 994 note); and
(3) the term ‘local’ means a county, city, town, township, parish, village, or other general purpose political subdivision of a State.
SEC. 4. SUPPORT FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS BY STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.
(a) Assistance Other Than Financial Assistance-
(1) IN GENERAL- At the request of a State, local, or Tribal law enforcement agency, 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;
(B) constitutes a felony under the State, local, or Tribal laws; and
(C) is motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim, or is a violation of the State, local, or Tribal hate crime laws.
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Because the legislation only refers to victims of violent crime, it is a complete fabrication by those who oppose it on the grounds that one can be prosecuted for speaking against gays or any other group specified.-
libsRfunnyComment removed: Hard Banned
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hyperbola7 months ago
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If physical assault or violence has to exist, then there is no need for a hate crimes bill - such actions are already crimes and can already be prosecuted.
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This legislation is the thin edge of vastly increased "control" and censorship by the government (and/or corrupt elites that can buy politicians). We should resist such legislation vigorously. You of all people should know that Spade.
"In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up."
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Dionys7 months ago
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" the Biblical view that homosexuality is sinful"
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This isn't the Biblical view. This is an ideological interpretation of Biblical passages all while ignoring other passages that wouldn't pass muster in similar sections. The Bible says nothing about homosexuality (in the original language), only a few things about specific homosexual acts between men.
Moreover the Gospels say nothing about homosexuality and Christ says nothing about homosexuality.
Additionally if you embrace the Levitican justification of an anti-homosexual act, you have to embrace all the other awful parts of Leviticus and Exodus (such as the rules governing what kind of slaves you can own and how to treat your Jew slaves), or you're a prooftexting hypocrite.-
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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Dionys
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<<" the Biblical view that homosexuality is sinful"
This isn't the Biblical view. This is an ideological interpretation...>>
I agree. Nonetheless, this interpretation is a dominant theme among many Church goers ... but then again, Jesus was not known to be an avid church goer either. I don't care to get into the various ways that the Bible is viewed. Some ignore it entirely, some take what they want and leave the rest, some exploit it for their own profit, some believe every word is from God, some believe it is legend, and some interpret it symbolically with the reservation that they could be wrong.
As you must have ascertained, the thrust of the article focuses on those right wing ideologues who oppose this hate crime legislation and who are purposely mischaracterizing the bill as it is written.
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pokydoke7 months ago
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prophyporcritesComment removed: Spammer, Hard Banned2 Replies
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dailyblueberry7 months ago
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Wasn't most of this covered under the constitution..."provide for the common defence, promote the General welfare..." Why do we need another law that WILL be broken? Criminals are not scared of our government defining the word "local." Enforce the laws we have.
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Granted, there are boneheads everywhere, including law enforcement, but we have ways of changing this government without needing new laws that are a waste of time.-
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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dailyblueberry
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<<Granted, there are boneheads everywhere, including law enforcement, but we have ways of changing this government without needing new laws that are a waste of time.>>
Considering that there has been a marked rise of hate crimes throughout the United States (and Canada), what ways do you recommend to change our government without legislation that will address this problem?
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Bkumm7 months ago
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Well, the right wing religious nuts are obviously FUBAR, but I must admit I'm not a big fan of hate crime legislation. A murder is a murder, it doesn't become more heinous just because it was committed against a protected class. The motive behind a crime is just that, the motive. Will people that commit these horrendous acts be less likely to do so if their crimes are punishable by life in prison vs. being punishable by life in prison? I don't think so. If they were, does that not imply that they are rational? Anyone that commits these acts is, by definition, not rational.
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jordan117 months ago
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Well, the right wing religious nuts are obviously FUBAR, but I must admit I'm not a big fan of hate crime legislation.>>>>
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I am. If you take a black man or a gay man & plop them into a population of non bigoted people, what are the odds they would be targeted by a kook vs the odds if they're plopped into a population of bigots? And if a kook allows the hate rhetoric to take him or her over the top that infringes on the rights of another person, what would be the best way to give the kook a lesson that he or she is unable to reason because of their own lack of conscience?
Here's an example; My son who is gay has a neighbor. One day when clearing weeds from a common hillside, she decided my son's partner had pulled weeds on 'her' property. So she stormed over to my son's home, and began railing at the man, throwing in expletives about his sexuality. My son drove up, got out of his car, and asked what was going on. She turned and clipped him on the chin, calling him a "filthy f*g." He grabbed her wrists, and waited for the police. The DA implored my son to file hate crime charges. NO ONE should have to live in that kind of an environment, and NO ONE should be allowed to cross that line. Had they not been 'gay', the b*tch would not have reacted that way. She and every other bigot who look for an excuse to rail against those they hate, NEED to have consequences. You can't tell what might set off a psychopath, but hate crimes ARE something you can be proactive about.
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JEBUS087 months ago
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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What some people do not realize regarding this legislation is that it addresses crimes that get ignored on the local level do to shared bigotry among the perpetrators. Unfortunately there are groups of people that share the same hatred for blacks, Hispanics, Mexicans, Jews, and Gays and when the local police force deals with crimes committed by their friends and relatives, they often get buried away. In addition, as I mentioned earlier, there are local police forces in some communities that routinely rely on racial profiling motorists to make money through intimidation.
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dailyblueberry7 months ago
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call a spade a spade, man. name those "local police forces" and those "crimes" and let's get something done about it today, let's not wait.
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Government will have to formulate the law, send the law to a committee for review, vote on the law, send the law up for a vote, edit the law, vote on the law, local law enforcement will have to read the law, understand the law, and enforce the law. Criminals will then be prosecuted by the law, will then automatically appeal the law, blah, blah, blah...this makes me tired. -
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onememphis7 months ago
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Ok Spade. I can't let that last comment go. "...there are local police forces in some communities that routinely rely on racial profiling motorists to make money through intimidation."
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Q: What communities? Name one.
People can hate Gays. (No crime) People can hate Conservatives. (No Crime) Problem is...you must prove that this hate was a motivating factor in an assault. That is most always, subjective at best, and at worst, ripe for manipulation by any overzealous, politically climbing prosecutor. This is a perversion of justice, where proof is required (criminal court) beyond reasonable doubt, for a conviction.
Just re-read the comments of Jordan 11. "...Had they not been 'gay', the b*tch would not have reacted that way. She and every other bigot who look for an excuse to rail against those they hate, NEED to have consequences." Purely SUBJECTIVE. The Justice system was not designed to allow you a means for retribution for perceived slights. It is designed to provide JUSTICE.
No Jordan. I have a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to rail against anyone, or group, I wish. Its called Freedom of Speech. I'll be Damned if I'll let you try to take it without a fight. (No Name-calling needed.)
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cheif7 months ago
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Did the legislation define exactly who comprises the 'protected' groups?
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I'd like to find out if white men are included in this list, because, according to everything I've read, we're responsible for every crime ever committed because we hate everybody...or is it the other way around?
We had over 250 murders in St. Louis last year...90% were committed by black people - same as in Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans...etc...they'll non-discriminatory and will kill ANY
person to get what they want; sorry to say it's their own kind
in 90% of the cases...should each one of these crimes be defined as hate crimes because black people are one of the 'protected' groups?
It's time for decent people in those hoods
to arm themselves and shoot back at these idiots...a hate crime
designation hasn't, will not, and will never protect any of these people...or anyone else - just like our police forces -
have NEVER protected anyone; they're 'clean-up' crews who come
in after the fact and try to make some money for the city out of the tragedy.... -
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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Bkumm7 months ago
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hyperbola7 months ago
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Well if we are going down the "master race" pathway Spade, how about adding in the "zionist master race". Their recent record of crimes against humanity (7 million christian and moslem victims in Palestine - which is the world's biggest refugee problem) stick out like a sore thumb and in the US they certainly have their legions of "preachers" of continued hate crimes against christians and moslems.
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SpadecallerComment removed: Spam
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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dailyblue:
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Howard Witt, Chicago Tribune, March 10, 2009 <<TENAHA, Texas—You can drive into this dusty fleck of a town near the Texas-Louisiana border if you’re African-American, but you might not be able to drive out of it—at least not with your car, your cash, your jewelry or other valuables.
That’s because the police here allegedly have found a way to strip motorists, many of them black, of their property without ever charging them with a crime. Instead they offer out-of-towners a grim choice: voluntarily sign over your belongings to the town, or face felony charges of money laundering or other serious crimes.>>
http://www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2009/03/highw...
<<BELLAIRE, Texas -- City Council prepared Monday to review a racial profiling report, adding new layers of controversy in the shooting of an unarmed black resident, Local 2 Investigates reported Monday.
: Racial Profiling Report Released
The routine annual report is presented to council members each year as required by a Texas law passed eight years ago to cut down on police stopping motorists because of race. This year's report is raising new questions in the wake of December's shooting of Robert Tolan.
The unarmed resident was shot outside his home after Bellaire police said they mistakenly thought he was in a stolen car. The son of a former pro-baseball player is now suing Bellaire police, claiming a pattern of racial profiling was behind his shooting.>>
"call a spade a spade, man. name those "local police forces" and those "crimes" and let's get something done about it today, let's not wait."
Yeah right...-
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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Black motorists claim Texas police illegally seize valuables among them were
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140 people who all alleged police in the town of Tenaha took their property without charging them with any crime.
The other cited article is here:
http://www.click2houston.com/news/18837247/detail.... -
dailyblueberryComment removed: Spam
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jordan117 months ago
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Obviously, the unfortunate aspect of all this is that propaganda works. Too many people believe what they hear, & don't bother with investigating whether or not they're being lied to. That's how the republicans kept power when they were clearly taking us down the road to ruin. And if people refuse to listen to facts, not a whole lot can be done about it.
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canadianrancher577 months ago
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We already have hate crime laws up here in Canada and we are seeing more people charged under them but there are some problems that can be involved with such laws, the one problem that I have seen is when a person states what is their own opinion which may be offensive but does not promote hatred.Some of thes cases when they go to court are thrown out but some end up going all the way to the supreme court to be settled.
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My heritage came from Scotland so I will pick on myself to show what I am talking about, last summer I heard a person make the comment that the Scottish were nothing but a dirty, hairy bunch of thugs and the world would have been a better place if the Brithish had wiped them out years ago. Now this was an opinion of a person and under our laws he likely could have been charged with a hate crime since he implied that the world might have been better without us Scotish people, to me he was not inciting hatred towards us but merely making an ignorant statement.
Hopefully if your country does p*******e crime laws the line between ones opinion and an actual crime are well defined.
The only way that any of these types of laws have any success if to make sure that the punishment is severe enough to discourage others from doing something similiar, in most cases it is the punishment that makes such laws a joke and nothing really changes. -
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dailyblueberry7 months ago
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Third times a charm. The other two comments got spammed.
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The only thing the "routine" report shows is that Hispanics were pulled over 3% more than whites and whites were pulled over 10% more than blacks.
The cop made a poor judgment call when Tolan got up to protect his mother. He didn't have to shoot the guy, but I don't believe it shows a racial bias. Further, the cop is indicted under the current law, so no further law needs formulated. -
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PainGoddess7 months ago
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I got this "what if" question while debating law and theory.
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In Utah if you kill a person with your car it is a misdemeanor.
(unless you are drunk)(fact).
There are a lot of opportunities to commit "hate Crimes" .
Maybe another law (that won't apply in Utah) will do good elsewhere.
Can death by automobile (on purpose) be considered a hate crime if the driver just happened to hate homosexuals and ran over a person purported to be one? -
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RedstateLib7 months ago
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The issue that most of you are missing are that hate crimes are committed against individuals as a means of intimidating an entire group of people. In a hate crime situation you person or persons will attack one black, gay, jew, catholic, ect in order to express anger, hatred and violence towards the entire community. That is what makes hate crimes different than a drunk punching out some guy who ticks him of in a bar.
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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Agreed. There are also communities that target blacks, gays, Jews, Mexicans, etc. and where the enforcement of laws and courts do not do justicie by its minority members. For this reason, it is wise to have the availability of outside agencies when hate crimes take place. The law should not be just equal to everyone in theory, it needs to be equal in its application. People of color in some communities are targeted by policie officere when they are driving. After they are pulled over they are sometimes harassed and threatened. Should they react to this unfair treatment, they are arrested. Is this equal application of the same laws that are administered to others?
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Bkumm7 months ago
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How so? If some guy punches me because he doesn't like short, fat guys (not a protected class) is that a hate crime? Based on what I hear you saying, it would be. But, regardless of why he did it, it's still assault and battery. It's still a crime. Why should it be punished more harshly just because the motive is different?
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The problem is that it's actually counter intuitive. We want people to be treated equally, yet we want crimes against certain groups punished more simply for the reason that the crimes were committed against those groups. But, is that not the very definition of being unequal?
It's a real conundrum.
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lloydm657 months ago
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I wouldn't have a problem if a woman wanted to walk down the isle with a Shetland pony,as long as it was a male pony.I care even less if a man does it with a pretty young lamb,again if it a female lamb. Man,and woman are by God's design.He Say's it is wrong,i believe it,end of discussion
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CHAM7 months ago
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In the beginning of this thread , I linked an actual case where a woman was convicted of a hate crime because she wrote a note to her black neighbors and told them to quit acting like "N......
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No need try to get the word printed even using it to show what was said. Her punishment was 6 months in Jail, then 6 months in home detention, then one year shackled with an ankle monitor, and following that, classes in anger management. She was mad at the neighbors for actions of their son.
What do you think the verdict would have been if the black family had sent her a note and told her to stop acting like whitey? Or what would have been a verdict if two blacks got into a fight and called each other the N word? You and I both know the answer is - nothing! So why was she prosecuted? Because she was white, no other reason.
This is a classic true case of why we don't need hate crime laws. Even if it is well intentioned there are despicable Judges and Prosecuting Attorneys who will abuse the law or ignore it.
We don't need this type of BS on the books. Just uphold the law against crime fairly, that's all that is needed.-
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Spadecaller7 months ago
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cham
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My friend, I respectfully disagree, but celebrate your right to do so.
RedstateLib described it best, in my honest opinion:
<<When blacks were lynched throughout our history it was not only a means of attacking the individual it was a means of sending a message to all other blacks within the community, "know our place and stay in it or else". That is what makes theses crimes different.
If some guy punches me because he doesn't like short, fat guys (not a protected class) is that a hate crime?
Is there a history of large numbers of Americans who have worked to deny "short, fat guys" their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? I have missed this widespread historical hate addressed at this group of people? When was the last time a man was tied to a fence, beaten and left to die for simply being short and fat? When was the last time the short fat community was afraid to walk down the streets after dark for fear they would be attacked for being short and fat. When was the last time the local authorities chose to look the other way when these short fat men were attacked. When was the last time citizens on a local jury refused to convict assailants because it was the victims own fault for being short and fat or for not knowing short fat men shouldn't be in that neighborhood. When you can give me examples of when these things became a problem in our society then your short fat man argument has some merit until then you are just parroting right wing( Coulter, Hannity, Limbaugh) talking points since each of them has made the same argument as you did over the years.>> -
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Natureboy7 months ago
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That is an issue only if you ignore history and cultural context.
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For example - when I was a kid, theaters in Phoenix still had a "whites only" section. When I was a teen, blacks and hispanics who crossed "the presidents" (Van Buren, Jefferson streets) to travel into the "white" part of Phoenix risked being falsely arrested and beaten by police.
In some parts of the country at the same time being black and saying or doing the wrong thing could get you killed, and in a very bad way. Things have changed since, but not all that much.
A hate crime is a crime not only against one person, but against a person who is a member of a historically targeted class, and the intent is not just to intimidate and harm the person, but all members of the class. Thus, burning a cross on a black family's lawn is not just a crime against that family, it is aimed at resurrecting the specter of KKK, lynchings etc and is intended to intimidate all black people, put them in remembrance of burning churches and young black men swinging at the end of ropes. This is why a hate crime is something bigger than just a random act of aggression against an individual.
I think that mainstream folks have a hard time getting this, because if you are white, male, straight, you are ALREADY a protected class. The cops are your friends, and you are enfranchised. Imagine something terrible is done to you, and because you are black brown gay whatever you are afraid to even call the cops because the odds are fairly good that instead of protection you will get more of the same.
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