CNN

So basically, taken to its logical conclusion, the only crimes that aren't theoretically hate crimes are crimes in which the victim is an adult, straight, protestant, white male? Aside from the issue of what violent crime does not involve hate, remember last year in Brooklyn when a court actually spent time trying to figure out whether a gay guy could commit a hate crime against another gay guy. So the penalty should be increased because the victim was gay, not because the assailant was motivated by hatred? Huh? I'm a gay guy (seriously) so that means that anyone who hates me is purely motivated by hatred of gay people? It's also doubly insulting to name a bill after such a vulnerable and tragic victim, but that's another issue.

Majority,

–Currently, federal law covers only a person's race, religion, or national origin.

Since the word "race" is already in hate crimes laws, and white is a type of race, then no, minorities are not the only ones covered here. All races are covered. At the same time, the words "sexual orientation" do not specify what type of sexual orientation. So anyone of any type of sexual orientation is covered, gay, straight, or anywhere in between.

But that's the problem, people like you just want to blame your problems on whatever minority group is convenient at the time rather than take a look in the mirror to see that your comments are based on ignorance, racism, fear, and hate towards anyone who is different than you.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience at a bar, but do you really expect all African Americans to welcome you with open arms after this country's history with slavery, segregation, lynchings, and the KKK?

If there's any hate crimes look at what the Jews has gone thru, the American Natives, Afro-Americans, & Irish Americans. These actions are HATE crimes. When someone does a crime, the law should take place. It does not matter the type of crime that has been committed, it's still a crime.

Thank God this bill is coming. The Dems on the comittee specifically voted to ensure that pedophiles are protected as a minority group due to sexual orientation. I love the liberal mind. Everyone should be treated equally, no matter what they do to an individual, community or the country. Look to California for your liberal utopia. All of the gun control, taxes and illegal immigrants you could want. How's that state doing by the way?

All crimes are not hate crimes. If a CEO swindles investors out of their life savings, did he do it because he hates them? Of course not. That would be an absurd suggestion. A hate crimes bills is just an extension of our use of the court system to send messages to society abut behaviors just like there are different sentencing guidelines for different crimes. And are all the people opposed to this particular bill also opposed to existing bill protecting race? I wonder. I just wish they would take Shepards name off the bill since there is more evidence to suggest that it was not a hate crime than there is to suggest that it was.

Pastor Sheldon, continue teaching GOD'S TRUTH as HE leads you. For Nan read Romans 1: 26 – 27 & Genesis 19 : 1 – 11. Hopefully this will help you. Everything a person needs to know is in HIS WORD. Kevin, Christians are Christians when we believe, trust, obey, with faith, & forgiveness, without prejudice towards people of many hues.

I don't hate gays. But is it a sin? yes it is. Will I say so yes. Will I hate or hurt gays – no.

Pastors have the right to teach what the bible says and this would infringe on that I think.

So much for Freedom of Speech and the 1st Amendment. All crime is hateful, why should someone get more prison time for hitting a person in the head with a brick whether it be for being gay or they want your wallet. This isn't equal protection under the law.

I'm not sure, but I think alot of people seem to be missing the point. It seems to me that many crimes over the years have been "glossed over", not prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Perhaps because of the accused, perhaps because of the victim, or a mixture of both. I feel that this law will be intended to address that situation. Any judge can "interpret" the law in the way they see fit. A clearly laid out law would, I hope, lay some of that to rest. There is no such thing as a perfect law. There is no such thing as a perfect group of people. Orientation, sex, race, etc should not be looked at when it's time to prosecute a crime, but it is. It happens every day. Unfortunately, there is no other way to find the right path than to try one out. We can hope it will take us to the right place. We may have to turn around and try a different fork in the road. But trail and error are pretty much the only way to learn.

This law will CERTAINLY be struck down as UNCONSTITUTIONAL as violating equal protection.

There are several passages in the New Testament (and some from Jesus) that tell us that homosexuality is wrong...and just because I think it is wrong doesn't mean that I hate those people.

Since when is disagreeing with someone or a behavior labeled automatically as "hate"...? Talk about narrow-minded!!

Thoughts don't kill someone-actions do! A crime is a crime, regardless of what someone is thinking when they commit it!

Next, outdoor church services will be viewed as "hate-crimes" as offending atheists, agnostics, and pro-abortion advocates will become reprehensible.

And when will we begin prosecuting the military? They harm those poor innocent terrorists who are only seeking to draw attention to their oppressed causes.

GuyinIA, think of it this way - would that person have left you alone if they didn't know you were gay? If the answer is yes, then throw the book at them if your preference was their problem and reason for attacking you.

Crime is crime, but punishment is always a function of the degree of wrongdoing or the increased deterrent value we get from a harsher punishment. Vehicular manslaughter and muder for hire can both result in the death of someone else but we treat them differently for these same reasons. Hate crimes deserve greater punishment because they are motivated by feelings we as a society want to quash – bigotry, misogeny, homophobia. This is an entirely appropriate use of legislation. Moreover, tracking these crimes allows for better law enforcement.

The most overdue piece of legislation; is the one that outlaws the making of any more laws!!!We don't need more laws.....we need enforcement of those existing. Let's see........I'm a big fat guy ,and of course it's against the law to be fat, just for my own good........so , if I'm thinking about a big chocolate donut , I deserve having theTHOUGHT POLICE bring me to justice to keep society safe???

what's important is that you love you neighbor you don't have to like what people do that's a God giving right you just don't follow what people do why hate that your business what you do. or don't do.i'm i gay no i'm i a murderer no do i hate muslim no or jesus no i love him but that's my choice not your so lets grow up put the childish thing down

Just out of curiousity..the ones making the law..are they going to abide by it as well..probably not..

Mens Rea is already taken into account, but more is needed. Hate crimes are when somebody is targeted because of what they are, not just because they were an easy target. Angie Zapata, Gwen Araujo, Brandon Teena, and thousands of others have been murdered specifically because they was transsexual. Matthew Shepard was murdered specifically because he was homosexual. The murders targeted their victims because they were different.

Hate crimes are terrorism by another name.

GuyinIA

Gay isnt the issue with you. FAIR AND WISE APPLIES TO YOU. Common sense goes a long way my man....THANKS!!!!!!

If it were possible to trace back to a pastor who encouraged assualtive action, by condoning such behavior, or justifying
it by misappropriation of scripture, doctrine, or other theology
(of hate), then why not have accountability? Why create an immunity
from prosecution of a religious hate-filled preacher? Recall how
scripture and false teaching justified slavery?

"Traditional Values Coalition Chairman Rev. Louis Sheldon said in a written statement that the bill would ensure "open season on pastors and churchgoers." He argued that a pastor could be theoretically charged with conspiracy to commit a hate crime if an individual heard that pastor's sermon and then acted "aggressively" against someone based on his or her sexual orientation."

Why isn't Chairman Sheldon concerned that a pastor's sermon would inspire aggressive behavior against LGBT person in the first place? Why would a pastor, a purported man of God, want to inspire such behavior?? If pastors stopped preaching hate from the pulpit, then they wouldn't have to worry about possibly inspiring one of their parishioners to act out aggressively against an LGBT individual.

Sermons shouldn't inspire hate. Period.

Hate crimes are meant to terrorize groups of people. They are meant to make a statement that certain groups of people do not deserve to live in peace. That is why they require special prosecution. And, for all of those majority persons who feel left out, believe me. If someone attacks you because you are an attractive, educated, heterosexual, Protestant White male, they can also be prosecuted for a hate crime as well if one of your demographic factors is deemed the cause for the attack. Just as discrimination laws go both ways, bias crime laws are also beneficial to both sets of parties. The only people who should fear hate crime laws are those people who would like to cause harm to other groups in order to invoke terror.

When one person is hurt by another, the motivation doesn't matter very much to me. Whether someone is shooting me for my money, or because he hates my 'group', I'm still shot. I'd be in favor of changing this bill to get rid of hate crimes and punish all violent crime offenders by the toughest standards possible.

White American male gets attacked and killed. Will there be an investigation into his religious beliefs and sexual orientation to determine if it's a hate crime?

What about beating up a closeted gay man? If he's gay, but hasn't told anyone, is it a hate crime? Doesn't this run the risk of forcing closeted gays to have to 'out' themselves in order for their attacker to be prosecuted under this statute?

What if someone gets beaten up because the attacker mistakenly THINKS they're gay? Even if he's actually straight, that's still a hate crime, right?

Haven't some cases been turned into hate crimes without any sort of epithets or other indication of the intent of the crime? Are we seriously suggesting that it's a hate crime if a guy beats me up and calls me the n-word....but it's not a hate crime if he attacks me for being black, but keeps his mouth shut?

What this tells me is that if I ever run into any disabled lesbian foreign-born black muslim women, that I should probably just leave them alone. That's 6 times as bad as beating up anybody else.

I see a lot of "could possibly" and "might open the door for" from the anti-folks. To the lady who said "I wish I could read it cuz I heard there's (some nonsense of an idea) in there", you can read it and I suggest others do the same. study the history and intent behind the bill and don't listen to people who say "They gonna come after you cuz you a Christian, oh noes!"

The Matthew Shepard Act is needed, fair and just legislation! It is NOT giving special protections to a special group but the SAME protections that women and some minorities already receive. Matthew Shepard's attacker's defense team tried to claim that tying him to a fence and torturing him to death in freezing temperatures was a robbery. It's the hypocritical, religious right that opposes this legislation that conveniently forgets "Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you", "Love thy neighbor as thy self" and "Thou shall not judge".

And they need to include in this school bullying – it is just as much of a hate crime as any other. Kids hanging themselves because they can't stand to be taunted anymore! There needs to be a national law and the law needs to be followed in each school across this country.

Too broad and open to interpretation that will create more problems. It might be good to try to enforce the laws on the books now and get rid of the loopholes sleazy defense lawyers use to set criminals free!

Aren't ALL crimes Hate Crimes? Why is it less vile to murder a heterosexual?????? I say put them ALL to death.

Are the States suddenly incapable of prosecuting murder, assault, rape and other violent crimes against their citizens?

Just one more way for the federal government to involve themselves in local matters.

Federal hate crime laws are intrusive and unnecessary and are simply a payback to Democrat interest groups.

I hope this passes. I don't care if you're against same sex marriages or you think its against the Word of the Lord (as I do) NO ONE has the right to abuse others for any reason.

If a person commits a crime against a minority, because that person is a minority, then it not only affects that person, but a whole community, which is then forced to live in fear. Hate Crimes legislation attempts to address this greater wrong.
Simple as that.

What crime isn't hateful?

The good shepherd of the flock looks after his sheep. He does not teach them lies, but truths. We all will be judged according to our deeds and our faith. No man comes to the Father but my Me (Jesus speaking). You go ahead and live your lives – you choose now where you will live eternally.

Actually Bob the Observer isn't so observant. If a white man was murdered by someone with the intent of terrorizing white people as a group, they could, in fact, be charged with a hate crime. Hate crime laws include the word "race" not the words "black people."

"Since when do you commit a violent crime because you love someone?"

It happens all of the time. There are amoral people who neither hate or like someone when they commit a crime. Someone robbing a convenience store usually doesn't hate the store or the people in it. They are just doing it for the money.

A person car jacking a car from the driver isn't doing it because they hate the owner but because they want the car. They don't care about the owner one way or the other.

A hate crime is when you want to TERRORIZE a certain group of people because they are different from you or your beliefs.

If you are against this bill then you are no different from the people who TERRORIZED the US on 9/11 because they hated our beliefs.

this is a bill that has been needed for a long time & I truly hope that it passes. Thoes that have been killed becuse they were homosexual or transgender cry out from their graves for the passage of this bill.

It has been said by a few here that the crime itself is what is punishable, not the intent. Then, please explain why do we have different levels in the criminal justice system... 1st degree murder as opposed to manslaughter. It has to do with intent and pre-meditated thought.

To call this legislation a part of the "thought" police is absurd. District attorneys prosecute cases everyday that are built around motive and intention... aka... thought.

Nothing will bring the victim back to life, no matter how you prosecute the killer... the purpose of this legislation is to escalate the prosecution to 1st Degree Murder and deter someone from acting on those thoughts of hatred. If the DA can establish "hate" as the driving force, it is automatically charged as the highest punishable offense.

Re. Sheldon is just ignorant. You can' t be convicted of a crime for talking. Talking isn't a crime. You have to actually commit a crime. This bill won't change that.

I believe that most "hate" crimes are more brutal. Stabbing someone 30 times vs. once or twice, beating them into a pulp instead of giving them a black eye. Hate driven crimes are more violent in general.

A good bill? When are you people gonna wake up and see that if you murder someone, it's murder plain and simple. We don't need our tax money going to more legislation that singles out certain affiliations based on sex, race, and/or disabilities. The crimes that these individuals commit are already crimes. Just enforce the ones that are already on the books. As far as gay rights is concerned, read the 10th amendment. It is a State's issue. No two ways around it. The feds should stop allowing this issue to take up time and money. It is and always has been a State's issue.

I think for a crime to be proven a hate crime, it must be exceptionally violent, e.g. stabbing someone 30 times instead of once or twice, beating someone to a bloody pulp instead of giving them a black eye. Those are hate crimes, simple violence isn't.

GuyinIA, it isn’t about additional rights it’s just a different crime. Hate crimes are closer to terrorism than other crimes and should be treated as such.

Some ignorant people here. Hate crimes are those that project to a large group of people, way beyond the intended victim. Like lynching was more than just murdering a single black man – it was intended to send a message to all black people. If you don't understand that then your just an idiot (or a Republican).

Hit a minority = crime

Hit a white, male = less of a crime

I think we can all see where this is going, can't we?

*Number of hate crimes against the majority pales in comparison to the number against minorities. Excuse me.

Let's give all women, minoritites, gays and Eastern religious types special rights and protections. But not those stupid white guys... they're not the same value in modern society.

Someone please tell me what the difference is between a person of any color, of different sexual choice or of faith killing another person? We are of different in many some way. How about a person of color playing hate music about whites. I'm constantly offended by the words of hate by this music. This law would alow me to get license plate # and lawyer and maybe get a little money because I have been offended.
The law right now is the same for everyone and that is the way is should stay.

wagon April 29th, 2009 12:46 pm ET

Since when do you commit a violent crime because you love someone?

Since pleas of 'crimes of passion' or 'temporary insanity'. People commit crimes motivated and justified by 'love' than any other reason.

what's the difference if I hate you or I just don't like the color of your shirt? If I kill you, those are simply my motives, the crime is the ACTION that I took, which is already punishable in either case.

UNFORTUNATLY, thanks to parents and SOME teachers,and and what our society teaches, HATE CRIMES ARE HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS!

CHILDREN ARE COMMITTING SUICIDE BECAUSE OF HATE CRIMES
COMMITTED AGAINST THEM AND IT SHOULD BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY by the teachers and the principals. And, unfortunately,
the children who are mean and hateful, either learn it from their parents, or TELEVISION!

To begin with hate crimes ought to have stiff, very stiff penalties in
schools! This is not right to allow teasing obsessively just to be
popular or to relay what is taught to them at home!!!!!!!!

This is a silly, populist bill, the only effect of which will be to INCREASE resentment and negative feelings toward minorities. This isn't about protection for the minority lobby, it's about retribution. I agree wholeheartedly with those of the opinion that this legislation codifies thought crime. It's just bad law.

If Rev. Louis Sheldon is worried about being charged with a crime maybe he should stop preaching hate!

Steve wrote : "People that are opposed to the legislation of hate crimes can't seem to understand that the crimes wouldn't have been committed if there was no hate to incite them.

Matthew Shepard wouldn't have been killed if he was straight."

Do you honestly think that hate crime legislation is going to stop hate? This "hate" is really ignorance and prejudice. Education and tolerance are really the only way to cure hate.

A crime is a crime, period. Prosecute them as such. This is terrible legislation.

Listen up, legislators: This legislation is unconstitutional because it violates the equal protection clause of the US constitutional! How? because, if someone kills me because they just hate me (not because of my race) or they wanted my job or my inheritance and plotted to kill me, I would be just as dead as if they had killed me because of my race, creed, color, or national origin.

As a Christian I am all for hate crimes. I dont care if one is of white, black or if they are gay. I crime is a crime. If one discriminates aginst one because of these reasons yea equal punishment for equal crime. Now where I am concerned here is what if a pastor preaches aginst homosexuality can he go to jail for preaching the word, and going by his rights of free speech or freedom of religion. I fear if this passes he to will be up on hate crimes. Again gay or not its hate crime is a crime, but where do we draw the line here when it violates free speech as that would be in a sermon or the such, where is that being taken into consideration? One would have to look upon intent here to discriminate, and in a sermon comming from the word of God, thats going to be hard to prove.

Nan yea Jesus didnt say anything, but He did say He came to fulfill the law, not to change it.

woowwww some of you are scaring me with these responses....your angry because they are passing a law for hate crimes and you question it??I would think a hate crime would be for anyone that would cause harm to anyone because of race or color or religion..etc....If you in your own minds think that this bill only represents minorities,gays etc..then this law is probaly written for you

don't close the base, send the hate crimes guilty there

END THE HATE! This bill is a great idea! It's time for us to act like we talk....and to have back-up in the form of law.

I disagree with the person who claimed all crimes are hate crimes. This is just not so. People are being murdered in this country because they do not "fit in"...this could be because of race, or sexual orientation. Hate crimes are real and hopefully new laws will make someone thing twice before they hit someone because they are latino or because they think they are gay.

To all those of you who say that "hate crime" legislation is giving "special" protection to certain groups, I only have this to say to you ...

... show me the number of "straight white males" that are attacked or killed FOR SIMPLY BEING "straight white males"

... if that number ever comes anywhere near the number of people attacked or killed of each type of group enumerated in this "hate crime" bill FOR SIMPLY BEING WHO THEY ARE ... then, and only then, do you have an argument!

A crime is a crime period. Maybe we should just enforce and sentence according to our laws on the books. This whole hate crimes legislation should be thrown away.

Beating up a person because they are gay or a different race is no different than beating someone because they were staring at your girlfriend. Both should be punished equally.

Please let us accept common sense over an oppressive government.

Being a Republican is a hate crime itself. Ask Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity

The Bible clearly condemns homosexual acts. New and Old Testament. Just read it for yourselves. Google it even. Jesus said that all sexual immorality was a sin - this includes fornication, adultery, homosexual acts, bestiality, etc. Just because He didn't specifically mention homosexuality doesn't mean it's not a sin. His apostles certainly wrote about it. Unless somehow you think only the words of Jesus are applicable, then you must also admit that homosexual acts are sinful. That is, if you claim to believe the Bible.

You people don't seem to understand. Hate crime legislation punishes those who commit crimes solely on the basis of race, religion, or national origin. The concept is to further punish individuals who commit a crime against another because of their sexual orientation, gender, or disability. It's a just law and a move towards civil rights in the most bigoted country that claims to be "free."

@Nan who said:

"Rev. Sheldon needs to reread his Bible. Jesus said nothing about homosexuality, but lots about loving each other. In fact, he commanded that we love one another. I'm so tired of people who call themselves Christians and act anything but !"

Actually it says to love the person but hate the sin. This is possible because I do it everyday. I work with people who are either gay or make choices I do not agree with. That does not keep me from being friends with them. Most of them know that I do not agree with their lifestyle, and they respect that. Just like they may not agree with my lifestyle, but still respect me.

KJ,

Race and Religion are included.

Thank God it is happening in a time where we have a president that is for the people and would sign it into law. Go congress!!! Go Obama!!!

Hate crime legislation is simply a way for the Feds to impose double jeopardy in cases where an acquittal (or a lesser sentence that Al Sharpton or the NAACP doesn't think is adequate) on the primary crime is the outcome.

Is the result of of a murder more serious or detrimental to the victim if he's gay as opposed to being a white anglo-saxon protestant male? Arguably, the impact of the non-protected entity could be worse since he is more likely to have a family that is dependent upon him. Where's their justice?

It's pretty serious when Congress starts determining which people have more worth than others. It scares me.

Term Limits!! Please!

I don't understand why practicing sexual perversion should be protected by law. Have we lost ALL of our common sense?

This is so dumb. Aren't all crimes "hate crimes"?

What is everyone here talking about with thought crimes? Think what you want, but if you injure or kill someone because you don't like their sexual orientation, or whatever, you deserve to be punished. And people like Rev. Sheldon who preach hate from their pulpits are now afraid that they will be charged with a crime if their listeners act on their words. They want to be free to preach hate but don't want to think about or be responsible for the consequences. That's the same thing as being liable for a drunk driver if you serve too much alcohol. Christians? Please - they are cowardly morons preaching their own personal religion.

"He argued that a pastor could be theoretically charged with conspiracy to commit a hate crime if an individual heard that pastor's sermon and then acted "aggressively" against someone based on his or her sexual orientation."

Well, gee, Reverend... Perhaps if you were as energetic about your religion's other teachings (y'know, like tolerance, acceptance, forgiveness, non-judgement, passiveness, etc.) you wouldn't have to worry about it, would you?

All violent crimes are hate crimes and one person's life is not more important than another. This law is un-American and I can't see how it is Constitutional.

Does this mean a law against being republican?

what about blacks on white crimes ,,that has more racism crime than all hate crimes put together ....

an attack on first amendment rights for religious people? Give me a break.. if that was true Fred Phelps would be in jail

Quit your crying Right Wing you are WRONG

To all of you mocking hate crime laws the point your missing is:

A hate crime is a form of terrorism. If someone is murdered during a robery or a crime of passion it is different than someone murdered because they are a certain race, religion, gender, orientation or whatever. Someone murdered as part of a robery was murdered because of the robery not because of who they were. If someone is murdered in a crime of passion they were murdered as a consequence of that relationship not because of who they were. If someone is murdered in a hate crime it is because they are a certain type of person and that is the only basis for the crime. It is to send out a message that we don't like your kind of people and we won't tollerate you. This is the same motavation as the terrorist who attacked the US on Sept 11th.

OK ... if someone commits a "hate" crime .. such as ... murder, for instance ... and the person is caught, tried, convicted & sentenced to the maximum penalty in that state ... um ... just HOW will designating it a "hate" crime do anything to this criminal? If he (Or she) is already in prison for life, without parole .. or been given the death penalty ... how will this add to that??? Or for ANY crime where a person has had the maximum penalty prescribed under the law administered to them?

Serious question. No crap.

Yup, this country continues to grow dumber with each passing day. It all started with the PC movement during Clinton, continued to go down under GW, and is now in its final death spiral under Obama. Thank God I'm moving to another country.

I hope the bill pass. Congress should also look at unfair emploment practices...especially in employer at will states....such as Georgia. Employers hide behind this law to cover up personal bias against certain groups.

More laws covering the existing laws. I'm still waiting for my special protections. I guess now I should be a Lesbian, one-legged Black woman. I'd be full of special laws aimed at anyone that didn't like my good leg! No one person, regardless of circumstances should be more protected than another. This is another law-mongering stunt run by special interests.

Kevin: You ask of hate crime laws "When will they include white Christians?" They already do. They protect against crimes based on race, religion or national origin. Don't begrudge others being given the same protection you already enjoy.

"I'm almost as certain that the trial lawyers are licking their chops right now."

Nah, that was last November, they are already working on destroying this nation due to their Messiah gift.

Someone should explain to these idiots why Lady Justice wears a blindfold. ALL ARE SUPPOSED TO BE EQUAL IN THE EYES OF THE LAW. Just because someone is the member of a minority or a sexual deviant should not give them special protection in the eyes of the law. Geeze, what is happening to this country?

Kinda odd that the house is voting on this while the DHS is targeting our brave men and women in the military who are not on board with the Obama national socialist express.

Wearing 2 different types of thread and eating shrimp are just as much an abomination as homosexuality. You can't just "pick and choose" the verses that fit your bigot views.

Someone ought to tell the Christian right it's not OK to hate on other groups of people. Love thy neighbor.

Equal protection under the law,Is what we need,Equality for all,no special treatment of one race,religion,sexual orientation...You want Equality,that means being equal.......Stupid Bed wetters,,Increase the punishment for every crime,stop being Racist,Sexists,bigoted fools.

Bob the Observer, go take a law class on the Equal Protection clause before you start spouting the law.

I must admit I don't quite understand the benefit of a "hate crimes" bill? I'm about as liberal and "equal rights for everyone!" as they come, but in spite of that (or perhaps because of it) I don't see how one murder is "worse" than another?

wow,

Need to make up more laws for votes..Hate crimes or any crime is the same as just ol crime...Why do minorities think they get a special law just for them..They get a special college...a special program...special monies...where does it stop...

America Revolt and take back your country.

You do not have to be a minority for an act to be considered a hate crime. Rather, the crime has to be driven by prejudices and with the intent of a inciting fear or terror within a community. If you are attacked by someone of another race (or religion or sexual orientation), and the intent of that crime is driven by your racial background (or religion or sexual orientation), that is considered a hate crime, regardless of whether the person being targeted is in a position of statistical majority. I urge you to speak with anyone who has been the target of hate speech, or a family member of one of these individuals, in order to gain a greater understanding of why this legislation is necessary. Americans should never have to live in fear because of who they are. It is time that all Americans receive equal protection under the law and that those who do not face the same prejudices and discrimination stop acting as though providing those protections infringes upon their rights.

Sniffit – I don't find the fact that someone attacks me becuase I am a gay male any more repugant than someone who attacks me because, in my political view, Democrats and Republicans are narrow-minded busy bodies. What is repugnant is the act of violence that violates my personal sovereignty. If you're going to enhance punishment on the criminal who attacks me because I'm gay, then also enhance the punishment on someone who attacks me because I'm a blonde-haired vegan. They are both equally repugnant.

Now, perhaps we as a society have become too diverse for our own good when certain populations - of which I am apparently one - are elevated above others. That is the same backward society that the Republicans gave us, but now we've got the Democrats going down the same retrograde road. The two should really merge into one political party since their ends diverge, but their medieval means are identical.

Hate and intolerance is alive and well as long as there are republicans serving in Congress.

Of course with the way their numbers are diminishing (thank you Sen. Spector) there may still be hope!

Someone tell the thought police that no one life is worth more than another's.

I don't know, Im a gay man and agree that any crime is a hate crime, regardless of the intent behind it. Not sure giving extra jail time to someone who hits me would be any different than a man hitting his wife, etc.

Just dunno. I'm all for equal rights (yes, marraige included) but I don't feel we need additional rights above the average US citizen.

Just some thoughts is all.

I'm 100% certain this legislation is intended for good.

I'm almost as certain that the trial lawyers are licking their chops right now.

So... how do we, in this country, enact very good legislation without the inevitable unintended outcomes?

People that are opposed to the legislation of hate crimes can't seem to understand that the crimes wouldn't have been committed if there was no hate to incite them.

Matthew Shepard wouldn't have been killed if he was straight.

So any criticism of the big O and liberals can be construed as a hate crime. No thanks, just enforce the laws that are on the books.

Since when do you commit a violent crime because you love someone? Like many other things, if we would just enforce the laws on the books, we wouldn't need new ones.

This would be as opposed to crimes done in a loving manner?? The existence of "hate crime" legislation is simply a way to punish people for what they think as well as what they do. When do you suppose they'll make is so we are just punished for thoughts, whether or not we carry out the actions? George Orwell knew a lot more about the future when he wrote in the 1940's than anyone dares admit now.

We have elected the most liberal, far left, big-government-knows-best president in the history of this country, and the consequences will follow. "Big Brother" is already here.

I think, before you make a decision as to this being a good idea, we should have access to read the bill. I have heard that it includes nonsense such as a tattoo if taken in certain contexts could be seen as a hate statement therefore prosecuted as a hate crime. I have also heard that there is a bill (wondering if this is the same one) that states if you or your child is caught saying something that could be construed as hateful you and your child will be prosecuted under the hate crime bill. That is getting into dangerous territory. (Ex. two children fighting- say a hispanic and a caucasian child- one little boy says stupid white boy- you now have a hate crime).

THIS is well overdue, many States already have similar laws, why the Feds don't is so stupid. Do this ASAP, this might put the final NAIL in the KKK's coffin (hopefully at least).

This is long overdue as it has been proven that hate crimes are not prosecuted as they should be as the people who commit these crimes are pretty much evil, and they are premeditated. This constitutes a hate crime just for the purpose of causing harm to someone due to their sexual orientation.

Everyone and their dog is being protected buy so called hate crime laws.When will they include White Christians.

KJ

I hope this law passes and once and for all the law will apply to these hate-mongers at the pulpit who believe their perverted, abominations of judgment can be covered-up by saying it is religion!!

A crime is a crime and should be prosecuted as such. How are we going to prove "hate".

MISTER Sheldon (nothing reverent about you), if you spout hatred from a pulpit and someone hears your words, feels encouraged, and goes out and commits a hate crime, then you SHOULD go to jail for conspiracy to commit a hate crime. Remember, free speech does NOT apply to someone who yells "FIRE" in a crowded movie house either...

Rev. Sheldon certainly understands the distinction between free speech and bashing someone over the head with a baseball bat because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation. His comment is diversionary rhetoric offered to help feed his and the far right 's distorted religious zeal. This bill is long overdue and needs to be passed by Congress and signed into law by the President.

Sounds like the good reverend is worried about what his flock might doing.

Rev. Sheldon is concerned alright. He's concerned he could go to jail for preaching all that hatred from his pulpit.

CHi Town – you have a great point. Is it only a hate crime if the victim is a minority? I've been on the wrong side of town and been told that I "really didn't want a drink". I'm not protected however. I understand the point of the law, but it is poorly implemented and these types of laws will only make matters worse. I was once a tolerant/accepting person, but I'm finding that these kind of issues (like the white firefighters that didn't get promoted) are affecting me in a negative way. I imagine there will come a time when gas chambers are built (might be part of Obamas stimulous package) to get rid of my kind (Male, white, straight, veteran, etc...). History is our best vision into the future.

I hate "hate" crimes.
And I hate Congress for being so slow to review "hate" crimes.

In fact, I can't think of anything I hate more than Congress.
Except, of course, how much I hate lobbists.

And "haters"! (Ha, don't get me started!) , I really really hate "haters".
How than they hate so much? I hate them for that.

I hate them all and everybody else who hates.
How come we have so much hating? Jeez!

Give it a break, will ya?

How about if we just prosecute crimes as criminal acts? What happened to Matthew Shepard is enough to put the guilty parties away for life. While these laws may seem ok on the surface they give the government license to prosecute citizens for exercising their free speech and that's where the rub is.

@ More Republicratic Nonsense, who said "If someone attacks me because I'm a gay male (which I am), the violent act is the crime — not the thought behind it. "

Generally, crimes have two elements: the intent or mental state and the act itself. "Hate crimes" are generally not crimes in and of themselves such that thought is being punished...the underlying criminal act of, say, battery, still must be proven. The "hate crime" is a recognition that certain intents/mental states make the entire crime more repugnant and damaging to a well-ordered, safe, healthy and progressing society, and therefore make the crime deserving of a harsher punishment.

"Thought Police" next?

Good point Chi Town. If a bill is going to work for one group, it should work for all groups. Hate is hate no matter if you are a liberal or conservative. We don't need more laws.

The bill is useless unless hate groups are dismantled.

Much needed legislation.

More Republicratic nonsense well said, why didn't people see this long long ago (like 20 years ago). Thank you for being the only gay man that has made scene to me in years.

It will pass but will it be enforced? Everyone has a right to walk this earth. If you hate someone because of their race or orientation you hate yourself. We are all here for a reason. No one has the right to judge. Everyone will be judge on their behavior soon enough.

All crimes are hate crimes. There is no other type. To single out certain groups for "special" protection is a violation of the Constitution's "Equal Protection under the law" clause.

It means that straight white males, and other groups, are not afforded the same protection as designated groups.

The bill is unconstitutional, but of course, that will not stop this congress, which has never read the constitution.

But this law will infringe on the "rights" of radical, extremist religious fanatics to show their HATRED for humanity in the name of God.

so it is now against the law to "think" and you fools call Bush a Fascist...............sell crazy somewhere else.....I am all stocked up

The perps of Shepard's death should be charged with the murder itself. That is enough. Whatever the "reason" is for the death, should not add anything to the crime. I do not like the government deciding what "thought" crimes are worse than others.

I wouldn't mind seeing gender get tossed into that conversation

If this passes you know it will be abused, with victims and so called public advocates (e.g. Al Sharpton) screaming racism, etc. everytime a crime is perpetrated.

Good. Its about time they included gender and sexual orientation in that list. Add it to the Constitution. Its only right.

"He argued that a pastor could be theoretically charged with conspiracy to commit a hate crime if an individual heard that pastor's sermon and then acted "aggressively" against someone based on his or her sexual orientation."

This is no more true than if someone who hears a sermon and commits suicide, that pastor theoretically would be charged with attempted murder. What an ignorant statement. The only way that could be possible is if a pastor was standing on the pulpit telling the congregation to go out and commit hate crimes.

It is about time! Long Overdue!

More thought control from the federal government. If someone attacks me because I'm a gay male (which I am), the violent act is the crime - not the thought behind it. A physical assault on me because I am a gay deserves no greater punishment than a random act of physical violence on anyone else.

This is nothing more than regulating what is inside the head of pathetic people willing to resort to violence. It also rolls back all the progress we have made on equality under the law. And, I thought public policy would improve under the Democrats... instead, we just get the same narrow-minded drivel we got from the Republicans.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

This country needs to make a big effort to get along, no matter race, color or creed. We have enough problems without "hate crimes" and a bill to put a law in force, can't come soon enough. The dismissal of "hate crimes" should not infringe on "freedom of speech".

This should be a "no brainer" shouldn't it? Hate crimes don't just go against gays, but anyone who doesn't "fit" the mold of others. You could definitely say that the crimes against the Jews and other ethnic groups by the Nazi's were REAL HATE CRIMES, not to mention what happend in Kosovo and Serbia.

Rev. Sheldon is making "ungodly" excuses and calls himself a man of the cloth. Sheldon needs to stop thinking about himself because the God I know is a loving and forgiving God and Sheldon is being put to the test as we all are.

Rev. Sheldon needs to reread his Bible. Jesus said nothing about homosexuality, but lots about loving each other. In fact, he commanded that we love one another. I'm so tired of people who call themselves Christians and act anything but !

well said robert in dallas!!! Was rev. sheldon born full of hatred, or did he choose to be so hateful.

It is indeed about time that this bill passed. Just as we say the pledge every morning....."with liberty and justice for all."

Rev. Louis Sheldon,
Stick it where the sun doesn't shine. You want to pass judgement on someone's life, we should be able to hold you responsible for your actions and those you incite.

Can we get special hate crimes legislation passed for left-handed people?

What about special "hate crime" laws to pretect optimists, Shriners, clown-suited midgets from Calhoun County Ohio, close-talkers or those who prefer to use a USB mouse with their laptop instead of that unwieldy little mouse pad thingy? How about special hate crimes legislation that protects every individual man, woman and child in America?

Oh that's right, we already have those criminal laws on the books.

Agree with the concept... but how it's used can be risky.

Get in a fight... guy turns out to be oriented a certain way... and now you get 20 years for a hate crime?

Slippery Slope

Or... if a person is marching in a defining marriage rally... and a pro-gay marriage group throws a rock and hits someone... is that a 20 year hate crime?

Again... slippery slope... depending on who's sitting in the court room.

Thank you--this bill is way, WAY past due.

Good bill and long overdue.

its about time.

if "rev." sheldon is so concerned, maybe he shouldn't be preaching so much hatred from the pulpit