CNN

The only thing Holder needs to do to push his Hate Crime Laws is to enforce it on Blacks, Hispanics and Muslims. The whites have so far been the only race consistently charged with this idiotic law.

Greg in San Fran – You still don't get it? What makes a violent crime against a gay, black person any different or worse than a violent crime against a straight,, white person? You really think one is worse? I'm calling the thought police! You're discriminating!!! !

PEOPLE!!!!
Check the bill before spewing out whatever your not-so-well-intended source told you about it being against the First Amendment!
There is a "Rule of Construction" in the bill which says clearly that "Nothing in 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.'
See?
If you are against gays, black/African American, Latinos or whatever you are against and wants to make it clear to everybody that you are against them, NO ONE WILL TAKE THIS RIGHT FROM YOU!
But, if you go and act against someone else's rights based on your Hate/Bigotry based beliefs... then you'll have a problem.

Anonymous June 25th, 2009 5:02 pm ET

Robin June 25th, 2009 4:53 pm ET
I like holding a job and taking care of myself and my family. What a sick, nasty thing for a conservative to do.
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You're absolutely right. Liberals don't have jobs and are waiting for a handout. I just hope that my impending tax hike (that I'm fine with paying) isn’t going to in some way better the life of a Conservative or the health of their child.

======================================================

I don't expect anyone to take care of my children but myself and my husband. It is not the government's responsibility or yours.

A crime is a crime – screw this Orwellian stuff !
Just a thought...
Will we still be able to criticize Obama if he gets his wish ?

Greg in San Fran – You still don't get it? What makes a violent crime against a gay, black person any different or worse than a violent crime against a straight,, white person? You really think one is worse? I'm calling the thought police! You're discriminating!!!

Its a little hard to pursuade your enemies when you have lost all credibility and moral authority on the issue. The Obama administration supports the ban on gays in the military and further supports continued discrimination against the GL community with his support of the DOMA. So its okay to continue discrimiatory policies of the past as long as no one gets physically hurt? This is a shallow attempt by the administration to win back a group of voters that they are currently losing. As far as this administration is concerned the GL community could be killed in the streets as long as they vote first.

SN,

Please read the legislation. White, Christians, and heterosexuals are INCLUDED in the bill. It simply EXTENDS protections to ALL Americans.

It is beyond comprehension how a GOP that purported so-called "compassionate conservative" stubbornly remains unpersuaded against hate of all types. That platform sadly becomes another fallacy for the GOP. Shame.

Jen: Please view the stats, conservatives give far more to charity, percentage based of one's overall wealth, than liberal Democrats. The bleeding heart liberal is funny, libs love to talk about how much they do for the down trodden but in reality they do very little good at all, far more damage by supporting the party that wants to keep people poor so that they continue to vote Democrat.

GOP are RACISTS and thats why they do not care about Hate Crime laws

Kevin, Yes, crime is crime; your first sentence is correct but what the GOP knows is that this is a way to try to silence those who don't agree with the present regime.. The question is, who will be the thought police? Well, we all know it will be those who say it's alright to abort babies, commit acts of sodomy, be a pedophile and promote it, hate Christians, censor those who don't believe in evolution, stifle those who say man-made global warning is a hoax, etc. In other words, if this legislation passes we can kiss freedom goodbye. Whoops, am I now guilty of a hate crime? Yeah, you get the picture.

Hmmm, I couldn't agree more GOP. A whopping 0.983% drop in hate crimes over a TEN year period is a sign of real progress and makes further hate crime legislation unnecessary. R-i-i-i-ght. And for all you ignoramuses (like Doug in NJ) this is legislation about violent crime committed with the primary motivation being a bias towards the victim's race, sexual orientation, skin color, etc. It has NOTHING to do with freedom of speech or expression.

"Yeah, liberal like feeding the poor, clothing the naked, helping the sick. What kind of sick, nasty liberal would do such a thing?"

Thowing some of someone else's money at this problem while wanting to perpetuate generation after generation of poor uneducated people to remain that way simply for political benefit is exactly what I'm talking about, yeah I'd say that libs who are part of this are nasty!

BTW, the sick cannot really help the sick, most of you don't even see your own problems.

SN in MN June 25th, 2009 3:48 pm ET

This is an effort to criminalize Whites, Christians, and heterosexuals. This laws are rarely ever applied against minorities, as though they are above prejudice and bigotry.
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Just like current drug laws are meant to criminalize Blacks and other minorities. Whites get a lesser sentence for powder cocaine and minorities tend get a stiffer sentance for crack, even though the two are both harmful drugs.

Robin June 25th, 2009 4:53 pm ET
I like holding a job and taking care of myself and my family. What a sick, nasty thing for a conservative to do.
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You're absolutely right. Liberals don't have jobs and are waiting for a handout. I just hope that my impending tax hike (that I'm fine with paying) isn’t going to in some way better the life of a Conservative or the health of their child.

This is the new America….2 separate sides. I’m fine with it.

On a practical level, I genuinely don't understand the problem the GOP has with this. It's not about taking away free speech or personal freedoms. The only way this would affect them as individuals is if they assaulted someone based on their race/gender/orientation. They would still be perfectly free to spew hate verbally, if they chose to do so.

One more thing. Paranoia is characterized by deep hatred of others based in fear. The primary defense mechanism is projection, blaming others for the rage and violent impulses that the paranoid persons feels inside.

I do not hate Palin, Rush, Newt, or any other conservatives. I despise some of their assertions and oppose their philosophy.

After seeing what the Holder's department classified as a hate group (people who don't agree with the government), I would hope that everyone really investigates and opines on this law before it is enacted.

People, it's not about if you're A Dem or Repub. It's about protecting groups that have a target on their backs. Generally, Repub. are more hateful and less caring about anyone who isn't like them and thus will fight against any bill like this.

You can bet Sen. Jeff Sessions would agree to this bill if "Christians" were the targets!!!

How dare you, Eric Holder.

How DARE you expect the Senate of the US, a body constitutionally mandated to make laws to protect the people, to make laws to protect people!

How SICK and LIBERAL it is to even CONSIDER women, disabled people, and homosexuals as human beings. The NERVE.

Nobody but right-winged lunatics deserve rights. Only guns and prayer...not civil liberties or equal protection. Only those on the conservative end of the spectrum deserve liberty, correct?

Anything else would simply be too intelligent, fair, morally sound, and correct for our Republican friends to handle.

As long as there is an exception for hate crimes commited by Muslim's, in the name of Allah, then we'll be fine.

Some of these comments here are truly idiotic. I've watched many a case of minorities convicted of hate crimes so these comments about these new, tougher laws only applies to white ior only certain groups are truly, truly idiotic. This country is really in trouble if some of you have to teach children to be grown ups

Federal protection should definitely be extended to these three groups of people.

"Kristianist" clergy whose words inspire others to commit acts of violence against ANY minority group SHOULD be prosecuted.

All of you libs complain about racism and prejudice support and want to pass a bill that is blatantly racist and prejudiced. If two people are gunned down, it shouldn't matter what color they were, or what their religious preference was, or their stance on abortion, or what their sexual orientation was. The person that pulled the trigger should be charged with murder and be prosecuted. One should not get a lesser sentence or a longer sentence just because of the victims skin color or beliefs.

John in Rochester MN June 25th, 2009 4:39 pm ET

@Doug who said:
God knows all and is fair, crying about how it is some republicans faught will not be an excuse for living such a liberal life.
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Yeah, liberal like feeding the poor, clothing the naked, helping the sick. What kind of sick, nasty liberal would do such a thing?
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I like holding a job and taking care of myself and my family. What a sick, nasty thing for a conservative to do.

First, the period of "decline" in hate crimes was mostly during the Bush years. I doubt that hate crimes were vigorously prosecuted since they went after U.S. Attorney's who did not tow the conservative line.

Second, the white power groups who hate minorities, gays, liberals, and probably anyone with an education would be the most likely targets to be investigated.

Third, Ms. Napolitano warned, was lambasted by the right wing, and then proven right by the abortionist shooting.

This is the conservative Republican platform, obstruct, dent, and accuse. Which is why you will continue to fail. Cloaking yourselves in pseudo-religious posturing (The Moral Majority) won't work, the scam is now familiar.

The GOP is upset because they can no longer drag black folks from the back of their pickup trucks anymore. Well good! The law needs to be alot tougher on hat crimes. Just as there are crimes of passion, there are crimes of hate.

About katiec June 25th, 2009 4:28 pm ET
The GOP supports and thrives on hate, anger, unrest and hypocrasy.
Of course, they will not support anything related to hate crimes as that is the result of their propaganda.
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Wow, so since I'm Republican, I support hate crimes? Wow, who knew? I always thought that a crime is a crime.

Doesn't matter if it is a 28 heterosexual or a 28 year old homosexual.

Or the person who kicked my car and told the police it was because I had a McCain/Palin sticker. So that was a hate crime? Wow.

@ray ray: The difference between assault on an elderly woman and an assault on a gay woman has to do with the very simple fact that gay women get assaulted JUST for being gay and elderly women do not.

I know the GOPers will bend over backwards to try and make this a more complicated argument to support their bigotry but it isn't complicated. While straight people are never attacked for being heterosexual, gay people ARE attacked and killed for being gay and this law will prevent that. It is a needed and welcomed protection.

That's right GOP...put a black teenager in jail for 10 years cuz he was caught smoking a bone...but keep them good ole boys out of jail.

"such as individuals of Hispanic national origin."

You mean the people the GOP and neocons uniformly refer to as "illegals"? Gee, I wonder why anger towards them would be rising. Maybe the GOP can tell us....

"Several religious groups have expressed concern that a hate crimes law could be used to criminalize conservative speech relating to subjects such as abortion or homosexuality."

Is it just me or is there, somehwere in there, the inherent recognition by these fundy jackholes that they often go too far in their condemnation of people who get or provide services like abortions, particularly when they point at SPECIFIC PEOPLE, not just the issue itself?

Repubs are haters, anyway, so what do they care? Anything that makes sense or promotes compassion cannot be made clear to them. Same old story w/them. Maybe they should be called the Grand Ol' Delusionaries.

Doug-

I'm having a hard time understanding you. You claim "libs" and/or Democrats are the most hateful people, so do you not agree with the term "bleeding-heart liberal" and the fact that the conservatives are up in arms over "democratic and/or liberal" imposed social programs that help people? Somehow showing compassion enough to help those who can't help themselves contradicts being hateful.

@Doug who said:
God knows all and is fair, crying about how it is some republicans faught will not be an excuse for living such a liberal life.
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Yeah, liberal like feeding the poor, clothing the naked, helping the sick. What kind of sick, nasty liberal would do such a thing?

Will the hate spewed by the left against the right be considered a crime? No, I doubt it because it's fine to debase a conservative white woman and make fun of her children. It's fine to attack someone who's praying a rosary some place that you don't think they should. It's fine and dandy to attack someone who's conservative. Make it the same against both sides and I agree with it, don't turn this into a thought crime bill which attacks those people with morals.

We were left with instructions how to live. over two thousand years ago Several times it was mentioned in rhe bible obout homosexuals. Those people are allowed to live together or do pretty much what they
want to do.. What I can't stomach is having it thrust in our faces all the time. Wheather you believe in God or Jesus is a personal choice but
allow the believers to live the way we choose. Aids is spread all over the world and guess who is responsible. I sincerely believe it is punishment
for an ungodly way of life.

Remember,

If you are a church going, bible carrying, gun toting, heterosexual individual, THIS government considers you and EXTREMEST.

So, all we GOOD people will be on Holder's hatelist to be prosecuted.

@Brian0901 June 25th, 2009 4:21 pm ET

Kevin, What he posted is not hateful, it is true, The GOP pushes hate between races and political parties
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So Brian, I believe hmosexuality and abortion are gross sins. Where is my hate mail coming from, the left or the right? Hatred exists in all parties! To answer my question Brian, the hate towards my beliefs will come from the left! I am sure you know that!

GOOD ... There is not much black on white crime now it is terrifying,,, rapes , robbery , vandalism , muggings, these are all hate crimes...

This makes perfect sense. Those that commit hate crimes should be severely punished, I say by death. Obviously if you hate so deeply that you will do violence you should not eb allowed in society, and society should not have to pay to house you. I am all for it.

Do NOT think that the "Hate Speech" laws – if passed – will fail to be used against honest people with legitimate reasons for disagreement. It may start out innocuously enough, but will end in tyrany.

It's funny that the hate groups - er, I mean the GOP and particular religious groups - are so opposed to this idea. How can they operate without their platform of fear and hate?

Doug..... lol, like YOU'RE religious!
I've seen the hate you spew. A real Republican is what you are.
In other words, a HYPOCRITE.

"Holder pushes hate crimes law;"..........because some people are more precious than others.

Dumbocrats = The Party Of No(common sense).

The GOP supports and thrives on hate, anger, unrest and hypocrasy.
Of course, they will not support anything related to hate crimes as that is the result of their propaganda.
For claiming to be so righteous, how can they as supposedly family oriented, bible conscious Christians be so condemming and narrow minded?

And we have to create a law for this. THough you can't really legislate attitude I hear.

It shows where humanity is as a whole on the spectrum of enlightenment and benevolence and wisdom.

We have so many strange and unnecessary priorities, and yet where it really matters–on a heart level (the religious included)–a whole lot of us don't have a clue–or care.

Someday. we can envision it being different.

It is the time of the Nunti Sunya.

Hate crimes is that hate crimes. I am a Democrat and I am against abortion, hate crimes and anything else that hurts people. Christians, Jews, Minorities and Gays have been killed because of who they are. How many whites have been taken from their homes and hung why their family watched. Give me a break.
My God states, "All men are created from Him so why should there have to be a bill to treat people right. God will handle his own business, if you disagree pray, for greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Stop being so racist and hateful, a hate bill will stop what is going on in this country and has gone on for hundreds of years. Everyone desires to live free of fear, even you, SN in MN. Secondly, write your governor so you can get a senator.

Marcus, if you are religious, which is extremely doubtful, one day you will have to answer before god for your liberal way of living your life. All of your lying, hate, and selfishness, aka liberalism, will be on display, how are you going to defend it?

God knows all and is fair, crying about how it is some republicans faught will not be an excuse for living such a liberal life.

The very definition of a hate crime is hypocrasy and hate. To classify one crime as hate and another not, based on race or ethnicity, is hate and racism itself. Have libs been so removed from doing their own thinking that they just cannot compute a thought without the lib media giving them lines to regurite like their teleprompter Messiah? Ignorance or evil, there is no other reason for being a Democrat.

The reason why hate crime is a separate category is because the penalties should be different. It is not just murder, it is based on race, gender or sexual orientation. According to some of the arguments on here, all crimes should be placed in the same category. So, does that mean that the 9/11 attackers should be treated as murderers instead of terrorists? Remember, it's all the same to you.

That's because the GOP has to have someone to hate and fear. Remember the song from South Pacific – the musical, that should be played at every Republican convention and maybe it is. I've never wasted time watching them.

@ Ernie Banks

Please describe to me how a bill designed to prosecute violent physical acts in the name of bias or bigotry is an infringement on free speech.
This bill doesn't prevent you from saying hateful things, it makes the penalties for physical violence in the name of hate more stringent.

BTW, I don't like the bill either, because I believe it to be redundant and absurd since I believe all crimes to be based somewhat in hate.

@Phat Elvis June 25th, 2009 3:48 pm ET

well of course the GOP is not pursuaded– they are the party of hate!!!
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Hmmm, Phat Elvis…that's a pretty hateful statement in and of itself. Typical left-wing hypocrisy.
______________________________________________________

Kevin, What he posted is not hateful, it is true, The GOP pushes hate between races and political parties.

Sounds good to me, what is the problem? Oh, of course, the radical racist party also know as the gop or the republican party or better know as dumb & dumber.

to kevin in ohio an others:crime is a crime? hate involve in every crime? where do you people come up with these things.if i pay you to committ a crime against someone you dont even know?is hate involve on your path??

Well, you know the GOP doesn't want a stronger hate crimes bill. They would all be locked up.

I'm surprised the GOP is so willing to come out in support of hate groups. You'd think they would be trying to ingratiate themselves with mainstream America rather than marginalizing themselves further. I've thought the recent hysteria about the end of the GOP was premature, but I'm beginning to think it may be imminent.

What a waste of time and money. A crime is a crime, and a violation of a law should result in the same penalty for all violators regardless of motive.

What Can U Say? June 25th, 2009 3:53 pm ET

Why shouldn't Christian Clergy be prosecuted?
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I'm afraid they will be, as soon as they refuse to perform a same sex marriage.

whites are the biggest haters among AA's, i think they ought to brought down too their knees on this issue. the repigs in congress is only making the problem worse. bigotry is all in what's taking place today.

Yeesh! Just tell 'em it's all about getting "liberals" for saying mean things about Palin's kids and see how fast they get behind it!

"... the federal government needs to take a stronger stand against criminal activity fueled by bias and bigotry."

Hey, easy! That's a GOP constituency! Leave the Tiller Killer alone and keep your mits off the Holocaust shooter!

(The sarcasm not to be misunderstood.)

More big brother stepping in to create laws and tell the states what to do..these laws are already on the books and are up to the states to enforce..the government needs to become smaller not larger..and it needs to stop forcing itself on the states and creating more laws that cost the states more and more money..these costs end up as a bigger burden on the taxpayers..enforce the laws that already exist mr holder and keep your feel good politics to yourself

Isn't any crime that results in death or bodily injury a hate crime? Regardless of color, gender, or sexual orientation.

So the white, male Starbucks manager who was beaten to death in Philadelphia by black teenagers (on a dare) was a hate crime?

Come on CNN post this. I have not said anything that is not true. In fact you covered this murder.

@Phat Elvis June 25th, 2009 3:48 pm ET

well of course the GOP is not pursuaded– they are the party of hate!!!
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Hmmm, Phat Elvis...that's a pretty hateful statement in and of itself. Typical left-wing hypocrisy.

About time.

Hate crime is an oxymoron. Why should some crimes be more illegal than others? If I shoot you to take your wallet or because you are white you were still shot.

Welcome to the 21st century. All crimes are hate crimes. It is obvious hate crime laws do nothing to deter hate crimes, so why not increase the sentencing for ALL CRIMES.

I am sorry, just because a white person assaults a black person because of their skin color, does not make that crime any more or less heinous then if it was done without race being a motivating factor.

People who are evil enough to do the crime are evil inside. They are just using race as a justification. If they didn't have that motivation, they would come up with a different excuse.

Hate is hate. A crime is a crime.

It goes without saying that Republicans have no focus on prosecuting hate crimes. The 'base' of the new republican party is home for right-wing extremist (politicians, media, citizens) ,who react violently to people who do not think or look like themselves.

Does this mean that that LIBERAL blogger up in Alaska would be prosecuted for what he did to the Palins????

It IS pretty HATEFUL.

And it covers 2 of Holders covered entities.( disabled and gender )

After viewing all of the HATEFUL comments under the Palin blog, I wonder how many of them would qualify to be prosecuted???

You want to see TRUE HATE just look the the LEFT.

This is clearly an unconstitutional infringement on the freedom of speech.

A crime is a crime. Hate is involved in EVERY crime. This is redundant and unnecessary.

how interesting, the old white guy party doesn't see the need to support hate crime legislation.. republicans are SO funny, how they wrap themselves in this cloak of christianity.. they remind me of the pharisees in jesus time.. jesus said about them, "they worship me with their words, but their hearts are far from me..." and that is the fundamental principle of republican party christianity... TELL the world you're christians, because NOTHING in your behavior would prove your christianity..

No surprise, more obstructionism and hypocrisy from the RepubliCONS. They claim our state and local legal system is plenty capable, but totally ineffective in the possibility of housing GITMO detainees in Supermax prisons. Who takes these jokers seriously anymore, besides the Limbaugh followers?

And at least he will be efficient-voter intimidation by black panthers in Philadelphia doesn't count, and we need not devote scarce resources there when there are hateful catholics whose views on gay marriage need to be silenced.

Christian clergy are unfortunately some of the biggest haters. Always have been.

Can someone please define LOVE crime??

Crime is crime – regardless of motive. Assault and battery on an ederly woman is no worse than assaulting a gay woman, no?

Well, anyone who did not think that Holder would not go after unpopular speech, incorrect thinking, and legal gun ownership, the instant he was confirmed, was not paying attention.

I think Gitmo would make a great re-education camp for those who don't love Big Brother.

I agree that hate crimes are on the rise. Even in my own family, we have the white members siding with a young meth head's lie over the accomplished young black lady. They swear she would lie, but how does a 16 year old run away survive on the streets for months as an meth addict and swears she never lied, stole or had sex, yeah right!!!
The black girl graduation cum laude and then pursed a MA with a 3.88 GPA, never been in trouble and smokes weed occassionaly. All of the white family members had forbidden the blacks to come over to the main family home. It's sad.......

Several religious groups have expressed concern that a hate crimes law could be used to criminalize conservative speech relating to subjects such as abortion or homosexuality.

As a society we should have a conversation with such speech taking place to begin with and the fact that some religious groups are concern with this bill; which it should not be a concern for them since the bill does not consider speech but rather actual violent acts because of hate; it makes you wonder how some speech must be pretty bad to hear...like this new video of demonizing a young gay man!

I'm sure your testimony in front of Senate committees is invaluable Mr. Holder, but how about starting some indictments for the torture regime that just left office??

Why shouldn't Christian Clergy be prosecuted? Look at that guy who descrated Matthew Shephard's grave... people shouldn't be able to put their hate into action. Hiding it under a religious tone just should not be tolerated. PERIOD.

The G.O.P. lives on hate. They just want someone to fight with.

Imagine if there was a real hate crimes law, almost every Democrat in America would be in jail.

Come to a blue area, you will see that Democrats hate everyone. Their total disregard for human life is the biggest hate crime, it goes well beyond just babies, Democrats and their way of acting and behaving around other people is why car insurance rates are so high in the blue and so so many people die or are surverely injured, driving while lib is and always will be the biggest killer in this nation.

Thats because the GOP likes having their hate be allowed by the law. It would cause a serious problem to them if their hate behavior towards others became illegal.

This is an effort to criminalize Whites, Christians, and heterosexuals. This laws are rarely ever applied against minorities, as though they are above prejudice and bigotry.

well of course the GOP is not pursuaded– they are the party of hate!!!