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I think that GOP doesn't stand for Grand Old Party anymore. Seems these days all it means is Grumpy Old Poops...

It is about time that Congress does something worthwhile than to sit and bicker back and forth. Great job!

Geee........the Religous kooks who seem intent on tearing apart this Country are worried they won't be able to Vomit their Vile, Hateful, Prejudiced speech and continue to poisen their childrens minds with the same..........All this despite the law being aimed at violent acts, not vile speech.
They really need to pray there is NO Jesus, for if there were, he'd smite them where they stand. They're not Christians, let alone Americans.

Thank you Mr. President. However, where is the part that says its also illegal to attack or commit a crime on someone because of their race?

Will this cover the violent act of killing babies that are still in the womb? Oh right, they don't count.

After only 100+ years real hate crimes legislation...

If this doesn't pass then I can't help but think this country doesn't really deserve this man. Obama is so ahead of our time. He sees where the future will go and his core is good. Wake up, selfish, ignorant American idiots!!!!!!

Jesus preached Love for all. The only time he showed any anger was what was going on in the Temple. He never preached against gays, abortion(you bet they had it then,just as now),He never preached hate even at the Romans. So where is all this Christian hate coming from? If you as a christian are so hateful over these things then you are very much off the mark as a true christian. Hate and Fear seem to be the hallmarks of the christian right,and the far liberal left. It's a shame that as a Christian nation we even need to have a bill such as this. Look deep into yourselves and find the Love that is from God and stop this hate. Or join another religion.

All crimes are hate crimes. This is pure pandering.

To everyone who is afraid of a hate crime bill. We already have bills protecting you against crimes against you for you sex race disability or RELIGION. Its just about equal treatment

Disappointing that some conservative religious groups continue to preach intolerance an hate. This is not a free speech isssue. Inciting murder, mayhem, or violence is not protected under the right to free speech.

How can anyone even be a Christian?

Right wingers are so full of fear and hatred that they cannot even realize how their behavior is in direct opposition to the lessons of the Bible. How could a law protecting people from violence be potentially damaging to Christians? Perhaps because those complaining are not really followers of Christ, the definition of Christians.

Good! now we can throw obama and the libs in jail for hating america

What difference whose desk it's on. Obama will not acto on it anymore that he has anything other program presented so far. Especially giving help to our soldiers who are dying everday. This man should be gathered up and dropped in the middle of the Afghanistan desert with Osama Bin Laden his buddy.

Has anyone ever be charged with a "hate crime" if the victim was a heterosexual, white American male? Didn't think so...

Thank you Mr. President for doing what our legislators in Wyoming are too craven and cowardly to do. Thank you in memory of Matt Shepard and other hate crime victmis.

Soon everything will be a hate crime. Or perhaps we should treat everyone equal under the law and prosecute the crimes for what they are?

That's great! And it only cost us $680 billion from defense bill. When is he going to make a decision on the troops in Afghanistan? Is he still trying to vote present from the White House? This bill is a waste of time and money. Why does it matter if someone gay, straight, white, or black is murdered? I thought everybody wants equality. Is this the way to get it? Come on Obama. Make a real decision for a change.

Hate crime laws are discriminatory. If a black man punches a white man it's assault. If a white man punches a black man its a hate crime. A gay man punches a straight man its assault. A straight man punches a gay man its a hate crime. While crimes that are done because of a persons race, sex, sexual preference or anything else that makes them so called "different" are bad , by making the crimes greater than those against people that aren't under a umbrella of protection is discriminatory.

Murder is Murder, assault is assault. What happened to equal? I support gay marriage because I don't think it's fair to tell a group of people that they are different so different laws apply but why is it ok in reverse?

Attorney Eric Holder said that it would only be used to prosecute violent acts based on bias as opposed to the prosecution of speech based on controversial race or religious beliefs. How stupid does this guy think we are. Aren't acts of violence, no matter who they are committed against, prosecuted now? Why do we have to have a hate crime bill? This is nothing but the first step in stifling our right to speak out against things like abortion and homosexuality that many Americans are against.

This bill specifically criminalizes the domestic terrorism that has been in place against our LGBT citizens for many years by those who insist that our nation's freedom means "freedom to live as cookie-cutter people". It allows our freedom to flourish and thrive, by protecting the physical safety of our fellow Americans. Why would anyone be against this?

NO this does not limit Christians–other groups for that matter–right to HATE SPEECH. That Christians would engage in abhorrent attitudes towards gays really makes me wonder how "Christian" they really are. Yes, the bible says man cannot lie with man as he does with woman, but it also says love thy neighbor, it says Judgement is reserved for God only. in other words, ITS NOT YOUR PROBLEM. Those "Christians" that invoke the bible to denounce homosexuals use God to rationalize their own bigotry, and that is using the Lord's name in vain. isnt that a SIN?

I am so glad this bill has been passed. what happened to that poor guy in Wyoming is so tragic. i cant imagine the pain his family felt when the learned how their son suffered before he died. This legislation is a triumph of Justice

It is not about hate speech, it is about hate CRIME!!! Wake up people.

Do we have Freedom of Speech? Yes. Can a pastor spew hate against gays? Yes. Will he be prosecuted for it under a Hate Crime once this is put into law? No.....unless he is beating a gay man while yelling "Die Homo"! Seriously, it is about CRIMES committed against a person BECAUSE they are gay. Not hate speech. It follows the same mold as the current hate crime bill that defines a hate crime as something committed based on a person's race, religion or national origin. Are pastors currently put in jail for spewing hate against other religions from the pulpit? NO!!!! Stop being so freaking stupid and listening to FAUX news. You religious people have protection under the Hate Crime bill but you want to deny a homosexual protection? Some Jesus followers just do not adhere to Jesus' teachings.

This Bill should have been passed along time ago!! Now the next one that needs to be put on the agenda for Congress and the House of Representatives is HOW TO DEAL WITH SEXUAL PREDATORS WHO ARE KILLING OUR PRECIOUS YOUNG CHILDREN!! I would strongly suggest that this bill have one main objective, and that being:
FOR EVERY PREDATOR WHO TAKES THE LIFE OF A CHILD, HE/SHE SHALL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE THE DEATH PENALTY, AND BE CASTRATED IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!

I may not hate you but I'm free to dislike certain behaviors with certain people!!!

Fine! That needs to be in writings, otherwise, you'll have to burn down all the churches, mosques and places of worship.

Religious groups are concerned????
It seems to me, if they were so "religious" they would be concerned about innocent people (gays) getting assaulted.
They do not have to condone anyone's alternative lifestyle, but they do not have to keep allowing gays to be victimized in this country.

"is this the bill that potentially criminalizes any speech based on the *perception* of sexual preference?"

THAT bill does not exist, nor is THAT bill what THIS bill is. Oppose THIS bill on grounds that are legitimately contained in THIS bill. Opposing THIS bill on grounds contained in a fictitious bill fabricated by the GOP is not a legitimate or meritorious argument.

You are welcome to your hate. You are even welcome to speak your hate. You are not welcome to act on it in a criminal manner to the detriment of the stability and welfare of our society.

I guess we had alo better watch out! Now that we bigots can't beat gay men and women to death with impunity the gays are going to come and get us!

BOO!!

Wow! That was easy...the Matthew Shepard bill was stealthily slipped right in there without national discussion or the knowledge, agreement, or vote of most Americans...Now, re-explain to the American people the definition of a democracy vs. a dictatorship...

THANK YOU Mr. President!!! Thank you Congress for doing this!!!

yes, Christians and other "religions" will still be able to spout their hate, they just won't be able to use their fists, bats and cars to hurt others anymore, without going to jail.

I think homosexual and heterosexual people should be treated the same. This law would treat crimes against homosexuals as worse than crimes against heterosexuals, giving homosexuals preferential treatment.

We should fight against bigotry and discrimination, but not by giving preferential treatment. Two wrongs don't make a right.

This is a good law. Sorry if our christian right worry. Then stop shooting people that don't support your ideas on abortion and stop carrying sighs that call people nazi's or worse and stop protesting out side schools that have a club for gays. Try a little love and kindness. Like Jesus. Remember him?? These are the nuts that think we have stopped putting In God We Trust on or money and send out all the stupid E mails.

These religious groups are free to speech anyway they wish. That is there right. Although it does say a lot about them, that they need to hate people that think and act differently than they do. I think the concern here is the actions people take because they hate so much and are so scared of what they do not understand and are unwilling to.They should change there tone. You can fight against things you do not like in a civil way that doesn't bring out violence. It's more Christ like anyway to be civil.

So what we'll end up with is stiffer penalties for assaulting anyone other than a heterosexual white male. As a member of this "category" I don't see much fairness in this law at all! Also, how in the world can you prove someone knew their victim was a member of a "protected" group?

So I'm a little confused. The Purpose of the Bill is to provide protection for homosexuals against violent crimes, right? Were they not being protected under current laws? Aren't all violent crimes, in essence, "hate crimes"? Does this mean that if I were to get beat up tomorrow, there would be stricter punishments against the criminal simply if my sexual orientation were one way than it would be if it were another?

Don't misunderstand me, please. I'm sincerely confused. There have been some horrible things done to homosexuals. Many have been horribly beaten or even murdered. But did the criminals in these cases escape punishment under the law? Now, if they criminals had escaped punishment because of the victim's sexual orientation, then I could understand why this legislation is necessary. But was that the case?

So I guess to sum it all up, what is this new legislation offering that the current laws were not, in terms of protection against violent crimes?

As a christian, this makes sense. If you are worried that you can't speak freely all of the sudden, then you must have one hateful pastor. I think it's embarrassing that some christians are so worried that they are in danger now that there is a law that makes it bad to hate. Last time I checked my teachings, christians weren't supposed to hate.

Best I can tell you should have no reason to worry at all, that is if you are a TRUE christian, and not one of those posers who spends the other six days being a republican.

You control your ideas. Being ridiculed or shunned for your ideas is not a hate crime since it is something you control, not something you cannot such as the color of your skin or sexual preference.

So all you conservatives thinking its hypocritical these protections don't extend to you are grade-A idiots.

Do you think we'll see a Jesse Dirkhising law next? Never heard of him? Most people haven't. Even though it occurred less than one year after Matthew Shepherd's death, Jesse's murder wasn't newsworthy because he was not a member of any protected class. He was granted no special privileges based on his race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. He was kidnapped, bound with duct taped, gagged with his own underwear, and repeatedly sodomized until he finally suffocated. Did I mention he was only 13 years old? It doesn't matter though. He was just a garden variety kid. His murderers were a gay couple. They had to be protected by the media and the politicians. God forbid the oppressive straight masses use them to stereotype homosexuals.

My point is that hate crime is just thought crime. Criminalizing emotion. Jesse Dirkhising's murder was no less brutal, heinous, or tragic than Matthew Shepherd's. However Jesse is forgotten. So, who are the bigots in all of this?

as a lesbian ... Thank you Congress for moving forward with this bill and getting it to the President's desk.

As a Christian ... "and they'll know we are Christians by who we can hate/speak out against/marginalize"? That's not the way I remember hearing that song when I was a kid. And that's not the Christians that I know today.

So are we suppose to be kind to the criminals that assault people ? The GOP wants to resort to cheap gimmicks to rally their lunatic base and get people distracted on yet another wedge issue.

It is about time Congress acted on hate crimes against gays!!! We gays are not just some group that came out of nowhere. we are real people, just like the rest of you are. it is time we are treated that same as you, too.

It's about time something was done about this growing problem. With all the people complaining about more troops, why isn't anyone smart enough to call a reverse don't ask don't tell for more troops? I feel like there are thousands of people willing to serve in the military if they feel as though they weren't treated like second class citizens. No one wants to fight for a country that doesn't acknowledge them.

I have no respect for those who cannot even express their thoughts using proper grammar and spelling.

Thank God, hate criminals will face imprisonment for life as deserved.

Thank you to the Senate and President Obama!

Gays and lesbians all over our diverse nation are celebrating today!

Well, it's a great day. That poor child, Mathew Shepherd did not want to die, and had everything to live for. He was mercilessly beaten because he was gay.

That was sad, but today we have reason to take a moment and give thanks for sensible Congress members who would like to right a wrong. Perhaps his death will not be in vain.

Seems like the "good christians" may be getting a little concerned that someone might question their hatred ways . Maybe the "good christians" should consider "changing their ways". Perhaps try to "love thy neighbor" instead of "hate" thy neighbor: and "all men are created equal" and make sure your own house is clean before you try to clean someone else's. It truly amazes me how many people go to church everytime is door is open, tithe 10%, pray in public so they can be heard, then, as soon as they leave the church all they do is spread hate. I saw this when I was 13 years old and that is when I quit going to church. I am now 70.
God and I have a lot of conversations, but not in public. And I don't interfere in my neighbors way of life and as long as it has no bearing on mine.

Isn't ALL crime about hate? Will the sentences be more harsh for targeting a gay person? How is this EQUAL rights? When a group is asking for and receiving exceptional treatment there simply is no equality. So my life as a straight woman, if victimized, is worth less in the eyes of the justice system than my gay brother? The perp gets a greater sentence? How is that equal and why do GLBT folks think it is? My gay brother from Texas gets it – why don't most of you? And so many of you whine about why there is so much resentment toward you as a group? Grow up, grow a skin and live equal lives like the rest of us are trying to do every day!

It is very sad that the so-called Christians here are more concerned about their "right" to continue to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation instead of being concerned about violent acts against a person based on who they are. I firmly believe Jesus would be more concerned about those who are assaulted and murdered like Matthew Sheppard.

By the way, you can all relax...unless the members of your church plans on beating a gay man while hurling slurs at him, this bill doesn't apply to you.

I thought that if you hurt someone on purpose it was because you hated them. Do we need another law when we have a law that covers this.

By the way GI JOE it sounds as if you would like to perform a hate crime against the GOP.

Christians, like all Americans, are free to practice their religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment.

This laws says that if that speech incites others to violence, then those speaking are criminally responsible.

If being unable to spew hatred and intolerance somehow inhibits a person from being "Christian," then I emphatically say they are NOT Christian – they are just another religious zealot using their faith to excuse their bad behavior and pathetic limitations as a human being.

I have noticed that those who scream the most about tolerance are usually the most intolerant. SC, let me respond to your stupid assumption that Christians should be tolerant. As christians, we believe that God is holy. As a holy God, he can't abide sin. He can't be in the presence of sin. Abortion and homosexuality are sin. Therefore, God is not tolerant of either. He continues to love those who have abortions and live in homosexuality and will forgive them if they truly repent. As christians, we are called to love all of our fellow human beings but we are also called to flee from evil. So therefore, don't tell me that I have to tolerate homosexuality and abortion. I do not condone the killing and beating up of homosexuals and abortion doctors. Murder is just as much of a sin. I do not, however, have to allow my children to be exposed to it or teach them to be tolerant of it. I would suggest that you pick up a bible and read it before you start spewing your nonsense.

Washington's bank pay crackdown is Socialism.

Bail out of AIG and Wall Street is not Socialism.

"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."

Something is so wrong with this statement. First of all, look at the word "religious." If you are "religious" enough, you should be able to tolerate a lot of things. Some conservatives are just using the word "religious" to advanced their causes or promote their ideology. In fact, those are the very people with the most hatred I've ever seen.

Look at another one, "conservative speech relating to subjects such as abortion or homosexuality." I got a question for those conservatives. Are these only subjects that you can talk about or know how to talk about? If you are afraid of getting criminalized for talking about these subjects, go find something else to talk about. This is Democrats' time to rule. Suck it up!

Thank you, Senators..

God bless the US and all Americans!

As a gay man THANK YOU PRESIDENT OBAMA for keeping you word

As long as this will not affect the rights of Christians to say and speak on their beliefs especially when they are in congregation, then it is okay. But if it does threatens the Christians, may God forgive those who passed this bill and abuse this bill.

At long last. Congress finally found some sense.

These are scary days we live in.....I understand the intent of the Hate Crimes bill is to stop assults...which any person should oppose but there is a great concern of it's future use and rightly so. President Obama may be signing a bill with no concept of the future remifications....which are great.....people laugh at the Bible...but if you were to honestly read it you would see all this was foretold.....the weapon to oppose lies in the prayers of it's people. God help us all.

You don't give the bill number here... is this the bill that potentially criminalizes any speech based on the *perception* of sexual preference?

If so, I'm looking forward to reporting any references of Tea Partiers as "teabaggers" to the FBI, as that would clearly be a hate crime.

Most of the conservatives out there spew nothing but unadulterated hate. Time to get rid of GOP.