The bill would extend current hate-crimes protections to homosexuals, as well as extending protections to those who are attacked for the sole reason of having served in the military:
The measure would extend the current definition of federal hate crimes -- which covers attacks motivated by race, color, religion or national origin -- to include those based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It also would make it a federal crime to attack U.S. military personnel because of their service.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Sen. Patrick Leahy, a longtime champion of the bill expressed his elation that the bill finally appears to be on the cusp of becoming law:
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), who helped ensure that the hate crimes measure was added to the defense bill, said: "I am proud that Congress has come together to show that violence against members of any group because of who they are will not be tolerated in this country."
However, despite the fact that they are always voicing their support for our troops, a majority of Republicans voted against legislation that would protect members of the military from crimes committed against them soley because they had served in the military. As usual, Republicans only seem interested in honoring our troops with talking points:
The measure was approved, 68 to 29, with a majority of Republicans voting against it. The House passed the same bill Oct. 8, also with most Republicans opposed.
Conservative groups used the same old tired and worn-out talking points to oppose the legislation:
"Expanding hate crimes puts America in lock step with the stated agenda of homosexual activists who will turn next to the so-called Employment Non-Discrimination Act, followed by the repeal of the ban on homosexuality in the military and then the Defense of Marriage Act," the Family Research Council warned on its Web site.
Just how protecting members of the military and homosexuals from crimes committed against them soley because they are homosexual or have served in the military will cause millions of gay couples to line up to be married immediately escapes me, but in the world of the intolerant Conservative I guess anything is possible.
Republicans also protested against the process used to pass the bill:
Separately, congressional Republicans objected to the process used to move the bill, saying that Democrats attached the hate crimes language to the defense authorization measure as a ploy to dare them to vote against it.
"It's a shame that this piece of legislation was added to a bill that's supposed to be about supporting our troops," said Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.).
Hmm, so Republicans in Congress do not think that passing a bill that protects members of the military from being attacked or persecuted simply because they have served in the armed forces is not supporting the troops?? This shows that their hatred of homosexuals trumps everything in their shallow world, even protecting troops and veterans from crimes committed against them solely for having served in the military.
While I never served in the military and am not and could not ever be homosexual I applaud this legislation and think it will be a very good day when the President signs it. The plain and simple fact of the matter is that in America you have the right to pursue your own happiness as long as it does not infringe on the rights of your fellow Americans. As a small minority of Americans, homosexuals have long been the victim of persecution, and sadly a recent election appeared to have been won soley on the persecution of gays.
Our troops too have been the targets of hate crimes soley because they served in the military and fought in wars. No matter what any Americans feelings are and were on any war we are fighting or have fought in the past, our men and women in uniform do a service that others either have refused or were not forced to do. Crimes against them for the mere reason that they fought for our country should be added to hate-crimes to afford them some extra protections under law.
I hope this will help usher in a new day in America when folks on the right and left stop trying to force their beliefs and lifestyles upon others and lash out with violence when they do not succeed in doing so. Our Constitution gives all Americans the right to pursue their own personal happiness and just because you disagree with how they live their lives does not mean that they do not have the right to be free of persecution. If this leads to the repeal of DOMA, then so be it. In my opinion some Americans should just learn to mind their own business and quit trying to push their beliefs off on everyone else. Lets all hope this will be a big step in that direction.
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