H.R. 1592 'Hate Grandma' bill coming up for vote

Contact Your Legislators About H.R. 1592

H.R. 1592 the "Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007" sponsored by Michigan's Frank Conyers and a whole host of others is intended to protect the rights of homosexuals. But like everything else, the law of unintended consequences projects consequences for so-called "hate-crimes" or even "hate-speech" against other protected groups.

For instances, according to Janet Folger at WND, this bill will allow violent criminals to serve less jail time if the target is someone other than a homosexual. The point isn't that homosexuals should be hurt more than anyone else, but that Congress is setting up yet another "protected class," and the law will have other consequences.

Imagine law enforcement hanging around your kid's school corridors, waiting to grab up students who get into a shouting match in which one calls another a "fag." Under this bill, the deputy or school resource officer could legally haul to jail underaged students for making that and other remarks.

Targeting "juveniles" to "prevent hate crimes"? We know what that looks like in action because we've seen it before at the state level: Junior Thought Police trained to roam the school hallways looking for verbal "offenses." No kidding. Not sure if they were issued brown shirts. Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and the National Association of Attorneys General spearheaded a program of training students to police the halls for "violators" in Maine, Massachusetts and West Virginia.[i] Other states with representatives on this task force included Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Florida, Mississippi, and New Jersey. [ii]

The West Virginia Office of Civil Rights has organized teams of middle and high school students and teachers – three students per grade plus one or two faculty advisors – who are to report harassment, which in their definition includes "homophobic slurs," to law enforcement officers. [iii] Throwing the First Amendment by the wayside the manual provides sample scenarios that illustrate how a "victim" may rightfully feel threatened (which would constitute a crime) if the alleged perpetrator is perceived as "more powerful," has a "hostile tone" of voice, or "stands too close," etc. [iv]

Let's say two students get into a disagreement which escalates into a close-standing hostile-sounding argument. One is a homosexual and one is a Christian who disagrees with him. Both have done the same thing, but only one is a criminal. Yeah, that would be the Christian kid. Say the Christian kid happens to be tall, then he's got a triple violation going for him because he's: a "more powerful," "close-standing," "hostile sounding" disagreer with the homosexual agenda. Call the police! Oh, they will.

[...]

Even more disturbing are descriptions of typical offenders outlined in the curricula. Types of bias crime perpetrators for police to watch for include the "mission" offender. This person "believes he has been instructed by a higher order (God, the Fuhrer, …)" (p. 20).[vi] Of course the belief in God is as suspect as those who place their beliefs in the Fuhrer – just part of the Government training already in place. No cause for alarm, this bill would just mandate these programs nationally.

The manual also lists "homophobia" as one of the identifying characteristics to spot "hate groups." These suspect groups also "include apocalyptic Christianity in their ideology and believe we are in, or approaching, a period of violence and social turmoil which will precede the Second Coming of Christ" (p.22). [vii] So if you are a Christian who believes what the Bible has to say about homosexual behavior you're a suspect. If you've noticed that reading the paper is strikingly similar to reading the book of Revelation, you are also on a police "most wanted list" of potential criminals. All to be federally funded with your tax dollars if H.R. 1592 becomes law.

Other examples of possible "hate-speech" defined as a crime:

Before you answer, let's say the name was really mean, like being called "Four-eyes!" I played on the public school playground, used to wear glasses and have been victimized personally by such horrific verbal assaults. They hurt my feelings. And there ought to be stiff penalties for something like that. Stiff like 23 years behind bars? I don't think so. But the state of New Hampshire does.

Before you answer, let's say the name was really mean, like being called "Four-eyes!" I played on the public school playground, used to wear glasses and have been victimized personally by such horrific verbal assaults. They hurt my feelings. And there ought to be stiff penalties for something like that. Stiff like 23 years behind bars? I don't think so. But the state of New Hampshire does.

[...]

So, if speech turns a three-year sentence into a 30-year sentence for a state "hate crime" violation, just what might H.R. 1592 do on the federal level? As Rep. (and former Judge) Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, pointed out on the House Judiciary Subcommittee, if passed, H.R. 1592 is going to put pastors in prison. Pointing to Title 18 of the US Criminal Code, Section 2 (a):

(a) Whoever commits an offense against the United States or aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its commission, is punishable as a principal. –18 USC Sec. 2

And the City of San Francisco that equates condemnation of homosexuality to murder:

Think this is a stretch? Think again. In 1998, I oversaw the national "Truth in Love" campaign, which expressed hope for change for those struggling in homosexuality – something for which I was accused of murder. Here's a sample of one of the full-page "Truth-in-Love" campaign ads that caused all the commotion. One ad pictured 850 ex-homosexuals with the headline, "We're standing for the truth that homosexuals can change." Brace yourself for "hateful," "bigoted" and "intolerant" speech said to be responsible for murder. (Note: If you're under 18, you may want to ask your parents before reading it.):

We believe every human being is precious to God and is entitled to respect. But when we see great suffering among homosexuals, it's an inherent Christian calling to show compassion and concern.
Wow. With words like "precious," "respect," "compassion" and "concern," you can understand why the city of San Francisco would be prompted to accuse us of murder:

It's not an exaggeration to say that there's a direct correlation between these acts of discrimination, like Matthew Shepard, such as when gays and lesbians are called sinful, and when major religious organizations say they can change if they try, and the horrible crimes committed against gays and lesbians.

– City of San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Oct. 19, 1998.

H.R. 1592 isn't about hate. It isn't about crime. It's about silencing speech.

I'm in favor of protecting everyone from violence and crimes against property, but sometimes legislation goes overboard. Legislations often says one thing, but means another because law-encorcement agencies will be forced to act upon them according to the subjective interpretation of district attorneys and courts. Even the Supreme Court has sometimes changed its own rulings depending on who is sitting at that time.

Unfortunately, what a bill says and what it means are often two different things. A law "meant to protection homosexuals" will end up hurting us all.

Would this be considered a crime?

Comments

[1stSolidier]

I pains me to, fellow brother and sisters of liberty, to face the unescapable reality that the time has come for us to rise together again against non-representational, morally bankrupt tryanny. Please all who read this post search your hearts for soon Sir Paul Revere will ride again and you will be given the call and made to take side in the New American Revolution. I wish to appear as though I am babbling, so I will say it plainly as possible. This a call to arms. It's time to start over. We have take our country back now or we will lose the ability to resist those who wish to oppress us.

1stSoldier

[epg]

Thanks 1st soldier - We all must be vigilant to protect our type of government and our way of life.

The government is unwieldly and inconvient for the legislators who would rather rule by fiat, and our way of life though coveted by millions, is fragile. Both require that all citizens stand up and be counted.

Please contact your legislators to take actions that will protect us all, not give privelege to special interest groups. There are already laws in place to prevent hate crimes. We don't need a federal law that also prevents unwanted speech which would infringe on First Amendment Rights.