Hate Crimes Legislation

Has anyone heard anything else about the "Hate Crimes" bill?



Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts is at it again. He's taken the Hate Crimes bill – which will create a two-tier justice system by valuing some victims more than others – and attached it to the Defense Authorization Bill as an amendment.

Kennedy's move is clever. By attaching Hate Crimes to the Defense spending bill, he unconscionably forces the Senate and the President to choose between the safety of our troops and standing up for the principle that the hate crimes bill is un-American and unconstitutional.
Liberals in Congress are determined to ram this legislation through, at the behest of homosexual activists. This bill would extend "special protected status" to homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals so that crimes committed against them will be prosecuted more severely than the same crime committed against someone without this special protection.
For more information
about this bill:
• listen online to today's Focus on the Family broadcast
• read our Hate Crimes Fact Sheet
• and read our CitizenLink article


This legislation is unconscionable, unnecessary and specifically creates inequality under the law. Right now, crimes are punished regardless of who the victim is; if this bill passes, some victims will be valued higher based on their sexual behavior. Those victims not included in these special protections will become second-class victims!

Even more disturbing is the potential for freedom of speech to become a victim of this legislation as well. By tying in with federal "aiding and abetting" statutes, it's possible that any speech that incites violence against a member of a protected class will be prosecuted just like the actual crime. That means it's possible a pastor who preaches about the biblical view of homosexuality could be arrested for inciting a hate crime because of his sermon.

We have no time to lose. The Defense bill is being debated on the Senate floor this week and the Hate Crimes amendment (#2067) must be stopped.
We know you've already signed the Hate Crimes petition, but we'd like to ask you to do two things. First, forward this e-mail to your family and friends so they, too, can sign the petition and express their outrage about this bill. Second, please call your senators and urge them to reject the Hate Crimes Bill (Amendment # 2067 to the Defense Authorization Bill, H.R. 1585). The Capitol switchboard number is (202) 224-3121. Or you can visit our Action Center for district office numbers for your senators.
Thank you in advance for standing with us in defense of our right to speak truth and in opposition to this unnecessary legislation.
P.S. We'd like to invite you to join us in Washington, D.C., this October for an inspiring conference hosted by our sister organization, Family Research Council Action. This premier values-voter event, the Washington Briefing 2007, is designed to educate and equip concerned citizens like you who desire to make a difference for righteousness each time they go to the ballot box.
The Briefing, scheduled for Oct. 19-21, will feature respected pro-family leaders, including Dr. James Dobson, political commentators and elected officials. In addition, all 2008 presidential hopefuls have been invited. For more information or to register, call (888) 372-2284 or visit the Briefing Web site. We hope to see you in our nation's capital this fall!