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H.R.3132 TITLE X--LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HATE CRIMES PREVENTION
Thomas ^
| 09.15.2005
| Rep Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr., et al
Posted on 09/29/2005 11:54:59 PM PDT by Anthem
Bill Summary & Status for the 109th Congress
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H.R.3132
Title: To make improvements to the national sex offender registration program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [WI-5] (introduced 6/30/2005) Cosponsors (88)
Related Bills: H.RES.436, H.R.3133
Latest Major Action: 9/15/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
House Reports: 109-218 Part 1, 109-218 Part 2
COSPONSORS(88), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date)
Rep Alexander, Rodney [LA-5] - 7/27/2005 |
Rep Bachus, Spencer [AL-6] - 7/14/2005 |
Rep Baker, Richard H. [LA-6] - 7/14/2005 |
Rep Barrow, John [GA-12] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep Boehlert, Sherwood [NY-24] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep Boozman, John [AR-3] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep Boswell, Leonard L. [IA-3] - 7/14/2005 |
Rep Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [LA-7] - 7/20/2005 |
Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny [FL-5] - 6/30/2005 |
Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] - 7/14/2005 |
Rep Calvert, Ken [CA-44] - 9/8/2005 |
Rep Cannon, Chris [UT-3] - 7/27/2005 |
Rep Cantor, Eric [VA-7] - 7/27/2005 |
Rep Capito, Shelley Moore [WV-2] - 7/26/2005 |
Rep Chabot, Steve [OH-1] - 6/30/2005 |
Rep Chandler, Ben [KY-6] - 7/28/2005 |
Rep Coble, Howard [NC-6] - 7/28/2005 |
Rep Cramer, Robert E. (Bud), Jr. [AL-5] - 6/30/2005 |
Rep DeLay, Tom [TX-22] - 6/30/2005 |
Rep Feeney, Tom [FL-24] - 7/14/2005 |
Rep Foley, Mark [FL-16] - 6/30/2005 |
Rep Forbes, J. Randy [VA-4] - 7/14/2005 |
Rep Fossella, Vito [NY-13] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep Franks, Trent [AZ-2] - 7/14/2005 |
Rep Gallegly, Elton [CA-24] - 7/19/2005 |
Rep Gibbons, Jim [NV-2] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep Gillmor, Paul E. [OH-5] - 6/30/2005 |
Rep Goode, Virgil H., Jr. [VA-5] - 7/25/2005 |
Rep Granger, Kay [TX-12] - 7/20/2005 |
Rep Graves, Sam [MO-6] - 6/30/2005 |
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] - 7/25/2005 |
Rep Green, Mark [WI-8] - 6/30/2005 |
Rep Harris, Katherine [FL-13] - 7/28/2005 |
Rep Hart, Melissa A. [PA-4] - 7/25/2005 |
Rep Hastings, Doc [WA-4] - 9/8/2005 |
Rep Herseth, Stephanie [SD] - 7/19/2005 |
Rep Jenkins, William L. [TN-1] - 7/19/2005 |
Rep Jindal, Bobby [LA-1] - 7/14/2005 |
Rep Keller, Ric [FL-8] - 7/19/2005 |
Rep Kennedy, Mark R. [MN-6] - 7/19/2005 |
Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] - 7/27/2005 |
Rep King, Steve [IA-5] - 7/27/2005 |
Rep Kline, John [MN-2] - 7/27/2005 |
Rep Kuhl, John R. "Randy", Jr. [NY-29] - 7/20/2005 |
Rep Latham, Tom [IA-4] - 7/25/2005 |
Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [NJ-2] - 7/28/2005 |
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 9/8/2005 |
Rep Lungren, Daniel E. [CA-3] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep McCaul, Michael T. [TX-10] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep McHugh, John M. [NY-23] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep McMorris, Cathy [WA-5] - 7/19/2005 |
Rep Miller, Candice S. [MI-10] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep Miller, Gary G. [CA-42] - 7/25/2005 |
Rep Moore, Dennis [KS-3] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep Norwood, Charlie [GA-9] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep Osborne, Tom [NE-3] - 7/25/2005 |
Rep Pence, Mike [IN-6] - 7/14/2005 |
Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] - 7/19/2005 |
Rep Pickering, Charles W. (Chip) [MS-3] - 7/28/2005 |
Rep Poe, Ted [TX-2] - 6/30/2005 |
Rep Pomeroy, Earl [ND] - 6/30/2005 |
Rep Porter, Jon C. [NV-3] - 7/19/2005 |
Rep Price, Tom [GA-6] - 7/28/2005 |
Rep Pryce, Deborah [OH-15] - 7/25/2005 |
Rep Putnam, Adam H. [FL-12] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep Rehberg, Dennis R. [MT] - 7/26/2005 |
Rep Reichert, David G. [WA-8] - 7/25/2005 |
Rep Reynolds, Thomas M. [NY-26] - 7/26/2005 |
Rep Rogers, Mike D. [AL-3] - 7/28/2005 |
Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] - 7/27/2005 |
Rep Royce, Edward R. [CA-40] - 7/14/2005 |
Rep Ryan, Paul [WI-1] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 7/28/2005 |
Rep Sessions, Pete [TX-32] - 9/8/2005 |
Rep Shaw, E. Clay, Jr. [FL-22] - 7/25/2005 |
Rep Smith, Adam [WA-9] - 9/8/2005 |
Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] - 7/27/2005 |
Rep Smith, Lamar [TX-21] - 7/19/2005 |
Rep Souder, Mark E. [IN-3] - 7/28/2005 |
Rep Terry, Lee [NE-2] - 7/20/2005 |
Rep Walden, Greg [OR-2] - 9/6/2005 |
Rep Weldon, Curt [PA-7] - 7/28/2005 |
Rep Westmoreland, Lynn A. [GA-8] - 7/28/2005 |
Rep Whitfield, Ed [KY-1] - 7/28/2005 |
Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] - 7/20/2005 |
Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] - 7/25/2005 |
H.R.3132
Children's Safety Act of 2005 (Referred to Senate Committee after being Received from House)
TITLE X--LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HATE CRIMES PREVENTION
SEC. 1001. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2005'.
SEC. 1002. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The incidence of violence motivated by the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim poses a serious national problem.
(2) Such violence disrupts the tranquility and safety of communities and is deeply divisive.
(3) State and local authorities are now and will continue to be responsible for prosecuting the overwhelming majority of violent crimes in the United States, including violent crimes motivated by bias. These authorities can carry out their responsibilities more effectively with greater Federal assistance.
(4) Existing Federal law is inadequate to address this problem.
(5) The prominent characteristic of a violent crime motivated by bias is that it devastates not just the actual victim and the family and friends of the victim, but frequently savages the community sharing the traits that caused the victim to be selected.
(6) Such violence substantially affects interstate commerce in many ways, including--
(A) by impeding the movement of members of targeted groups and forcing such members to move across State lines to escape the incidence or risk of such violence; and
(B) by preventing members of targeted groups from purchasing goods and services, obtaining or sustaining employment, or participating in other commercial activity.
(7) Perpetrators cross State lines to commit such violence.
(8) Channels, facilities, and instrumentalities of interstate commerce are used to facilitate the commission of such violence.
(9) Such violence is committed using articles that have traveled in interstate commerce.
(10) For generations, the institutions of slavery and involuntary servitude were defined by the race, color, and ancestry of those held in bondage. Slavery and involuntary servitude were enforced, both prior to and after the adoption of the 13th amendment to the Constitution of the United States, through widespread public and private violence directed at persons because of their race, color, or ancestry, or perceived race, color, or ancestry. Accordingly, eliminating racially motivated violence is an important means of eliminating, to the extent possible, the badges, incidents, and relics of slavery and involuntary servitude.
(11) Both at the time when the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution of the United States were adopted, and continuing to date, members of certain religious and national origin groups were and are perceived to be distinct `races'. Thus, in order to eliminate, to the extent possible, the badges, incidents, and relics of slavery, it is necessary to prohibit assaults on the basis of real or perceived religions or national origins, at least to the extent such religions or national origins were regarded as races at the time of the adoption of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution of the United States.
(12) Federal jurisdiction over certain violent crimes motivated by bias enables Federal, State, and local authorities to work together as partners in the investigation and prosecution of such crimes.
(13) The problem of crimes motivated by bias is sufficiently serious, widespread, and interstate in nature as to warrant Federal assistance to States and local jurisdictions.
SEC. 1003. DEFINITION OF HATE CRIME.
In this title, the term `hate crime' has the same meaning as in section 280003(a) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (28 U.S.C. 994 note).
SEC. 1004. SUPPORT FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS BY STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.
(a) Assistance Other Than Financial Assistance-
(1) IN GENERAL- At the request of a law enforcement official of a State or Indian tribe, the Attorney General may provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or any other form of assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that--
(A) constitutes a crime of violence (as defined in section 16 of title 18, United States Code);
(B) constitutes a felony under the laws of the State or Indian tribe; and
(C) is motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim, or is a violation of the hate crime laws of the State or Indian tribe.
(2) PRIORITY- In providing assistance under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall give priority to crimes committed by offenders who have committed crimes in more than 1 State and to rural jurisdictions that have difficulty covering the extraordinary expenses relating to the investigation or prosecution of the crime.
(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General may award grants to assist State, local, and Indian law enforcement officials with the extraordinary expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.
(2) OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS- In implementing the grant program, the Office of Justice Programs shall work closely with the funded jurisdictions to ensure that the concerns and needs of all affected parties, including community groups and schools, colleges, and universities, are addressed through the local infrastructure developed under the grants.
(A) IN GENERAL- Each State that desires a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by or containing such information as the Attorney General shall reasonably require.
(B) DATE FOR SUBMISSION- Applications submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be submitted during the 60-day period beginning on a date that the Attorney General shall prescribe.
(C) REQUIREMENTS- A State or political subdivision of a State or tribal official applying for assistance under this subsection shall--
(i) describe the extraordinary purposes for which the grant is needed;
(ii) certify that the State, political subdivision, or Indian tribe lacks the resources necessary to investigate or prosecute the hate crime;
(iii) demonstrate that, in developing a plan to implement the grant, the State, political subdivision, or tribal official has consulted and coordinated with nonprofit, nongovernmental victim services programs that have experience in providing services to victims of hate crimes; and
(iv) certify that any Federal funds received under this subsection will be used to supplement, not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be available for activities funded under this subsection.
(4) DEADLINE- An application for a grant under this subsection shall be approved or disapproved by the Attorney General not later than 30 business days after the date on which the Attorney General receives the application.
(5) GRANT AMOUNT- A grant under this subsection shall not exceed $100,000 for any single jurisdiction within a 1 year period.
(6) REPORT- Not later than December 31, 2006, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report describing the applications submitted for grants under this subsection, the award of such grants, and the purposes for which the grant amounts were expended.
(7) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007.
SEC. 1005. GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Authority to Make Grants- The Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice shall award grants, in accordance with such regulations as the Attorney General may prescribe, to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles, including programs to train local law enforcement officers in identifying, investigating, prosecuting, and preventing hate crimes.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 1006. AUTHORIZATION FOR ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO ASSIST STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Justice, including the Community Relations Service, for fiscal years 2006, 2007, and 2008 such sums as are necessary to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of section 249 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 1007.
SEC. 1007. PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN HATE CRIME ACTS.
(a) In General- Chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`Sec. 249. Hate crime acts
`(1) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person--
`(A) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and
`(B) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if--
`(i) death results from the offense; or
`(ii) the offense includes kidnaping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.
`(2) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR DISABILITY-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, in any circumstance described in subparagraph (B), willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of any person--
`(i) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and
`(ii) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if--
`(I) death results from the offense; or
`(II) the offense includes kidnaping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.
`(B) CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED- For purposes of subparagraph (A), the circumstances described in this subparagraph are that--
`(i) the conduct described in subparagraph (A) occurs during the course of, or as the result of, the travel of the defendant or the victim--
`(I) across a State line or national border; or
`(II) using a channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce;
`(ii) the defendant uses a channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce in connection with the conduct described in subparagraph (A);
`(iii) in connection with the conduct described in subparagraph (A), the defendant employs a firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or other weapon that has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce; or
`(iv) the conduct described in subparagraph (A)--
`(I) interferes with commercial or other economic activity in which the victim is engaged at the time of the conduct; or
`(II) otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce.
`(b) Certification Requirement- No prosecution of any offense described in this subsection may be undertaken by the United States, except under the certification in writing of the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, the Associate Attorney General, or any Assistant Attorney General specially designated by the Attorney General that--
`(1) he or she has reasonable cause to believe that the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person was a motivating factor underlying the alleged conduct of the defendant; and
`(2) he or his designee or she or her designee has consulted with State or local law enforcement officials regarding the prosecution and determined that--
`(A) the State does not have jurisdiction or does not intend to exercise jurisdiction;
`(B) the State has requested that the Federal Government assume jurisdiction;
`(C) the State does not object to the Federal Government assuming jurisdiction; or
`(D) the verdict or sentence obtained pursuant to State charges left demonstratively unvindicated the Federal interest in eradicating bias-motivated violence.
`(c) Definitions- In this section--
`(1) the term `explosive or incendiary device' has the meaning given the term in section 232 of this title;
`(2) the term `firearm' has the meaning given the term in section 921(a) of this title; and
`(3) the term `gender identity' for the purposes of this chapter means actual or perceived gender-related characteristics.
`(d) Rule of Evidence- In a prosecution for an offense under this section, evidence of expression or associations of the defendant may not be introduced as substantive evidence at trial, unless the evidence specifically relates to that offense. However, nothing in this section affects the rules of evidence governing impeachment of a witness.'.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment- The analysis for chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
SEC. 1008. STATISTICS.
Subsection (b)(1) of the first section of the Hate Crimes Statistics Act (28 U.S.C. 534 note) is amended by inserting `gender and gender identity,' after `race,'.
SEC. 1009. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this title, an amendment made by this title, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions of such to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.
Passed the House of Representatives September 14, 2005.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.
By Gerasimos C. Vans,
Deputy Clerk.
TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Government
KEYWORDS: 109th; congress; crimes; federal; federallaw; hate; hatecrimes; hr3132; law; thoughtpolice
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Another signpost that says "wrong way".
1
posted on
09/29/2005 11:55:00 PM PDT
by
Anthem
To: Anthem
(1) The incidence of violence motivated by the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim poses a serious national problem. (2) Such violence disrupts the tranquility and safety of communities and is deeply divisive. (3) State and local authorities are now and will continue to be responsible for prosecuting the overwhelming majority of violent crimes in the United States, including violent crimes motivated by bias. These authorities can carry out their responsibilities more effectively with greater Federal assistance. (4) Existing Federal law is inadequate to address this problem. (5) The prominent characteristic of a violent crime motivated by bias is that it devastates not just the actual victim and the family and friends of the victim, but frequently savages the community sharing the traits that caused the victim to be selected.
I agree with all five points - but how the heck a Republican congress then concludes that the proper solution is to violate the equal protection clause of the constitution by protecting some citizens more than others is beyond my understanding. All violent crime effects more than just person attacked because the people around the crime area are scared - we need to acknowledge the causes and work on them but not violate he constitution to do it.
2
posted on
09/30/2005 12:00:04 AM PDT
by
gondramB
( We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.)
To: gondramB
The incidence of violence motivated by the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim poses a serious national problem. Religion and sexual orientation are belief systems. Why is political belief not also so protected? Answer, so the left wing bigots can continue to torment Republicans without being "haters".
3
posted on
09/30/2005 12:06:10 AM PDT
by
weegee
(The lesson from New Orleans? Smart Growth kills. You can't evacuate dense populations easily.)
To: weegee
"Religion and sexual orientation are belief systems. Why is political belief not also so protected? Answer, so the left wing bigots can continue to torment Republicans without being "haters"."
That's another excellent point -there are many other causes of hate and bigotry that are not covered by this law- yet another example of why this law violates equal protection.
4
posted on
09/30/2005 12:14:48 AM PDT
by
gondramB
( We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.)
To: Anthem
The Federal government would be a rational size (cost) had Ike's administration not explored how actions affect interstate commerce.
5
posted on
09/30/2005 12:49:14 AM PDT
by
ncountylee
(Dead terrorists smell like victory)
To: gondramB
If a person of the same race creed religion or he/she/it sexual orientation is murdered, is it a lesser crime? What crime against persons isn't hateful?
6
posted on
09/30/2005 12:50:28 AM PDT
by
Anthem
(Federal does not mean national)
To: Anthem
"If a person of the same race creed religion or he/she/it sexual orientation is murdered, is it a lesser crime? What crime against persons isn't hateful?"
Exactly - the argument for hate crime legislation hinges on the idea that a crime against a member of a protected class effects the whole class and thus is a bigger crime.
But you know what, if somebody in my neighborhood got mugged it would effect the whole neighborhood. Maybe my neighborhood should be a protected class too?
7
posted on
09/30/2005 12:55:34 AM PDT
by
gondramB
( We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.)
To: ncountylee
Currently the "Federal" government is hell bent on minimizing local governments. I've seen some stunning defenses of FEMA and attacks on Posse Comitatus from "conservatives", when there is plenty of evidence that FEMA did in fact obstruct many private efforts to bring aid to the Rita afflicted States.
Follow the link above and read the article by Dr. Crichton. It's a speech for the ages.
8
posted on
09/30/2005 12:57:59 AM PDT
by
Anthem
(Federal does not mean national)
To: gondramB
But you know what, if somebody in my neighborhood got mugged it would effect the whole neighborhood. Maybe my neighborhood should be a protected class too? An excellent point. I'm putting that one in the ammo box.
Do you think we can raise some support here to go after the Senate to clean up this bill. All the Feds are needed for is to facilitate interstate manhunts and perhaps require extradition and cooperation between the States.
9
posted on
09/30/2005 1:02:54 AM PDT
by
Anthem
(Federal does not mean national)
To: gondramB
(1) IN GENERAL- At the request of a law enforcement official of a State or Indian tribe, the Attorney General may provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or any other form of assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that-- ... (C)
is motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim, or is a violation of the hate crime laws of the State
or Indian tribe. So now thought is a crime and we are all subject to the laws of Indian tribes?
10
posted on
09/30/2005 1:10:13 AM PDT
by
konaice
To: weegee
Why is political belief not also so protected? Answer, so the left wing bigots can continue to torment Republicans without being "haters". It's worse than that. Let's say that someone was breaking into your home and you had to shoot him. Let's say that he's of a different race than you. You are put on trial and your conservatism will be evidence for the prosecution "has reasonable cause to believe that the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person was a motivating factor underlying the alleged conduct of the defendant". Sec. 249 (b)(1)
11
posted on
09/30/2005 1:13:12 AM PDT
by
Anthem
(Federal does not mean national)
To: konaice
" So now thought is a crime and we are all subject to the laws of Indian tribes?"
I'm gonna be an optimist here - that probably doesn't extend the jurisdiction of the Indian tribes but allows DA to assist them in law enforcement.
And for a legitimate case -like a serial killer, help is totally appropriate.
But what if the Indian Tribe law is unfair - it sounds like the DA may still hve to help.
12
posted on
09/30/2005 1:15:33 AM PDT
by
gondramB
( We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.)
To: konaice
We need to fight this. Raise hell as loudly as possible that the Republican leadership is delivering us into the despotism of arbitrary law. We have been arguing against hate crime legislation for years, and yet it's a full Republican majority and dominance of both legislative and executive branches of the Federal government that is passing this abomination.
13
posted on
09/30/2005 1:19:40 AM PDT
by
Anthem
(Federal does not mean national)
To: Anthem
"We need to fight this. Raise hell as loudly as possible that the Republican leadership is delivering us into the despotism of arbitrary law. We have been arguing against hate crime legislation for years, and yet it's a full Republican majority and dominance of both legislative and executive branches of the Federal government that is passing this abomination."
But who would we get for allies? No Democrat is gonna vote against this. I think the best hope are the courts.
14
posted on
09/30/2005 1:23:50 AM PDT
by
gondramB
( We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.)
To: Jim Robinson
Flagging you for activism. There are a lot of unintended consequences that will result if this thing isn't changed in the Senate. Good people will find themselves prosecuted for resisting evil if this passes as is.
15
posted on
09/30/2005 1:28:18 AM PDT
by
Anthem
(Federal does not mean national)
To: gondramB
I think the Republican leadership needs to feel our wrath. Too many conservatives are cowering because the third parties didn't pull the votes away. Well that was when we were doing our best to give the Republicans their chance. Look what they've done on the budget and now this! If a credible conservative movement like FR that has previously been very helpful to the Republicans says stop or we'll go third party, they will either listen or lose power. In fact that's exactly what brought the Republican party from its tiny roots to major status in 1860. It's also how the Socialist party changed the Democrat party in the 1920's.
There is a new movement in the Libertarian party to take an incrementalist, rather than all-or-nothing approach. It is political pragmatism, and if the Constitutionalists party could also find leadership that was willing to form a coalition, that would scare the liberalism out of the Republican leadership. It can start right here.
16
posted on
09/30/2005 1:39:47 AM PDT
by
Anthem
(Federal does not mean national)
To: gondramB
And for a legitimate case -like a serial killer, help is totally appropriate. Are you Daft? Serial killers don't do it out of Hate, and there is no problem prosecuting them, just catching them.
17
posted on
09/30/2005 2:20:12 AM PDT
by
konaice
To: konaice
"...is motivated by prejudice...."
You caught that too?
There is a big difference between prejudice and racism. Big difference between a "hateful" act that causes physical harm, and one's prejudicial viewpoint.
Very bad idea!
18
posted on
09/30/2005 2:56:36 AM PDT
by
OpusatFR
(Vegetarian, permaculturalist, cloth wearing, green, peak oil believing Trad Catholic Indie.)
To: Anthem
The only way they will "clean up this bill" is if you immediately inform the powers-that-be that you will no longer be contributing financially to Republican causes. That will get their attention. I refuse to have my money go to RINOs in any way.
19
posted on
09/30/2005 4:37:33 AM PDT
by
bella1
To: konaice; gondramB
I think he means that appropriate federal help is useful for catching the serial killers. Interstate flight is where the FBI can help.
We used to catch the bad guys pretty well. Some of the most famous bad guys of the depression era actually had short careers. (With the exception of the bootleggers who corrupted most local governments because the people did not want prohibition and so tolerated the crime).
Title X isn't about catching interstate criminals. It's and amendment slipped into a bill about catching interstate child predators, but itself won't catch any criminals. It will cause misery to good people who find themselves afraid to confront any bad guys of the protected class. A thought crime has no real proof, it's arbitrary, and so will only help those who don't have facts.
20
posted on
09/30/2005 4:47:16 AM PDT
by
Anthem
(Federal does not mean national)
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