Oh, puhleeze. Matthew Shepard is the ultimate example of "using tragedy for political gain."
Shepard was and is the posthumous poster boy for hate crime enhancement legislation, and is referenced constantly in campaigns for so-called gay-straight alliances in high-schools -- despite the fact the number of actual physical acts of violence against homosexual youths have declined over the years.
Don't believe me? Check out any newspaper piece on the latest stats regarding anti-gay attacks. Then, subtract the "incidents" of non-physical name-calling. You will come up with a reduced number that doubtless will NOT be the headline for the story.
Matthew Shepherd has nothing to do with the fact that this article is using tragedy for political gain. Are you suggesting that because some people use Matthew Shepherd's death for gain, that the Traditional Values Coalition should use child molestation stories? That's known as "Two wrongs make a right,".... and it's wrong.
"Don't believe me?"
I'm willing to take your word for it that physical assaults on gay kids is on the decline.
"Check out any newspaper piece on the latest stats regarding anti-gay attacks. Then, subtract the "incidents" of non-physical name-calling. You will come up with a reduced number that doubtless will NOT be the headline for the story."
So the media distorts all sorts of stories. Tell me something I don't know. ;-)