Ken Blackwell, FRC's Senior Fellow for Family Empowerment, discusses "hate crimes" legislation in The New York Sun today:
While criminal law treats all violent acts equally, the proposed law would additionally punish the accused for any prejudice they might have toward the victim. Instead of ending discrimination, this bill would create a judicial caste system in American society by creating categories where some victims are given more consideration and attention than others. This is a direct affront to the equal protection provision of our constitution.
As a former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Human Rights Commission, and a person who grew up fighting racism, I oppose the idea of thought crimes. In America, our Constitution guarantees everyone the freedom to think and believe whatever he or she wants, no matter how repulsive those beliefs are to others. And, our Declaration of Independence champions the dignity and worth of every individual.
Comments (5)
So does the current hate crimes that protects the choice of religion silence critics of religion?
Since Christians in this country are so oppressed, I'd figure they'd be using the special protections outlined in the existing hate crimes laws to silence their critics.
June 7, 2007 8:38 PM | Comment Permalink
Good point... if it protects religion, then does it mean that I can no longer say that Christians are all deluded worshipers of the Great Sky-Daddy?
It doesn't. Any more than it means Christians can no longer call homosexuals unnatural abominations guilty of crimes against nature. Ive read the text, and it says nothing about speech. At all. It only alters the events following a violent crime.
June 9, 2007 5:36 PM | Comment Permalink
The latest propaganda from FRC states that:
"Advocates of a sweeping national "hate crimes" law are on the verge of victory in the U.S. Congress. With massive funding from the homosexual lobby, these advocates are moving one step closer to the day when the federal government will be able to investigate, and punish, politically incorrect speech and thoughts."
Following up on Raven's post, I would like anyone - ANYONE - to show me a provision in this Senate bill which addresses anything other than punishment for a violent act, and where it punishes "thoughts" alone.
Make no mistake, groups like FRC and Faith and Family will be free to bash and hate homosexuals to their heart's content. This is a classic misdirection play on their part. Faith and Family is even doing telephone push-polls claiming that this bill will allow the government to round up and jail pastors for spewing their anti-gay hatred from the pulpit.
June 13, 2007 12:38 PM | Comment Permalink
I agree with Dan. The FRCs most effective arguments are an exagerated slippery-slope (This bill doesn't criminalise speech, but if we pass this, then one may be passed in the future that does!) and the outright lie (This bill will allow homosexuals to lock up pastors who say they are sinning!).
June 17, 2007 4:00 AM | Comment Permalink
Funny how Blackwell has no objection to hate-crimes laws that apply to blacks like himself -- but he's opposed to extending the same laws to other minorities.
So, Blackwell, why didn't you object to hate-crimes legistlation that covers race and religion? A bit hypocritical to reserve a right for yourself, but deny it to others, isn't it?
June 27, 2007 11:43 PM | Comment Permalink