Comments on: Pentagon “Policy” Bill Squeezes in Hate-Crime Legislation

By: THE BOTTOM TEN: 2009 YEAR IN REVIEW | REPUBLICAN REDEFINED

THE BOTTOM TEN: 2009 YEAR IN REVIEW | REPUBLICAN REDEFINED — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 09:31:47 +0000

[...] chump change. In the last month alone his caucus has gone quietly as the Senate signed off on a $680 billion defense bill riddled with pork and waste, passed a $1.1 trillion appropriations bill that increased [...]

By: T. CHRISTOPHER

T. CHRISTOPHER — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:09:43 +0000

Yes it would appear that the hate crimes provision was the compromise here. Most of the bill was a no brainer and could have been included in the neutral column. Sure, the administration and some on the Left wanted to see many of these projects scaled back, but they did get a big win with the cut to missile defense as well. I feel certain that there is a bigger story with the alternative engine bid debate and i am looking into it. If anyone has insight into this feel free to share as I have no doubt that favors and backdoor dealing is involved.

By: marinemanny

marinemanny — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:59:53 +0000

I am confused here. What is the compromise for these liberals to agree to make these military spending moves? Is it just the hatecrimes bill that you are right has no place in this bill?

By: BrianH

BrianH — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:43:15 +0000

When did everything become a “hate crime?” Now killing someone, raping someone, or assaulting someone is not enough? Now there is an extra penalty that takes the Intent standard to a whole new threshold? How in this nation, can we stand for a statute that would allow a jury of our peers to not only judge our level of intent but also the motivations for that intent. It is nothing short of a sci-fi Hollywood script in the making. Now if a white man kills a black man it is a hate crime? If a straight man kills a gay man it is a hate crime? What happens when a gay man molests a little boy? Is it a hate crime as well? I have no doubt that it will not be. lets punish the criminals not make political statements.

By: Kenneth

Kenneth — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:13:08 +0000

It is a shame that this bill was passed in silence as I am sure there is much on all your lists that all parties would find objectionable.