Hate Crimes Legislation, My Take

Photo from source, chron.com

There are those who think that hate crime laws are unnecessary, and that if current laws are enforced, then that is enough. They might have a point, if there weren't already hate crime laws on the books. Women, minorities and religions are already protected. No, the issue now is adding sexuality and gender identification to the hate crime statues.

Since there is no good reason to prevent such a thing, the argument is turned around to hate crime laws=thought crime laws. This is nonsense. You cannot be prosecuted for what you think, only what you do. And if it can be proven that you commit a crime for no other reason than your hatred for a class of people, the hate crime statues kick in.

Not allowing sexual orientation or gender identity to be included in these laws amounts to an ironic set of "special rights" for those who are included.

The inspiration for this post is a depressing story in the news that hits close to home. I've never experienced the scenario in the story, but it is very easy to envision, sadly. Please read on.

[Excerpt]

Murder suspect says he was doing God's work
Cypress man is being held in the June death of flight attendant

By PAIGE HEWITT
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

A Cypress man charged in the death of a Southwest Airlines flight attendant said Saturday that he was doing God's work when he went to a Montrose-area bar last month, hunting for a gay man to kill.

"I believe I'm Elijah, called by God to be a prophet," said 26-year-old Terry Mark Mangum, charged with murder June 11. " ... I believe with all my heart that I was doing the right thing."

Interviewed in the Brazoria County Jail Saturday morning, Mangum said he feels no remorse for killing 46-year-old Kenneth Cummings Jr., whom relatives described as a "loving" son who never forgot a holiday and a devoted uncle who had set up college funds for his niece and nephew. He worked at Southwest for 24 years.

Mangum, who described himself as "definitely not a homosexual," said God called on him to "carry out a code of retribution" by killing a gay man because "sexual perversion" is the "worst sin."

Mangum believed Cummings to be gay.

Read more at: chron.com

And for more opinion on this piece, please read: Pay no attention to the hate crime behind the curtain at AmericaBlog.com