Sunday July 19, 2009, 3:14 am
"The US Senate approved an expansion of the federal hate crime law to now cover gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or a disability. It’s the largest expansion of federal hate crime protections since the original law was enacted after the assassination of Martin Luther King Junior.

"This is a first step and I am hoping there is more to follow," said Anita Cameron, an advocate for disability rights. "Stronger legislation beyond this and to really deal with people who would commit hate crimes."

Cameron works at the Systems Advocate Center for Disability Rights. She says she was attacked by man a couple of years ago.

"I fought back and he eventually got back on his bike and ran off,” said Cameron."

Read more and see video at site..

Sunday July 19, 2009, 8:11 am
Aren't they all hate crimes? Why do we need yet another law? Why pass laws to protect certain segments of society? Aren't we all supposed to be equal?

Sunday July 19, 2009, 9:22 am
Hate crimes deserve no toleration at all..

Sunday July 19, 2009, 9:35 am
We already have laws against abuse, rape, battery, murder, attempted murder etc....why more laws????

Sunday July 19, 2009, 8:01 pm
Why not..Why would anyone be opposed to stronger laws on hate crimes..

“Hate” crimes " are not really about hate..and unlike a general crime..it is about bias or prejudice..Statutory definitions of hate crime differ some what from state to state..but essentially hate crime refers to criminal conduct motivated by bias and prejudice.

Hate crime laws seek to send a symbolic message of support to members of certain groups..

What is wrong with that..

Monday July 20, 2009, 12:37 am
PEOPLE PLEASE!!! I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO SUPPORT THIS CAUSE, BUT PLEASE REALIZE THAT THIS BILL "WILL PROTECT PEDOPHILES" OMG!! AND IT "WILL NOT PROTECT OUR SOLDIERS SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES" OMG!!! THIS BILL IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK!!! THE STATES ALREADY HAVE HATE CRIMES PROTECTION AND THE CRIME RATE HAS ACTUALLY STATISTICALLY GONE DOWN. THIS BILL HAS ULTERIOR MOTIVES BY BECOMING "FEDERALIZED"!! PLEASE! IT IS JUST ONE MORE THING FOR THE "FEDERAL" GOVERNMENT TO OVERRIDE THE STATE'S LAWS, WHICH RIGHT NOW WORK FINE FOR HATE CRIMES. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS BEFORE SUPPORTING IT!! DO YOU SEE HOW F A S T THEY ARE TRYING TO SLIP THIS THRU!! THERE IS A REASON FOR IT AND THEY DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW. LOOK AT THE VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE ABOUT THE QUESTIONS DURING THE HEARING!! HE COULDN'T EVEN GIVE ONE SPECIFIC REASON, HE ONLY SAID "IT'S IN MY NOTES"...PLEASE READ UP ON THIS BEFORE YOU WOULD SUPPORT ANYMORE "FEDERALIZING" OVER STATE LAWS. WE ARE LOSING OUR CONSTITUTION!! THIS WILL CRIMINALIZE YOU IF YOU "HURT SOMEONE'S FEELING". HOW CAN YOU DEFEND YOURSELF FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR A CRIME LIKE THAT. ANYBODY COULD SAY THAT SO YOU CAN GET LOCKED UP. AND THAT CAN INCLUDE SIGNING A PETITION. BEWARE PEOPLE, PLEASE!!!

Thursday July 23, 2009, 12:26 pm
(((Hate crime laws seek to send a symbolic message of support to members of certain groups..

What is wrong with that.. )))

Equal protection under the law....that is what is wrong with this. EQUAL....not one law for this group and another law for this group....EQUAL laws for ALL.

Saturday September 12, 2009, 6:42 pm
NE ..The law doesn't change the protection to any and or all..that remains as is..It simply supports the hate crime committed to some more as a group..and again what is wrong with that..

Saturday September 12, 2009, 6:44 pm
Elaine..There really is no need to use all caps..We can read the message with out it..

Please explain how this would protect pedophiles..

Saturday September 12, 2009, 7:15 pm
((It simply supports the hate crime committed to some more as a group))

Then it wouldn't be equal.