July 18, 2007

Hate Crimes Attached to Defense Bill

Matt Barber is Policy Director for Cultural issues at Concerned Women for America.

The main topic was the attempt by Senator Edward Kennedy to attach Hate Crimes legislation as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill. The concern is that this onerous bill could become law, not on its own merits, but because President Bush could sign the entire bill in order to gain the funding for the military in Iraq and elsewhere.

The Hate Crimes legislation, which has been introduced numerous times over the past several years, would increase penalties for crimes if it was determined that the victim was a homosexual, and that the perpetrator was expressing hatred when committing the crime. While billed as an attempt to curb violent crimes, similar legislation elsewhere has been interpreted or expanded to include speech, and even decisions by business people not to accept orders for work (such as a print job) that violates their conscience by promoting homosexual activity.

Specific examples were discussed, including the arrest of seven Christians in Elmira, New York, for simply praying silently at a homosexual event, the lawsuit by two lesbians against a church for refusing to rent their property for a "civil union" ceremony, the vitriolic response to the position of the mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for suggesting that homosexual encounters in public rest rooms be prosecuted, and many similar incidents.

The current Attorney General Nominee, Dr. James Holsinger, who during his confirmation hearings, under intense questioning by liberal senators, backed away from his earlier statements--which were backed up scientifically--on the dangers of homosexual behavior.

More Information

Listeners were encouraged to participate in a poll on the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel website, asking whether Mayor James Naugle should resign because of his comments that gay and lesbian residents have found "offensive".

As long as the poll is available, you can vote HERE

The biased coverage by the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel can be found at:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/

Action Points

Continue to contact your U.S. Senators about Senator Kennedy's Hate Crimes amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill, by calling

1-202-224-3121

To express your concerns about the attacks by homosexual activists against Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Mayor James Naugle, and his concerns about homosexual encounters taking place in public rest rooms in the city, including in a children's park and on the beach, contact the city commissioners at:

954-828-5003 or
954-828-5004