Some positive news for gays: Hatch will join Kennedy in hate-crimes law

[La_Serpiente]

I found this encouraging. The freepers are going nuts over it. My main fear is that Republicans would say that we'll just give you this and that's it. However, if this law is passed, it is possible that the military "don't ask don't tell policy" would be overturned. I am not an expert on the law, so I am not sure.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20031112-115215-9311r.htm

Here are what the Freepers are saying

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1020869/posts

Hatch joins Kennedy to push hate-crimes bill

A new "hate-crimes" proposal supported by Democrats and key Senate Republicans, including Sen. Orrin G. Hatch of Utah, would vastly expand the federal government's power to prosecute such crimes committed anywhere in the country.
Opponents of one of the most contentious provisions — the inclusion of "sexual orientation" as a protected category — "have got to grow up," Mr. Hatch said earlier in the negotiations.
Similar legislation has been introduced in the past but always has been defeated, usually through parliamentary procedures or in conference committees after passing the Senate. In recent years, the bill has been stopped by Mr. Hatch, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which handles such legislation.
A significant difference with the current proposal is that Mr. Hatch now has joined Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, to support the legislation. Also, Mr. Hatch was able to make significant changes to the proposal, supporters said.

[soleft]

1. Isn't this positive news for everyone?

:shrug:

[La_Serpiente]

2. Ummmm

yes...last time I checked it was.

[bushisanidiot]

5. It Is Good, Only if those who commit hate-crime laws are prosecuted

I don't trust Hatch's motives.. and I don't see Asscroft going out of his way to convict hate crime criminals.

I think this is a way of keeping people from claiming they are gay in order to get out of the draft.. I think they'll let gays in, but won't do a damned thing about it when gay soldiers are fragged. Gay extermination, the right wing nazi way.

I'll bet that soldier who recently returned from Iraq who was stabbed to death and burned by his comrades in Georgia, was gay.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031113/ap_on_re_us/soldiers_charged_2

[WindRavenX]

3. Hatch is an odd fellow

Bless him for supporting this, but he's a nutjob of the right- why would he do this?
I'm just a little confused, I guess.

[Democrats unite]

4. Sorry I am reminded of a wolf in sheeps clothing

I do not trust him!

Call me paranoid if you want, but the repukes have given me good reason not to trust them.