The enemy never sleeps
A federal “hate crimes” plan to criminalize speech or thoughtscritical of homosexuality – dropped from Congress’ agenda earlierbecause of a veto threat from President Bush – may be resurrectedbefore the election, according to an opponent of such advocacy laws.
“Here’s ultimately what we expect,” Mathew Staver, founder of Liberty Counseland dean of the Liberty University School of Law, told WND today. “Thehate crimes plan is to be offered as an amendment to the Fiscal Year2009 Department of Defense reauthorization bill. That’s what the wordis, that it’s going to be offered as an amendment.”
Pro-homosexual advocates long have sought such a law but opponentsfear it would be used to crack down on those who maintain a biblicalperspective that condemns homosexuality as sin. Observers note that itwould criminalize speech and thought, since other criminal actionsalready are addressed with current statutes.
Bush has gone on record specifically noting the “hate crimes” legislation would create special privileges for those who identify themselves with an alternative sexual lifestyle.
Staver said since criminal acts already are addressed with existinglaw, the only impact of “hate crimes” legislation would be tocriminalize free speech and religious speech and a person’s thoughts.For example, an assailant convicted of attacking a heterosexual mightget six months in jail. Under a “hate crimes” plan, if the victimreported being homosexual, the sentence might be enhancedsignificantly, analysts said.
Those who are concerned now should contact their members in the U.S. Senate to express their concerns, he said.