Matthew Shepard, you will not be forgotten. (homosexuals, blood, legislation)

[The Seeker]

Originally Posted by Luke Wolf

They should be strong, and shouldn't expect special treatment, but the hard facts are is that certain minority groups, homosexuals and transexuals especially, are targeted with violence, intemidation, and fear. Alot of crimes against them go unreported due to the fear of being attacked from speaking up.

How does one determine which groups to include in such a bill. Should a serial rapist that hates women be categorized as a hate crime? If this bill passes, we'll probably see illegal immigrants seeking protection under this law in the future.

[Sunstone]

I firmly disagree with the notion The Seeker is lying when he says he's Black. I happen to take him at his word that he's Black. However, I also firmly believe The Seeker represents a new, more advanced species of Homo sapiens -- Homo sapiens seekerus -- and I believe The Seeker is lying when he says he is not the next step up the evolutionary ladder from Homo sapiens sapiens, because it's obvious to me that anyone as smart as the seeker must be an advanced species, right along with Lilithu.

But most importantly, I feel if we are going to wildly speculate in this thread on who is telling the truth about themselves, then the wilder the speculation the better. That's why I feel it's very important to accuse each other of being new species.

[GeneCosta]

Question: for those who oppose hate-crime legislation, do you also oppose terrorism being a crime? The two are the exact same things: violent acts of coercion.

[The Seeker]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

I firmly disagree with the notion The Seeker is lying when he says he's Black. I happen to take him at his word that he's Black. However, I also firmly believe The Seeker represents a new, more advanced species of Homo sapiens -- Homo sapiens seekerus -- and I believe The Seeker is lying when he says he is not the next step up the evolutionary ladder from Homo sapiens sapiens, because it's obvious to me that anyone as smart as the seeker must be an advanced species, right along with Lilithu.

But most importantly, I feel if we are going to wildly speculate in this thread on who is telling the truth about themselves, then the wilder the speculation the better. That's why I feel it's very important to accuse each other of being new species.

Thanks for the props Sunstone! Enjoy some frubals oh wise one. I believe that I am a step below you, Homo sapiens sunstonerus, on the evolutionary ladder.

[The Seeker]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

Question: for those who oppose hate-crime legislation, do you also oppose terrorism being a crime? The two are the exact same things: violent acts of coercion.

What sort of crime is considered to be terrorism?

[MaddLlama]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

Question: for those who oppose hate-crime legislation, do you also oppose terrorism being a crime? The two are the exact same things: violent acts of coercion.

They're both essentially trying to restrain the using of an emotion, hate and fear. Trying to make someone afraid of you is manipulative and evil, but it isn't a crime. Blowing up a bus full of children is a crime.
There is a difference between saying that "terrorist acts" are illegal, and saying that terrorism is a crime. It's a very subtle difference, but to have something completely general can be interpreted in many ways, and gives an opportunity to apply it in ways that were not originally intended, especially when there is question as to what exactly terrorism is. Same thing with hate crimes.

[Wandered Off]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

Question: for those who oppose hate-crime legislation, do you also oppose terrorism being a crime? The two are the exact same things: violent acts of coercion.

Nobody here is saying that the crime shouldn't be a crime. Beating up someone is a crime regardless of what group the victim is in. Terrorism is a crime just as much as beating up someone is a crime and should remain so. However, nobody should have 'special legal protection' against terrorism either. Terrorism isn't somehow "worse" depending on what group a victim is in.

[Shadow Wolf]

Do you think that hate crimes laws will change that?Do you think that hate crimes laws will change that?

It might have some psychological effect. As a said, it would make an interesting research to gather some statistics to see if it does.

But ultimately a crime is against an individual, not an entire group.

Look at groups such as the KKK. There cri