DISQUS

Randy · 2 years ago

Thank you both for your opinions. I agree Maureen with regard to current law already providing the justice needed.

Maureen · 2 years ago

...Matthew Shepherd’s life, which was tragically taken in a drug-related robbery.
I think you could find as many sources who still believe it was a non-drug-related robbery that escalated because Matthew was gay (like the Laramie police chief).
Still, while I am not convinced that hate crime legislation would lead to the arrest of pastors who preach against homosexuality, neither has anyone ever offered me a convincing argument that hate crime legislation is necessary. I point to the two life sentences that one of Matthew's murderers received and the two life terms without parole that the other received. If they had been found guilty under a new "hate crime" law, what harsher punishment could they have received? Going to bed without dinner?

Jonathan · 2 years ago

Interesting that Mr. Bauer failed to mention who Sen. Kennedy's co-sponsor is on this bill. I won't argue the merits (or demerits) of the Bill. It doesn't look good though when Bauer, et al, attempt to make this a liberal v everyone else kind of a deal. Growing up in my home, willful ommission of the facts provoked the same punishment as bold faced lying. My mother called that punishment "applying the board of wisdom to the seat of knowledge!"
I recently read where another of the "coalition" against this Bill completely mischaracterized part of the debate. One of the most disturbing things to me of late is this attitude in Christendom that the ends justify the means. Why resort to twisting of facts, shading of truth if you've got THE TRUTH on your side? I think Christ must look down and shed a tear!
j.

Jonathan · 2 years ago

Interesting that Mr. Bauer failed to mention who Sen. Kennedy's co-sponsor is on this bill. I won't argue the merits (or demerits) of the Bill. It doesn't look good though when Bauer, et al, attempt to make this a liberal v everyone else kind of a deal. Growing up in my home, willful ommission of the facts provoked the same punishment as bold faced lying. My mother called that punishment "applying the board of wisdom to the seat of knowledge!"

I recently read where another of the "coalition" against this Bill completely mischaracterized part of the debate. One of the most disturbing things to me of late is this attitude in Christendom that the ends justify the means. Why resort to twisting of facts, shading of truth if you've got THE TRUTH on your side? I think Christ must look down and shed a tear!

j.

Maureen · 2 years ago

...Matthew Shepherd’s life, which was tragically taken in a drug-related robbery.

I think you could find as many sources who still believe it was a non-drug-related robbery that escalated because Matthew was gay (like the Laramie police chief).

Still, while I am not convinced that hate crime legislation would lead to the arrest of pastors who preach against homosexuality, neither has anyone ever offered me a convincing argument that hate crime legislation is necessary. I point to the two life sentences that one of Matthew's murderers received and the two life terms without parole that the other received. If they had been found guilty under a new "hate crime" law, what harsher punishment could they have received? Going to bed without dinner?

Randy · 2 years ago

Thank you both for your opinions. I agree Maureen with regard to current law already providing the justice needed.

Jonathan · 2 years ago

Maureen, you made me laugh with that comment. Your point makes a heckuva lot of sense.

j.