Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Exactly why do we need another "hate crime" bill or amendment? A crime is a crime and the person is punishable by law regardless of their "reason" for committing the crime. We do not need more worthless "feel good" "kiss butt" legislation to do exactly what our laws already do or should - do. To label one "crime" different or more heinous than another simply by deciding what the perpetrator was "thinking", belittles the victims and suggests that one reason for an act against the victim is worse or more significant than another. On the ADL's (Anti Defamation League) website it says "All Americans have a stake in an effective response to violent bigotry. Hate crimes demand a priority response because of their special emotional and psychological impact on the victim and the victim's community."

All victims of crime are impacted emotionally and psychologically by crimes committed against them. According to The National Center for Victims of Crime "Victim impact statements usually describe the harm the offense has had on the victim, including descriptions of the financial, physical, psychological or emotional impact, harm to familial relationships, descriptions of any medical treatments or psychological services required by the victim or the victim's family as a result of the victimization, and the need for any restitution" - which emphasizes the recognition of damage to any and all victims of crime.

Our constitution, that little antiquity so many would like to just ignore and throw out, guaranteed every citizen of the United States equal protection under the law. If, instead of simply looking at the constitution as some frivolous, outdated obstacle to an "elite" group's wishes and desires - people would enforce its very sound, simple principals - we would have no need for politicians to act busy by enacting endless legislation, and we would quit giving special treatment to one "group" or another masked in legislation that almost always has an ulterior agenda. In addition to our constitution Hate Crime Laws are already in existence. The new version creates an atmosphere where sexual deviancy in any form could be a protected status. "Sexual orientation" is very ambiguous and leaves an opening for multiple interpretations. Will this new legislation protect anyone, or only select groups? Will a crime perpetrated on a "stoner" kid by a "jock" kid be considered a "hate crime"? Would rape of a woman now fall under the umbrella of a "hate crime" as it is an act of hatred towards women? Somehow, I don't think this use of this law is even being considered.

Hatred is often the cause of crime. It is not confined to one group, one race, or one sexual preference. There is hatred towards a spouse or a lover, hatred towards children, hatred towards those who believe differently than another. Hatred is often a basis for not only physical crimes but also for crimes of burglary and vandalism. So to define or divide crime into levels depending on who the victim is or what the perpetrator was thinking - is not only impractical but creates an entire new set of problems and loopholes. By over defining any right on paper, you open the right up to not only individual interpretation but also to change and the ability to deny that right or others associated with it. We put ourselves into the position of denying basic rights to one in order to protect the rights of another and begin a vicious cycle with no possible conclusion. This is why our very thoughtful forefathers carefully constructed the simplistic language of our Constitution, guaranteeing equal treatment to all citizens.

But is this just another "feel good" piece of work? Or is it something far more significant and foreboding? Many foresee this as the beginning of more ardent "thought control" laws to come. To force any person into acceptance of that which they do not embrace or believe in brings to mind the actions of the Inquisitions "witch hunts" which brought to death many from the fifteenth to eighteenth century. The attempt to control not only a human's way of life but also their beliefs can have only one end result - oppression will eventually always lead to revolution. Laws such as this are nothing more than acts of division, creating more tension and further emphasizing "differences" in people instead of allowing natural acceptance to evolve.

When we as individuals choose an "unorthodox" or unaccepted way of life, we know we open ourselves up to possibly being ostracized by some of society. This is not exclusive to those of different sexual orientations, or colors. I have often found myself unaccepted for my belief systems, but I hold my head up and am comfortable in knowing I make my own choices. If someone were to commit a crime against me or mine, I simply want them to be punished by the laws existing for the crime. I do not ask for special treatment or stiffer penalties simply because their own stupidities gave them an excuse to commit a crime. Everyone who commits a crime has an excuse or reason they will give themselves for having done so.

It is actually an act of "hate" in itself to enact stiffer sentences on a person because someone else disagrees with their views. While one may not condone the persons "twisted" reasoning, to punish them for their own thoughts in addition to the crime, crosses the line a bit too far from "justice" and a little too close to "thought control". Extreme, severe punishment unsuited to the actual "crime" itself is likely to do nothing more than breed more hatred and division, much as over punishing a rebellious teenager often results in more rebellion.

I would find legislation such as this more suitable and reasonable if instead of stricter sentencing, the person be required to spend time with those they have "labeled" and pin pointed for acts of "hatred" due to an unexplainable bias. Through this method we may actually see progress.

We will never see true "equality" in this nation until we quit labeling and no longer give special treatment and elevated status to certain elements of society in the name of "justice". Equality means exactly as it was defined in our constitution and should need no interpretations.

Sources:

ADL
Victims of Crime