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Hate-Crime Law Marks Fork in Road for Obama

Are more equality measures on the way, or is this the token?

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 28, 2009 8:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama today signed a bill extending hate-crime protection to homosexuals, a victory for equality advocates after more than a decade of pushing for such a law. But, Chris Geidner wonders, will this open the floodgates for more action—eliminating Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, for instance—or will this be “the single trinket doled out to a loyal constituency group until the next time the group demands action?”

Though Obama sounds like he’s in favor of building on this legislation with more steps, Geidner adds for the Atlantic, “one can see why some advocates have grown concerned with the desire of the president to confront Congress on any items in his legislative agenda—let alone those in the sphere of ‘social issues.’”

President Obama reacts with the mother of Matthew Shepard, Judy Shepard, second left, and James Byrd Jr.'s sisters, Louvon Harris, left, and Betty Byrd Boatner during a White House reception today.
President Obama reacts with the mother of Matthew Shepard, Judy Shepard, second left, and James Byrd Jr.'s sisters, Louvon Harris, left, and Betty Byrd Boatner during a White House reception today.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama , right, applauds at a reception commemorating the enactment of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crime Prevention Act today.
President Barack Obama , right, applauds at a reception commemorating the enactment of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crime Prevention Act today.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 23 comments
Nelstorm
Oct 30, 2009 2:05 AM CDT
@shonan - Insulting the people you're trying to have a dialog with is not a good tactic. I'm perfectly aware of what constitutes a hate crime, and yes Free, Zaius, Ultra, and yourself are correct. I was trying to argue against the argument that 'A crime is a crime' by pointing out the difference in punishment between murder and pre-meditated murder.
Doctor-Zaius
Oct 29, 2009 12:47 PM CDT
Besides, there are straight pedophiles as well.
Doctor-Zaius
Oct 29, 2009 12:45 PM CDT
There is plenty of legal precedent for taking the motives of the criminal in mind when sentencing. Hate crime legislation protects all ethnic groups, not just minorities.

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