Rep. Louie Gohmert: Hate Crimes Act holds soldiers hostage

[ToxicOdiousOne]

Why why did they repeal DADT? There is no benefit. Ahmadinejad sees our military as weak now.

[paulsboroman]

Rep. Gohmert says the FBI reported that hate crimes are down the last 20 years. What he doesn't tell you is that the FBI doesn't keep statistics on hate crimes against homosexuals, because the federal law doesn't state that crimes against the homosexual community are hate crimes.

[imac80]

Wow.  He's an idiot. Good job Texas...George W and then him. Give Tx back to Mexico.

[grendelman1972]

If opposing the senseless, hate motivated murder of gays is "liberal", what does that say about conservatives?

Myself, I'd say it's a pretty non-partisan issue, or at least should be. What kind of savage would favor such a thing? We see the answer to that in the responses here.

[grendelman1972]

Sharia law demands people be put to death for homosexuality. Only a complete fucking imbecile would argue that people opposed to the murder of people for their sexual orientation favor Sharia law.

Fucking hateful asshole.

[lttlancientone]

Since we are all humans, whenever someone uses namecalling they should put human at the end perhaps it will remind people that we are all the same species. from the animals pont of view we are the most vile and disgusting thing on the planet, when was the last time you walked into a bear cave and seen a human skin rug, or into a wolf's den and seen human heads on the wall. If not for the children that are the hope for a better tomorrow I would pray that mankind was eradicated off the planet!!!!!

[lttlancientone]

In this country on the east coast from the 1600's to the 1700's it was the law to kill homosexual humans by hanging and with lesbian humans humans also killed the daughters just in case they might be lesbians. In this country humans used the bible to condone slavery for well over a hundred years. I have nothing against the bible or christian humans just humans who use the bible to commit and justify their evil deeds! The bible has much good in it and it also sadly has evil in it as well.

[ttmfg]

Christian conservatives are religious extremists who what their religion enacted into law. Radical muslim extremists want their religion enacted into law. Sound familiar Stooge? Conservaitive christians hate gays, muslim extremeists hate gays. See anybody familiar in the mirror? Texans constantly talk about how they want to break away from America. Muslim extremists hate America, too. Sound like someone you know?

[momodjames]

watch the time up in the far right corner. It's a spliced video.

[inlookingout]

What's your point?

[UberSciFiNerd]

i support gay rights, but hate crime laws is not the way....hate crimes say the government determines the motives of criminals. i think the law is the law if u murder someone it shouldn't matter what made you do it, you should get the same punishment.

[jbetp99]

I don't know if you know anything about the law at all, but this argument holds no water whatsoever. Motive, intent and premeditation are already huge determinants in what someone is charged with and how they are sentenced. This is why we have manslaughter vs first degree vs second degree murder vs, you know, "accident." The philosophy you're claiming to support would actually lead to a wildly unjust system of punishment.

[UberSciFiNerd]

hate crimes make things worse the law should be about individuals not groups. hate crimes are just a path to though crime, its not a good path to go down. so if i attack you for wearing a blue shirt im doing a hate crime against what? all crimes have motives and they should all be treated equally no one is more important than another person. so if someone assaults me is it a hate crime cuz im Hispanic? but im light skinned and look white, who says why they attacked me? this is just so dumb

[jbetp99]

Slippery slope, really?

Also, again, if we chose your route: "all crimes have motives and they should all be treated equally," then, again, we could no longer differentiate between intentional and unintentional murder, or murderers likely to repeat and those pushed by circumstance (for instance, SELF DEFENSE). So, you've compounded an argument based on a fallacy with an informal fallacy here. Again, motive and intent are already part of our legal system, as well they should be.

[UberSciFiNerd]

the problem is that hate crimes try to regulate the thoughts of people beyond instead of motive/intent/premeditation and punish them accordingly . what difference is it if someone seeks me out for a certain trait i have and assaults me then if they randomly decide to assault me? either way they have the same intent , but they would commit a hate crime or a regular crime depending on what the police say. hate crimes are a fallacy and they infringe on people rights to think whatever they like.

[jbetp99]

Uhm, no, they don't go beyond motive at all. Motive is exactly what this is about. It's the difference between being motivated by your interactions with an individual or your feelings about an entire group of individuals, greatly increasing your likelihood of repeating that sort of crime. You can think hateful things about whatever group you'd like, but if you don't commit a crime against them hate crimes legislation won't affect you.

You've also misused the word "fallacy" in a bizarre way.

[UberSciFiNerd]

they affect me regardless of whether i commit a crime. i dont want the government deciding what citizens are more important than others; which ones are off limits or you get a higher punishment. when someone commits a crime their punishment is decided by whether they intended to do it and whether it was premeditated. there is no point to talk about why he attacked the person in regards to race or group. and it is a slippery slope just like "hate speech" and all this political correctness

[sinnerjizm]

I am ashamed that this corpse fucker is from Texas

[fishhead06]

You can bet that if a Republican attacks a certain sexual practice, he's probably engaging in it himself. What an ignorant, hateful, inbred hick.

[melnathan2]

Where does this monkey come from. He is bestiality.... how dare he insult my gay and happy life. I want my rights and I do not want to be analogized as a pervert. I am not. This guy and the likes of him need help. I do not understand how people vote for someone so inarticulate and stupid.

[melnathan2]

you are so off topic shame oh and hateful too shame you poor little victim stooge poor you nand your life

[ttmfg]

It's like these conservative christian fucktards went to law school on the island of Lost. Suddenly they are scholars mapping out every loony possibility into the future, and suddenly even care about hate speech of Muslim Imams. But they can't even see the law of basic American equality. What a bunch of tools.

[StoogeWatcher]

Christians don't care about Muslim fascists like you do. You liberal Nazis want ot make Christianity a hate crime and replace the Constitution with Sharia Law.

[grendelman1972]

Do you even know what Sharia law is, you pig ignorant asshole?

You motherfucking religious right assholes are the ones who want to force everyone to live by your stupid motherfucking religious beliefs.

And then you fucking cheer when gay people are murdered. You are EXACTLY like the Taliban you are so disingenuously complaining about.

If you want to live in a country where it's legal to murder someone just for being gay you need to move to Iran and leave the rest of us out of your idiocy.

[StoogeWatcher]

Sharia Law is Muslim law, you moron! You liberals are hypocritical bigots who want to criminalize Christianity while rolling out the welcome mat for Sharia Law. No, I don't cheer when gays are killed, but you liberals are giddy when Muslims kill Christians and Jews. You Democrats ARE the Taliban because you want to replace the Constitution with Sharia Law. You want special privileges for Muslims. Why don't you move to Iran since you hate Jews, Christians, and American soldiers?

[grendelman1972]

"Liberals" were opposing the Taliban while Conservatives were selling them weapons, dumbfuck.

Religious rules OF ANY KIND have no right to demand non-believers follow them. You fucking hateful imbecile, you are arguing in favor of religious law RIGHT HERE IN THIS THREAD.

Christian, Muslim, I don't care, just keep your superstition away from my life.

[StoogeWatcher]

You liberals are hateful against Christians and Jews. If you liberals really are opposed to religion, then why don't you criticize radical Islam? Yeah, I've seen your "peace rallies."

[jeffreydunivant66]

Louie Gohmert is mistaken or is delusional much like Michelle Bachman. How could anybody deny basic rights? Add to the original hate crimes legislation would be the appropriate solution. Why don't the Republicans not have a grasp on reality?

[ttmfg]

And let me tell you what an American is:

A good American wants to be treated equally, and wants the laws to apply equally to everyone.

A good American wants to freely practice their religion, and wants everyone else to freely practice their faith, and wants no particular religion, including theirs, to change public policy so the government remains secular, but good.

A good American wants to protect American soldiers and veterans for service, even if they are gay or lesbian.

[ttmfg]

Have you conservatives lost all touch with reality? Hate crimes are for acts of violence, not speech. If one of your muslim imam buddies says says "Death to the gays!" and a muslim goes out and bombs a gay bar, do you really want to be on his side? You and your schitzophrenic buddies ought to pick a side -- religious extremism or the American way.

[StoogeWatcher]

You Democrat fascists that the side of radical Muslims. I've seen your "peace rallies."

[steerpike66]

It's a small step from penalising sexual practice to beating women in the street for wearing the wrong clothes to executing people for breaches of virtue.

Hell, it's not even a step.

[StoogeWatcher]

You liberal fascists are hypocrites. You claim to support gay rights, yet you defend Muslim groups that KILL people for being gay, such as Hamas. You kick out the military and want to get rid of ROTC programs, but allow Taliban spokesmen and Iranian tyrants on campus. And you liberals want to make Christianity a hate crime, but you'll make every accomodation for radical Islam. You ban crosses and Bibles, but allow forced Koran reading, footbaths, and special prayer rooms, just like the ACLU.

[melnathan2]

Your analogy defies my intelligence. what do my rights in America as a gay person have to do with Muslims hating gays? If a person defends a Muslim for any reason it does not mean that person condones murder of gays and hate crimes committed by some.Your analogy is a boomerang right back at you, You endorse the argument for gay rights =. And how does one make Christianity a hate crime? Lol. What has your anger got to do with my rights.

[jbetp99]

You miss the point entirely: No serious political movement wants to criminalize religion in America. What we want is a separation of church and state SO WE DON'T END UP WITH THE KIND OF RELIGIOUS OPPRESSION THEY HAVE UNDER THE TALIBAN.

Also, at my high school, we read the Bible and Koran as history and literature. Oh no! I was forced to become a Christian AND a Muslim. Or not.

Though I'm not really sure why I would bother even trying to reason with you.

[steerpike66]

Yes Congressman; we NEED bullying, censorship and murder to enforce religious morality.

Tell it to the Morality and Virtue Police in Saudia Arabia, you creepy little fascist.

[StoogeWatcher]

You liberals are the fascists because you want to criminalize Christianity and roll out he welcome mat for radical Islam. Muslims are the ones who also suppoirt "hate crime" laws. "Hate crime" laws actually promote bullying against Christianity.

[JewishSlater]

It's sad that religion is becoming a part of government - even more so now than before.

[elitebanktyranny]

You have to understand what's going on. The federal government is doing it very slowly and very carefully. They are taking away your rights and one of the BIGGEST examples is the Patriot Act.

The Supreme Court is in cahoot too. All 3 branches failed time to wake the hell up.

[ns1111111]

more laws to oppress white christian males.

[pangelboy]

The truth is that we are far better off with such laws than we are without them. Secondly, why are these ludicrous arguments sprouting up only now that the federal statute is being expanded to include lgbt?

[TheUrbanSurvivalistS]

Let's hope this guy wins otherwise every talk show in America will no longer be able to illuminate a corrupt system. Which I think we can all agree is most corrupt.

this bill is to protect those in power. Please take some time to think about what would happen if we were not able to hold people accountable. If a host runs a story about Madoff robing Americans retirements from them and one of the victims of the scam killes Madoff and says he heard about it on the radio, now the host goes to jail

[pangelboy]

Even if this was true (hint: it's not), do you have such little faith in our legal system that such an affront to basic civil liberties would not be seen as an affront to our constitution?

Look at the case of the Philly 11. Yes, sometimes the impact of hate crimes legislation goes too far, but that is exactly why we have a legal system in place.

[ttmfg]

Did you hear his speech, Stooge? He just got finished saying how he wanted to protect MUSLIM IMAN'S right to hate speech. He just defended the radical muslims that hate gays just like you assholes do. You pigs like the radical muslim hate of gays, you judt don;t like their hate of America. But you people hate America, too -- you hate the land of EQUALITY and SECULAR GOVERNMENT. You want the land of oppression of gays, and ruling by the bible. They want sharia law. You have all in common.

[steerpike66]

You are 100% correct; their value systems are IDENTICAL with those of Islamic Extremists:

Subugation of women

Submission of law before God

Elevation of the One True Faith

Patriarchy

Politicisation of personal morality

Puritan attitudes to Sex.

Evangelism and expansion.

[StoogeWatcher]

It's you liberals who are like Muslim extremists:

Hatred of Jews and Christians

Riots over cartoons

Advocating censorship

Smears against American military

Blaming America and Israel for everything

Forced Koran reading and special prayer rooms for Muslims in public schools

Support for groups like CAIR, Hamas, and Hezbollah

[StoogeWatcher]

No it wouldn't, Nazicrat. The only people victimized by "hate crime" laws are Christians. Do you know of any Muslims who wever got charged with a "hate crime"? You liberal fascists want to make Christianity a hate crime, but you want special privilieges for Muslim groups. Cut you 'secularism' crap because you're just like the ACLU. You sue to get rid of Christianity but support footbaths, special prayer rooms, and Islamic Indoctrination courses while banning Bibles and crosses.

[fishhead06]

What public agency, institution, or department is "getting rid of Christianity," building "special prayer rooms," and mandating "Islamic doctrination courses"? Where is this public school of which you speak? Or are you talking out of your ass?

[StoogeWatcher]

I guess you never read about public schools in South Carolina, Minnesota, California, and Oregon that have Islamic indoctrination courses where kids are forced to read the Koran, recite Muslim prayers, and act like Muslims. Or the San Diego elementary school and colleges around the country that have special prayers rooms and footbaths. And who wants to get rid of Christianity? CAIR and the ACLU.

[fishhead06]

No, I haven't read about them. Could you enlighten me with a link or two? Because I can't find them.

[ttmfg]

Christian conservatives are not normal christians. Their religion centered not on good -- but on hatred of gays and the health care and well-being of fetuses -- only. It is not worthy of being associated with Christ. It is more like Satanism. But even hate religions have protection. No gay rights protections interfere with it, unfortunately.

[StoogeWatcher]

Liberals are anti-Christian. They want to make Christianity a hate crime while rolling out the welcome mat for radical Islam.

[TheOctoChuck]

Yep. That's what we want. You figured it out all by yourself.

[geminidave]

Well, concerning the law, "we" liberals know that a person has freedom to choose whatever religion one likes. But, it is our duty to expose them all as the cults that they are so that at least the poor school children can at least make an informed decision.

[ttmfg]

Christian conservatives say they are concerned about the American Soldier. But when they are gay, they think it is OK to kick that vet out on their ass. Just sickening how they go around thinking they are good Americans. Bullshit. They are rotten to to their black, gay hating liberal hating hearts.

[StoogeWatcher]

Anti-Christian liberals have hated the military for years. They defended Dick Durbin when he called American soldiers Nazis. They refused to show sympathy for William Long. They made excuses for phony soldier Jesse MacBeth. They vandalize military recruitment centers and want to get rid of ROTC programs. I find it ironic that you liberals claim to support gay rights because you won't go after radical Muslim groups that KILL people for being gay, like Ahmadinejad or the Taliban spokesman at Yale.

[rasaxSF]

I didn't know they could breed them this stupid if they tried. Will wonders ever cease?

[StoogeWatcher]

Liberals want to make Christianity a hate crime.

[ttmfg]

The best part was when fucktard says he worries that the hate crimes bill will have a chilling effect on hate speech from the pulpit! And he worries about protecting hate speech from MUSLIM IMAMS! Texas is the home of the American Taliban, no question about it.

[StoogeWatcher]

You liberals are the American Taliban because you hate Christians and support radical Islam.

[StoogeWatcher]

You liberals are the American Taliban. You want to criminalize Christianity while rolling out the welcome mat for radical Islam.

[melnathan2]

and you need a life

[geminidave]

And the religious leaders spewing the shit about homosexuality being immoral SHOULD be arrested because they are inciting hate where none should exist. RESTORE THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE NOW! EQUALITY FOR ALL!!!!

[StoogeWatcher]

If you liberals really support 'separation of church and state," why don't you go after public schools that force kids to read the Koran or have special prayer rooms for Muslims?

[ttmfg]

These are VETERANS being dumped from the military, asshole. THEY are being attacked by being THROWN OUT! This is how you thingk VETERAN SOLDIERS should be treated for defending our country??? They ARE soldiers, conservative christian fucktard. The straight soldiers hate seeing their fellow gay soldiers thrown out. Just ask them how they feel when they see the BUDDIES kicked out for being gay. What a tool.

[StoogeWatcher]

Since when did you liberals care about American soldiers? You're the ones who slander them and call them extremists. You defended Dick Durbin when he called American soldiers Nazis and the black Muslim thug who killed the Arkansas recruiter. You support Jesse MacBeth and other phony soldiers. You vandalize military recruitment centers and kick the ROTC off campus.

[jbetp99]

Wait--hate crimes "used to be the morals of America"? I don't know what America this guy grew up in, but it sure as hell wasn't mine.

Also, last time I checked, if you kill someone two things will determine the crime you're charged with and the sentence you're given: What you were thinking and when you started thinking it. Ever heard of things like "intent" and "premeditation" Congressman?

[dirktex]

What a complete toad.

[Hdtexan]

Goober is an idiot.

The bill is going to pass...STFU already.

[pangelboy]

This guy is an idiot. The bill is named AFTER Matthew Shepard and Byrd, not FOR them. It's in their name that we are crafting a bill that will help prevent the same crimes that millions (including Shepard and Byrd) are subjecting to; crimes that stem from hate.

Religious nuts are allowed to say whatever they want, but when they actively perpetuate hatred against a single group that leads to violence they should be held accountable.

[StoogeWatcher]

Why is there no hate crime law named after Jeffrey Curley, Jesse Dirkhising, Channon Christian, or Christopher Newsom?

[pangelboy]

Were any of the above people killed because of a certain class they belonged to? Were Jeffrey Curley or Jesse Dirkhising killed because their murderers hated little boys? Were Channon Christian or Christopher Newsom killed because they're black assailants hated white people? NO

Laws on the books that are specifically aimed at child sexual abuse exist. Also, if the murderers of Channon Christian or Christopher Newsom had killed them for their race they would've been charged with a hate crime.

[StoogeWatcher]

Yes. Curley and Dirkhising were killed by gays. Neither of those murders got major media attention. Newsom and Christian were the white Tennessee couple killed by five blacks. Same result, no round-the-clock coverage from CNN or MSNBC.

[TheOctoChuck]

Good. Our media blackout backed by "the jews" must be working. One sec...I have Jane Fonda on the other line...can you hold for a sec?

[pangelboy]

Does it matter that Curley and Dirkhising were killed by gays? Most of the perpetrators of such crimes are straight (though in my opinion both straight and gay perpetrators are neither and have a more convoluted sexual orientation). In this case they happened to be gay. So what?

In the Newsom/Christian case, the investigating officers concluded that there was no evidence of a hate crime. The race of the victims and murderers had nothing to do with why the crime was committed.

[StoogeWatcher]

Well, some people seem to think it does. Why was Matthew Shepard's murder considered a hate crime, but not Jeffrey Curley's? And explain why a white-on-black murder is a hate crime, but not a black-on-white murder.

[rg0057]

There is so much wrong with this guy, it's not even worth discussing.  I'm so glad I moved out of Texas. Too many morons like him. (Sorry, Texas, you know it's true)

[interferencemusic]

If someone (even a religious leader) incites hate towards ANYONE else, there should be consequences according to the law. How can anyone think their hate speech is more important than the safety of a person anyway? There is something deeply wrong with the religious right and I would venture to say God's probably none too pleased.

[BuddyNovinski]

PLEASE! I give you Sean William Kennedy in South Carolina.

Furthermore, one still does NOT have the right to yell fire in a crowded theater. Are the religious Reich so paranoid that they do NOT think the Supreme Court would NOT uphold the right of free speech?

I am beyond sick of the Reaganic hypocrisy of accusing opponents of the exact thing he does, thus avoiding the tuquoque argument. The fact remains that the bill merely adds classes to protect from domestic terrorism. Let's pass it!