Should 'Hate Crimes' Bill be vetoed?

These heinousness of these stories shock us:

1. Gay man savagely beaten and left for dead (Matthew Shepard)
   
2. Black man dragged to death behind a pickup truck (James Byrd Jr.)
   
3. Hindu temple vandalized (Hindu Temple Vandalized)
   
4. Neo-Nazi graffiti sprayed on Muslim graves
   

Are these "hate crimes" or just "crimes"? And why would our President threaten to veto a "hate crimes" bill? Bush Pledges to Veto 'Hate Crimes' Bill if Congress Passes It

Before I comment, I will let the White House speak for itself:

"The administration favors strong criminal penalties for violent crime, including crime based on personal characteristics, such as race, color, religion or national origin," according to a statement released Wednesday by the White House.

"However, the administration believes that H.R. 1592 is unnecessary and constitutionally questionable," the release stated. "If H.R. 1592 were presented to the president, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.

"State and local criminal laws already provide criminal penalties for the violence addressed by the new federal crime defined in section 7 of H.R. 1592, and many of these laws carry stricter penalties (including mandatory minimums and the death penalty) than the proposed language in H.R. 1592," the statement said.

In addition, "state and local law enforcement agencies and courts have the capability to enforce those penalties and are doing so effectively."

"There has been no persuasive demonstration of any need to federalize such a potentially large range of violent crime enforcement, and doing so is inconsistent with the proper allocation of criminal enforcement responsibilities between the different levels of government," the office said.

Comments:

My gut reaction to the murders of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. was that we needed "hate crimes" legislation. My Brother prodded me one day with this question, "are there 'love crimes'?". Crime is crime! To categorize some crimes as "hate" is to commonize other crime. James Dobson's comments reflect this fact:

"We applaud the president's courage in standing up for the constitution and the principle of equal protection under the law," he said in a statement. "The American justice system should never create second-class victims and it is a first-class act of wisdom and fairness for the president to pledge to veto this unnecessary bill."

Additionally "hate crime" legislation would result disproportionate justice for victims of certain crimes. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) comments reflect this:

"All violent crimes must be vigorously prosecuted. However this bill, no matter how well intended, undermines basic principles of our criminal justice system. Under this bill justice will no longer be equal but depend on the race, sex, sexual orientation, disability or status of the victim,"


If I am beaten and robbed, would be because I am a minority (a handicapped person) or because someone wanted my wallet? I oppose "hate crime" legislation. An excellent list reasoning against hate crimes legislation.