Post by robeiae on May 17, 2017 9:13:18 GMT -5
www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2017/05/15/hate_crimes.html
My personal opinion is that most hate crime legislation is wrong-headed. If you beat the crap out of someone because they looked at you wrong, that's assault. If you beat the crap out of someone because they looked at you wrong and they're gay, that's assault. One is not worse than the other, simply because of the who the victim is, imo.
That said, this new legislation is a whole other level of stupid, imo. Occupation-based hate crimes? Really?
Hate crimes usually involve race, gender, religion, disability or sexual orientation. But three states – Louisiana, Mississippi and Kentucky – have expanded them to include law enforcement officers and other first responders including firefighters and emergency medical workers. So far this year, similar bills have been offered in 22 other states, both red and blue.
The proposed measures are not uniform. In Missouri, hate crimes are limited to violent offenses. In Texas and Maryland, they cover property crimes against police, including arson and vandalism. In California, a far-reaching bill made any crime, except resisting arrest, into a hate crime “if it was committed in whole or in part because of the victim’s status as a peace officer.” All include charging or sentencing enhancements.
A few of the bills, including the California measure, have been defeated. Most are awaiting action or stalled in legislative committees.
The proposed measures are not uniform. In Missouri, hate crimes are limited to violent offenses. In Texas and Maryland, they cover property crimes against police, including arson and vandalism. In California, a far-reaching bill made any crime, except resisting arrest, into a hate crime “if it was committed in whole or in part because of the victim’s status as a peace officer.” All include charging or sentencing enhancements.
A few of the bills, including the California measure, have been defeated. Most are awaiting action or stalled in legislative committees.
That said, this new legislation is a whole other level of stupid, imo. Occupation-based hate crimes? Really?
