HR 1913 Passed House; Fight It in The Senate Now

Last week the heavy Democrat majority in the House easily passed Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 and, in the process, even refused to amend it to specifically exclude pedophiles from the list of “protected” sexual orientations or practices. It is not yet listed on the calendar for a vote in the Senate, but Sen. Ted Kennedy and 34 co-sponsors introduced a similar bill (S 909) that is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

There is still time to fight it, but you must call your Senators immediately to let them know of your opposition. Also notify members of the Senate Judicial Committee; the Democrat members are: Leahy, Kohl, Feinstein, Feingold, Schumer, Durbin, Cardin, Specter, Whitehouse, Wyden, Klobuchar, and Kaufman. The seven Republicans are: Hatch, Grassley, Kyl, Sessions, Graham, Cornyn, and Coburn. The Capitol Switchboard number is 800-202 224-3121 or you can easily find their numbers on the Internet.

As written, it elevates current or perceived sexual orientation to the same legal protection that is now reserved for race. By default, it then criminalizes those who believe homosexual practices (as well as other sexual activities that have been considered deviant) to be immoral. This act will put serious constraints on both freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

It encourages prosecution for all pursuits, including speech, perceived to be hateful by inserting federal authorities and federal money into criminal cases, which are usually the jurisdiction of the states. This opens the door to double jeopardy where one could be tried twice for the same act, both in federal and state courts.

It could protect the participants in activities that are against the law in most states, such as incest, prostitution, bestiality, and pedophilia. Because the bill does not specify, but merely mentions sexual orientation, it could also normalize by federal law a range of bizarre sexual behaviors now considered deviant by the American Psychiatric Association.

Like all hate crime legislation, it punishes thought and intent, rather than visible acts, thus giving the government the authority to determine and then punish someone’s inner thoughts and motivation, a practice formerly left to God alone.