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Bill would include military in hate crimes law

The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Nov 16, 2008 16:13:49 EST

SALT LAKE CITY — A state lawmaker wants military personnel protected under the state’s hate crimes law.

Rep. Eric Hutchings, a Kearns Republican, says he will sponsor a bill that would extend group protection to uniformed service members should they be assaulted for no other reason than they are in uniform.

He says he’s unaware of any such attacks in Utah.

Utah’s hate crimes law provides an enhanced criminal penalty if one is attacked because of unique group status.

I'm not really a big fan of hate crimes laws.

First off, I have to say anyone that attacks someone wearing a military uniform deserves whatever smack down they get.
But I have a real problem with hate crimes laws. Punish the crime, not the motivation. Hate crime is just another thought crime. Having horrible bigoted thoughts does not make you a criminal. Acting on them does. I may think racists are horrible people not worth the air they are using, but unless they actually do something illegal, they are free. They should be free to think whatever they want. Just like I am free to despise them for it. Assault is assault, no matter the motivation.

Jennifer wrote:First off, I have to say anyone that attacks someone wearing a military uniform deserves whatever smack down they get.
But I have a real problem with hate crimes laws. Punish the crime, not the motivation. Hate crime is just another thought crime. Having horrible bigoted thoughts does not make you a criminal. Acting on them does. I may think racists are horrible people not worth the air they are using, but unless they actually do something illegal, they are free. They should be free to think whatever they want. Just like I am free to despise them for it. Assault is assault, no matter the motivation.

Spot on. Hate crime legislation is just another example of the emotional incontinence that afflicts contemporary politics - the inmates are running the asylum, and we're all locked in with them.

+1 on hate crime laws being stupid, however, if it does exist, it should have to include vets/members of the military, as they're a protected class.

This crap makes me want to love someone to death with a bat.

Kommander wrote:This crap makes me want to love someone to death with a bat.

I'm sure there are some guys in San Fransicko who would actually enjoy that.