Obama Signs Hate-Crime Bill

Obama Signs Matthew Shepard, James Byrd Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act Today

President Barack Obama Wednesday signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act as part of the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.

“After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we’ve passed inclusive hate-crimes legislation that protects people based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray, or who they are,” Obama said, addressing the crowd. “I promised Judy Shepard when she saw me in the Oval Office that this day would come.”

I'm mostly happy today for Matthew Shepard's Mom, Judy Shepard.

Hate Crimes Bill Passes House/GOP Rep. Calls Matthew Shepard Act a "Hoax"

The "hate crimes" bill (Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Act) passed the U.S. House of Rep. today by a vote of 247-175, despite a campaign of lies by anti-gay religious groups.

The leader of the Republican opposition to the bill, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) referred to the naming of the bill after Matthew Shepard as "a hoax":

"If you didn't vote for this bill -- against this bill and against this rule for anything else, you could vote against it because we are spending additional money. i also would like to point out that there was a bill -- the hate crimes bill that's called the matthew sheppard bill is named afte a very unfortunate incident that happened where a young man was killed, but we know that that young man was killed in the commitment of a robbery. it wasn't because he was gay. this -- the bill was named for him, hate crimes bill was named for him, but it's really a hoax that that continues to be used as an excuse for passing these bills."



She is a LIAR!

No wonder only 20% of the American people identify themselves as Republican!