hate crimes

Because you can still kill a fag, AND taunt his corpse in a recorded voice mail, but just serve 8 months.

I'll post the link to the full story from Pam Spaulding, although this story is posted on several sites including www.q-notes.com. I won't post the background here. Follow the story and links at Pam's place.

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=8930

Just across the state line, this killer was plea bargained down to an outrageous deal only some months ago, but is coming up for a possible parole hearing soon.

Why is this important? Because it shows the continuing need for "hate crimes" laws.

Updated 12/27 to add fund information below.

I had trouble sleeping last night after what I read. A horrific hate crime was visited last week upon an openly gay woman in Richmond, California.

Police believe the woman was targeted due to the suspects' anti-gay bias. The victim got out of her car to visit a friend, and was attacked and raped by a multi-ethnic posse of hate-filled men.

Why do I mention multi-ethnic? Simply because I find it interesting how last week's hate crime victim may be this week's hate crime perpetrator. That victim could be any of us. A sister, a neighbor, a daughter.

The Community Relations Staff of the North Carolina Human Relations Commissional has noticed that in North Carolina since October 31, 2008, there have been 6 incidents reported to this office, four (4) incidents reported as hate crimes and two (2) incidents reported as hate bias incidents. Out of the six incidents reported, five (5) of the six incidents dealt with vandalism of Obama signs or derogatory public statements about him becoming the President-Elect.

c/p @ ScruHoo

CQ Politics posted an interesting analysis of Democratic Party Unity since regaining the majority. Here's the bit on Congressman Shuler:

Heath Shuler, North Carolina’s 11th District (West — Asheville)

• Party Unity Score: 82.9 percent (4th lowest)

• 2006 result: Shuler 54%, Rep. Charles H. Taylor 46%

• 2004 President: Bush 57%, Kerry 43%

Shuler, who takes conservative positions on some social issues, voted against the bills to promote embryonic stem cell research and to classify certain violent offenses as “hate crimes.” He also voted against a defeated bill, backed by 169 Democrats and two Republicans, that called for the full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq within 180 days.

Follow me over the jump for a look at Shuler's record and what it means.

Hate crimes in schools discussion gets wonky

Cross Post from Matt's InterstateQ.com

Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, the victim of a horrendous anti-gay hate crime in October 1998, spoke Tuesday evening to a group of hundreds of students and community members from across the state at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Her main message of the night: "Tell your stories and just be who you are." Mrs. Shepard proclaimed that a "Catch-22" certainly exists. The only way things will change for the LGBT community is if people start to tell their stories. Many LGBT people, however, are afraid to "come out" with their stories due to the discrimination and prejudice which still exists. She said that despite the fear, we all must be willing to take the giant leap of faith trusting that we are on the right side and the right will win.

She challenged the audience, asking, "What has happened to our world?" She spoke to her upbringing and how she was taught the "Golden Rule." She spoke of the dreams her and people her age had during the 1960s. She pondered as to what happened to those dreams. Why are we ignoring all of these issues today?