And hate crime deniers.

Why, you ask...is this sort of legislation needed?

The House Republican chosen to lead the charge against including women, people with disabilities, and gays in America's already-existing hate crimes law - existing law already counts violent crime based on the race, religion or national origin of the victim as a "hate crime" - just referred on the US House floor to Matthew Shepard's murder as "a hoax."

You will recall that Matthew Shepard was the young gay man in Laramie, Wyoming who, a decade ago, was tied to a fence, Jesus-like, pistol whipped in the head some 50 times, then left for dead in the cold fall night, only to be found a day later clinging to life. Shepard died five days later. Even though Shepard's murderers admitted that they killed him because he was gay, the far-right bigots who control the Republican party couldn't resist the opportunity to gay-bash Shepard one last time. Now by referring to his brutal murder as a hoax.

Here is what North Carolina (figures) Republican had to say about Shepard's horrific murder:

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.

Now read what really happened:

During the trial, Chastity Pasley and Kristen Price (the pair's then-girlfriends) testified under oath that Henderson and McKinney both plotted beforehand to rob a gay man. McKinney and Henderson then went to the Fireside Lounge and selected Shepard as their target. McKinney alleged that Shepard asked them for a ride home. After befriending him, they took him to a remote area of Laramie where they robbed him, beat him severely (media reports often contained the graphic account of the pistol whipping and his smashed skull), and tied him to a fence with a rope from McKinney's truck. Shepard begged for his life. Both girlfriends also testified that neither McKinney nor Henderson was under the influence of drugs at the time. The beating was so severe that the only areas on Shepard's face that were not covered in blood were those where his tears had washed the blood stains away.

Media Matters has lots of links, and quotes, from the mainstream media attesting to the fact that Shepard was murdered because he was gay.

A hoax? Belittling the brutal murder of a 21 year old college student? And Republicans wonder why their angry, hateful, pathetic party is now only 20% of the US population.

Watch the video for yourself. Then feel free to call this sorry excuse for a human being and tell her what you think of her bigotry.

http://www.americablog.com/2009/04/republican-congresswoman-says-matthew.html

Phone: (202) 225-2071
Phone: (336) 778-0211
Phone: (828) 265-0240

Media Matters is a pathetic left wing propaganda machine. I wouldn't visit their site if you paid me.

This is from ABC. I think they are a little more reliable than Media the left wants you to hear Matters.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Story?id=277685&page=1

New Details Emerge in Matthew Shepard Murder
Killers Talk About Crime That Shocked the Nation
Nov. 26, 2004

Six years ago, on a cold October night on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyo., 21-year-old gay college student Matthew Shepard was brutally beaten, tied to a fence and left for dead. He was found 18 hours later and rushed to the hospital, where he lingered on the edge of death for nearly five days before succumbing to his injuries.

The story garnered national attention when the attack was characterized as a hate crime. But Shepard's killers, in their first interview since their convictions, tell "20/20's" Elizabeth Vargas that money and drugs motivated their actions that night, not hatred of gays.

While Shepard lay unconscious in a hospital, the national press quickly arrived in Laramie. Cal Rerucha, who prosecuted the case, told Vargas the media descended on Laramie "like locusts."

"We knew in the newsroom the day it happened, this is going to be a huge story, this is going to attract international interest," said Jason Marsden of "The Casper Star-Tribune."

"I remember one of my fellow reporters saying, 'this kid is going to be the new poster child for gay rights," he added. News of Shepard's death sparked reaction overseas and demonstrations across America.

"I think a lot of gay people, when they first heard of that horrifying event, felt sort of punched in the stomach. I mean it kind of encapsulated all our fears of being victimized," said writer Andrew Sullivan, a prominent gay rights advocate.

But as the push for gay rights found new force, so did a corresponding backlash from anti-gay opponents who came from out of state to grab a piece of the media spotlight.

Tensions were so high that Shepard's father wore a bulletproof vest under his suit when he spoke at his son's funeral service.

"The saddest part of this whole case was at Matthew's funeral, when they, these people, refused to let Matthew be buried with dignity," said Rerucha. "I never saw people that could hate so much."

Killers Both Receive Two Consecutive Life Sentences

Local residents Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, both 21 at the time, were charged with Shepard's murder. Henderson's case came before the court first. To avoid the possibility of receiving the death penalty, he pleaded guilty to murder and kidnapping and received two consecutive life terms in prison.

McKinney's case went to trial a year after Shepard's death. He was convicted of felony murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping. Before the jury was about to decide his sentence, he, too, reached a deal that allowed him to avoid a possible death penalty. Both men are serving double life sentences in prison.

Authorities asked "20/20" not to disclose the prison location.

While McKinney and Henderson admit to killing Shepard, both men -- and the man who prosecuted the case -- now say the real story is not what it seemed

Kinda sickening that you could defend those murderous bastards in any way.

Surprising no...sickening yes.

Maybe they should have killed a priest. I can hear the howling now.

Oh, and I don't give a rat's ass who reported the statements this piece of crap legislator made. They didn't put words in her mouth.

Interesting article

Racists and bigots alway downplay the seriousness of the crimes committed against any of the groups they dislike and up play any small disadvantage they see on their turf.

We have a responsibility to believe the victims and to support them even when they do not live to see it.

I remember the Matthew Shepard case. At the time there were several politicians that were with the defense on the idea that Shepard had attempted to pick them up and didn't stop...apparently this story wasn't the same as what happened (according to the girlfriends). Wyoming went into it headstrong and enacted new legislation around that time providing added punishment for any crime against gay, lesbian, or transexuals.

Really is a shame that the politicians are downplaying the great strides that Wyoming went to after the event...

I see how you are going to twist this. I didn't defend anyone.

The fact is these 2 were prosecuted and given 2 consecutive life terms. This is about hate crimes laws. Were they set free? Given a slap on the wrist because they killed a gay person? No. Your post does nothing to dispel the violation of the equal protection clause.

I suggest you lay off the personal attacks. Ive been rather cautious in my replies. If you want to make it personal, I can be as nasty as anyone.

Torture and murder are torture and murder.

They can happen to anyone anytime.

Ya' don't get tortured and murdered because the perp loves ya'.

Both are hate crimes. No one group should be made extra special.

I don't like being censored any better than the next person.

It's getting to the point no one will be free to speak unless the words or phrases are within the perimeters set forth by Big Brother.

Censored? How will it censor you?

Read the fine print.

Is it the HR 1913 bill?

Please check out the legal definition of fight words willing2.

As for making it personal...you positions and politics are consistent and predictable for the most part. That is why I replied that I was not surprised.

I am quite sure you yourself have looked just at a posters names, mine for instance, and guessed at their positions and politics based on previous posts so please...don't feel special.

I am no more guilty of making it personal as you or anyone else is.

I have been threatened publicly and privately on these boards and via mail on the site...even with disgusting physical violence. Those threats didn't surprise me either. Nor did they silence me.

I have no wish to pick a personal fight with you.

Censor you from inciting violence against those you do not think are deserving of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, I guess.

If it's the HR 1913 bill, that's the only censorship that I found on it - no violence towards disabled people, people of color, gay people, different religions or races. That's not even censorship.

For a country who insists on equal rights for everyone they sure do a hypocrital job when it comes to the minorites.Special work rights,special marriage rights,special rights concerning crimes,special education rights,special rights while getting loans and morgages.The list goes on and on.

No more special rights to the minorities!

If all was equal for all there would be no need for monitoring and governing at that level.

But it is not all equal so who is the hypocrit, the American who wants equality for all or the American who wants only equality for himself?

I am a hypocrit because I say we should all be equal?I am not the one asking for special rights here!

"equality for all"...No more tax exemptions for churchs!!!! How many private homes are in the "Churchs" name are there????? Why should they get a tax break on propertys that have nothing to do with the church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yah no more special rights...just let the majority trample all over the minorities. Of course this will include special rights that extend to religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, handicapped people, and the list goes on. Take all the rights away and just let the majority decide for them what's in their best interest...and while you're at it how about you click your heels together and say there's no place like home...... ( note the obvious sarcasm lol)

If the death of matthew shapherd was due to drugs/alcohol, why did the boys target a known gay man? Why did their gfs admit, under oath, that they said they were going to rob a GAY man? Nope it wasn't a hate crime, they premeditated to rob a gay man from the get go but its not a hate crime.

If you feel you are the hypocrit, so be it. I said who is the hypocrit?

If having "special rights" is the only way to make the board more equal until people get over their own hypocrisies then so be it.

I want equality for all not the priviledged.