From CBS News (10/28/09):
Obama Signs... Hate Crimes Bill
President Barack Obama on Wednesday signed and celebrated hate crime legislation that extends protection to people based on sexual orientation, sealing a long-fought victory to gay advocates...
The new law expands federal hate crimes to include those committed against people because of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It also loosens limits on when federal law enforcement can intervene and prosecute crimes, amounting to the biggest expansion of the civil-rights era law in decades.
...Obama said in East Room reception, surrounded by joyous supporters, "No one in America should be forced to look over their shoulder because of who they are, or because they live with a disability."
..."We must stand against crimes that are meant not only to break bones, but to break spirits; not only to inflict harm, but to instill fear," Mr. Obama said...
People need to be protected against the hate practices of organized psychiatry. Perhaps this a step towards a future when people who are accused of mental illness will not be subjected to the tortures of forced drugging and shock treatment.
Posted by: george ebert | October 29, 2009 at 06:59 PM
What about the hate crime of denying persons with a disability designation to get employment, is that included? This is costing my life, yet with ALL OF THE WASTE, GREED, AND FRAUD that that the government is spending on legislation and advertisement, I CANNOT FIND A SINGLE EMPLOYER THAT WILL EMPLOY ME.
Posted by: Ralph | October 29, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Why are people with disabilities in need of protection? Is a crime against a person with a disability worse than a crime against ANY one else? Because ALL life is valuable; right wing conservative wack jobs and left wing socialist liberal kool-aid drinkers.
Posted by: Ric | October 30, 2009 at 10:46 AM
i'd never someone like George W. Bush signing this. He hates anyone who's not part of his Oil War cabal. This includes free-thinkers, 9/11 truthers, the anti-war movement & various other peace groups.
Posted by: Leishtek | November 14, 2009 at 11:55 AM
RIC MAYBE U NEEED TO READ ALITTLE MORE INFO ON WHAT AND WHO WE ARE MAYBE THE WORLD WILL BE A BETTER FRIENDLIER PLACE BUT WITH DISABLED PEOPLE THEY HAVE EVERY DAMN RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED
Posted by: Kim | February 18, 2010 at 08:42 PM