Published: November 01, 2009 09:01 pm      

Protection from violence should extend to all Americans

I am writing in response to Dellmer Mouse’s letter “Will new hate crime law only open a huge can of worms?”

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act will extend new federal protections to people who are victims of violent crime because of their sex or sexual orientation, including gay, lesbian, transgender and disabled people. It expands the 1968 federal hate crimes statute, which previously protected people from attacks motivated by race, religion or ethnicity.

Mr. Mouse, the definition of sexual orientation is as follows: “the inclination of an individual with respect to heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual behavior.” Now, you are questioning whether this law will “protect child molesters,” “people having sex with animals” or “polygamists.” All three activities of the above reference people are illegal in this country and are irrelevant in the debate on the definition of sexual orientation.

You believe that “this president, House, Senate, left wing, and secular lunatics have opened up a can of worms?” Why don’t you say that to the families and friends of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. As you may know, Matthew Shepard was robbed, tortured and left to die because he was gay. Or that James Byrd Jr. was beaten, stripped and dragged from a truck because he was black. I suppose you think protecting gay, lesbian, religious and ethnic groups from violent crimes is not a duty of our country?

Perhaps you should do your research on said law (s) and display a little humanity.

Ashley Wolfe

Ridgeley, W.Va.