The Associated Press: House bill would provide gays new protections
H WASHINGTON (AP) — Gay victims of violence would gain new federal protections under a revived and expanded hate crimes bill passed by the House on Wednesday over conservatives’ objections.
This is stupid and unnecessary. Just enforce the laws against the initiation of force already on the books. Assault, battery, rape, robbery, and murder shouldn’t be punished in gradients depending on who the victim is, or what the motivation of the criminal might be.

