tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677108722778516534.post2457308111732943633..comments2023-09-27T03:58:56.646-06:00Comments on Bessemer Opinions: Hatred in Alabama, from a Trailer in Bay Minette to Goat HillJoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10842576168520693461noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677108722778516534.post-39463271645053144902010-07-10T08:28:16.025-06:002010-07-10T08:28:16.025-06:00Jhw, thanks for your comment. I hope you will be p...Jhw, thanks for your comment. I hope you will be pleasantly surprised at your reunion. Please let me know how it goes.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10842576168520693461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677108722778516534.post-10672624390133976852010-07-08T12:00:18.818-06:002010-07-08T12:00:18.818-06:00It is nice to see that progress is happening in Al...It is nice to see that progress is happening in Alabama. My home town is Gadsden and for the first time in 20 years I fell pseudo safe to attend my family reunion. Threats have been made, but I have to attend to simply say, I am. Reunion is at Noccalulla Falls on July 17 from 10am to 2pm. Will I be alive after that?jhwAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677108722778516534.post-28581864235820503752007-05-14T20:28:00.000-06:002007-05-14T20:28:00.000-06:00Susan, I tend to agree with you. Of course, this...Susan, I tend to agree with you. Of course, this is not the first time he has spoken in an asinine manner (and I would have misspelled that, with 2 "s's" if I had not looked it up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677108722778516534.post-54739161433031407532007-05-11T19:57:00.000-06:002007-05-11T19:57:00.000-06:00I've tried to explain the logic behind hate crimes...I've tried to explain the logic behind hate crimes laws this way: The attacks on the world trade center constituted 2 crimes: 1) the murder of 2000 people, and 2) the terrorizing of everyone who is an American.<BR/><BR/>That line of reasoning makes me wonder if we need to include gay people in hate crimes law when we already have anti-terrorism laws. I guess either way would work. But the point is, TWO crimes are committed when you kill someone because of their race, orientation, etc. A rather simple concept. <BR/><BR/>I'm tempted to enumerate the right-wing arguments against hate-crime legislation, but I don't have the energy... just too stupid.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677108722778516534.post-76563914844674800822007-05-11T09:32:00.000-06:002007-05-11T09:32:00.000-06:00I also attended the memorial service for Billy Jac...I also attended the memorial service for Billy Jack Gaither, and it was my first personal encounter with the Phelps clan. I was nauseated at the sight of young children carrying disgusting, hateful signs.<BR/><BR/>Why is it okay with the Republican legislators who voted NO on the BIR to provide protection based on religion, race, etc., but not sexual orientation? For some reason I don't think it's because they object to the concept of hate crime laws.<BR/><BR/>It's still quite acceptable to promote hatred of LGBT people, and I fear for everyone in Alabama who speaks out in support of love and acceptance for all people, especially my own brother. I can't prove that adding sexual orientation to the current hate crime law would have an immediate positive effect on the lives of my LGBT brothers and sisters, but I do know that refusing to add it has a negative effect. Shame on those who voted no.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com