Question: why didn't the Dems agree to include the military & the elderly in the hate crimes bill??

[AZBlue]

First of all, I've been swamped with work and not paying as close attention to news as I usually do, so maybe I missed something?

The Republicans tried to get the military and the elderly covered in this hate crimes bill - but the Dems voted against it. Why? Was there something underneath this story that I've missed? All I can find in the news is that they voted against it - and it's not written in a "damn those military-hating Dems" way, but I just found it odd. While I don't think that the majority of hate crimes are against the military or the elderly, they do happen, so why not include them?

Thanks - AZBlue

[Madspirit]

1. Hmmm

I'm not sure the military needs this. I don't know if I've ever heard of a hate crime against the military. Elder abuse is a problem. I guess because it's not someone out with a vendetta against ALL the elderly. It's usually a family member with only one target. A hate crime is usually directed at all the members of the group.
Lee

[MUAD_DIB]

2. Actually from what I have read, the Dems agreed to the Repub demand then

the Repubs backed away from it.

Go figure.

I'll see if I can find you the DU link.

[AZBlue]

5. Ah, now that makes sense - and of course wasn't covered by the media.

Thanks!

[tandot]

3. I've heard that the Dems wanted to add them but then the GOP refused that

http://americablog.blogspot.com/2007/05/good-statements-from-house-floor-debate.html

"Steny Hoyer and John Conyers just pulled a fast one on the GOP. The GOP has been refusing to support the hate crimes bill because it doesn't include members of the US Armed Forces and senior citizens. Conyers just rose and basically said, okay, I'll add them. The Republicans' response? Uh, no.

The Republicans have been railing for days about how this legislation doesn't cover our Armed Forces and senior citizens, and now that the Dems offer to put our Armed Forces and seniors in this legislation, the Republicans said no and affirmatively stopped the Democrats from doing it anyway."

[aquart]

4. We did. Republicans turned it down.

Try again.

[AZBlue]

6. Huh? What does "try again" mean?

[Fresh_Start]

7. No the dems didn't vote against it the GOP voted against it

the GOP raised the issue as an amendment when the dems said ok, the GOP backed off.
The GOP was using it as a delaying tactic.
But they didn't want it in the bill.

[jumpoffdaplanet]

8. Where did you hear it?

because we need to correct that lie

[AZBlue]

10. msnbc.com

"Republicans, in a parliamentary move that would have effectively killed the bill, tried to add seniors and the military to those qualifying for hate crimes protection. It was defeated on a mainly party-line vote.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18473074/from/RS.5/

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. I know.

There are gangs of hippie supremacists going around beating up the military.

Throw in them with the Vercotti brothers and the military's a repressed minority.