http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2009/10/29/hate-crimes-bill-signed-24845/ Disability News | PatriciaEBauer.com Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:50:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2009/10/29/hate-crimes-bill-signed-24845/comment-page-1/#comment-4981 Tracy Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:50:46 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=24845#comment-4981 I am torn on this one. On one hand, if someone hurt my daughter with Down syndrome because she has a disability, I would be furious and glad this is in place. But if someone hurt my other daughter or son (with no disability) in the same manner, but was determined not to be a "hate crime", does that offense deserve to be lesser? For instance, if it deals with murder, isn't murder, well, MURDER? The same protection should be to all. The same crime should yield harsh punishment anyway. I am torn on this one. On one hand, if someone hurt my daughter with Down syndrome because she has a disability, I would be furious and glad this is in place. But if someone hurt my other daughter or son (with no disability) in the same manner, but was determined not to be a “hate crime”, does that offense deserve to be lesser? For instance, if it deals with murder, isn’t murder, well, MURDER? The same protection should be to all. The same crime should yield harsh punishment anyway.

]]>