Robertson claims hate crime bill would make criminals of "anyone [who] speaks out against homosexuality"

Then stop speaking against Gays & Lesbians.


Mr. News

Stop wetting your pants, Pat. The hate crimes law doesn't repeal the First Amendment.

Gosh, Pat has a point.

If a Pastor can't evangelize while puttin' a beatin' on a homosexual, how's he gonna know why he's gettin' his butt kicked? How's he gonna know how to repent when he heals?

First they say you can't beat up gays anymore and now thay want to say you can't even talk bad about them. What's this country coming to, eh, Pat? Gimme that ole time religion... sarcasm

Wrong again Pat.

Are you ever right about anything?

GOOD!

This old guy is losing his mind.....what's left of it.

Awwww, does it break your heart not being able to sneer queer everytime you see one? Poor, poor pat...

"Critics say this could lead to" another way of saying "some people say..."

SCOTUS in Chaplinsky vs. New Hampshire:
"It is well understood that the right of free speech is not absolute at all times and under all circumstances. There are certain well-defined and narrowly limited classes of speech, the prevention and punishment of which has never been thought to raise any Constitutional problem. These include the lewd and obscene, the profane, the libelous, and the insulting or “fighting” words — those which by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace. It has been well observed that such utterances are no essential part of any exposition of ideas, and are of such slight social value as a step to truth that any benefit may be derived from them is clearly outweighed by the social interest in order and morality. “Resort to epithets or personal abuse is not in any proper sense communication of information or opinion safeguarded by the Constitution, and its punishment as a criminal act would raise no question under that instrument.” "

So, Pat, if you and your ilk plan on using certain phrases in certain manners, than it doesn't matter if the hate crimes bill is in effect or not. If one hurls slurs with the intent to provoke, then YOU ARE ALREADY NOT PROTECTED.

If the good pastor would keep his morality in church, and not try to force it down everyone's throat, both he and I wouldn't have a problem. Pat, keep your morality to yourself and your flock.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Pat Robertson was relevant.

Now? Not so much.

Does Pat not even think before he speaks... maybe he should read the full text of the legislation before he goes on television and explains it to everyone.

‘(1) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, a dangerous weapon, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person--

What is Pat Robertson talking about?
There is nothing in this bill that talks about speech.It's offensive that he is pretending to somehow be a VICTIM of this law!

Pat Robertson wants to turn this country back to the 1950's when preachers like him held sway with a lot of people. Fortunately, most people have seen enough religious hucksters and do not share Robertson's vision of a Christian theocracy under the guise of democracy. Pat needs to go back to fleecing his flock instead of making more ridiculous assertions designed to work his viewers into a frenzy.

no mr robertson just if they carry out their threats against gays.

Pat, that would only happen if you were speaking out against homosexuality as you're beating the crap out of a homosexual.

Bigots can still be bigots, as long as they don't kill or assault anyone.

I know that Troglodytes like Pat would like to reserve the option to kill or assault homosexuals, but they'll just have to get over it.

Could someone link the bill?

Anyway, I'm a christian but supportive of LGTB community for secular reasons. Gay marriage should be allowed and all that. But I am not a supporter of any bill that protects peoples' feelings. ALL speech even blasphemy and hate speech must be protected under the constitution. I'm not saying I agree with pat because I don't know whats in this bill and I'm sure he's wrong but those of you saying 'well don't call gay people names' are in the wrong.

No, Pat, just beating them to death, which I'm sure you are an advocate of.

Randy

No it won't. You will ALWAYS be allowed to be as biggoted and ignorant as you want to be. And that's a GOOD THING. Makes it easy to dismiss you as an ignorant scumbag.

You WILL ALSO still be allowed to LIE. I'm not sure THAT'S as it should be, but you're job is safe, Pat. No one is going to stop your lies anymore that your hate.

Unfortunatly, liberal extremists tend more towards pacifism. Maybe we can spread a rumor that your GAY and then you can deal with one of the RW cranks you hopped up with your nonsense. THAT might make you re-think your PR strategy.

The sinister message that should be taken from all this is that some how Pat Robertson and the clergy are somehow victims?

They are being oppressed. They are in danger of going to jail?

Well, of course that is all not true, but the truth rarely gets in the way of their message, which is: We hate Gays! God told us so!

If you want to believe that, that is your right. But don't come to me and say you're a victim of this legislation. Unless you were planning on physically assaulting someone? were you?

Did someone remove Pat Robertson's brain?

Does anyone think this fool reads the actual legislation? It would ruin his hate if he did.

Read something besides the Good Book sometimes Pat, and you will see the bill says no such thing...

Read something besides the Good Book sometimes Pat, and you will see the bill says no such thing...