NC: the insane bigotry of Rep. Virginia Foxx

Prostitutes & Christians

"Why is it worse to go after someone who's gay than going after someone who's a prostitute?"

********

Why is it worse to go after a prostitute than going after someone selling WWJD bracelets, or whoring off their story of being "ex-alcoholic" or "ex-gay", shortly before going binge drinking or logging onto ManHunt?

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by: bluegrassfool @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 13:59:02 PM CDT

Why is it worse?

Maybe because prostitution is illegal, and being gay is not?

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by: rx7ward @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:24:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Anymore.

I am the lizard queen!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 17:18:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Prostitution isn't illegal everywhere.

It is not for example Rhode Island in the US and in many civilized (meaning Western, Old) Europe countries.

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by: Chris From Old Europe @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 21:56:24 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

hate crimes is now every crime

see what hate crime laws have started. We have open Pandora's box,now everything will be a hate crime..  

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by: sickntired @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:04:01 PM CDT

That's not true...

If someone calls you a "Faggot", hits you in the head with a glass bottle, you fall back and die- that is not classified off the bat as a hate crime. It has to be decided that the aggressor purposefully went after you because of your sexual orientation and not for other reasons alone (like drunkeness, little spat and words were thrown). Hate crime legislation is for when the attack is meant to intimidate and cause fear to others in said category in the form of terrorism. And a good defense lawyer could easily tear down a lot of arguments to have a case recognized as a hate crime.

Its not that easy as you may think.

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by: saywhat? @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:23:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

ok

first , I don't care if someone calls me a f'ing faggot, I want they to face teh crime they had commit agisnt, assualt battery, attempt murber, I could care less what was coming out of their mouths while they were hitting me.

I would hope the law apply the law not

If only goes to show that we need these so called special right to feel better about our selves.  

at the rate we are going, soon str8 bashing will be against the law, which every damn LGBT has done.

In most case hate crimes conflicts with the 1 amendment, that right this is the fist step to take that away from people.  

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by: sickntired @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:35:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

But how is it a 'special right'

When the same laws applies to minorites & folks of different religions? If you are willing to say its a special right for them, then okay. But if its not then I think you should ask yourself why you feel such a way that gay people (who most people are taught to hate/despise/thik are immoral from early ages) do not need any protection from folks who would hurt them?

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by: saywhat? @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:39:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

So if somebody tried to murder you with a gun,

but had bad aim and only nicked the tip of your finger, you'd be okay with him being tried for misdemeanor assault instead of attempted murder, right?  Because that's the crime that was actually committed, right?

Cynic, n.  A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be.  
-Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

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by: QScribe @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:43:32 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

thanks for provening my point

we need to get the laws apply equally but claiming that we need this to protect ourselves is just stupid,

I would rather have equally protection under that laws (for crimes committed against me) then this other crap we have been fighting for.

i would rather have acceptance instead of marriage.

Which by the way won't and isn't a cure for all our problems.  

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by: sickntired @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:50:02 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Its funny..

Cause I'd rather have the marriage than the acceptance. Because people have a right to their stupidity and I respect their American right to that. Now 'acceptance' in th form of housing protection, employment, and the like to the basic essentials? Thats what i want.

But you don't have to like faggots. Because this one prolly doesn't like you either... lol.

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by: saywhat? @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:12:08 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

And I just have to ask you

Where exactly does the first amendment guarantee a right to commit felonious assault?

Cynic, n.  A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be.  
-Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

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by: QScribe @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:45:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

what ever

I was talking about free speech..Period..  

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by: sickntired @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:50:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Then you'll be happy to know ...

... that this hate crimes legislation only applies to violent attacks, and infringes in no way upon any individual's freedom of speech.

And, it should be noted, motive is always considered when prosecuting a violent attack.  In the past, violent attackers have received lighter sentences because of a "gay panic" defense.  This legislation simply instructs judges and juries that such a defense is now illegal, and anyone who tries to get a "get out of jail free" card based on gay panic can expect more jail time, not less.

Now ... explain to me why that's not a good thing.

"There are two kinds of people in this world -- the kind who separate the world into two kinds of people, and those who don't."  -- Gloria Steinem

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by: red7eric @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:54:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

oh Please

we are trying to may what those idiots who speak out against to stop by claim their speech is hateful. Please we are our own worst enemy.

let see one of right to protest was attacked and now we can be sue for such protest that other deem distasteful. at a tune of 11 million dollars.

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by: sickntired @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:02:57 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Becomes an *E-Bully* For a Moment

Y'all. Go to this guy's website... it's.... something.

You're a gay republican aren't you? Because your need to defend the straight people is mighty telling of your own self-hatred.

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by: saywhat? @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:17:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

it that best you got

please, I gay man you dont' have problem with being call a fag, faggot, unlike everyone else..

also I'm either,

truth be told their isn't really much a difference. Rep will tell you to your face they hate  you, Dem do it behind your back..  

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by: sickntired @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:23:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Wow.

I wouldn't have bothered checking it out, but your tip got my curiosity up.  What a load of 100% pure crud.

What's your guess?  Is this guy not a native speaker of English, or did he go to school in Oklahoma?

Cynic, n.  A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be.  
-Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

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by: QScribe @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:42:18 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

As a Transsexual and an Oklahoman

Please do not lump us in with this person.

Dena

Cisgender. Because "Genetic" (or non) is so 2006.

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by: Denabeth @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 17:53:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You idiot

Protecting sexual orientation/gender/perceived s.o. & g DOES protect straights.

Bias crimes aren't about the status of the victim, but the motive of the perp. A straight person can be gay bashed and it would still be a bias crime since the point is to target a group by proxy.

The SCOTUS already ruled that speech and conduct are separate things and that conduct isn't protected (Wisconsin v Mitchell, 1993).

Come back when you have something useful to say.

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by: Bachalon @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:51:56 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hate crimes against straights

It's also possible (not quite as likely, but possible) that a gang of angry queers could ambush a straight person out of hetero-hatred, and be tried under this same hate crimes legislations ... as well they should.

"There are two kinds of people in this world -- the kind who separate the world into two kinds of people, and those who don't."  -- Gloria Steinem

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by: red7eric @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:55:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well yes

But when was the last time you heard of that happening?

If some queers did do that, throw the book at 'em says I.

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by: Bachalon @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:16:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

ok jack***

tell  you what if you think hate crimes are equal then I wait for the day when a gay person is sue for attack a str8 and calling him derogatory term and see if the DA is really to add the hate crime status against the gay person.

We talk about equality, when in fact we don't even have it in our own damn community,  

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by: sickntired @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:59:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

So do I

Inconsistently applied laws don't make a law wrong, you fucking moron, it means we have shitty lawyers.

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by: Bachalon @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:19:18 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Or

In some instances, it means we have wise lawyers capable of looking at the details of a case and making a judgement call based on their experience and the individual circumstances.

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by: Bachalon @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:26:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

flip floper

lawyer please, they will change their tune to the highest bidder..

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by: sickntired @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:31:38 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

here one for you Bachalon

two gay men get into a fight and one die, but they are calling each other f'ing fags and so on, does that make it a hate crime.

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by: sickntired @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:04:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Tell me

Are you really a fucking moron or do you just play one on the internet?

The answer to your question is, "No, you fucking moron."

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by: Bachalon @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:23:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

whatever

I can tell you this, as a group we are somewhat lame, also, we love to play the victim card every chance we get, to see proof just do a search to see how many LGBT's claim that they are victims.

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by: sickntired @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:26:19 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

"Sick" and tired?

What kind of sickness ails you, anyway?  Why do I find myself thinking it must be a mental disease?

Cynic, n.  A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be.  
-Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

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by: QScribe @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:46:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

If you dislike the community so much

What the fuck are you doing here? Isn't there a repub "think" tank you could apply to? I know that's usually the territory of intellectuals, and while you're clearly not burdened by the ravages of intelligence, I'm pretty sure they'll take whomever they can find at this point.

The fact remains that we ARE victims; perhaps not as much as some would have people think, but while DADT, DOMA, and other GLBT specific laws remain, we are victims.

And it should come as no surprise that victims of policy easily become victims of violence.

Are you beginning to understand yet, you fucking moron?

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by: Bachalon @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:46:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

now for what we do best

bitch and complain and whine about being victims..

i guess you would like some cheese and crackers to go with that WHINE

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by: sickntired @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:53:19 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

enough everyone!

Discuss Virginia Foxx and take the bar brawl offline or into the chat room.

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by: Pam Spaulding @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:58:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well, SPECTER wasn't, so he switched parties... but I don't want that FOXX.

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:08:03 PM CDT

Makes me ashamed

to be a North Carolinian.

"It's hard to free fools from the chains they revere." ~ François Marie Arouet.

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by: TSinGarnNC16 @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:31:32 PM CDT

I'm glad to see that Rep Foxx has a soft spot for prostitutes.

I hope we hear more from her and her plans to protect the health, safety and dignity of prostitutes.  It's time we either made prostitution legal, or shifted law enforcement's focus to the johns.  :)

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.

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by: Lurleen @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:33:54 PM CDT

I, uh..

Ignoring for a moment what Ms. Foxx is trying to do and imply here... I don't think that's altogether a bad idea, actually. Prostitutes, because they exist outside of the law, may be often at risk for being targeted for violence simply because they are prostitutes. A law which more mandates more severe punishment, for someone who targets a prostitute for violent crime specifically for being a prostitute, might help create a counterbalance to dissuade those who would commit violent crime against prostitutes simply because they as a class are an easy target.

Of course, I don't really think this particular hate crimes bill is the best vehicle for that, for several reasons. But hey, if Ms. Foxx wants to introduce it as a standalone bill I for one will probably support it!! How about it, Ms. Foxx??

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by: mcc @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:57:12 PM CDT

You are correct!

RH Reality Check has a great story on what it's like to be targeted as a prostitute.

Prostitutes, like gays and lesbians, are made targets for violence at a higher rate than other men and women. This is due to several factors, but mostly because, as you pointed out, prostitutes are outside the law in 49 states, and risk arrest by coming forward with knowledge of any crime. Other reasons are:

(1) Prostitutes, like rape victims, are often stigmatized and dismissed by slut-shaming. Because they are no longer "pure and virginal," they are considered lesser beings not worthy of concern by law enforcement

(2) Because prostitution is illegal in 49 states, sex workers are easy targets for police brutality and exploitation. If they're being abused by cops, exactly who are these women going to go to for help? Who would listen or care or be willing to get involved?

(3) A high percentage of prostitutes live under the radar, are/were runaways, and have no family to raise a fuss if they are beaten, raped, or go missing. As Gary Ridgeway said about murdering 90 sex workers:

"I picked prostitutes as victims because they were easy to pick up without being noticed. I knew they would not be reported missing right away and might never be reported missing. I picked prostitutes because I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught."

If a crime is committed against a prostitute (or stripper or other type of sex worker) the reaction is not typically, "Oh my god, that poor victimized human being!" It's, "that dirty whore got what she deserved and the world is better off without that trash." This should sound eerily familiar to anyone who has ever been the victim of a gay or transbashing. The same cultural garbage applies. Because prostitutes don't fit into "real America's" idea of what a woman should be (virginal until sold married to a man Daddy approves of), they aren't thought of as actual people. So no one cares when prostitutes go missing or are horribly killed.

There was an episode of L&O: SVU that about broke my heart. The team was investigating a serial killer who was targeting prostitutes, and no once cared until he mistakenly killed a girl from an upscale home whom he mistook for a prostitute. One of the girls' reactions to the squad was, "Why are you so worried about this guy now? Did he kill someone important?"

Another really good read on violence against prostitutes:

http://www.justicewomen.com/le...

God save ornery old queens! - kevinchi

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by: Keori @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 20:23:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Wait a minute...

Are we supposed to get paid for being gay like prostitutes get paid.  I am ashamed and mad at my gay brothers and sisters for keeping this secret from me.

Pardon me while I step away and see who I can collect from.

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by: Will St. James @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 14:59:44 PM CDT

Balance

For each person like her, we can hopefully have even more in support of equality & opposed to hate crimes.

I just called Congressman David Price and added my name to the list of constituents who are supporting the Matthew Sheppard Act & got about 5 friends to do the same so far.

In case there are any other North Carolinians out there:

David Price's number is here:
(202) 225-1784

If you need to look up your congressman you can here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N...
and then just click their name & find a link to their website to find their number.

It'll take less than a minute, and it is a cause worth spending 1 minute of your day on!

They are voting on it tomorrow, so call today.

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by: Jake Gellar-Goad @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:00:11 PM CDT

From Twitter feed:

Committee resolves for 80 min debate equally divided, controlled by the chair and ranking member of House Judiciary Committee. #FightHateNow

So does this mean we could get a vote within the next week or otherwise soon?

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by: mcc @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:10:29 PM CDT

Redistricting

Can the NC Democratic Party become creative in to make her district more competitive in 2012? Although NC leans Republican for federal races, the state is governed by a strong Democratic majority.  

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by: mmunson @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:10:53 PM CDT

bachmann and foxx

have been avoiding the "thought police" for decades now.  

as prostitutes for their conservative base, i'm sure this is an issue that hits close to home.    

The gays stole my lunch money

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by: matt in mpls @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 16:24:58 PM CDT

Rep. Foxx is comparing apples to cheeseburgers.

1. There will be no "thought police" because the wingnuts lack thought.

2. If we say something blasphemous, the wingnuts would try to charge us with a "hate crime".  It sucks that those evangelitists are a protected class and hide under that cloak after assaulting the GLBT community.  Hypocritical cowards.

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by: Blood From Machines @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 16:30:04 PM CDT

Just a little something about the Foxxy lady...

I attended Appalachian State University, which is in Boone. Before going to the US House, Virginia Foxx was our representative in the state senate. She had previously worked for the university, but, according to urban legend, had been fired for being busted while banging the dean of general studies...her boss.

Foxxy avoided ASU many times. During my four years, she showed up on the campus once (during her quest for the US House) and that was to attend a College Republican meeting.

Don't know how true it is...but I often heard the story told by professors, students, and more progressive members of the community. Thought I'd pass the gossip along!

"I like your Christ, but do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." ~Gandhi

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by: keithan81 @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 17:00:18 PM CDT