>> Hate has always been here and always will be! <<

It certainly seems to be thriving in the right-wing lunatic fringe.
 

It certainly thrives on the left-wing lunatic fringe as well.

gary

Henry D. makes a valid point which you try to brush away, and that is:  that hate has always been here and always will.  This is true.  Think back thru history - it's all about somebody or some group hating someone else.  And in between all the moments of hate and conflict, we have had some shining moments of peace and good will and creativity. 

The other Michael Hoffman also makes a good point, that all people should be protected under the law regardless of race, color, etc.  And I believe our laws already do this. 

I agree that this law is nothing but an attempt to get on the good side of a particular group.  What concerns me about laws like this is that in the interpretation of them, they can be used in ways that the people who passed them never intended them to be used.  Will it be used to prosecute people who don't like homosexuality and say so publicly?  Could it be used to attack people who simply don't like homosexuality? 

Yes, I think it could - and most probably will - be used in ways that they never intended.  But it is on the books now.  Our whole government is a horrible snarl of laws that even lawyers have a hard time keeping up with.  It is full of waste and pandering.  And that is the whole problem right now. 

Instead of concentrating on useful, helpful, truly needed laws - our government spends it's time passing unneeded laws, that only serve to further complicate our already tangled legal system. 

Cite cases and incidents that show this law is truly needed, and that other laws do not address or already cover?  Can you do that?  Could our government who passed this law?  I doubt it.

-- Jacqueline