random thoughts……

So, when I heard last week that the Hate Crimes bill was in trouble, I immediately went to both my Senator’s websites and send them a message urging them to support the bill. Because I live in Texas, arguably the reddest state in the US, I didn’t expect it to do much good, but I thought at least they’ll know that there’s one more LGBT Texan that’s speaking up.

Haven’t heard a peep from Cornyn, and frankly didn’t expect to hear from either. I just received the following reply from Senator Hutchison:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me regarding hate crime legislation. I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.

In the 110th Congress, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) introduced S. 1105, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This legislation would have provided federal assistance to states, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes. The bill defined a hate crime as a violent crime motivated by a prejudice based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. When the language was offered as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill, I voted against including it. The language was removed prior to final passage of the measure.

On April 2, 2009, Representative John Conyers (D-MI) introduced H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. On April 28, 2009, Senator Kennedy introduced S. 909, the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Both of these measures contain provisions similar to those contained in S. 1105 and have been referred to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.

I continue to believe that all violent crimes should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, regardless of the underlying motivation. Should legislation regarding hate crimes come before the full Senate, you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind.

I appreciate hearing from you, and I hope that you will not hesitate to keep in touch on any issue of concern to you.

Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senator

Obviously, I have no illusions that she actually read my note, much less personally replied. I was a bit surprised at the honesty about voting against it as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill (even if it was a public vote), and I kind of hoped that I’d see some type of explanation as to why. Unfortunately, you see the typical political double speak in the second to last paragraph, which, loosely translated, is “I didn’t support it before so why do you think I’d support it now?” I’m glad that at least someone in her office is actually paying attention to the incoming emails from her constituency, but I have to say I’m disappointed that there is no better explanation why she doesn’t support the Hate Crimes bill.

I guess I should have learned my lesson when listening in on my representative Lamar Smith’s “town hall phone conference” a couple of months ago. When he was asked about the GOP consistently voting against anything sponsored by the Democrats, he danced away without answering the question. As he did ALL tough questions that he was asked. Why can’t we get straight answers from these elected officials who are supposed to represent my views?

Seems the answer is: they’re politicians.