Hate Crimes Gone Wild

Pensioner questioned by police after complaining about gay pride march
Pauline Howe, a 67-year-old grandmother, was questioned by police after council officials decided that her complaint about a gay pride march amounted to a "hate incident".

Mrs Howe, a committed Christian, said she had been frightened by the officers' questioning and shocked at being informed she may have committed a crime.
"I've never been in any kind of trouble before so I was stunned to have two police officers knocking at my door," she said.
"Their presence in my home made me feel threatened. It was a very unpleasant experience."
Christian campaigners condemned the police action as "alarming" and warned that freedom of expression was under threat, while the homosexual equality group Stonewall said the officers' visit had been "disproportionate".

The pensioner had written to Norwich council complaining about its decision to allow the march in the city centre in July, at which she claims she was verbally abused.
In the letter, she wrote: "It is shameful that this small, but vociferous lobby should be allowed such a display unwarranted by the minimal number of homosexuals."

Mrs Howe referred to homosexuals as "sodomites" and blamed "their perverted sexual practice" for sexually transmitting diseases as well as the "downfall of every Empire".

However, Bridget Buttinger, deputy chief executive at the council, replied to Mrs Howe in September, warning that she could face being charged with a criminal offence for expressing such views.
"As a local authority we have a duty along with other public bodies to eliminate discrimination of all kinds," she wrote.

"A hate incident is any incident that is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hatred. A hate crime is any hate incident that constitutes a criminal offence.
"The content of your letter has been assessed as potentially being hate related because of the views you expressed towards people of a certain sexual orientation."
She added: "Your details and details of the content of your letter have been recorded as such and passed to the Police."

"For democracy to survive people must be free to express their beliefs – yes, even unpopular beliefs – to government bodies without fear of a knock at the door from the police. It's not a crime to be a Christian, but it increasingly feels like it."

Wow that's disturbing. She writes a generalized letter and is called a hate monger, while there are people on this site who attack individuals, by name, and nothing is done.

blue ranger wrote:

Wow that's disturbing. She writes a generalized letter and is called a hate monger, while there are people on this site who attack individuals, by name, and nothing is done.

This happened in the UK, but when the new hate crime bill just voted for gets going, it could be happening here soon. GW

I think it already has... Don't remember what state but a guy flew his American flag upside down, in front of his business, as a sign of distress and was attacked by local law makers... May have been in Colorado or Utah... either way this is not the precedent that any law maker or law enforcer should want to set.

If I remember right it he flew it upside down due to the state of the economy.. he felt ..in distress... due to the way the economy was headed, in his town...

I fear the day I can't call people sodomites any more and get away with it.

Thanks Gw for the story . What happened to free speech . Or is it only selective free speech we are allowed in the U.S.A., everyone is so sensitive since Obama took Presidency ?

Free speech isnt about calling names and threats or acts of violence. We all live in this country and we all have views that may or maynot be what someone else feels. Im glad this country is coming out of the dark ages. Its about time people dont have to live in fear from mean people any longer.

Sockittoome wrote:

Thanks Gw for the story . What happened to free speech . Or is it only selective free speech we are allowed in the U.S.A., everyone is so sensitive since Obama took Presidency ?

People like you are being protected by a bunch of bullies like Rahm Emmanuel. We all have the same rights under our Constitution. Should you go to jail for calling us a homophobe? Political Correctness, aka Socialism, is running rampant in today's society. The thought police are watching. Just one more nail in the coffin of our "Free Country".

HAMMER wrote:

<quoted text>
People like you are being protected by a bunch of bullies like Rahm Emmanuel. We all have the same rights under our Constitution. Should you go to jail for calling us a homophobe? Political Correctness, aka Socialism, is running rampant in today's society. The thought police are watching. Just one more nail in the coffin of our "Free Country".

Maybe im reading your post wrong but im not being protected by people like Rahm Emanuel , I believe the U.S. Dept. of Justice is after people like me . What say you .

hehe that girls name is Buttinger.

Sockittoome wrote:

<quoted text>
Maybe im reading your post wrong but im not being protected by people like Rahm Emanuel , I believe the U.S. Dept. of Justice is after people like me . What say you .

I meant to click on the post above yours. I was replying to tbyp post. Sorry. My eyes got crossed.

HAMMER wrote:

<quoted text>
People like you are being protected by a bunch of bullies like Rahm Emmanuel. We all have the same rights under our Constitution. Should you go to jail for calling us a homophobe? Political Correctness, aka Socialism, is running rampant in today's society. The thought police are watching. Just one more nail in the coffin of our "Free Country".

I find your name fitting... since behavior is nothing more than hammering the nails into the coffin thats made this country worse in your eyes. you dont see it, but your angry aggressive bullying behavior at this site shows you to be the kind of arrogant bs'er thats taken this country down the wrong tracks in my opinion. You dont like waht im saying, but its ok for some old broad to go and lash out at some people at a parade? What sense does tha make? lol No the old woman shouldnt go to jail,but we should all take the advise of our parents when they said," If you dont have something nice to say, dont say anything at all". That would put an end to many of these conversations. Wouldnt it?

Truth Police wrote:

I fear the day I can't call people sodomites any more and get away with it.

well yeah! maybe you should know its not a nice word.

When you people get through changing our Country for the "better", we will be just another second class country with very few freedoms. You just don't see that the things that make us strong are the things you are trying to change. With Obama in control, we are no longer a threat to the Muslims, but they are still killing us and plotting attacks against targets inside the USA. You are wrong about me hating people. I do not hate you or the rest of the liberals. I just hope you see the error of your ways before it is too late for America. When there is noone else to tax, where will you get your money for Social Reform?

takebakeyourpowers wrote:

Free speech isnt about calling names and threats or acts of violence. We all live in this country and we all have views that may or maynot be what someone else feels. Im glad this country is coming out of the dark ages. Its about time people dont have to live in fear from mean people any longer.

Are you talking about mean people like the old lady in the story? Do you fear people like her?

takebakeyourpowers wrote:

<quoted text>
well yeah! maybe you should know its not a nice word.

Oh no not the "it's not a nice word" theory... There are "not nice words" said all the time on many issues... I don't see the liberal "thought police" goin after all of 'em... Personally I could care less about someone's sexuality. However I think it's crazy to censure those who make non threatening remarks about their own personal feelings about it. It would have been different if she had said "I aint lettin them fags come down my street"... that may have been construed to be a threat to the people who had the lawful right to carry out their parade...

takebakeyourpowers wrote:

<quoted text>
well yeah! maybe you should know its not a nice word.

Wouldn`t sodomites mean people from Soddom? Hmmm......

blue ranger wrote:

<quoted text>
Oh no not the "it's not a nice word" theory... There are "not nice words" said all the time on many issues... I don't see the liberal "thought police" goin after all of 'em... Personally I could care less about someone's sexuality. However I think it's crazy to censure those who make non threatening remarks about their own personal feelings about it. It would have been different if she had said "I aint lettin them fags come down my street"... that may have been construed to be a threat to the people who had the lawful right to carry out their parade...

Ranger, this is off topic but do you know about the Oathkeepers, who and what they are. GW

Government Watch wrote:

<quoted text> Are you talking about mean people like the old lady in the story? Do you fear people like her?

Gw im not refering to her per se, im referring to people who threaten gays lesbians and transgendered people with harm. the woman in this stupid story( which is a dumb story, shes committed no crime) should hear how it sounds to say negatives about herself. here comments were:Mrs Howe referred to homosexuals as "sodomites" and blamed "their perverted sexual practice" for sexually transmitting diseases as well as the "downfall of every Empire".
let me ask this, if I was to write to the Texarkana gazette and state" SICKO Straight people do nothing but make babies, spread hate, get on the welfare system, Lie, use GOD only when they want to spread hate, spread disease and in alarming numbers, rape and molest the majority of people in our country" do you think others would be offended?Of course, the issue with isnt the fact she voiced her opinion, its the content. This country shouldnt allow people to spew thier beliefs on others when it comes to religion. Our religion itself speaks of watching what you say in the name of Jesus christ.
The fact is shes didnt committ a crime at all, thats why i feel this story is stupid.I believe that we will all begin seeing a dividing of this country now in a way weve not seen before. I hope gays and lesbians and all those that are tired of being bullied by the " white man" will stand up and no longer allow it. Time for those whose been allowed to push hate and ignorance in our face a long time, to learn a lesson.