Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Brutal Murder of Young Man Belittled by GOP Leader


Republican Congresswoman Virginia Foxx says Matthew Shepard's murder was "a hoax"
http://www.americablog.com/2009/04/republican-congresswoman-says-matthew.html

by John Aravosis

The House Republican chosen to lead the charge against including women, people with disabilities, and gays in America's already-existing hate crimes law - existing law already counts violent crime based on the race, religion or national origin of the victim as a "hate crime" - just referred on the US House floor to Matthew Shepard's murder as "a hoax."

You will recall that Matthew Shepard was the young gay man in Laramie, Wyoming who, a decade ago, was tied to a fence, Jesus-like, pistol whipped in the head some 50 times, then left for dead in the cold fall night, only to be found a day later clinging to life. Shepard died five days later. Even though Shepard's murderers admitted that they killed him because he was gay, the far-right bigots who control the Republican party couldn't resist the opportunity to gay-bash Shepard one last time. Now by referring to his brutal murder as a hoax.

Here is what North Carolina Republican [Congresswoman Foxx] had to say about Shepard's horrific murder:

If you didn't vote for this bill -- against this bill and against this rule for anything else, you could vote against it because we are spending additional money. I also would like to point out that there was a bill -- the hate crimes bill that's called the Matthew Shepard bill is named after a very unfortunate incident that happened where a young man was killed, but we know that that young man was killed in the commitment of a robbery. It wasn't because he was gay. This -- the bill was named for him, hate crimes bill was named for him, but it's really a hoax that that continues to be used as an excuse for passing these bills.


During the trial, Chastity Pasley and Kristen Price (the pair's then-girlfriends) testified under oath that Henderson and McKinney both plotted beforehand to rob a gay man. McKinney and Henderson then went to the Fireside Lounge and selected Shepard as their target. McKinney alleged that Shepard asked them for a ride home. After befriending him, they took him to a remote area of Laramie where they robbed him, beat him severely (media reports often contained the graphic account of the pistol whipping and his smashed skull), and tied him to a fence with a rope from McKinney's truck. Shepard begged for his life. Both girlfriends also testified that neither McKinney nor Henderson was under the influence of drugs at the time. The beating was so severe that the only areas on Shepard's face that were not covered in blood were those where his tears had washed the blood stains away.

Media Matters has lots of links, and quotes, from the mainstream media attesting to the fact that Shepard was murdered because he was gay.

A hoax? Belittling the brutal murder of a 21 year old college student? And Republicans wonder why their angry, hateful, pathetic party is now only 20% of the US population.

19 comments:

Susan said...

Oh, Kate, you are so silly. You are really reaching on this one. Are you scared that your best of all possible worlds cannot last??

Tc said...

"MZ" closed the comments after you posted this at VN, so I'm glad that you posted it here, too.

Pax.

Kurt said...

Susan,

I posted this.

I'm sorry you don't see this as a serious matter.

Kurt

shiloh said...

Quite frankly, this is why the Rep party is now a permanent minority party on a course towards extinction!

Foxx, Bachmann, Cantor, Boehner, Palin, Sanford, secessionist Perry, etc. etc. are complete buffoons and total wing nuts w/no grasp of reality!

Honestly I believe some of these idiots aren't smart enough to be true racists. Yes Virginia, even racists need some education to qualify as flaming racists lol

How many signs were shown during the bogus teabag protests which had words misspelled and incorrect grammar ;)

The Republican party is now filled w/many uneducated racist sheep some of whom have actually been elected to congress ... Oh the humanity!

I repeat, how did the Dems get sooo damn lucky ie when the opposing party is self-destructing, get the hell out of the way! :)

take care, blessings

Sean said...

This stuff used to upset me. Not anymore. The American people have proved themselves better than this. The Virgina Foxx's and the Susan's can say what they want. There is no sting to their words. They are not a serious part of the public discussion.

Susan said...

Your sense of self-importance is only overshadowed by your self-righteousness, Sean.

Brian said...

GOP Leader? I've never heard of her before.

We should take this for what it is, the insane comment of one person. Don't indict all conservatives because someone said something foolish.

I could cite lots of examples where those on the left made equally idiotic statements.

Jeffrey said...

The question still is unanswered. Was he killed because he is gay or because of the robbery? Her statement is in no way any indication of bigotry or racism, but you left-wing nutcases can't help but fabricate a lie out of it. The hate crimes bill she is opposing is the worst form of bigotry. It is an anti-Christian, anti-American, anti-morality bill so why don't you just call it that? Perez Hilton committed a hate crime against all Christians, our established culture, and all moral people by his act against Carrie Prejean, but why can't anyone call it that? It's because the left-wing media and politicians won't allow real racism and real bigotry to be called what it is. They drum up accusations against this Congresswoman and call her names because they hate her opposition to their bigotry.

Kurt said...

Fair enough, Brian. She is a member of Congress and was selected by the House Republicans to be their leader on this issue. We can leave it at that.

Jeffrey said...

The question still is unanswered. Was he killed because he is gay or because of the robbery? Her statement is in no way any indication of bigotry or racism, but you left-wing nutcases can't help but fabricate a lie out of it. The hate crimes bill she is opposing is the worst form of bigotry. It is an anti-Christian, anti-American, anti-morality bill so why don't you just call it that? Perez Hilton committed a hate crime against all Christians, our established culture, and all moral people by his act against Carrie Prejean, but why can't anyone call it that? It's because the left-wing media and politicians won't allow real racism and real bigotry to be called what it is. They drum up accusations against this Congresswoman and call her names because they hate her opposition to their bigotry.

Jeffrey said...

What's the matter? Too much truth is too much? So don't be telling me about the bias of the right.

----------------------------
The question still is unanswered. Was he killed because he is gay or because of the robbery? Her statement is in no way any indication of bigotry or racism, but you left-wing nutcases can't help but fabricate a lie out of it. The hate crimes bill she is opposing is the worst form of bigotry. It is an anti-Christian, anti-American, anti-morality bill so why don't you just call it that? Perez Hilton committed a hate crime against all Christians, our established culture, and all moral people by his act against Carrie Prejean, but why can't anyone call it that? It's because the left-wing media and politicians won't allow real racism and real bigotry to be called what it is. They drum up accusations against this Congresswoman and call her names because they hate her opposition to their bigotry.

Sean said...

Jeffrey,

You need help.

Anonymous said...

"Perez Hilton committed a hate crime against all Christians, our established culture, and all moral people by his act against Carrie Prejean"

YAWZA!!! Did you see the nude pictures of her? That is one Christian hottie with a real nice rack.

Susan said...

Oh, Katherine, now you have no problem publishing a comment that is completely insulting to women. You are so sad. Yet you refuse to publish comments that simply disagree and are not insulting in the least. I repeat, you are nothing but silly and sad.

Katherine said...

You should see the racist garbage I have to moderate. In fact, I think I may let you see what type of fellow Obama haters you are allied with.

Susan said...

Oh, Katherine, leave it to you to think two wrongs make it right. You obviously lack any self-respect if you allow a woman's breasts to be referred to as a "nice rack." Woman are made in the image and likeness of God. God made breasts to nourish and nurture infants. You are so silly and sad. What does anything about this disgusting comment have to do with Obama or racism? You just don't get it do you? Do you think racism is the only sin? Degrading remarks about women's bodies is also sinful. Your female visitors deserve better.

Jeffrey said...

KATHERINE SAID,"You should see the racist garbage I have to moderate. In fact, I think I may let you see what type of fellow Obama haters you are allied with."

Come on let's see them.

Katherine said...

Susan you need to pick a position. Are you going to complain about "censorship" or complain about racist and sexist comments? You are spinning like a top.

Susan said...

Hardly