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Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Legislating political correctness
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sometimes laws get on the books because they’re needed to address serious problems that exist — rape, murder and burglary, for example.
Others, though, get on the books because of political correctness.
Just before Democrats lost control in 2000, the Legislature passed a law stiffening sentences for crimes committed out of “bias or prejudice.” It was thrown out by the Georgia Supreme Court in 2004 because the language was too vague.
A proposal to reinstate “hate crimes” legislation is now pending in a study committee, hung up in part by a dispute over whether to include gays and lesbians.
House Speaker Glenn Richardson said he’s not inclined to bring the bill before the House. “I haven’t seen a dramatic change in crime levels since the Supreme Court tossed it out,” said Richardson. “I see no reason to address it. I never have understood treating crimes with different punishments because of the person against whom you committed it.”
While the politically correct response would be to give advocacy groups the victim designation they want, Richardson is correct in observing that there’s no evidence that a penalty-plus law is needed.
Only four law enforcement agencies in the state recorded “hate” crimes in 2006. It’s not clear whether other jurisdictions had none or whether they don’t rise to a level that warrants attention. In any case, 13 were recorded in the state. Of those, seven were in Atlanta and three were at the University of Georgia. Six victims were allegedly chosen because of their race and four because of their sexual orientation.
No real void exists in the law. Punishments are already mandated for crimes committed. The bill, though, is an opportunity for advocacy groups to get face time on the 6 o’clock news to argue their status as victims.
Oh, my. Get ready for the fireworks. On Jan. 14, the General Assembly circus comes to town.
