Rep. Floyd (Tenn) Accused of Hate Speech

[Carolyn Marie]

I'm not sure about this being "hate speech," as its not directed at a specific person. However, it most certainly is "hateful speech." Nice fellow, Mr. Floyd seems to be. If he or his ilk ever tried to "stomp a mudhole" in me, they would be in for a very big, and unpleasant, surprise.

http://blogs.tennessean.com/politics/2012/state-rep-floyd-guilty-of-hate-speech-transgender-advocate-says/

Carolyn Marie

[Guest ValerieD]

I believe hate speech can also cover speech against a group.

[Guest Karen K]

I found his remark to be extreme to say the least. And as I have said before, if he tried that with me, I'd forget my femininity and whoop his----, lets just say he'd realize he made a very bad mistake.

Laura Jane

[Guest SaleneAlexis]

Let him come out west and try that! If he were to try that with me... Lets just say it would not be pretty!

Stephanie

[Guest Kelly-087]

I'm not sure about this being "hate speech," as its not directed at a specific person. However, it most certainly is "hateful speech." Nice fellow, Mr. Floyd seems to be. If he or his ilk ever tried to "stomp a mudhole" in me, they would be in for a very big, and unpleasant, surprise.

http://blogs.tenness...-advocate-says/

Carolyn Marie

Hate speech? I'm simply shocked and disappointed that any elected official would -ever- say anything like that in this day and age. Especially on the record. I know his words were empty, but there were plenty of people nodding to his sentiments. I hope he suffers politically for empowering victimizers.

[Guest Shari]

I think he is telling his constituency that it's okay to use violence as long as the victim is transgendered. Sponsoring discriminatory legislation is bad enough, encouraging violence makes it a hate crime.

Shari

[Guest Elena]

Please Mr Floyd, come say that to my face when I stop for a potty break in Tennessee next time...

I'm perfectly legal and capable to protect myself with "extreme prejudice" in tennessee from anyone threatening to commit a hate crime.

Yep, this guy and his constituents/supporters are exactly why I am always armed. Funny thing is they're also some of the most fervent supporters of me being able to be armed. Not sure they'd appreciate the irony of that though.

Grr, some of these nuts who only support individual liberties when it fits their narrow world view then turn on someone elses liberty because they have different beliefs really tick me off.

<3

Elena

[Guest eliza.d]

he needs a mudhole stomped in him.....he needs to be removed from office, impeached....if he doesnt represent all tennessee residents than he is failing at the job he was elected to do.

Those kinda people make me SICK!

Eliza

[Guest shyheather]

Wll i'm in tenn and that is the norm of our politicans good ole boy to the bone i don't think they will ever get it right

sorry y'all have to put up with them now and then

shy heather

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

Yeah.....It's a "Hate crime"......

people go to jail for less...

http://www.lauras-playground.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=41411&st=0&p=385721entry385721

Donna Jean

[Guest eliza.d]

yeah, he took the freedom of speech thing too far and committed a hate crime, a hate crime doesnt have to be physical, it can be emotional too.

not to mention slander and defamation of character, attacks on all Transpeople worldwide with his ridiculous hatred.

and Im a southern girl, i had to grow up around good ole boys.....but whats so GOOD about a "good ole boy" l,ike that. and I dont put up with ignorance and discrimination anytime, anywhere, I dont care if he's a caveman! we live here too, and we shouldnt have to feel persecuted just bcuz we are different....

now isnt that what actually happened on a larger scale during ww2 and the holocaust?

why should we put up with that crap? and from elected officials!

IMPEACH! IMPEACH! IMPEACH! that idiot and anyone that would follow his "example"!

Eliza

[Carolyn Marie]

At the risk of getting too technical, what Rep. Floyd did would not be considered a hate crime under Federal law. That law protects individuals, and not whole groups of people.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/hate_crimes/overview

What Floyd said, as abhorrent as it was, is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. While its possible that there is a Tennesse law under which he could be prosecuted, it doesn't seem likely.

On the other hand, if Mr. Floyd ever committed an assault for the reasons he stated he would, then he most certainly could be prosecuted, assuming Tennessee has a hate crimes statute. He still couldn't be prosecuted under Federal law unless certain conditions were met. That is the (mostly unknown) problem with the Matthew Shepard and James Boyd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. It was made very restrictive by a Republican-controlled Congress, just to get it passed. Thanks for nothing, guys.

Carolyn Marie