The black homophobic ministers that have joined the (white) right wing anti-gay preachers (and others) to oppose the inclusion of “LGBT” in the currently pending Federal Hate Crimes legislation need to be confronted with the facts and truth as outlined in the LA Times opinion piece. This anti-gay group opposes the new Hate Crimes legislation based upon the grossly false assertion that this law will turn their ‘preaching’ against “the sin of homosexuality” (protected as ‘Free Speech’ and by the separation of church and state) into “Hate Speech” and will subject preachers to restrictions and injunctions by the government.

Of course we all know that this position is wholly false and disingenuous. They are only using this confused argument to inflame their base of homophobic supporters to defeat the legislation. The shame is obviously theirs that they ‘Bare False Witness’ for their own, selfish political gain.

BUT, there is a fine line between free speech pronouncements (no matter how ignorant or false) and hate speech that legally incites violence. You give two excellent examples of inciting and contributing to violence in your post. And I agree with your perspective and observations 100%. Unfortunately the public… and particularly the homophobic public, will not see the distinction between free speech and speech that incites violence. The anti-gay crowd is very effectively blurring the distinction.

Therefore, I sincerely (and respectfully) regret that you made this particular post and took this particular perspective on the LA Times opinion piece. As righteous and accurate as it is, your threat, “But before they saddle up to ride with the Klan, I’d like to remind them of a couple of things.” plays right into their hands and ‘makes their argument’ for them. They will take your words and turn them against you….. and US.