Posted for JR Williams (Brown County Juvenille Probation Director)

JR is involved with our community's youth and has spoken out often against the James Byrd Hate Crime Bill on KXYL on numerous occasions (2nd to James Williamson !). These two men are the two most vocal opponents of the James Byrd Hate Crime Legislation.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR...............................

REEVALUATE YOUR CHRISTIANITY ?

Who has publicly opposed the proposed James Byrd Jr Hate Crime Act currently being debated in the State of Texas Capitol:

Young Conservatives of Texas
The Texas Eagle Forum
The American Freedom Center
The Texas Christian Coalition
The American Family Association
The Free Market Foundation and
The Ku Klux Klan

The following recent statements of Austin pastor Jim Rigby speaks volumes:
“ If you can’t tell the difference between your Christianity and the beliefs of the KKK, then you should revaluate your Christianity . “

"Do you really think that the Klan just disappeared 15 years ago about the same time the Christian Coalition started its work ? “

I fully support the James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Act and its supporters. I know where they stand and what they stand for.
They are, after all, the ones who have been targeted for violent acts of hatred !

When was the last time a member(s) of the above listed groups was chained and drug behind a pickup truck or was tied to a fencepost, beaten, and left to die in the cold ? Please tell the victims and their loved ones that there is no need for this bill.

Reevaluate your Christianity ? Indeed !

Regards,

Steve Harris
Brownwood Texas

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HATE CRIME ACT NOT NEEDED ?

HAS ANYONE NOTICED THAT THOSE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO THE JAMES BYRD JR HATE CRIME ACT ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY TARGETED GROUPS FOR HATE CRIMES AS LISTED BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ?

WHO ARE THE TARGETED GROUPS ?

ACCORDING TO THE DPS 1999 CRIME IN TEXAS REPORT, RACE AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION ARE AT THE TOP OF THE CHART.

THE DPS ALSO STATES “ VIOLATION AGAINST SELECTED GROUPS WITHIN TEXAS HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF TEXANS. “

THIS BILL SHOULD NOT BE A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN ISSUE.
BUT SINCE IT IS APPEARING TO BE JUST THAT, MAYBE IF MORE REPUBLICANS, AND THEIR LOVED ONES, WERE INCLUDED IN THE TARGETED GROUP, THE SENATE WOULD MOVE ON THE BILL “ POST HASTE ” !

TO THOSE ELECTED LEADERS WHO ARE FIGHTING THE HATE CRIME ACT, WHAT IS YOUR SOLUTION TO DETERRING THESE TARGETED ACTS OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM ? UNTIL WE HAVE A PERFECT WORLD, THESE TYPE OF LAWS WILL REMAIN NECESSARY IF FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT HATRED, ACTED ON, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AGAINST FELLOW TEXANS OR OUR VISITORS !

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THOSE TEXAS FAMILIES, (PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE), WHO HAVE SUFFERED A LOSS DUE TO HATRED.

STEVE HARRIS
BROWNWOOD TEXAS