Citizens Reacted Angrily to Senator’s ’04 ‘Hate Crimes’ Vote
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This page contains the personal opinions of individuals reacting to George Allen’s 2004 vote supporting legislation that will increase already-tough penalties against criminals simply because of their victims’ “sexual orientation.” These opinions do not necessarily reflect the views and/or policies FPN. As a 501[c][3] non-profit organization, FPN does not endorse, support or oppose political campaigns, candidates or parties.
Name: Robert
City: Crimora
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Senator Allen was well respected up until now. How can he do such a thing? He is getting like Senator Kerry, flip flopping on issues.
Name: Rich
City: Mechanicsville
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Mr. Allen: Be watchful of how you vote; because I’ll be watchful of how I vote. Just say NO to homosexuals and their agenda.
Name: HEARTBROKEN
City: RICHMOND
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I am a mother of a lesbian, I happen to know why she feels this way about herself and it saddens me to no end. It’s because the family is dysfunctional and Fathers don’t look to God as they should for guidance. It’s because society makes it so acceptable and trendy and they feel that they finally fit somewhere. And it’s people like you, who don’t stand up for what is right, no integrity or consistency, that makes it easy for them to conform to a wrong lifestyle. No one is perfect. But where are all the men who are supposed to protect, guide, build up their children and basically be the head of the household as God intended. I hope you don’t have to experience the sorrow and attacks that I have just because I decide to stand for what is right. BUT THE COMFORTING THING IS, I STAND AND GOD STANDS WITH ME. IF YOU SUPPORT THIS AGENDA YOU ARE ONLY FULFILLING PROPHESY TO WHERE CHRISTIANS WILL BE TORMENTED FOR DOING WHAT IS RIGHT. NOT HATING ANYONE, BUT HATING WHAT SATAN HAS PROMOTED IN SOCIETY. I FEEL SO STRONGLY ABOUT THIS ONLY BECAUSE I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. I PRAY FOR THEIR SOULS. I WANT MY DAUGHTER TO CHANGE HER THINKING AND KNOW I LOVE HER WITH ALL MY HEART. BUT JUST TONIGHT I GOT A CALL THAT MY NIECE WAS FALLING INTO THE SAME DECEPTION. HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES? I DON’T KNOW BUT THIS LETTER IS A START. I HOPE YOU REALLY PRAY ABOUT THIS DECISION. PLEASE KNOW THE PASSION I HAVE HERE. I HAVE TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS. I LOVE MY BABIES. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS. I HOPE IT MAKES SOME DIFFERENCE.
Name: Anita
City: Charlottesville
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First, let me say that violence against anyone, regardless of any special categories, is wrong and ought to prosecuted. I’m disappointed that Sen. Allen saw the need to join various colleagues to vote for this amendment when it wasn’t needed. There are plenty of laws to prosecute someone who commits a crime that maims or kills someone else with a “fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device”. Thus, the point of the legislation was just to make sexual orientation a special category like gender or ethnicity. It was a political maneuver from those promoting the homosexual agenda. Sen. Allen should have recognized it.
Name: Matt
City: Harrisonburg
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Senator Allen has basically declared that someone who murders a homosexual should be treated more harshly that someone who raped and murdered my grandmother. What an insult!
Name: Jerry
City: Mechanicsville
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I am truly disappointed in Senator Allen. How “foolish” is it that he would think that it’s ok to give homosexuals additional rights for anything. It’s as though he’s told us what we want to hear in order to get elected, then proceeded to do an “about face”. Does that tactic sound familiar…it’s exactly how a Democrat would do.
Name: Richard
City: Woodstock
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Senator Allen: I am very disappointed in your recent vote for hate crime legislation. These persons do not warrant special protection for their immoral conduct. These persons make up about 3% maximum of the population, however they like to have the other 97% of the population to approve of their lifestyle. I thought you were a Christian when you ran for office and now my vote for you was for naught. I perceived something was amiss when I wrote you twice regard the DOM bill and failed to receive a reply and later when I called you office they would only say you were for vote scheduled this month. I will be praying you will have the will sense your error and will vote for morality when future bill come up, such as the Defense of Marriage.
Name: James
City: Arlington
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I see nothing wrong a law that prosecutes those who persecute a particular class of people, including homosexuals. I applaud Senator Allen’s stance. Those who would be opposed to this hate crimes bill should be ashamed to call themselves “Christian.”
Name: David
City: Arlington
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Dear Senator George Allen: I am very disappointed with your vote to include sexual orientation as a hate crime. The homosexual lifestyle is destructive to families and children. Homosexuality has nothing to offer any one except disease and corruption. Families are good for America and for America’s children. I voted for you because I believed you supported the American family. I regret your decision to abandon the moral institution which made America great, the family. I will not vote for you again.
Name: Chris
City: Virginia Beach
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I don’t think Senator Allen is promoting homosexuality by saying that it’s wrong to FIRE or ATTACK someone based on the fact that someone is gay, is it? It’s just saying that we should FIRE or ATTACK someone for that reason. Using the word “lie” in your headlines to describe Allen’s vote is very questionable, if not flat-out misleading.
Name: Elva
City: Manquin
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I as a Christian with children and grandchildren am extremely disappointed in Senator Allen’s actions concerning Homosexual efforts. These people are calling sin against God and nature a lifestyle. I will certainly pass this on to all I can, and know for sure he will not get any of my families, nor friends votes again. I thought he was a Christian, but if your against what God calls sin your not. I will still pray for all in government.
Name: Nicholas
City: Chester
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Senator George Allen, I am greatly discouraged as one of your Christian supporters that you would support legislation that will increase already tough penalties because of the victims’ sexual orientation. Why should any victim be considered any more special just because of sexual orientation? All crimes are wrong, all criminals should be vigorously prosecuted to protect the citizens of this country. Please help me understand how you could support this legislation.
Name: Phyllis
City: Richmond
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You all need to chill. The sky is not going to fall.
Name: Rachel
City: Alexandria
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It’s sad to see Sen. Allen, a man who has the ability at his fingertips to influence society in a positive way, resort to a cowardly act. He had the opportunity to do the right thing. I can’t help but wonder what has happened to our convictions? Senator Allen: I respect your elected office, but at this time it’s hard to respect the man serving in it. Virginians deserve better.
Name: Ken
City: Woodbridge
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Frustrated with George Allen? I am beyond frustrated! I am absolutely livid! I thought we had gotten a commitment — no wait, a PROMISE — from George Allen not to support this kind of legislation. The large majority of so-called “hate crimes” reported are based on intimidation (which in most cases amounts to name-calling or less). So George Allen supports the idea of me being sent to jail because I make someone feel uncomfortable?!?! Now wait just a doggone minute. We’ve got guys soliciting sodomy — an illegal act in Virginia — in the woods of Manassas and “our guy” votes for legislation that would put me in jail for speaking out against it and making the perverts “feel uncomfortable?” Puh-lease. George Allen is a liar, and as far as I’m concerned, he’s a traitor to the commonwealth.
Name: James
City: Mechanicsville
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I very strongly oppose special rights for homosexuals, who – simply because of their immoral choice of behavior – want to be treated as a protected class. I consider passing Hate Crime legislation among those acts which give homosexuals protected-class status.
Name: Debi
City: Richmond
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Senator Allen, I am disappointed to learn of your recent vote to add Sexual Orientation to a list of hate crimes. I am equally disappointed to learn that you have become more and more supportive of pro-homosexual causes, even recently lending your name and signature to pro-homosexual lobbying efforts among the legislators in the Virginia state capitol.
Name: Sherrill
City: Richmond
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I have been a loyal supporter of yours since you ran for Governor of VA. You have such charisma and great leadership capabilities. You were a wonderful Governor for VA., & I listen to you as you are interviewed on local station WRVA. You have been a hero of mine & I always thought of you as being very conservative & in line with the Christian segment of the country.
I am disappointed that you have signed legislation that endorses the rights of homo-sexuals. I have no antipathy for the homo-sexual person but certainly do for the sin itself. I would trust that in the future you would represent what I believe to be the majority of your constituents.
Our nation is slipping into an era of tolerance for things that are absolutely in disregard of God’s laws for us to have a healthy nation. I would like to support you once again. Please reconsider how you will vote in Congress in the future.
Name: C.P.
City: Petersburg
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HE needs to be held accountable! However, Senators are no longer accountable to anyone – they have made themselves into an oligarchy – just as unaccountable as the Supreme Court. The amendment to the Constitution that made Senators electable by the voters at large needs to be repealed! They are loose cannons and have made themselves untouchable. Disgusting that we are ruled by a ‘superior’ class of men @ women who answer to no one for their actions! He needs to be un-elected next go-around!
Name: Edna
City: Roanoke
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I voted for George Allen because I THOUGHT I could depend on him to uphold family values and tradition. Acceptance of homosexuality is the last stage in the destruction of a nation FROM THE INSIDE. There is no difference between some man having sex with another man and a man having sex with some woman who is not his wife. They are both sin and are responsible for the spread of a number of health diseases.
Name: Bruce
City: Hamburg
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It is hard for me to express the depths of my disappointment in Mr. Allen. Homosexual behavior is destructive to the individual who participates in it and to the society which tolerates or promotes it. For him, who claims to be a Christian, to have voted as he did and promoted the causes he has, brings disgrace on the name of Christ. Have he taken leave of his senses? Shame on him.
Name: Rick
City: Midlothian
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Come on Senator Allen! We really expected more from you. It seems that you have figured out how to keep yourself in office: put yourself in the news in some controversial situation. It doesn’t seem to matter that there is no limit to what politicians will say or what they will vote for in order to stay in office. But hate crime status concerning homosexuals? I vote Republican across the board in VA, it looks like this year will be different, at least in your case. I WILL vote against you, every chance I get.
Name: Chuck
City: Lynchburg
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Senator Allen, I am a conservative Republican activist in Central Virginia. I feel compelled to communicate to you my disappointment as you continue to distinguish yourself as a John Warner-esque type Senator. Voting to elevate the practice of homosexual immorality to minority status is simply the latest in your leftward leanings. What makes it all the more distasteful is the fact that you directly promised the people of our district and Virginia that if elected, you would do no such thing as you just did. I don’t know what, if anything, you have to say about this. In a party that is rapidly losing its core values, I am I am truly disappointed to see Senators like yourself continue to offer votes that undermine the very soundness of your own political base while bending down to appease squealing mice who scratch at your door. I encourage you to recall that no-one ever did anything great for good by compromising true and right principles or by straddling a fence. It is indeed disappointing to see you adopt JW’s beleaguered benchmark as your own personal standard.
Name: Herb
City: Lynchburg, VA
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George Allen and John Warner should support the one woman and one man marriage amendment. Support for homosexuality in any way is foreign to Virginians. The course of our commonwealth has been set forth by Christian men of Virginia and has withstood the immoral world for centuries. Homosexuality is an immoral choice detrimental to family and the very foundation of Virginians. Why would you change the direction of our forefathers who founded this country on moral values and shunned immoral ways?
Name: Morris
City: Danville
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I am very disappointed with Sen. Allen and the stand he has taken on hate crimes legislation and the adding of homosexuals. Makes me want to rethink his next election process and where he stands. I was in hope that when the time is right, he may consider running for President. But now, I don’t know.
Name: Jesse
City: Centreville
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I consider this action to be a breach of confidence against the very people who honored George with their votes. It is also a flaw in his character. It just goes to show that politicians will be politicians regardless of their affiliations.
Name: J B
City: Roanoke
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George, I am disappointed in you…did this slip by you? We don’t need the THOUGHT POLICE Hate crimes…act NOW to strip it out of the final bill. There is nothing gay/happy about the homosexual lifestyle. People trapped in that destructive lifestyle have high rates of disease, depression, suicide and early death. We must help people leave that destructive lifestyle, NOT encourage that behavior with enabling laws. Reverse this stupid language right now…..
Name: Carol Hallford
City: Sheridan
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This droning agenda has nothing to do with fairness to homosexuals. It has everything to do with forcing churches and all Christians to abandon their belief in God as the ultimate authority through His Word. Can anyone deny that the liberal politicians backed by organizations such as the ACLU, is trying to take any reference to God or the cross out of our society? Hate crimes laws will have everything to do with persecuting churches and citizens who believe homosexuality is wrong and they will do everything in their political power to take away our free speech rights by eventually declaring that the Bible is considered hate speech! Any politician that does not have the foresight to see this coming does not deserve our vote!
Name: Gloria
City: Lynchburg
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I certainly will not be voting for George Allen again, since it is clear that his views are not the same as mine.
Name: Janet
City: Colonial Heights
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I want my Congressman to vote the way conservative people feel about homosexuality. No to homosexuality in any way, shape, size, or form. Not keeping his promises to the conservative people that he represents will undermine their trust in him on further issues.
Name: Deborah
City: Fredericksburg
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TRUST In My Candidate is a PRIORITY!
Name: Cathy
City: Roanoke
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I’ve never seen such a collection of hate-filled bigotry as I have read in these comments. Nothing I can say will make you see the light….you’re all too full of self righteous indignation and ignorance to see the forest for the trees. The bible is a book of love, not a weapon.
Name: David
City: Lynchburg
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It makes one wonder if he was honest from the start. Someone is either greasing his palm or he has future political motives for this move.
Name: Matt
City: Lynchburg
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I completely agree, its extremely disappointing that elected officials run on something they can’t back up, in turn, that means we shouldn’t back them up.
Name: Harrison
City: Sterling
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Senator Allen is turning out to be a major disappointment. If the homosexual activists’ “hate crime” agenda is fully realized, our children and grandchildren will face persecution if they voice traditional values in the public square. This is already happening in Canada and Sweden. Sen. Allen does not deserve our support next time around or for any more ambitious post. It’s a real shame. He coulda been a contenda.
Name: Teresa
City: Fairfax
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Senator Allen’s voting records show he is veering off of the conservative plank for which he was voted into office. He is NOT getting my vote at re-election time. I am very disappointed in Senator Allen.
Name: Dan & Martha
City: Chester
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We are devastatingly shocked and disappointed!! We thought George would at least had the moral courage to stand for right…… We at least understand J.Warner’s vote; he gave up moral courage years ago.
Name: peter
City: Richmond
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I find it disgusting that he label himself a “conservative” and cast his hand toward the hate crimes bill. Why should a man get more or less time simply because of the race or gender of the victim!!!
Name: JON & JUNE BYRD
City: HARTFIELD,VA
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WHAT A BETRAYAL! WE NEED TO RISE UP IN VA.&SPEAK WITH OUR VOTE! WE BELIEVED GEORGE ALLEN’S’ PROMISES, NEED WE SAY MORE?
Name: Fred
City: Providence Forge
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I heard Sen. Allen introduce Sen. Santorum (sp) at the Virginia Family Foundation dinner last year. He sounded great! Now, unfortunately, he’s back in Washington, DC, away from his constituency, and playing friends with his liberal senatorial buddies. Anybody known to be available to replace this morph of a RINO???
Name: Karen
City: Glen Allen
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Already sent this letter 6/24: Dear Senator Allen, We, and a great many of your conservative constituents, are very disappointed and extremely upset because of your recent vote on the hate-crimes bill. It appears that you are following in the undecided, waffling footsteps of Warner. We voted for you because you appeared to take a strong pro-family, pro-life stand. It appears that you have turned into a typical Washington politician with no scruples nor regard for what is right, but who just tries to please the liberal special interest groups and media who dictate to you what is dubiously called “politically correct.” How can you vote for anything that Senator Kennedy initiates? Have you become totally blind? How can you vote pro-homosexual and anti-family? Do you have a conscience anymore? We and many like us were once your most energetic and enthusiastic political supporters. But now, I am truly sorry to say, you have lost our respect and very likely our support, unless you can wake up, return to your roots and show yourself to be a true statesman and representative of your constituency that voted for what they had hoped would be a Senator of common sense and genuine integrity, and not just an unwitting political puppet of the liberals.
Name: Vanessa
City: Hopewell, VA
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Dear Senator Allen: One of the reasons I backed your campaign for Senate is that I expected you to be a sane voice in an increasingly confusing and insane world. I feel you have abandoned the sane and traditional world you were expected to defend. Society itself grew from the traditional, one-man-one-woman marriage. Your lack of support for the traditional nuclear family is worse that disturbing…it is treasonous to those of us who expect our legislators to defend and strengthen the very roots of all society. Please reconsider your lack of support for the traditional marriage and the natural outflow of now considering some crimes worse than others because of sexual orientation. All crimes are based on hate, pride, and selfishness. Sexual orientation may be a trigger, but do not tell me that a same sex rape is a worse crime than date rape. Do not tell me the murder of a teen is worse if he or she is not a heterosexual. Do not justify building in a heinous distinction and discrimination clause into our legal system just to be politically correct and bend to a loud and powerful small group of society. Please, Senator Allen…do not cave in. Work to make our system blind justice, not political expedience.
Name: Joan
City: Richmond
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DEAR SEN. ALLEN, WHAT’S UP WITH YOUR SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL INCREASE ALREADY TOUGH PENALTIES AGAINST CRIMINALS SIMPLE BECAUSE OF THEIR VICTIMS – “SEXUAL ORIENTATION”????????? I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN YOU TO BE A MAN OF YOUR WORD!!! PLEASE DON’T DISAPPOINT ME SIR! I WOULD EXPECT THAT OF SEN. WARNER BUT NOT YOU SEN. ALLEN!! NEVER YOU!!!!
Name: Dean
City: Harrisonburg
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I have already sent a note to Sen. Allen’s press officer, and am copying the text of that note below. Begin text: I would be interested in an explanation of why Sen. Allen voted for the hate crimes bill that included a reference to “sexual orientation” as a specially protected group. All of us have a “sexual orientation” of some kind, and I wonder how many times it will be used to protect heterosexuals from homosexuals if, perish the thought, the bill now passes the House? More generally, however, the concept of “hate crimes” legislation is itself philosophically abhorrent, both because it criminalizes thought and also because it makes one group more “special” than other groups. Why not include the pedophile, the obese, the ugly, the maim, and the senile — all of whom get attacked over and over for their “special” infirmities and proclivities? The effect of the inclusion of “sexual orientation” as a member of these specially protected groups will now be to criminalize anyone who criticizes the behavior of homosexuals. This will include members of the clergy who refer to Biblical teaching about all forms of sexual immorality, including homosexuality. It is already happening in Canada, and there is no reason to expect it would not be applied here in the same way. We in the Valley think very highly of Senator Allen as a champion of faith, family, and freedom. We were therefore stunned by his vote on this bill. What can you offer us to explain this anomaly? And if there is no explanation, is there a possibility that he can just make a public statement, admitting that he made a mistake, and thereby reassure us that he has not lost his bearings?
Name: Beverly
City: Chester
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I am disappointed in your apparent pro-homosexual stance. I am also surprised. I have always thought of you as a conservative who stood up for what is morally right. I supported you as governor of Virginia and as senator– please don’t compromise your conservative standards!
Name: Len
City: Stephens City
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Mr. Senator: I am deeply disappointed in your support of the Kennedy-Smith Hate Crimes Legislation. I feel that you ignored the values of your core constituents, especially those of us who teach and preach the Word of God. Homosexuality is a chosen lifestyle, one that a Christian should not condone, much less embrace. It would appear to me that speaking out against homosexuality in the pulpit could possibly be categorized as a hate crime. Even if we were to say, “love the sinner, hate the sin”, that would not fly in the frivolous lawsuit-happy society we currently live in. Please, Mr. Senator, don’t do this to us again. I can’t express to you how deeply disappointed I am at the action you have taken.
Name: Mike
City: Colonial Beach
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I disapprove of all hate crimes legislation because it is discriminatory, divisive and unconstitutional. Whether it’s for homosexuals, blacks, or any other special interest group, such idiotic laws violate equal protection and offend common sense. Abortion is a much more important issue, however. Allen has been a champion for us on that issue. I certainly hope, Allen is not going to become a fence jockey like our other senator John “Weenie”.
Name: Joyce
City: Centreville
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Dear Senator Allen, I am deeply disappointed and disturbed by your support of the Hate Crimes Bill. I called your office this week about the Federal Marriage Amendment, and was guaranteed your vote. The two votes are in opposition. Why so? I’ll be watching your vote carefully. Elections are coming up.
Name: Marie
City: Herndon
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Dear Senator Allen, I do not hate homosexuals. I am against homosexual behavior. If an individual persists in behavior that is immoral, and proven lethal, I can only warn him and urge him to stop. If, however, that individual wishes to flagrantly flaunt his lifestyle in my face and force me to accept it, I won’t. I would not want such a person influencing my children either. I have a duty and a right to protect myself and my children from harm and manipulation. Therefore, if I choose not to hire such a flagrant person, I have that right as well. That doesn’t mean I hate him. I simply don’t agree with his actions and choose not to associate with him. If he doesn’t flaunt his ways or manipulate others, and he’s qualified, I’d hire him. Hate is a far cry from prudence. Please do not abandon your promise during your campaign. Please do not vote to make being against homosexuality a crime. You will be voting against free speech from the bench to the pulpit. Please don’t join the liberal ranks of misguided judges and the ACLU. Consider your own children in this society. I will remember your vote in future elections. I trust you will be strong enough to stand for Christian teachings and morals and do the right thing for the children. Vote against the hate crime because it isn’t hate to want to strengthen the family and society against impending disaster.
Name: Melvin
City: Danville
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Because of your support of this sexual orientation being added to the “Hate Crime Bill”, I will find it terribly difficult to support you in the future as you might run for reelection. Must admit, you have been totally disappointing to us conservative Christian voters. Be assured this record will be passed along to all my fellow church members (approximately 700+) that they will be aware of your efforts on behalf of the homosexual community.
Name: Ken
City: Richmond
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Mr. Allen: Your support of the homosexual agenda is saddening. Elevating the deviant behavior of these individuals above “ordinary people” confuses me. Please listen to your conscience.
Name: Bryce
City: Herndon
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George Allen is a turncoat. He should be removed from office.
Name: Bill
City: Concord
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George Allen obviously doesn’t understand that George Bush needs every Christian conservative to turn out in November. By supporting the homosexual agenda with his vote on “hate crimes,” he is saying those who hold traditional moral values are second class citizens. If the Christian conservatives don’t show up this fall, George Allen will have played a role in defeating George Bush electing John Kerry.
Name: Pam
City: Richmond
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I had written to Sen. Allen asking that he NOT support the Gay Marriage issue. The e-mail I received stated that he did not believe gay marriage and would support a marriage amendment-one man, one woman. With this new information, I doubt he will honor his “word” on that. As far as adding sexual orientation to the crimes bill, I don’t believe in a “hate crime” issue in any way shape or form. A crime is a crime is a crime. It doesn’t matter the circumstances, if a CRIME has been committed, the party should be punished for the CRIME. The reason shouldn’t enter into it.
Name: Tom
City: Fredericksburg
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I am outraged that Senator Allen has betrayed us, and is now supporting the Homosexual Agenda. He has lost my vote.
Name: Dennis
City: Williamsburg
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Senator Allen, when I last voted for you I thought we shared similar values. I will have to reconsider my vote at your next election unless you live up to your campaign promises.
Name: Sue
City: Richmond
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Why are you letting us down??? We voted you in and can vote you out. We do not like you turn around stand on the homosexual issue. You are to represent what the people want, not your preference.
Name: Deborah
City: Powhatan
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I am upset at the fact that you, U.S. Senator George Allen (R-VA), this week voted to add “sexual orientation” to the Federal Hate Crimes Act on June 15th. You have not kept your promise to be pro-family by pledging your opposition to pro-homosexual legislation with conservative Christians. As a conservative, Christian Virginian, I am disappointed in your actions!