New Mexico Watchman

Dear Friends,

Please keep our nation and our legislators in prayer. Know that we are servant of the All Might God.

Legislative manipulation is the stuff of Washington D.C. The “Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Act” was attached to a $680 billion Defense Budget earlier this week. At 3:00 a.m. this morning, a vote was taken to end debate on inclusion of amendment as part of the defense spending bill. The vote was 63 to 28 with both New Mexico senators, Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, voting for keeping the hate crimes amendment as part of the defense bill.

The House version of this legislation passed 249 to 175 on April 29. Two of New Mexico’s Representatives, Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich, voted for the legislation. Representative Harry Teague did not vote.

The move this morning demonstrates the power of the homosexual lobby, the failure of our nation’s leadership to uphold a Christian worldview and a race to unhinge our nation from its Christian foundation.

It is true that other legislative activity could result in the defense bill’s not being passed but this strong showing makes it highly unlikely. For example, President Obama has said he would not sign a defense bill that included funding for the F-22 Fighter, which this bill does. But to assume this would curtail the Matthew Shepherd legislation is highly unlikely.

God bless America.

Jose Vasquez

Our highest government official selected to enforce the laws of the land is the Attorney General of the United State. That man is Eric Holder. The body that assesses the need for laws in the Senate is the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill S 909, the Senate version of the Mathew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill on June 25, 2009. Attorney General Eric Holder testified on behalf of the Obama administration. The bill would provide funds to local police to pursue persons who are thought to have committed a “hate crime?”

Senator Jeff Sessions from Alabama ask an interesting question during these proceedings. He asked:

If a minister gives a sermon, quotes from the Bible about homosexuality and thereafter is attached by a gay activist because of what the minister said about his religious beliefs and what scriptures says about homosexuality, is the minister protected?

In other words, has the gay activist committed a “hate crime?”

Mr. Holder responded that the minister would not be protected. The bill covers only groups with a history of discrimination, namely race and sexual orientation. In other words, a hate crime can only occurred when a minority or a homosexual is involved. No other group is protected by this legislation.

The creation of a special class of citizens eradicates equal protection under the law. On the other hand, preaching on homosexuality could be a hate crime because it involves a person’s sexual orientation.

Please pray that this legislation fails and urge the Senate to vote “no.” Please call 877-851-6437 toll free or 202-225-3121 toll to express your concern. God bless you.

Jose Vasquez