Hello Everyone,
Evelyn Here,
Below in an excerpt of the December 08, 2006 news release from the desk of Florida's Attorney General, Charlie Crist. The subject matter is one that millions of Americans and I find distasteful for its existence in our society. While hatred still exists in our society and in Florida, Charles Crist’s words are encouraging. This being the case, I need not express anymore on the subject, and present to you this portion of the Attorney General's News Briefs.
----------
Message from Attorney General Charlie Crist
Hate crimes are among the most insidious offenses, rooted as they are
in one person’s refusal to respect the differences in others. Wiping
out crimes that are motivated by hatred must be the goal of every
fair-minded citizen.
That is why there was good news in the annual Hate Crimes in Florida
report, which our office released this week covering offenses that
occurred in 2005. The report showed that the number of reported hate
crimes fell by more than 22 percent from the previous year, bringing
the number to its lowest level since 1998.
We can all agree that even one offense motivated by hatred and bigotry
is too many. However, it is encouraging to think that the changes we
have introduced in the last several yearsare taking root. These
initiatives include new laws to protect civil rights and religious
worship, community efforts to foster aspirit of understanding among
all Floridians, and even training programs for local law enforcement.
In crime reports submitted by local law enforcement agencies
throughout Florida, figures were down in 2005 for most of the reasons
cited in hate crimes. Those motivated by the victim’s race or color -
the largest category of hate crimes in Florida - were down almost
one-third from the previous year, while those motivated by religion
declined 12 percent and those motivated by the victim’s sexual
orientation dropped 35 percent. The only area of increase was hate
crimes motivated by ethnicity or national origin, which rose 14
percent.
Law enforcement and community groups have been tireless in their
efforts to promote good will and understanding among our state’s
citizens. I am also proud of the leading role the Attorney General’s
Office has played in supporting legislative and policy changes to
reduce and eliminate crimes prompted by the differences among
individuals.
In my first Hate Crimes in Florida report, I wrote that our state "is
so much richer thanks to the diversity of backgrounds among its
citizens (but) hate crime offenders would try to deny the benefits of
this diversity." There can be no denying that hate crimes steal a
portion of what makes our state such an outstanding place to live and
work.
I hope you will commit yourself to doing your part to resist those who
have such a narrow view of the world around them. This week’s report
is encouraging, but we must always remain vigilant to prevent these
bias-driven crimes.
Charlie Crist
----------
I leave you now with my poem against hate, which is entitled, Guardian.
________
GUARDIAN
I am a servant and
guardian of the Lord, and
sometimes a lone soldier of the Lord.
I fight to keep
Satan, the Father of Lies
and hatred, away from my doors.
Red, yellow,
purple, or green, it
makes no difference
in the eyes of Jesus Christ,
our Lord.
For through His sacred sacrifice
and holy deeds, I am free
to I stand with Him where
hatred bearers holds no
allure for me.
Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fainã July 22, 2003
(Updated December 09, 2006)
__________
Evelyn Out.
