GOP Congresswoamn Says Matthew Shepard Murder a Hoax

In a statement that is shocking even by homophobic Republican standards, in the debate on the Hate Crimes bill in the House of Representatives, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) claimed that Matthew Shepard's death was “a hoax.” I am stunned and cannot decide whether Ms. Foxx is just an utterly ignorant fool or if she is so consumed by hatred of gays that facts simply do not matter. In either case, the State of North Carolina and her district in particular should be ashamed to be represented by such an ignorant ass. I can only wonder whether Ms. Foxx believes the earth is flat and that the sun revolves around the earth. The media needs to run with this heinous statement and make sure that it reverberates all over the air waves and the Internet because Ms. Foxx and her statement are the true face of today's GOP. The public really needs to be educated as to just how horrible these people really are. Here's America Blog's take on Foxx's assine statement:

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You will recall that Matthew Shepard was the young gay man in Laramie, Wyoming who, a decade ago, was tied to a fence, Jesus-like, pistol whipped in the head some 50 times, then left for dead in the cold fall night, only to be found a day later clinging to life. Shepard died five days later. Even though Shepard's murderers admitted that they killed him because he was gay, the far-right bigots who control the Republican party couldn't resist the opportunity to gay-bash Shepard one last time. Now by referring to his brutal murder as a hoax.

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The Human Rights Campaign likewise did not mince its words in response Virginia Foxx's hateful statements. Here are some highlights:

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While Matthew’s mother, Judy Shepard looked on from the House gallery, Foxx, who managed the floor for those opposed to the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, spoke saying, “the hate crimes bill that’s called the Matthew Shepard Bill is named after a very unfortunate incident that happened where a young man was killed, but we know that that young man was killed in the commitment of a robbery. It wasn’t because he was gay. This – the bill was named for him, hate crimes bill was named for him, but it’s really a hoax that that continues to be used as an excuse for passing these bills.”

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“Vile lies, like the one spread by Rep. Foxx today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives about Matthew’s brutal hate-fueled murder, continues to underscore how extreme anti-LGBT opponents have become,” . . . . Media Matters for America has posted video of Rep. Foxx’s remarks today and background information regarding widespread acceptance among the media and others that Matthew’s murder was motivated by hate violence. To view the video and read the background, go to: http://mediamattersaction.org/items/200904290005 .

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Fortunately, the bill passed the House by a wide margin despite the lies put out by Ms. Foxx. Bottom line: if you want to be represented by bigoted, ignorant asses, the GOP is your party. If you have a brain and can process thoughts and information, then you need to be a Democrat or an Independent. The knuckle dragging Neanderthals have truly taken over the GOP.