GOP ADVISORS FEAR A HISPANIC BEATING OVER
NEW VERSION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STATUTE

By Art Vinsel

A watered-down renewal of the 1994 Domestic Violence Against Women Act passed by the Republican-dominated House Wednesday may become a campaign wedge issue, leaving Mitt Romney black and blue, if it is not amended or vetoed.

The Republican Presidential candidate himself is not to blame for the House’s deletions and revisions, but advisors say if it generates Democratic attack ads it could cost him dearly at the polls in November, despite efforts at damage control.

Republicans are concerned already at their inability to forge bridges to the Hispanic community and some fear the revised Domestic Violence Against Women Act in its present form will be considered a slap in the face to millions of Hispanics not enamored of the GOP as it is.

President Obama has vowed to veto the measure, which toughens ability of non-citizen Hispanic women victims to seek justice by obtaining a special visa issued to allow time for testimony against their abuser. The number of special visas
allowable would have increased from 10,000 to 15,000 per year.

By investigating alleged offenders–predominantly male–authorities could prepare cases leading to their incarceration and possible deportation, but the revised law would even notify suspects they are targeted and allow them to be questioned for their side of violence and brutality allegations. Previously evidence compiled by police and medlcal authorities was enough, without allowing a suspect to argue his side, before he may be charged and appear in court..

The Republican rationale is fear Hispanic women will falsely accuse a husband or boyfriend to qualify for an extended visa stay and perhaps be joined here by family members and friends intent on staying illegally.

Traditionally in Hispanic cultures, domestic violence is not viewed the same as in the U.S.A. and may be excused as emphasizing the male’s role in a relationship, which is rarely open to question by a wife or girlfriend.

The Senate passed a version in April which is fairer and specifies extended protection to Native American women, as well as gay, lesbian and transgender individuals. By deleting that group, Republicans thus in effect appear to discriminate specifically against Hispanic victims. They cite possible fraudulent claims of abuse to buy extra time here and increase illegal immigration of relatives, for example.

Their alleged abusers would also be interviewed by law enforcement about abuse claims, possibly resulting in continued and perhaps worsened retaliation against the victims, opponents argue.

Lionel Sosa, a Hispanic media consultant to Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H,W. Bush and son George W. Bush, as well as failed 2008 nominee Sen. John McCain foresees a real backlash as the House measure is written.

”It could certainly become a wedge issue to be used against Romney,” Sosa warns.

The bill revision’s author, Rep Sandy Adams (R-FL), herself a onetime domestic violence victim, is also concerned.

”We cannot allow domestic abuse in this country to become a campaign issue.” she declared,

Women Rule!

Over the past few days the media airwaves have been full of stories about which candidate women would or would not vote for based on a series of current events. The topics range from birth control, the pill mandate, the “war on women” and why Opra Winfrey was snubbed by the White House after spending months campaigning for Obama during the last presidential election. The stories tend to say that major issues for women are different than for men. Is this true? Reflex on your own life and see.

I have two sisters, both well educated and successful in the own right, my mother-in-law, my wife, my daughter and 3 grand daughters in my life. Ask any of them what they are basing the upcoming election on and you won’t get the fodder mentioned earlier. Their major concerns are the economy, jobs for their family, friends and loved ones, a viable economy, the cost of groceries, gas and clothing, the cost of healthcare and then the ability to make their own decisions without the government telling them what they should choose.

Any of this sound familiar?

PH