Date: Wed, 28 Sep 1994 08:59:48 -0400 (EDT) From: David Casti ------------------------------------------------------------ Please forward this message to virginia-news - Ken Stillson, stillson@mitre.org ------------------------------------------------------------ The General Assembly is now meeting in special session to consider Governor Allen's bill to abolish parole and double mandatory sentences for "violent" crimes. However, among the offenses the governor's bill lists as "violent crimes" is the "crimes against nature" law, which forbids oral and anal sex between consenting adults in private. (Others on the newly "violent" list include adultery, bigamy, and computer hacking.) The Senate is voting on the bill as early as tomorrow (today as you read this), and the House of Delegates will get the bill soon thereafter. The body of the bill is certain to pass both houses. It is IMPERATIVE to get the provision removed making consensual sodomy a "violent crime." There are two toll-free numbers you can call. There's a special phone-poll number, 1-800-889-0229, which you can call simply to say you are for or against the bill; they won't take down your reasons. (You will be asked who your state senator is.) The other, the switchboard number for the General Assembly, is 1-800-632-7622; these folks can put you through to the office of your senator or delegate, and those offices will take more detailed messages. Please urge people to call both numbers, but especially to call their delegates and senators to alert them that this provision is in the bill and that it must be removed. Please re-post and spread this message as widely as possible. Thanks very much for your help! Peace, Mark Hertzog (and Chris Lihou)