Ask FactCheck: Week ending May 15

May 15, 2009

Q: Would the "hate crimes" bill make it a crime to denounce homosexuality from the pulpit and give legal protection to pedophiles?

A: No on both counts. The First Amendment is still operative, and pedophiles would get no breaks under this bill.

Q: Did Obama accuse veterans of "selfishness" and whining? Would he have forced them to "pay for their war injuries"?

A: This chain e-mail contains fabricated quotes and misrepresents a budget idea that the White House scrapped.

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