The Soapbox

Joined: 03/16/2005 Posts: 16468
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If I read your last paragraph the way you intended I believe you are

mistaken. Hate crimes only apply to certain specified classes. If I am a short person that starts assaulting tall people because I feel marginalized, discriminated against and powerless then these laws do not apply. I can hate and assault all tall people for what I perceive a few have done to me and that would not be covered by hate crimes laws. This is my problem with them.

The problem you describe of burning crosses is a very real one but I would be MUCH more in favor of some kind of anti intimidation or anti harassment law that applied to everybody. In my view it should look only at the threats made or actions taken and provide a real punishment. In my view an online posting that says "I'm going to kill you because you are black" is no different than an online posting aimed a a 14 year old girl that says "I am going to kill you because you are so uncool". Uncool is not a protected class.

(In response to this post by Hoodafan)

Posted: 02/25/2016 at 10:02AM

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This is why reasonable people roll their eyes about hate crimes laws -- CharlestonSC 02/24/2016 9:47PM

In need of education (shocking, I know) -- Stimp 02/25/2016 10:55AM

I understand the frustration, but I think you might be missing the point. -- Hoodafan 02/25/2016 08:20AM

I think that is right. Not really relevant in this serious a case ** -- KCHoo 02/25/2016 11:12AM

Perfectly said. -- SchmHoo 02/25/2016 10:49AM

Not good. Blindfolded Lady Justice weeps. ** -- ryno hoo 02/25/2016 10:14AM

I don't think that hooded figure is the blind justice lady. ** -- Shenhoo 02/25/2016 10:30AM

I didn't say anything about a hood. Mentioned a blindfold, which is not -- ryno hoo 02/25/2016 10:34AM

I got your point and don't disagree once you get to a certain level of -- Hoodafan 02/25/2016 11:22AM

LOL on your last line. -- WahooRQ 02/25/2016 1:42PM

Haters gonna hate! It doesn't help, but sure makes some of your -- Hoodafan 02/25/2016 2:48PM

Terrific post. That is exactly right. -- Shenhoo 02/25/2016 10:03AM

I think it has improved. Look at the 60's and 70's. How many -- Cold Hoober Hoo 02/25/2016 10:40AM

Yes. And it's simply remarkable how many mixed racially couples there -- Shenhoo 02/25/2016 11:01AM

If I read your last paragraph the way you intended I believe you are -- 81_Hokie 02/25/2016 10:02AM

No actually I think Hoodafan DOES have it right -- 111Balz 02/25/2016 10:14AM

It's not that the law is narrowly applied at the discretion of prosecutors -- 81_Hokie 02/25/2016 11:14AM

You are still not quite getting the distinction ** -- 111Balz 02/25/2016 11:23AM

I think he is. If I understand him correctly, his point is that there could -- Hoodafan 02/25/2016 11:33AM

Except it IS against the law to burn a cross on someone's property -- 111Balz 02/25/2016 6:02PM

Yep, there is no history or prevalence of violence against tall people. Not -- Hoodafan 02/25/2016 11:03AM

Strike "much" from your last sentence and we agree. That's my entire point. ** -- 81_Hokie 02/25/2016 11:31AM

Keep it and I think we agree. It should matter in this case that this guy -- Hoodafan 02/25/2016 11:39AM

Although I would add it's not that different than what 81 Hokie is saying, -- Hoodafan 02/25/2016 11:08AM

OK -- who are you and what have you done with Hoodafan? -- WahooRQ 02/25/2016 09:03AM

I can see where you would be confused by anything other than partisan shill -- Hoodafan 02/25/2016 10:56AM

Really good post ** -- 111Balz 02/25/2016 08:48AM

Hate crimes laws make me a bit uneasy too but I dont -- WahooRQ 02/25/2016 07:29AM

I don't think they are necessary but can't bring myself to care much about -- KCHoo 02/25/2016 08:25AM

There may have been, but I can't recall any case of a black -- Cold Hoober Hoo 02/25/2016 07:55AM

According to the FBI, around 22% of hate crimes were anti-white. -- WahooRQ 02/25/2016 08:03AM

Thanks for the link. It may not be as one sided as some think -- Cold Hoober Hoo 02/25/2016 10:26AM

No, it's not. Oh and here's some more to the story - link -- 111Balz 02/25/2016 07:14AM

Marquez may be the one charged with a hate crime ** -- Tuckahokie 02/25/2016 07:37AM

It happened in D.C. ** -- Hoogle.com 02/25/2016 12:10AM

Are you against the different degrees of murder also? ** -- KCHoo 02/24/2016 10:01PM

They depend upon the actions of the offender, not his motivation. I am not -- 81_Hokie 02/24/2016 10:13PM

They largely depend on intent. The victim is dead either way. ** -- KCHoo 02/24/2016 10:29PM

Sure actions... is there a kidnapping, etc involved but also intent.. meant -- 81_Hokie 02/24/2016 11:09PM

How about terrorism? Just murder or something else? ** -- WahooRQ 02/25/2016 07:53AM

Hmm, interesting. After just a bit of thought -- 81_Hokie 02/25/2016 09:40AM

An ISIS wannabe decides he's going to go out and randomly -- WahooRQ 02/25/2016 09:48AM

Under our present law it's a hate crime. Under the law as I would write it -- 81_Hokie 02/25/2016 11:04AM

From a practical standpoint, I don't think it should really matter. -- BocaHoo91 02/25/2016 08:55AM

Fair points although I'd note that state laws don't always work that way. -- WahooRQ 02/25/2016 09:29AM

If you walk in on a guy sleeping with your wife and kill him on the spot -- KCHoo 02/24/2016 11:14PM

That's the difference between premeditated murder and 2nd degree -- BocaHoo91 02/25/2016 08:47AM

It really goes to intent/state of mind though (or can) -- KCHoo 02/25/2016 11:13AM

But what if you just happen to be a Grand Wizard and he is of an ethnic or -- TpkeHoo 02/25/2016 05:49AM

And the cops find a copy of David Allen Coe's "She Ran Off With a N---" -- WahooRQ 02/25/2016 07:06AM

That might be significant under hate crimes, but if she runs off with -- 81_Hokie 02/25/2016 07:31AM

(sigh)** -- 81_Hokie 02/25/2016 05:42AM