In Robida's room at his mother's house, police yesterday found homemade posters slurring gays, African-Americans, and Jews; neo-Nazi literature and skinhead paraphernalia; a makeshift coffin; and an empty knife sheath, according to police, prosecutors, and court documents.
But Ted is right on it:
Senator Edward M. Kennedy called the attack a ''sad reminder" of why Congress should pass a bill that would extend the federal law on hate crimes to cover offenses targeting people because of sexual orientation. The current law, which allows federal investigation and prosecution of hate crimes, covers those based on race, religion, and nationality.
I'm not a fan of hate crime legislation for any reason. If someone attacks, whether it's out of greed, jealousy, or hatred, they should be punished. Period.
"I'm not a fan of hate crime legislation for any reason. If someone attacks, whether it's out of greed, jealousy, or hatred, they should be punished. Period."
I understand your argument and probably agree with it. The action is what matters, not the motive. I was wondering how we reconcile that sentiment with federal terrorism legislation.
The federal law against terrorism makes certain actions a "terrorist act" if they are perpetrated with the motive to achieving some political goal. Under this law, blowing up a Senator's office might just be a state-level "bombing" charge of some sort if the attack was personal, but it would be an act of terrorism under federal law if the goal was to intimidate all senators to achieve some goal.
In this case, we establish a more serious offense depending on the motive of a crime. Of course.. you could argue that terrorism is a more extreme case, but that doesn't really change the legal argument.
Hmm, this fake ID thing about this killer. Suppose he was turned away had his ID been question, would he still try and push through to kill? This fake ID is getting out of hand.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2006/02/fake-id-and-gay-bar-killing-spree.html