Ugly [Wichita Massacre][BARF ALERT!]

The Wichita Eagle ^ | Thu, Nov. 07, 2002 | Randy Scholfield

[Lassiter]

Let's avoid offensive racial overtones in Carr trial

Add us to the list of people offended by a report of the Carr brothers being hanged in effigy -- not just because it's a tasteless prank that trivializes the death penalty and the tragedy of this case for all involved.

More offensive by far is how this stunt injected inflammatory racial overtones into a case in which race played no role.

A homeowner in west Wichita recently erected a display on his front yard showing two dummies -- in black face -- hanging by nooses from trees. A sign below the dangling bodies read "Carr Bros," referring to the two brothers found guilty Monday of the December 2000 killing spree that shocked this community.

We'll take the man at his word that his display was not racially motivated; he took it down after receiving complaints that it was offensive.

But how someone in this day and age could not understand that such a mock-lynching would be racially offensive is hard to understand.

For many black Wichitans, the display recalled a time not so long ago in this country when African-Americans were routinely intimidated, terrorized and lynched by racists.

We further deplore this stunt because it encourages the misguided notion (forwarded in many letters we've received) that this was a racially motivated hate crime. Prosecutors have clearly established that greed and lust -- not racial prejudice -- motivated Reginald and Jonathan Carr to choose their victims and commit these brutal crimes.

Wichitans are understandably emotional and angry about what the Carrs did to our community. They are understandably eager for justice.

Justice will be done.

But we don't need vigilante sentiments, race-baiting comments or ugly, vengeful glee. As this emotional trial reaches its conclusion, let's keep our emotions in check and work toward community healing, not hate and division.

[Lassiter]

I guess they should have hung a couple of clear dummies in effigy. < /sarcasm>

[Grut]

I guess they should have hung a couple of clear dummies in effigy.

What are you, some kind of anti-Scientology bigot? ;^)

[Lassiter]

Huh?

[2banana]

But how someone in this day and age could not understand that such a mock-lynching would be racially offensive is hard to understand.

About as racially offensive as two black men killing 5 white people in cold blood (after raping two of the women victims and making one of the male victims have sex with one of the female victims)?

[PuNcH]

Prosecutors have clearly established that greed and lust -- not racial prejudice -- motivated Reginald and Jonathan Carr to choose their victims and commit these brutal crimes.

What a complete load of bullshit.

[dinodino]

The media suck. This crime was blatantly race-based.

[Blood of Tyrants]

More offensive by far is how this stunt injected inflammatory racial overtones into a case in which race played no role.

Let's see. Two black brothers break into a house with 5 whites. Perps then rape the women and attempt to murder them all laughing and calling them names the whole time. Naaa, couldn't be racism because the victims aren't the right color.

[cherry]

"angry about what the Carrs did to our community"

that says it all, doesn't it....

what the boys did to "our community"

I guess the victims are nameless and inconsequential to all of this....

[Lassiter]

Carr bros. bump.

[xJones]

The one thing I've always wondered was why 5 people didn't just rush at the 2 offenders. Maybe that is post 9/ll thinking, but if a pair of idiots are holding guns and ordering you to do obscene acts for their enjoyment - what is most important? If only one of those victims had ran at the attackers, the majority might have been saved. What else did they have to loose? And the Carr brothers get a nice, safe trial...

[joesnuffy]

white people are viable targets...for all minorities...the media say so...

Its only gonna get worse...until black people speak up against their own kind....
and speak loudly...

Where are the great Jesse "the jet" Jacksons...and Al "that aint my coke" Sharptons...

Of Course when Rev Ron Greer or Rev Jesse Peterson speak up the media takes a powder..

The media sucks..

The Internet Rules....it just took down the democrats...the liberals can no longer control the info...and they cant stand it...

(though the campaign finance reform muzzle law is gonna try)

[sheik yerbouty]

It would seem only "the community" counts.

[AnnaZ]

What are you, some kind of anti-Scientology bigot? ;^)

LOL!!!

(And that's $cientology...)

[mywholebodyisaweapon]

This is not meant to impugn any of the victims, but I wonder how many "red-blooded American males" would rush to overpower their attackers when they are being "forced" to have sex? I know I'd have to muster a mighty effort to resist, simply because of the old sin nature.

If the victims were Christians, for example, then the Carr brothers' crime was truly a hate crime because they forced the temptation to sin on at least one of their victims. Imagine the outcry if an Islamic person were forced to kiss a pig before being executed.

If any of those victims was one of my own kids, I would be plotting "cruel and unusual," exquisite tortures to inflict on the Carr brothers. The only question would be how to snatch them out of the hands of the authorities.

[FreeTally]

For many black Wichitans, the display recalled a time not so long ago in this country when African-Americans were routinely intimidated, terrorized and lynched by racists.

Must be some really old black people in Wichita.

[Lassiter]

Must be some really old black people in Wichita.

No, they just have old mentalities.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

For many black Wichitans, the display recalled a time not so long ago in this country when African-Americans were routinely intimidated, terrorized and lynched by racists.

Whites are routinely and disproportionately mugged, raped, and murdered by black thugs. This is outrageous, outrageous.

[RAT Patrol]

Randy Scholfied is a big time lefty. He's been in a bad mood since Tuesday I'm sure. Write him and tell him what you think. He's pretty good about replying and he's a pretty nice guy--for an environmentalist lefty.

[RAT Patrol]

I know this because he regularly makes me mad and so I've written him a lot. LOL!

[RAT Patrol]

LOL! Email him that comment at rscholfield@wichitaeagle.com