05-25-2007, 05:08 AM
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♦*♥Moderatrix♥*♦
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: on top of it all
Posts: 50,568
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Wicked Wanda
WW slips into "teaching attitude"
The intent is the difference, what makes it a hate crime and justifies a greater punishment.
Of course there are crimes when the intent is not the point, where the crime is so awful the motive doesn't matter.
Some last thoughts.
The Central Park Jogger was attacked by a serial rapist, (who was identified by his DNA years after the attack. It didn't get a lot of publicity.) She was alone, and didn't appear to be a threat. I easily identify with that.
Matthew Shepard was picked because he was gay, (they planned to rob a "gay guy") small, and non threatening, something else I identify with.
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The Central Park Jogger assailant selected his victim because she was a woman. Matthew Shepard's because he was gay. If selection criteria equals hate crime then I fail to see a difference. |