To: Neocon who wrote (45637 ) 10/12/2000 6:08:23 PM From: flatsville Read Replies (3) | Respond to >>>One of the problems is that there is a First Amendment consideration. Insofar as the crime is symbolic, the symbolism itself cannot be criminalized, however offensive, under current Free Speech doctrine. Only elements of the crime divorced from symbolism can be prosecuted, such as vandalism or harassment. Thus, in certain instances where I might agree to a hate crime law, such as cross burning on someone's front lawn, it is actually unconstitutional to punish the symbolism. Now, if we get more conservatives on the Supreme Court, perhaps such absurdities can be remedied, and we can prosecute symbolic actions that are unnecessary to purveying a point of view, such as cross burning and flag burning........<<< usdoj.gov ...The three count indictment, handed down today in U.S.
