Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TimF who wrote (5334)	2/9/2001 6:42:27 PM
From: Mac Con Ulaidh	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 82486

I agree that every act motivated by racial hatred does not amount to terrorism against a group. There are nuances and particulars of the crimes to look at to decide if it extends beyond an individual act. And aren't most murders, rapes, and assaults committed by people the victim knows? As we are still a pretty segregated country, it stands to reason that most of those things would happen between people of the same color. Karen mentioned terrorist laws. I don't know anything about them. But the possibility is interesting. And, I think, worth looking at. I think "hate crimes" laws cause dicension (sp?) not because most of the muddled middle would not support the intent, but because of the words used, and the way it does NOT get across the intent of the law. A personal antedote on the difference between crime, even motivated by hate, against an individual and crime meant to send a message to a group, is that in the area I live in now (having come from SF), gay people hide the fact they are gay. They are Scared for anyone to know beyond a very trusted small circle. Not because of disapproval. But because it has been made very clear, and demonstrated with action, that gays will be hurt. No one has been killed, but several have been badly beaten. They are in fear of their safety. So, to me, someone who beats a gay here to tell others to keep quiet, is doing something beyond assault of an individual. And I had a man I worked for brag to me about the uppity black who was killed many years ago to let those other ~~~~ know to keep their place. That is a crime apart from the crime of the murder. And, perhaps, terrorist laws can deal with it. I think, I hope, that most of us would agree that we do not want to live in fear because of "who" we are, or our color, or social position. I enjoyed your post. I hope I have responded in some sensible fashion. <g> I'm flying off the top of my head here.