Idiots

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by Archaea

I agree with Mike and disagree with Seattle. Hate crimes seem of questionable validity and they are mostly political expressions, rather than practical adjudications of law.

I agree with you as I noted in my amendment ot my post, on a broad policy level. But treating them the same as everyone else may mean treating their crime as a hate crime. I knew a successful lawyer who lost some friends in the World Trade Center on 9/11 (he worked at Brown and Wood and with an investment banking form on the 100+ level). That night he got way drunk, drove to the mosque by his house, tramped in without taking off his shoes, and then shouted insults at the worshipers. He was charged with a federal hate crime, a felony. He may have copped a plea for less, but he was fired from his firm, etc. Last I heard he was selling life insurance.

These missionaries' act was ultimately an expression of hatred. It wasn't just vandalism. If hate crimes are on the books and people are being prosecuted for them, the prosecutor should treat these missionaries no different.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I agree with you as I noted in my amendment ot my post, on a broad policy level. But treating them the same as everyone else may mean treating their crime as a hate crime. I knew a successful lawyer who lost some friends in the World Trade Center on 9/11 (he worked at Brown and Wood and with an investment banking form on the 100+ level). That night he got way drunk, drove to the mosque by his house, tramped in without taking off his shoes, and then shouted insults at the worshipers. He was charged with a federal hate crime, a felony. He may have copped a plea for less, but he was fired from his firm, etc. Last I heard he was selling life insurance.

These missionaries' act was ultimately an expression of hatred. It wasn't just vandalism. If hate crimes are on the books and people are being prosecuted for them, the prosecutor should treat these missionaries no different.

as long as you will agree that throwing beer cans in the general vicinity of missionaries, with the intent to strike, is also a hate crime.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

as long as you will agree that throwing beer cans in the general vicinity of missionaries, with the intent to strike, is also a hate crime.

Empty ones? That's kind of a lame example, don't you think?

[MikeWaters]

beer bottles.

[RockyBalboa]

I had beer bottles thrown at me. Cups filled with urine thrown at me. A basketball in a passing car thrown at me. Dogs sicked on me. Had someone try to run me off the road. Had a knife pulled on me. Been flashed by obese women (by far the worst offense). Had a gun pulled on me. Had loogies hawked at me.

All when I was a missionary.

Course probably had more to do with my engaging personality.

For the record: The dopes should be punished to the fullest extent of the law and clearly be held accountable for their actions. Few things rub me more the wrong way than when others refuse to take accountability for their actions, and then only do so when they've been busted instead of showing true remorse.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

I had beer bottles thrown at me. Cups filled with urine thrown at me. A basketball in a passing car thrown at me. Dogs sicked on me. Had someone try to run me off the road. Had a knife pulled on me. Been flashed by obese women (by far the worst offense). Had a gun pulled on me. Had loogies hawked at me.

All when I was a missionary.

Aha... At first I thought you were talking about attending a BYU-Utah football game at RES.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

(Truth is hate crimes are kind of silly and questionable per the 1st amendment whre there is just expression.)

I'm glad you added the parantehtical. I hate hate crimes. I think they are offensive and should be unconstitutioanl.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by tooblue

Of course they have stupid teenage boys in their congregation -that's not the point. Missionaries are not stupid teenage boys, they are young men at least 19 years old and representatives of the church ... not to mention disciples of Christ!

Throw the book at them. Prison time should be sought.

I'm trying to tell if you're being sarcastic, or if you've never met a missionary before.

[tooblue]

Originally Posted by Tex

I'm trying to tell if you're being sarcastic, or if you've never met a missionary before.

I am dead serious. They are young men, not teenagers and should be punished to the full extent of the law. It is time we stop coddling young men in the church both as parents and leaders.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by tooblue

I am dead serious. They are young men, not teenagers and should be punished to the full extent of the law. It is time we stop coddling young men in the church both as parents and leaders.

Well, I take some solace from the fact that one of them apologized (although he lionized the church in his apology), and none of them wrote letters to the SLTribune.