Quote:
Originally Posted by samcol
I love the terrible examples people are providing. Lets compare spray painting subways to defacing graveyards? WTF! These aren't even in the same ballpark.
Lets try something relevant: spray painting a swastika or spray painting an anti-obama image, or an anti-Bush image, or an anti-gay marriage image, or an anti abortion, or pro abortion. Suddenly one or the other can become racist, or homophobic or whatever.
Don't you see how easily this can be politicized? Depending on the political views of the cop and prosecutor you could easily see a easier or worse sentence coming about.
Lets prosecute the ACT of spray painting the subway and not use the subjective views of the cop and prosecutor to punish the act.
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No, they are not the same thing, I agree. That is my point. BUT, both of the crimes (by their actions) are vandalism. Are you agreeing that they should be punished according to their intent, or not? What if we compare vandalism in a Jewish cemetary that is not racially motivated to vandalism that is anti-Semitic? Do you feel they are the same crime. Perhaps that is a more relevant comparison.
I don't get your other comments. The legislation does not cover political opinions. Or are you suggesting that, by including gays and lesbians in this legislation, we have formally breached the 'slippery slope.' I don't buy it.