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Hate Crime

Is the Sarah Palin Effigy a Hate Crime?

Oct 29 2008 - 1:30pm by CitizenSugar

Does seasonality determine intent? Here's what I mean. Earlier this fall, a likeness of Obama was hung from a tree at a college in Oregon. Now, a similar display of Sarah Palin in West Hollywood has been determined by the Secret Service to not be a threat. The display is apparently part of a Halloween decorative scene and shows the vice presidential candidate dangling by her neck from the rafters. The display also shows John McCain surrounded by flames coming out of the house's chimney. The FBI in LA agrees saying, "It's clearly distasteful, but it doesn't appear to be a violation of federal civil rights statutes. Currently, we do not have an investigation open." The local sheriff's department says that it doesn't rise to the level of a hate crime saying, "I'm not defending this; I'm not criticizing it. It doesn't rise to the level of hate crime. Now, if there was a crime against bad taste . . . " The mayor of West Hollywood on the other hand wants it taken down right away. He says, "While these residents have the legal right to display Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin in effigy, I strongly oppose political speech that references violence — real or perceived."

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Is the Sarah Palin Effigy a Hate Crime?

No way. It's a creative way to show different kinds of scary things for Halloween.

While it's physically similar to a hate crime, it's decidedly different in its intent.

Yes! It's exactly the same! Why aren't people and the authorities treating it as such?

Other. I'll tell you my opinion in the comments.

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No US Hate Crime Law, Decade After Matthew Shepard's Death

Oct 12 2008 - 9:00am by LibertySugar

551 Views - 56 comments

No US Hate Crime Law, Decade After Matthew Shepard's Death

Ten years ago today, 21-year-old Matthew Shepard, a gay man, was beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die. Since then 31 states and Washington DC have passed increased punishments for crimes motivated by the victim's sexual orientation. Yet, there is still no federal hate crime law, and FBI stats show that the rate of anti-gay based crimes has remained the same.

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CitizenSugar

Hate Crime

Is the Sarah Palin Effigy a Hate Crime?

No US Hate Crime Law, Decade After Matthew Shepard's Death

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