Amish-Americans and hate crimes

Hate crimes perpetrated against Amish-Americans

The leader of a dissident Amish sect was sentenced on Friday to 15 years in prison for a series of bizarre beard- and hair-cutting attacks on other Ohio Amish that drew national attention.

Fifteen of his followers, including six women, were given lesser sentences, ranging from one year and one day to seven years.

The series of attacks in 2011 spread fear through Amish communities in eastern Ohio. Followers of Mr. Mullet broke into homes, restrained men and women, and forcibly sheared their victims, sometimes with tools used to clip horse manes.

Prosecutors argued that because of the religious symbolism of the attacks, they were hate crimes. Mr. Mullet was convicted of coordinating four attacks on a total of eight victims, though by all accounts he did not directly participate.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/09/us/am ... .html?_r=0

This is a good example where hate. when carried out in the commission of a crime deserves the toughest sentences. "Prosecutors had asked for a life sentence for Mr. Mullet."

Personally I think he should have received life in prison.

I disagree.

I see a good list of crimes of action that we can try someone for without going well into the grey area of being the thought police.

A good crime can stand on its own, no need to rebrand it because of what you think the criminal or victims think.

The last think we need is another step towards a thought being illegal. If two things done the same way result in different consequences because one person thought something different, then we have now created thought crimes and will certainly create more, not as a tool for protection, but as a tool to wield political power.

Keep in mind that many 20 somethings get very drunk and do similar things to people they call friends. Usually minimal jail time.

Hate crimes? I would think simple assault would be enough in my book. Why should you be charged for your frame of mind? If you are giggling and having fun discharging a weapon into a diverse crowd of people, would that be less of a penalty for you than choosing to shoot your estranged husband?

FredHayek wrote: Hate crimes? I would think simple assault would be enough in my book. Why should you be charged for your frame of mind? If you are giggling and having fun discharging a weapon into a diverse crowd of people, would that be less of a penalty for you than choosing to shoot your estranged husband?

Perhaps it may be better to contrast three shootings. Both in groups of 100, with 10 dead and one shooter.

1 group is diverse.
1 group is all black, or white or green.
1 group is unknown, but all wearing masks of famous people of one race or just one person.

Same sentence?

on that note wrote:

FredHayek wrote: Hate crimes? I would think simple assault would be enough in my book. Why should you be charged for your frame of mind? If you are giggling and having fun discharging a weapon into a diverse crowd of people, would that be less of a penalty for you than choosing to shoot your estranged husband?

Perhaps it may be better to contrast three shootings. Both in groups of 100, with 10 dead and one shooter.

1 group is diverse.
1 group is all black, or white or green.
1 group is unknown, but all wearing masks of famous people of one race or just one person.

Same sentence?

Perhaps you disagree with the judge too? When you try to forcefully deny a person his religious proclivities, then it's hate. What is the Muslim Brotherhood doing in Egypt to the Christians... they hate them... it's not just "oh gee... could you please move over... like to Italy or something")