What constitutes a hate crime?

Here’s the problem that plagues our society, and I’m not criticizing David here

So... Not to criticize David here, but he is (at least part of,) the problem that plagues our society...

I am sure that is not offensive to him at all.

Watch out Dan, that may have been a hate crime.

Everyone has the right to offend anyone.
That is what the email was. It was offensive.
If, there was a threat made in the offensive email against the person getting it, maybe it could be prosecuted. If there was an actual altercation and the offensive words were used during it, then it could be prosecuted as a hate crime. For now it is just an offensive email IMO. You are allowed to offend people in this country whether you like it or not.

I happen to agree with Dan. Too many people let this kind of behavior continue. Our nation is going to hell in a handbasket because too many of us are afraid to take a stand for anything. I don't surround myself or even have any friends that would talk to anyone like this.

I would not think it was funny if one of my friends sent an email like this, and I certainly would not be attempting to minimize the importance of showing that it's not acceptable behavior; and I would not claim that person again as a friend who did such a thing, but that's my right..that's my decision. See, I honestly do believe that we are judged by the company we keep.

Look around you...look at your friends, look at their friend list..how many on that friend list are acknowledged BGs? Go join them. Dan is trying to do the right thing by TAKING A STAND THAT THIS BEHAVIOR IS NOT ACCEPTED AMONG REASONABLE PEOPLE. I applaude his efforts.

I mean, why would anyone try and defend this email? What joy/jusification does anyone possibly get from denying that it is a CRIME? I may not try and persecute it, because the damage was minimal, and the exposure of the act was just recompense.

All a lot of you have done is expose your ignorance, and add yourselves to lists of those that don't tolerate these kinds of behaviors and show it by actions.

It's not acceptable but it's also NOT a hate crime.

What’s really surprising of this thread is not that there are people that dismiss this. What’s really astounding is that all those self-proclaimed good guys do not voice their opinions on this topic. Talking is cheap but you have to show what your are made of silence is golden. At least we now are beginning to know who is who.

What’s really surprising of this thread is not that there are people that dismiss this. What’s really astounding is that all those self-proclaimed good guys do not voice their opinions on this topic. Talking is cheap but you have to show what your are made of silence is golden. At least we now are beginning to know who is who.

Could it be that there are Good Guys / Gals that have a different opinion then you do ?

Or would having a different opinion then yours make them Bad Guys / Gals ?

Having the opinion that offending someone is not a crime, and certainly not a "hate crime," is not the same thing as supporting a Bad Guy or condoning the offensive message that was left on Debs FB wall.
Get over it.

Of course Bob, that's exactly why the question was asked. Are they good people or just people who never had a business problem? Let us show everyone what everyone is made of. There's a difference between hatred, racism or ethnocentrism and insults. Do people know the difference?

Quote Deb:
All a lot of you have done is expose your ignorance, and add yourselves to lists of those that don't tolerate these kinds of behaviors and show it by actions

Is that a threat of violence ?
OMG, It's a hate crime !!!

(Just kidding Deb, I am sure you are talking about y'alls DNBFOST list, and the "actions" that you are referring to, are actually the "inactions" of not dealing with us.
Not because we are racists, and called you the " N " word, or because we made fun of a physical handicap like being hearing impaired, but simply because we do not feel like someone posting such an offensive message on your FB wall constitutes a federal case or a hate crime.)

Dan, My name is Rob not Bob.

Sorry, Rob; it was not intentional. After all you were the only one on this site that stood for his convictions, at least you entertained the possibility. For me, it's over. I'm really disillusioned with people to the point that I don't care anymore. There seems to be a confusion between good guys (those that don't have bad business transactions) and good people. In the words of a politician about the dictatorship in Egypt: "President Mubarak needs to be treated as he's deserved over the years, he has been a good friend, not only to the United States but a lot of other folks that we do business with". From there down anything goes...

Originally Posted by The BoidSmith

Sorry, Rob; it was not intentional. After all you were the only one on this site that stood for his convictions, at least you entertained the possibility. For me, it's over. I'm really disillusioned with people to the point that I don't care anymore. There seems to be a confusion between good guys (those that don't have bad business transactions) and good people. In the words of a politician about the dictatorship in Egypt: "President Mubarak needs to be treated as he's deserved over the years, he has been a good friend, not only to the United States but a lot of other folks that we do business with". From there down anything goes...

Maybe it's because you never really defined what it is you expect people to do in order to earn your label of being "good people". Perhaps to some people your quest seems far too "Don Quixote" like in nature.

In my own case, it appears that this thread resulted from your irritation that I was not inclined to ban people or persons who have made racist and derogatory comments on one or more other sites about one or more members here on this site. So your interpretation of people concluding that although they don't condone such actions done by others and it is really not within their responsibility nor authority to actually DO anything about it, either legally or ethically, is enough for you to condemn THEM as being not "good people".