Dead bear hate crime considered "prank".

[FLyellowdog]

Most comments insist that this was only a prank by drunken students...despite the fact that Obama signs were put all over the bear's body. This part of NC is extremely RED and the commenters points to their backwards and bigotted thinking. Scary. But at least the students were kicked out of school and put on probation.
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990309080

[valerief]

1. Don't rule out Colbert. nt

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Oh, those poor 'young boys'! My ex was a dad by age 20.

[paulsby]

3. based on the penal codes in every state i am aware of

this would not qualify as a 'hate crime'

[FLyellowdog]

4. While that may be legally true...

but this behavior for all intents and purposes was a hate crime. I am from that area and know a lot of people there who would have been glad to see President Obama harmed before the election. To think otherwise is to underestimate the human nature of many who do not agree with our choice for president. These boys meant to send a bigoted and hateful message and succeeded. Thank goodness they were held accountable if only in small measure.

[paulsby]

5. there is the layman's thang, and then there is the law.

my point is that hate crimes are (whether you agree with them or not), things that are already crimes, but that have special enhancements due to certain factors.

that's the legal definition.

sure, this is a hate crime, too, in the broad sense (not legal), but so is a woman killing her husband because he cheated on her.

i think we shouldn't dilute the meaning of hate crime, by referencing non-hate crimes, as such.

it's an atrociously written article.

the article says they were placed on probation/. how about mentioning PROBATION for what?

littering?

[FLyellowdog]

6. "Atrociously written article"...I think that supports my point

about the region in general.
:shrug: