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Hatewatch is managed by the staff of the Intelligence Report, an investigative magazine published by the Alabama-based civil rights group Southern Poverty Law Center.
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[MO]
Two Men Sentenced To Life For Hate Crime Murder
Kansas City Star
/September 9, 2008
A federal judge sentenced two white men to life in prison for the 2005 racially motivated murder of a black pedestrian.
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on September 18th, 2008 at 10:18 am
When I think of these men sentenced to life in prison, I understand the ideal of “taking a life, so now you must give your life” as a punishment. However, when we condemn people for life, we are also forgetting the value of forgiveness and change. In short, what if these men understand after 30 years how wrong they had been?
If in our hearts we can forgive people for wrongs regardless of what they have done, then we can begin a process of change. This process must begin with all of us. And in the process toward this change, we create an opportunity to teach compassion by example. Forgiveness never means allowing people to go free and without consequences for harm done. However, forgiveness creates inner peace in those who have been harmed. Inner peace and compassion can then become apart of a rehabilitation process that helps persons who have created harm, to see what they have done. In our forgiveness and inner peace, we can lead by example and offer opportunity to review what happened without judging and further harming those convicted of hate crimes. Every prison sentence needs to incorporate therapy, group counseling and reprogramming regarding relationship building, tolerance and ways to build and strengthen community.
Perhaps if people had felt more apart of a diverse community, they would feel less hatred. I am sure explaining HATE in our world is more complicated then my simple email today, but I am committed to learn the reasons why and to build my spirituality until I do find these answers. And I would hope that many are just like me – Seeking, struggling and continuing to see even the most hate-filled individual, as human first.
In peace,
- alecia
on September 18th, 2008 at 10:18 am
…..And Justice for all.
They got what thet deserve and must pay for their heinous crimes. These 2 cretins exemplifys why the Hatecrimes Bill is cruciial for Americans of Non-White skin and Jewish people. Without Hatecrimes Act, the murderous ways of the Neo-Nazis and White Supremacists would be let off the hook easily without any Justice for the innocents involved.
on September 18th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
The laws are very “CLEAR” and if you break the law you break the law… case closed.
Let’s be clear on this… as humans we “are” a very compassionate species.
No judge sentences you to “LIFE” unless you have a long history of offenses… and are “un-incorrigible”, or “cross the line”.
MURDER or GREAT BODILY HARM with malicious intent… crosses the line.
There is a mental problem with this one… and our medical know how is not yet equipped to treat this level insanity… so they must be contained… or destryed.
Just like a wild Bear, or Pit Bull.
on September 18th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
…excuse me; level of insanity
on September 18th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Why is it plausible to “destroy wild bears and pit buls”?
Wild animals should never be lumped into the same catagory as Neo-Nazis/White Supremacists or in the Human species for that very matter. It not imperative to destroy wild animals simply because they’re *wild*. Unlike the old saying–
“You can take the beast out of the wilds but you can’t take the wilds out of the beast.”
on September 18th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Understand “clearly”… if they (wild animals) come into the communities and mess with “humans” we blow their brains out.
So… if you want to act like a wild animal and mess with a human… expect the same.
We have no other alternative as of yet.
on September 18th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Your methods of logic is comparable to that of a neanderthal. Therefore you harbor no understanding of how the system works nor the laws implemented.
Animal Control officers are resposnsible for those “wild bears” and “pit bulls” in your unkepted yard or elsewhere. If you go on to kill animals randomly, then you violate the laws relating to animal cruelty and endangering the public. So you pay a maximum fine, perhaps even serve your jail time.
“So if you were to act like a wild animal and mess with a human….. expect the same.”
If you are looking for a life sentence or even the death penalty for captial murder because an innocent person with whom in your decrepit little mind is seen as a “wild animal”, for whatever unknown reasons. Then you sir, must be really that feebleminded to begin with.
If anybody is acting like a “wild animal”, its folks like you and the Neo-Nazis. You appear to garner no cilvility whatsoever and one has to wonder why you’re still walking around free. When you should be in a cage.
on September 21st, 2008 at 10:34 am
How has the death of a mother’s son degenerated into arguments over animal classification and just desserts? The crime has been committed; the sentence is passed. What now matters is those left behind. How we can make this a better world for them and for our children?
Once we degrade those we don’t agree with by assigning them the same level as what we view as “animals”, we are in the Intolerance Trap… a place of blindness, from where we see no dignity or worth in others. That is the mistake hate groups make and get lost in blindly.
“… whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
The question now is: How can we make this world a better place than it was?
on September 21st, 2008 at 4:46 pm
What would thine do Cathy… have bread and wine with thine enemy?
Have you ever been in combat darling? (I have), have you every lost someone do to another’s selfish act? I have, and what “dear friend” would thine suggest that we do with those who brought down the buildings of 911? Therapy?
Don’t get me wrong, I am all for reform… but you can only “lead” a Horse to water.
I suggest that thee has led a sheltered life, protected from the harsh realities of the “real world”.
I pray for thee… however, might I suggest that thine arm thy self with a 357 Magnum, while we await the cure for “Insanity” and “selfishness”.
on September 22nd, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Ah, another holier than thou man who thinks he knows it all. How refreshing.
All kidding aside, you know nothing about me and never will.
You may want to see a thpeech therapitht about that lithp.