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HK

wrote:
On Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:33:07 -0400, HK wrote:

wrote:
On Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:53:32 -0400, HK wrote:

In the last century, you may recall, some of the states in the south did
not bother to properly prosecute those who murdered or otherwise abused
blacks or even whites who were helping blacks.

That is another problem that can be dealt with, simply by making
states enforce the laws equally. This "hate crime" thing is unequal
application of the law.

How do you make "states enforce the laws equally?"

Most crimes against persons and crimes against property laws are state
laws, and there are 50 sets of procedures and punishments for handling
these. In some states, you get a needle for a first-degree murder, and
in others, life in prison. Some states follow the rules of law and
evidence fairly closely, and others do not.

That's why there are federal civil rights laws and calls for federal
hate crime laws.

It's that simple.

I agree that is why there are federal laws but I also think that is an
anachronism from a bygone time. There may still be a county or two in
Mississippi or Arkansas that has a corrupt judicial system but I think
the 24 hour news cycle shines a bright light on that kind of thing and
makes it go away.

I'm not so sure it is anachronistic...there are still states in the
south where I think "justice" is little more than a word. Texas comes to
mind.