Samantha Atkins wrote:
>
> "Michael S. Lorrey" wrote:
> >
> > Samantha Atkins wrote:
>
> > > Saying something nasty about gays or any other group is not a "hate
> > > crime". It may be a despicable opinion but you can't get thrown in jail
> > > for it. A hate crime requires actual violence AFAIK.
> > >
> >
> > Not in Vermont.
>
> I am amazed. Can you point me to relevant law or case history? I
> always thought Vermont had it together more than other states in many
> respects (gay/lesbian unions, 2nd amendment rights especially). So what
> went wrong?
I could do some research, but off the top of my head there was a case
across the river in White River Junction, VT just a couple months ago
where a black police officer was called n_____ by a drunk woman he
arrested for D&D. At the station he also pressed charges for a hate
crime, and won in court over her innocent plea. The woman insisted she
never used such language when sober and did not conciously intend to use
that epithet. Given that drugs like alcohol act to suppress the ego and
allow the id more liberties (i.e. reduces inhibitions) this is as close
to a thought crime as I think it is possible to go. Its tantamount to
putting a right wing republican under the influence of sodium pentathol
and asking them if they'd like to off Pres. Clinton if given the
opportunity, then charging them with violation of federal law.
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