An Oklahoma Black man alleges that a group of White men tried to hang him...

Hello Red, Thanks for sharing! Do you think that it should be treated as a 'hate-crime'? Or would raising the penalty designator upward, to say a 1st degree felony, be suitable? I, for one, don't believe that it is Constitutional to lable something a 'hate crime', because it implies criminality based on feeling, rather than action. Though, I would be thrilled to see the penalty for filing a societally incendiary 'false report' seriously boosted. What do you think?

I have to agree that calling something a 'hate crime' is only calling a 'thought crime' by another name. Actions speak louder than thoughts. Thoughts should never be punished. As to increasing the penalty for making false police reports, I can go along with that as long as the crime is based on the accused actions.

Thanks for the clarification, Red. I agree that action is punishable, though not thought or emotion. Once empowered, a 'thought police' is a potentiality that is just wayyyyyy tooooo ripe for abuse.

Hello Morethanamolehill, You make some truly terrific points here: 1. Yup, the FBI was called straight-away. The local Sheriff clearly didn't effort himself to 'sweep' the allegation under the rug. Nicely done, Sheriff! 2. I was wondering if anyone would mention the relatively new police tactic of charging for the cost of allocated emergency responder time and resources. Not so unlike the German tourists having been fined (big time) for having set the 300,000 acre 'Los Alamos' forest fire in 2000. This is a very interesting practice, that I believe deserves its own dedicated discussion. If you decide to initiate it, please do let me know -- as I'd like to chime in on that one! 3. I have never heard Chris Rock say that about old, black men. Though, it doesn't surprise me to see it suggested that Chris Rock would be such an 'equal opportunity outer'. He's a very funny man BECAUSE his comedy is ripe with truth. As is the case with most of the best comedy material! Your mention of young black men raises a troubling issue for me. In addition to the many poignant points that Bill Cosby, Rev. Jesse Lee Petersen, and Starr Parker have been making about the condition of the black community, one of the few issues that I never hear discussed in mixed company is that of 'jewels in the crown'. Which is the prideful impregnation of as many women as possible by every young, black, man -- as proof of his virility. Each child represents a 'jewel in the crown'. Yet, there is almost never any intention to parent those 'jewels'. 4. I agree that because of the social stigma of a noose, or lynching, that this is much more contemptable than a similar scenario, but where no lynch threat is implied. I have queried whether the false reporter should be charged with a 'hate crime' for many reasons. Though, specifically doesn't this exacerbate hate as much as a white man making the threat of a lynching? Yet, the law applies no parity. I believe this needs to be addressed. 5. I am surprised that you missed the C.U. incident. As is usually the case with most cries of racism, this was covered exhaustively. And, I REALLY mean exhaustively. Ugghhh! To the best of my knowledge, there has still been no charges filed in that case. Yet security video was reluctantly provided by the University to the FBI. Grrr on no resolution, or is perhaps 'announcement of resolution' more appropriate? Anyway, thanks for putting so much thought into your answer. Nicely done!

Hello Morethanamolehill, I completely understand how you may have 'stopped short' after reading one of Destiny's comments. He is a very thought-provoking member of this community, though he is not alone -- we have many gifted 'inquisitors' among us! Let me applaud your comment: "I started thinking..." (We need much more of that in this world!!!) "And you KNOW where ThAT leads." (Indeed, I do! Though, it's not always comfortable or popular!) "Jewels in the Crown...WOW." (Reprehensible, or what?) I know that I missed your 'coming of age' marker of 100 posts for a bona fide star rating, though I wanted to welcome you to MyLot anyway. Welcome, I hope that you thoroughly enjoy your time here!

Thank You m'Lady but I must say you ask some pretty good questions too! I was just going to give a Hear Hear! to Destiny007 comments and move on but then I started thinking...And you KNOW where ThAT leads. Jewels in the Crown...WOW. Any way here is a Chris Rock vid That I found. It's not the bit I was referring to but it's just as good. Remember it's CHRIS ROCK. I'm not responsible for any of his comments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3qI13SZwFI&NR=1

Hello Gewcew, Ah yes, I remember that gross miscarriage of justice very well. I contemplated including it in my comparatives, though five questions was probably more than enough, eh? I have only seen Nancy Grace's show a few times. So, I completely missed her coverage of the Duke LaCrosse case. To which side did her coverage favor?

Nancy was ready to sentence the Duke player to jail. She lost any respect I had for her when she refused to apologize to the families of the Duke player.

Hello Gewcew, Thanks for the follow up. The 'Duke/LaCrosse' case is one of the few isolated examples that most anyone could use to assess a particular individual's or media outlet's perceivable views on many broader issues. There aren't really many instances where an isolated incident can offer some level of 'x-ray' vision into the inner most workings of others. Though, the Duke case was extraordiarily exposing. Thank you, I value your assessment that Nancy Grace was not up to the task of maintaining objectivity.

Hello Rozie37, To your comment: "I hate racism of any kind, no matter the color.", I say Thank You! That is as it should be!

Hello Twoey, Yes, you're right about the 'crying wolf' aspect. Great point!

Hello Ctry, The story is so poorly written, that only the mention of a still potentially viable assault case bould give one reason to ask 'what really happened that day'? Given that the accuser's name has been witheld, I do not expect that we'll ever hear any follow up on whether any aspect of the allegations are true. Good point, though!