You Don't Have A Right To Not Be Offended
Yes, some people have a problem with a religion (really a totalitarian system masquerading as a religion) that commands the death of gays and apostates, the death or conversion of "the infidel" (that would be the rest of us), and that treats women as if they have all the rights of pets.
People who have such problems with Islam sometimes seek to non-violently express their feelings. (We have a thingie called "The First Amendment" to protect such expression.)
In New York City, however, and most states, that's a "hate crime" -- which not only conflicts with free speech but free thought...assuming we can even know what a person's thoughts are (and, of course, assuming that they're "hateful" of a protected group).
Of course, Muslims building a mosque -- a place for people to read, recite, and pray for the destruction of non-Muslims -- isn't a "hate crime." There are too many of us, and we're too pasty to be considered protected.
But throwing bacon on the ground in a New York City park, that is considered "a hate crime," per police commish Raymond Kelly.
Do I have a problem with people who toss bacon around a city park? Yes -- but the "crime" is called "littering," and it's bad because it brings rats, and there are already far too many of those in New York City.
People who use bacon as speech -- well, it's a waste of a fantastic food, but I otherwise celebrate that, and all other forms of speech.
I think you need some sort of citation for that "most states" bit. The only hate crime I'm aware of around here was when some misguided members of the ROP burned down a Synagogue, and if I recall correctly, it was prosecuted as arson.
New York Cty is representative of not much else.
MarkD at August 22, 2012 5:19 AM
Ramadan prayers are a non-political event and mocking people who are going to pray via littering bacon is incredibly rude. I am not Muslim, and find organized religion distasteful, but except instances where those religions are either trying to directly intrude on my life, or have the state do so on their behalf, I think it is contemptible to harass religious organizations for engaging in their practices.
Yes, they should have the free speech right to throw bacon on the ground,* but they're jerks. And I have the free speech right to call them jerks.**
*Littering laws are acceptable time/place/manner restrictions, and they should be fined.
**Yes, Amy has control of this forum, and I have no free speech right to be present on this site, but I think Amy will be willing to accommodate this post.
Peter H. at August 22, 2012 7:47 AM
Discarding uncooked bacon in a park? yes, that's a hate crime.
Against bacon.
I R A Darth Aggie at August 22, 2012 8:00 AM
I was always against hate crime laws, but that was before I knew hate crimes could be so delicious.
Senator Blutarsky at August 22, 2012 8:10 AM
...but except instances where those religions are either trying to directly intrude on my life, or have the state do so on their behalf, I think it is contemptible to harass religious organizations for engaging in their practices.
So you weren't okay with 9/11, then?
Just checkin', is all...
Flynne at August 22, 2012 8:39 AM
Flynne,
I would categorize trying to kill me as intruding on my life. Bowing while in a park, not so much.
That said, what does this have to do with 9/11? It's truly sad if you think that all Muslims should be mocked, bullied, or worse for the act of a very small number. This was in fact a bigoted act, and the people who did it are bigots. I defend their rights to be bigots against state intervention, but in no way does that mean their behaviour is something that should be praised or defended on ethical grounds. It's indefensible and wrong.
Peter H. at August 22, 2012 9:00 AM
I read somewhere(probably Drudge) that a caller said he put the bacon there for the critters (racoons and related).
Actually, those who are looking to be offended will get offended.
Dave B at August 22, 2012 9:05 AM
"It's truly sad if you think that all Muslims should be mocked, bullied, or worse for the act of a very small number. This was in fact a bigoted act, and the people who did it are bigots."
Bullshit.
Dave B at August 22, 2012 9:09 AM
My opinion: A person should be subject to arrest/prosecution/etc. based on what he does, not on what he thinks. Is it illegal to be bigoted or a jerk? Not unless those thoughts compel to an illegal action, and then it is still just the action that should be on trial. I hope the law in this country isn’t truly sliding down the slippery slope of prosecuting for what people think, because one day it will be my thoughts (and yours) on trial. If I don’t back the free expression of the jerks and bigots of the world now, what will I be able to say when they come for me?
Just a guy at August 22, 2012 11:13 AM
Bacon in a public park is a hate crime but Piss Christ is high art? Sure. I think Bacon on the Grass was conceptual art, myself. And hanging people for being gay is sharia.
KateC at August 22, 2012 6:35 PM
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