BeckyHate Crimes in Utah Up 80 Percent; Down in the U.S.
A disturbing report. Hate crimes reported in Utah jumped from 35 in 2006 to 55 in 2007. See SL Trib and KSL.
Nationwide, hate crimes reported were down about 1 percent. But in Utah they are up a whopping 80 percent. Some of this may be accounted for by increased willingness to come forward and report such crimes.
The FBI reported decreases in race and religion crimes, but a 6 percent increase in sexual-orientation crimes. (snip)
In Utah, the FBI reported nine crimes motivated by an anti-gay bias.
[Valerie]Larabee said she often got calls from victims, but they don’t want to report it. “Because they haven’t come out to their friends and family, and they don’t want to lose everything in their surroundings because they’re outed,” Larabee said.
The reader comments in the Trib reveal a sad lack of understanding of what constitutes a hate crime, some opining that ALL crimes are hate crimes. They fail to understand that the motive for some crimes is solely because of bias against race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Each year as the legislature convenes, we hope that a law with teeth might be effected. These statistics show the shameful result of Utah’s weak hate crime law.
October 29th, 2008 at 7:47 am
So crime is up in Utah.
Have any of you noticed the mannekin of Palin hanged in front of a couples house in Hollywood? Is that a hate crime? Would it be a hate crime if it was Obama hanging there in effigy?
I am waiting to find out, as surely some redneck will hang a black mannekin in response, in a ill fitted suit,, somewhere south of the Mason Dixon line, heck maybe even in Utah. I’m thinking Idaho maybe. Then we’ll see if it is a hate crime. There is just abundant hate to go around from the left and right it appears.
The country is one very sick society, totally polarized, with one side shitting and the other sniffing, and when the stink rises, we get the grade school, “who, me”? The elites who manage this system, couldn’t be happier.
October 29th, 2008 at 7:54 am
There is no Federal hate crime law, that went down in flames Becky. No state can effect laws that do not comply with Federal law. Federal law supersedes all state law.
Any attempt to to create a state hate crime law and enforce it, will arrive at the federal challenge. As there is no Federal law, the state cannot enforce one. When that is declared it will be a simple matter for anyone accused under such a bogus statuate to sue for civil damages at the state level.
Currently there are crimes against people with special circumstances, this is covering it.
what is your litmus Becky and definition of what a hate crime is? Unless the criminal is acting upon the victim screaming epithets, how does anyone know what is actually motivating a crime? Pretty subjective, which is why the courts a sticking with the actions of criminals on victims as the basis of charges to crimes.
October 29th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Glenn:
The answer to your question re hate crimes/Palin is: NO.
October 29th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Anon, smarter people than I have defined hate crimes. I already stated the simple definition. Matthew Shepherd is the prime example. Perhaps you don’t think those things really happen. As to motives, again I leave that to the experts.
And as for the Palin effigy, it’s despicable, but it’s not a hate crime–apparently not a crime at all. Still it is highly disturbing and offensive and I don’t defend it in any way.
December 13th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
You and all know what is good, bad, right, wrong. The debate is nonsense. Exactly what is your point?
December 13th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Frohe Weihnachten und ein glückliches neues Jahr. Leben diesbezüglich ist USA unerträglich geworden.
December 13th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Und jetzt kommen wir durch eine Zeit des Geschictes, alles ist wie es ware. Da ist ja nicht nues unter unser Sonne.
December 13th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Unsere Sonne. Das ist die Sonne ja?
December 13th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
neues auch, viele Fehler, kommt mit der Ziet.
December 13th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Christ Glenn,
Catching up on OneUtah recent history are ya? Shall we all start commenting in languages we know, or is this just a lesson in really bad German?
December 14th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Yes, I have noticed an increase in hate crimes, particularly against LDS and other churches since the passage of Proposition 8 in California.
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Barack Obama 2012.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:48 am
Will likely be retired.
December 23rd, 2008 at 8:07 am
“Yes, I have noticed an increase in hate crimes, particularly against LDS and other churches since the passage of Proposition 8 in California.”
While any so called “acts of retribution” against The LDS or any other churches are wrong morally and legally, it is hard to read that statement without pointing out that in many ways removing the rights of a group of people because they are different from you is a hate crime. Prop 8 is a hate crime.
In the Buddhist sense, while I remain 100% against any hate crimes against people for religion…… well, “instant karmas gonna get you.”
Pay back is a bitch, but the universe does do it some times.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:53 am
Shane
It sounds like you are defending hate crimes perpetrated against LDS churches and by extension other churches and groups that support the now Constitutional Amendment of California that was known as Proposition 8? Do you also advocate hate crimes be committed against African-Americans who had the highest percentage of support for Prop 8 of any other single demographic?
It’s people like you who are hurting the case proponents of gay marriage are making. You are turning people off to your cause and making it less likely gay marriage will be approved in other states.