Can't Republicans be prosecuted under the Federal Civil Rights Law, 18 U.S.C. § 245(b)(2), "Mosque"

[Rosa Luxemburg]

If perpetrators like Palin, Gringrich and hate news have persistently caused harm against a particular group or person on religious grounds (re Islamic center next to WTC) can they be prosecuted under 245? Any ideas?

[Kurovski]

1. I dunno.

But we can't even get Bush/Cheney et al, brought up on charges. Or Banksters. Or...well, you know what I mean.

[tulsakatz]

2. good idea..........

....although they'd have to prove that harm was done to them and usually that's in the form of money. Still, it's a great question!

[Rosa Luxemburg]

3. Oh look!

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/06/04/holder.arab.americans/index.html

[jillan]

5. +1

[seattleblue]

4. Not sure what you are looking at. The word "mosque" is not in the law.

This law is intended to prevent discrimination based on a number of factors for the following activities: 1) A student at or applicant for admission to a public school or public college; 2) A participant in a benefit, service, privilege, program, facility or activity provided or administered by a state or local government; 3) An applicant for private or state employment; a private or state employee; a member or applicant for membership in a labor organization or hiring hall; or an applicant for employment through an employment agency, labor organization or hiring hall; 4) A juror or prospective juror in state court; 5) A traveler or user of a facility of interstate commerce or common carrier; or a 6)A patron of a public accommodation or place of exhibition or entertainment, including hotels, motels, restaurants, lunchrooms, bars, gas stations, theaters, concert halls, sports arenas or stadiums.

None of this has anything to do with the mosque situation. Also in the U.S. we prosecute people based on deeds not words. There is a pesky thing known as the Constitution which prevents the type of activity you wish to carry out. Funny how quickly some are to throw it out.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

6. You would think the hate crime laws would be more fined tuned

[Art_from_Ark]

7. People are prosecuted based on words

Making a joke about bombs while going through airport security can get you in a lot of hot water.

"Humor is Not an Option
Do not joke about having a bomb or firearm in your possession. Security personnel are trained to react when they hear these words. Penalties can be severe, and can include the possibility of time in prison and/or fines"

http://www.airsafe.com/issues/security.htm

Saying something that can be construed as a threat against the President, even if intended as a joke, can land you in jail

http://www.prisonplanet.com/news_alert_120602_illegalbush.html

And if you talk about blowing up a building, but likely don't even know where it is, you can be prosecuted, several times if necessary

http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/14735

[seattleblue]

8. I would like to see a successful prosecution based on the examples you give.

Prosecutors have to show other deeds and intent.

[Art_from_Ark]

10. You didn't even read the links

For example, in the case of the Liberty City Seven,

"Yet, even as Gonzales was playing the terrorist trump card, FBI deputy director John Pistole was describing the ragtag group's plans as merely "aspirational rather than operational" and a spokesperson from the Sears Tower declared: "Law enforcement continues to tell us that they have never found evidence of a credible terrorism threat against Sears Tower that has gone beyond criminal discussions."

That is, words, but not deeds. There was no real evidence that they really intended on doing anything. Yet all but one of the defendants were continually being dragged back to court until they were convicted

[dkf]

9. Now we want to jail people for expressing their opinions?

OMG who are the extremists now?

[smalll]

11. Yes! And "investigate" the funding for the anti-Mosque campaign (as Pelosi wants to do)

-- as well as tell any Americans who are less than sanguine about the Cordoba House project that they are ill-educated bigots!

This is going to work SO well for us in November! :shrug:

[dkf]

12. This bunch thinks putting this mosque up is more important that holding congress or the Presidency.

I'd say they think it's more important than pretty much everything else...jobs, health care, economy... It's the hill they want to die on and the singular goal they aim towards.

In retrospect I think we've fallen into a huge trap. This is why the republicans pushed so hard. They knew we couldn't resist turning this into a final stand. I think we have been played.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

14. It does not give them the right to display hatred to wards one particular religion

[totodeinhere]

16. But it's OK for DU posters to display hatred toward Catholics and fundamentalist Christians.

It's just Muslims who are out of bounds.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

17. hatred when?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

15. yes the republicans are focused on hatred and bigotry instead of policies

the GOP don't seem to have any policies only privatization and giving tax breaks to the rich.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

13. defending hatred of religions?

I don't think this is simply expressing an opinion. Why are you defending this hatred?

[denimgirly]

18. Similar to the Analogy of the "Best way to rob a bank is to own one"...

In this case the best way to get around "silly" laws meant just for the peasants is to be a politician....there, you can re-write old laws, or ignore existing ones. Being above the law is determined by class. Next.

[hugo_from_TN]

19. See U.S. Constitution, Amendment 1 for your answer

[Ter]

20. Do you support a Second Civil War?

Because that's what happens when you start jailing people for opinions which a majority of the population regrettably agrees with.