Hate crime = terrorism? I think so.

[me b zola]

This occurred to me a few minutes ago when responding to a post on another thread. A hate crime is a crime committed against a minority group of people with the intention of hurting that group and/or intimidating others from that group. Isn't that terrorism? The action of the crime stands on its own, but additional criminal charges are pressed when prosecutors find that the action is meant to inflict damage/intimidate to a larger populous.

When skin heads or other white supremacists beat a person of color, is their attack solely for the purpose of hurting that one person, or are they attempting to beat down an entire group of people?

When anti-choice lunatics bomb abortion clinics, are their actions only aimed at hurting/killing the people in that clinic, or is it to intimidate others?


Maybe it is time to end prosecuting hate crimes and prosecute them for what they are: terrorism.

[sui generis]

1. Terrorism is a crime

But typically terrorism's goals are to attack a civilian population in order to manipulate a military or political system, in the absence of the ability to directly attack a military objective.

Hate crimes don't really qualify as terrorism unless they're trying to get back at the U.S. government or military by attacking a civilian segment.

And remember, hate crimes are not just committed against the obvious - they are committed against fellow Americans, against friends, families, and every person involved in the lives of the people who are singled out for violence.

In that way, a hate crime is an attack on the broader community as well.

[EOTE]

4. I think that's a fairly narrow view of terrorism.

Terrorism doesn't have to be directed towards the U.S. government or military. I think the best definition of terrorism would be the use of terror as a means of coercion. In that regard, I'd think that hate crimes are very much terrorism.

[sui generis]

9. technically no. The narrow definition is THE definition

All terrorism is crime against civilians. When you're attacking the military, it's war. It's how well organized those crimes are that inevitably leads to political or sectarian affiliation, thus, an individual who hates gays and is violent towards gays because of an idea is not a terrorist with a credo. They're not trying to coerce anyone - they're acting out some atavistic impulse to rid themselves of the "stranger" to the tribe.

They're mentally ill.

[EOTE]

11. Not according to dictionary.com

Terrorism
–noun 1. the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/terrorism

[NightWatcher]

2. how bout, a crime is already a crime, let's not rush to label more as "terrorism"

hate crime = terrorism, sure
hate speech = terrorism, ok
unpopular speech = terrorism, I guess so
unpopular thoughts = terrorism, hey wait a minute O'Brien, I dont want to go to room 101

The way things keep going, we are going to find ourselves in the minority very soon, so let's not facilitate the reich wing's aim to prosecuting Thought Crime against us.

When a skinhead beats up anyone (regardless of race) it's a crime, punishable by imprisonment. Let it go at that.

[me b zola]

6. But actions are not "thought crimes"

~and prosecutors regularly apply motivation to how they charge a defendant & seek sentencing.

[NightWatcher]

7. let's allow motivation to be considered as mitigation during sentancing

and not make it a crime in and of itself.

Any crime could be committed as "hate" against someone. I hate my neighbor because he is a wooden shoe wearing Dutchman, so I'm gonna steal his car. Prosecute me for auto theft, use hate as a mitigating factor in the sentancing phase of the trial, but do not seek to them make auto theft a hate crime, nor prosecute as a hate crime.

[Therellas]

3. agreed.

at least it should be.

[Posteritatis]

5. Far too many things are defined as "terrorism" already. (nt)

[Therellas]

8. yeah but i know what he means.

bad thing are not good.
they are bad.

[me b zola]

12. Welcome to DU, Therellas!

Psst, I am not only a female, but I am a grandmother of four beautiful young ones. :)

[ncguy]

10. When it comes to the criminal justice system

be careful what you wish for, be very careful.

Get a law passed based on your definition.

Next thing you know, black kid robes old white lady. DA proves that all old white ladies are scared of young black men. Terrorism, and he goes away for life.

Or - some liberal protesters break some misdemeanor law, jaywalking lets say, while shouting something mean at members of the local GOP, Bam, terrorism charges.

Be careful what you wish for. Most prosecutors are not liberals.