tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197697978956804591.post2058613457583440581..comments2023-05-16T10:11:07.154-04:00Comments on parade music in a quiet room: Debating Hate CrimesErnest McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14213693602083307811noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197697978956804591.post-306407611080855852008-02-25T11:01:00.000-05:002008-02-25T11:01:00.000-05:00Thanks, Hermes. I agree, there can be a lot of nam...Thanks, Hermes. I agree, there can be a lot of name-calling on the blogs and a lack of thoughtfulness. It's easy to fall prey to personality and lose the issue at hand. (I've probably succumbed a few times myself.) I did understand on Towleroad that you were genuinely struggling with the issue; it's not all black and white, is it? Best Wishes.Ernest McLeodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14213693602083307811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197697978956804591.post-25090278249839855912008-02-24T20:19:00.000-05:002008-02-24T20:19:00.000-05:00Ernie,I followed your link from Towleroad and am g...Ernie,<BR/><BR/>I followed your link from Towleroad and am glad that I did so.<BR/><BR/>As you know, I was very critical of much of the commentary on towleroad.com about Cloud's article. My point was not so much that I agree with him, or that his point was an important one to make, but that oversimplification of the author's point and ad hominem attacks on the author do little to advance real dialogue.<BR/><BR/>I commend you though for a piece here which is the antithesis of what I was criticizing there. Your argument is well and carefully argued and gives me a lot to think about. I particularly appreciate that you focus your comments on Cloud's argument and the fault you find with it as opposed to calling him names or attributing malicious intent where there is no evidence of any.<BR/><BR/>Your argument is particularly interesting on the issue of hate crimes legislation, about which, as I noted on towleroad.com, my mind is not made up.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I learned a lot from reading your blog today and will return in the future.<BR/><BR/>Best wishes,<BR/><BR/>HermesHermes in DChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03583768686211727346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197697978956804591.post-77625456965580371262008-02-24T16:56:00.000-05:002008-02-24T16:56:00.000-05:00Thanks for the visit and comment, JT. I couldn't a...Thanks for the visit and comment, JT. I couldn't agree more. See you on Towleroad.Ernest McLeodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14213693602083307811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197697978956804591.post-35427752957766952882008-02-24T12:46:00.000-05:002008-02-24T12:46:00.000-05:00I did as you suggested on Towleroad and followed y...I did as you suggested on Towleroad and followed your link. Job well done, sir. I can only hope others (and perhaps one in particular) do the same. I am already a member of the choir; we need more members.<BR/><BR/>As you point out, hate crimes are special in that they have a purpose besides carrying out a vendetta against an individual. They send the "or else" message to groups of people that rocking the boat comes with consequences. Therefore, the consequences of such acts need to be special as well. Unless one acts out on thoughts, thoughts by themselves are hardly actionable offenses. But combined with actions or used to justify feelings that "others" are "less than", they become dangerous stepping stones on the path to justifying acts of violence. But I guess that's just me an my mumbo-jumbo going off on specious arguments, AGAIN!<BR/><BR/>Have a good day.<BR/>JTJThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08527172760207475129noreply@blogger.com