Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
One headline, so many implications: Mistrial declared in CA gay student killing trial
No picture this time: I'm too upset to post the picture of the grieving parents...
Three years ago, somewhere in California, a 14 year old student shot his 15 year old classmate in the back of his head during a class. The 15 year old was gay, who walked in high heels, used makeup, and preferred girlish outfits. At one point he past his future killer in the school hallway and allegedly said: "What's up, baby?" A few minutes before his death, the 15 year old declared that he wanted to change his name to Latisha. Allegedly, this pushed his 14 year old murderer over the edge and infuriated him enough that within a few minutes he committed the ultimate crime.
The 14 year old had evidence of Nazi inspired artifacts at his house (would you want to see me when next time my son puts up a swastika, not what the Chinese Buddhists call wan, but the clockwise one that Hitler used, above his baby picture?). His defense lawyers said that it was a school project on tolerance… WHAT?
The murderer’s friends – yes, you heard me well: he still has friends, and supporters! – claim that “prosecutors tried to sensationalize the case by calling it a hate crime by a budding white supremacist.”
When people, OK not the defense, since this is their paying job, but people of the street try to defend an act like this, they offer a glimpse into the decaying morals of the society they themselves shape.
With their action they say that if one says a word you don’t like, dresses up that does not appeal to you, or chooses a name you find offensive, you can just pull a gun and “BUMM”.
Putting it into historical perspective, they also say that the French should’ve pulled the trigger on George Sand in the early 1800s, when she began sporting men's clothing.
Even more importantly, they say that gays should be shaking in their boots because any real man with true macho intestinal fortitude may become the rightful axmen of God delivering you to your rightful place in Hell, saving the hassle for God Himself who should turn His attention instead to more worthwhile causes such as granting a sunny day for one’s beloved daughter’s wedding for which one have been fervently praying for.
I am not implying that the 14 year old was driven by religious fervor when he killed his gay classmate. But I do mean to say that a social climate that promotes gay homophobia receives tremendous encouragement from religious teaching of hate and intolerance against this group of “sinners”.
And one last troubling thought. Where did this 14 year old get the murder weapon from? Which grown-up adult is going to be punished for putting it in his hand or allowing him to access it? There is not a word about it in the news or in any courtrooms.
Shouldn’t responsible gun handling and storing and proper punishment for ignoring such basic gun safety rules be one of the highest agenda for the NRA and its steadfast supporters?
I find it stunning that a simple headline can hide so much dirt and hypocrisy in the American society. Is this the America it was meant to be?
Three years ago, somewhere in California, a 14 year old student shot his 15 year old classmate in the back of his head during a class. The 15 year old was gay, who walked in high heels, used makeup, and preferred girlish outfits. At one point he past his future killer in the school hallway and allegedly said: "What's up, baby?" A few minutes before his death, the 15 year old declared that he wanted to change his name to Latisha. Allegedly, this pushed his 14 year old murderer over the edge and infuriated him enough that within a few minutes he committed the ultimate crime.
The 14 year old had evidence of Nazi inspired artifacts at his house (would you want to see me when next time my son puts up a swastika, not what the Chinese Buddhists call wan, but the clockwise one that Hitler used, above his baby picture?). His defense lawyers said that it was a school project on tolerance… WHAT?
The murderer’s friends – yes, you heard me well: he still has friends, and supporters! – claim that “prosecutors tried to sensationalize the case by calling it a hate crime by a budding white supremacist.”
When people, OK not the defense, since this is their paying job, but people of the street try to defend an act like this, they offer a glimpse into the decaying morals of the society they themselves shape.
With their action they say that if one says a word you don’t like, dresses up that does not appeal to you, or chooses a name you find offensive, you can just pull a gun and “BUMM”.
Putting it into historical perspective, they also say that the French should’ve pulled the trigger on George Sand in the early 1800s, when she began sporting men's clothing.
Even more importantly, they say that gays should be shaking in their boots because any real man with true macho intestinal fortitude may become the rightful axmen of God delivering you to your rightful place in Hell, saving the hassle for God Himself who should turn His attention instead to more worthwhile causes such as granting a sunny day for one’s beloved daughter’s wedding for which one have been fervently praying for.
I am not implying that the 14 year old was driven by religious fervor when he killed his gay classmate. But I do mean to say that a social climate that promotes gay homophobia receives tremendous encouragement from religious teaching of hate and intolerance against this group of “sinners”.
And one last troubling thought. Where did this 14 year old get the murder weapon from? Which grown-up adult is going to be punished for putting it in his hand or allowing him to access it? There is not a word about it in the news or in any courtrooms.
Shouldn’t responsible gun handling and storing and proper punishment for ignoring such basic gun safety rules be one of the highest agenda for the NRA and its steadfast supporters?
I find it stunning that a simple headline can hide so much dirt and hypocrisy in the American society. Is this the America it was meant to be?
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