In today’s Peoria Journal Star, opinion writer Pam Adams tries to compare a couple of crimes that were not prosecuted as hate crimes, but many think could or should have been. I posted earlier on hate crimes and what I think about them. You may want to read that post also. Pam’s article itself proves that racism is alive and well, not to mention some of the comments that follow on the online version. I’ve never met Pam Adams, but I am going to make some assumptions about her now. I think part of why Pam writes the way she does is to spark debate. Her sometimes outrageous articles have the potential to sell papers, which is part of her job. I also think she sometimes tries to bring attention to subject matter that we all know exists, but are afraid to talk about. She gives people a forum to open up dialog, good or bad. I personally think there must be a better way to do what I think she is trying to do. On the other hand, I could be completely wrong about her and she truly believes what she writes about.

With all of the hubbub surrounding the “Bob Manning Incident”, and the cries of a possible hate crime had been committed, I thought I would take a closer look at “hate crimes”.
 

Hate Crime – any of various crimes (as assault or defacement of property) when motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (as one based on color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation) Websters Dictionary

I was commenting on a post over at Merle Widmers site on a post titled Humanists.  Merle, another commenter Ben, and I were having a discussion about Humanism vs. Religion.  When Merle bowed out, I asked Ben if he would like to continue the discussion to do it on my site.  Here is Merle’s original post: