Is this a hate crime?

[fantome profane]

Just for starters.
1. You dont have the right to damage any sign, I dont care if it is proX for X, or no X at all.
You do that you are committing a crime.
2. To think you have the right to express your anger against a cop, or any other being for doing their job, and in this case where the cop had issues with your friend, is mere stupidity.
period.

1. You do have a right to destroy a sign if you own that sign, or even if that sign is abandoned property (garbage or litter on the street).

The article I read and linked to seems a little vague on where the sign came from. But fine, if this person destroyed someone else’s property, charge her with that. But that is not a hate crime.

2. Let us be absolutely clear on this point, it is important.

You do have the right to express anger against a cop!

This is extremely important. I am going to say it again.

You do have the right to express anger against a cop!!!!

This is guaranteed in your first amendment (that is the one right above the second amendment in case you missed it). And this right has specifically been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

:Police Officer Can't Pull Over Driver For Giving Him The Finger, Court Rules

If you can give the finger, you can give a smirk.

Every civilized free nation on earth guarantees your right to express anger against the police, or any other representative of the government. That is one of the important things that makes a free country a free country. Take that right away and you have tyranny.

 

[AlexanderG]

I mean, this is how conservatives would like to portray it:

1. Resisting hatred is a form of hatred.
2. Identifying and criticizing racism is a form of racism against the racists.
3. Having all religions operate under the same legal framework is unjustly oppressing the historically privileged religion.
4. Criticizing power is oppressing the people.

By conservative logic, every side in WWII should have been prosecuted by the Hague. Granted, conservatives know it's not a real argument but they push this message to confuse people, stall progress, and maintain a social space for their bigotry. At least for a little while longer. Demographic change is inevitably dooming their culture of hatred, and the only question is how much damage they'll do out of spite on the way out.

 

[fantome profane]

Oh so he's not fit to be a police officer because he's scared of a girl? I thought girls are liberated now and equal to men in every way imaginable including being just as strong and capable. So much for that. It always seems to go out the window the second things get real.

If he is intimidated by a smirk, yes.

 

[SA Huguenot]

Regarding the sign, the article noted that they found the sign somewhere along the side of the road and kept it in their vehicle. They still had it when the police pulled them over for speeding, and it was at that traffic stop that this incident occurred. So, it wasn't in the context of any kind of protest, at least not at that time and place. She was just mad because her friend got pulled over and cited for speeding. It's the age-old trope about cops and motorists who try to flout traffic laws.

AND..It's the age-old trope of a teen who thinks it is a wize thing to demonstrate their childish behaviour to challenge a police man.

I still maintain there should be laws to lock stupid people up.
There was a very wise man who said, if the soldier commands you to cary his propperty one mile, go two miles.
make your enemy your friend!

Do you think the police man would have cited her, if she was friendly to him?

 

[SA Huguenot]

1. You do have a right to destroy a sign if you own that sign, or even if that sign is abandoned property (garbage or litter on the street).

The article I read and linked to seems a little vague on where the sign came from. But fine, if this person destroyed someone else’s property, charge her with that. But that is not a hate crime.

2. Let us be absolutely clear on this point, it is important.

You do have the right to express anger against a cop!

This is extremely important. I am going to say it again.

You do have the right to express anger against a cop!!!!

This is guaranteed in your first amendment (that is the one right above the second amendment in case you missed it). And this right has specifically been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

:Police Officer Can't Pull Over Driver For Giving Him The Finger, Court Rules

If you can give the finger, you can give a smirk.

Every civilized free nation on earth guarantees your right to express anger against the police, or any other representative of the government. That is one of the important things that makes a free country a free country. Take that right away and you have tyranny.

in otherwords, the laws you mention are just some other laws to allow stupid people to carry on like Karens!
What is this big saying you guys always quote when you want to sound verry moderate?
Oh yes...
This one...
Do not judge a man by the color of his skin, but by his character!

Love that one...
So, if a cop is a jerk, it gives you the right to be a bigger one!

Now on a serious note.
If a police man for some reason pulls someone over, it does not mean he is misusing his power, it is his job.
If he mistreats someone, you have legal channels to loge your grevance, which eventually will bring this person to accountability.
But to even think you have the right to demonstrate to a police man your opinion is realy evidence of poor character.
Grow up!
Respect authority!
I bet she never had a father in her house to teach her respect, love and character.

 

[Stevicus]

AND..It's the age-old trope of a teen who thinks it is a wize thing to demonstrate their childish behaviour to challenge a police man.

I still maintain there should be laws to lock stupid people up.
There was a very wise man who said, if the soldier commands you to cary his propperty one mile, go two miles.
make your enemy your friend!

Do you think the police man would have cited her, if she was friendly to him?

I don't know. The article didn't mention how fast they were going. Although there's another old trope that women can more easily talk a police officer out of getting a ticket than a man can.

If it was me, far from home in a small town in another state, I probably would have played it cool. If it was my own town, it might be different, since I know a bit about how the local hierarchy works.

 

[fantome profane]

in otherwords, the laws you mention are just some other laws to allow stupid people to carry on like Karens!

Yes! Absolutely, That is what the law means. Free speech doesn’t mean free speech unless you don’t like it. There are exceptions to even the first amendment, but this isn’t one.


You have an absolute right to express anger against a cop!

 

[Stevicus]

You do have the right to express anger against a cop!!!!

This is guaranteed in your first amendment (that is the one right above the second amendment in case you missed it). And this right has specifically been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

This is true. I recall this rather humorous video which was first recorded in July of 1992. Note the irate motorist refers to Bill Clinton's acceptance speech.

But the cop plays it cool through the whole scene. Even though the guy is going berserk, swearing at the cop, calling him names, the cop just stands there and remains calm. I think that this was used as part of a training video for Maine State Police officers.

So, if this is the standard which police officers are supposed to follow in these kinds of situations, then it appears that the police officer in the OP did not live up to this standard.

Spoiler: Profanity

 

[Father Heathen]

Just for starters.
1. You dont have the right to damage any sign, I dont care if it is proX for X, or no X at all.
You do that you are committing a crime.
2. To think you have the right to express your anger against a cop, or any other being for doing their job, and in this case where the cop had issues with your friend, is mere stupidity.
period.

There is a huge difference between expressing yourself and destroying propperty, and challenging a policemen who dont need your childish behaviour.

I wish the world could make laws against stupidity, and give offenders hard labour for a week to clean up their streets with a Dunce cap on their heads and a sign on their backs reading, "I am stupid!"

Even if what she did was inappropriate, it doesn't warrant mischaracterization and disproportionate punishment.
Also, when cops don't do their jobs properly and professionally, they deserve criticism.
Just because you find men in uniform to be dreamy doesn't make them infallible or beyond reproach.

 

[Father Heathen]

Damn. I'm sure the Republican freedom of speech defenders will rush to her aid.

Republicans are only interested in "freedom" when it benefits their narrative and never when its detrimental. They preach The Constitution as if it were holy scripture when it comes to the 2nd Amendment, yet immediately wipe their *** with it when it comes to the establishment clause of the 1st Amendment.

 

[Father Heathen]

Oh so he's not fit to be a police officer because he's scared of a girl? I thought girls are liberated now and equal to men in every way imaginable including being just as strong and capable. So much for that. It always seems to go out the window the second things get real.

Don't be disingenuous. That isn't the point of gender equality. It's about rights, not pretending there is no difference in physical strength. This just a case of small-town cops being petty and vindictive over bruised egos. It's pathetic and embarrassing.

 

[Kooky]

Crime or not, it was a righteous act of resistance against the oppressive tools of the state.

This is true. I recall this rather humorous video which was first recorded in July of 1992. Note the irate motorist refers to Bill Clinton's acceptance speech.

But the cop plays it cool through the whole scene. Even though the guy is going berserk, swearing at the cop, calling him names, the cop just stands there and remains calm. I think that this was used as part of a training video for Maine State Police officers.

Fun fact: This would get you a hefty fine in most of Europe.

 

[Father Heathen]

I still maintain there should be laws to lock stupid people up.

Careful what you wish for.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Oh so he's not fit to be a police officer because he's scared of a girl? I thought girls are liberated now and equal to men in every way imaginable including being just as strong and capable. So much for that. It always seems to go out the window the second things get real.

If your intimidated by a smirk of someone much smaller than you, you are not fit for police work.
I guarantee I went through way worse in Indiana.

 

[Father Heathen]

Respect authority!

Authority that is corrupt and/or incompetent is unworthy of respect. Ethical dissent displays better character and maturity than blind, uncritical obedience.

 

[fantome profane]

Respect authority!

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Yes! Absolutely, That is what the law means. Free speech doesn’t mean free speech unless you don’t like it. There are exceptions to even the first amendment, but this isn’t one.


You have an absolute right to express anger against a cop!

Yup. We are legally entitled to flip them off and express anger at them.
However, the police may act in ways that are illegal for them and get away with it anyways.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I bet she never had a father in her house to teach her respect, love and character.

What a way to promote dated, sexist tropes! A girl with daddy issues! Because, ya know, this is 1921 and definitely not 2021.

Respect authority!

Respect is earned, not mandated.

 

[Twilight Hue]

In a police state like China, disrespecting the party or their authorities at any level is a hate-the-state crime. So how is Utah any better than the Chinese dictators?

Only thing I can think of is a social credit score linked with government databases.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Yup. We are legally entitled to flip them off and express anger at them.
However, the police may act in ways that are illegal for them and get away with it anyways.

Yea. I wouldn't antagonize a cop. Those You Tube videos of people pushing a Cops buttons?

Best to keep in mind they happen to be exceptions rather than the rule or even staged 'encounters'.

Expect tickets and or jail time if you do.