O' Wise Ones, I Need Your Counsel

[elSicomoro]

Originally posted by Elspode
I don't think being an asshole is a racial issue. I think being an asshole means just that, and race really doesn't enter into it. And yes, Syc, I know you are being over the top on purpose, and it is okay. I just don't want anyone to think that I'm some sort of a toothless throwback to the days of Jim Crow.

That's already obvious...at least to the people that read the Cellar and your posts on a regular.

Oh, yeah...one more thing. If I burned a popsicle stick cross on his porch, made KKK threats or showed a noose, you can bet I'd find my ass up on federal civil rights violation charges a hell of lot faster than that kid would find himself in trouble for duking my boy.

The popsicle stick cross or a noose, perhaps...but as far as any KKK reference, you're pretty much covered. First amendment grounds. If I just wanted to call some black guy on the street a "dumb nigger," I can. However, if I call some black on the street a "dumb nigger" and then throw a punch, that could be considered a Federal hate crime.