Subj : Burning the Flag
To   : Will Milberger
From : Lee Lofaso
Date : Sun Dec 29 2019 10:55 pm

Hello Will,

>TR>Try publicly burning a *gay pride* flag and watch what happens next!
>TR>A guy just recently got sent to prison for burning one.
>
>I think that is what started this thread. The thing about it is, he took it
> from a church that was displaying it. It wasn't one he went and bought. So
> I believe that is what made it a "hate" crime. It is his reaction to it and
> then taking it and burning it.
>
>If he bought the flag at Wal-Mart and stood in his front yard and set it
>alight, there would have been no problem. Unless there was a burn ban in his
> county.

According to the news report, he was convicted of the "hate crime
of arson", his sentenced tripled since he was a habitual offender.
The flag used was noted as being a symbol of sexual orientation.

Apparently it made no difference whose flag it belonged to, or that
it had been stolen, or even that it was burned.  The fact that it was
a symbol of sexual orientation is what did the guy in.  Had he pissed
or defecated on it, he would have been convicted of the "hate crime
of whatever_the_judge_wanted_to_call_it".  Same harsh sentence.

Had he done that with a US flag of the red, white and blue variety
he would have been seen by some as being a hero.

--Lee

-- 
Laying Pipe Since '88

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