Dowbrigade

But a definition is always better if accompanied by an
example. The following article from today’s
Boston Globe, about a lesbian
couple with two small kids who were attacked and beaten while buying
ice cream on the 4th of July, seems to epitomize hate crimes.

The questions remain: 1) In what way is the crime committed intrinsically
different than if the suspects in this case had beaten the woman because
they didn’t like the color of her hair, or because she reminded them
of a hated teacher? 2) Even if there is a difference in motivation,
is that
a valid reason for more severe charges and penalties? and 3) Is it within
the courts responsibility and capacity to render judgment on the motivation
and possible prejudicial mindsets of the accused?                Comments?

OTTAWA — Doctors will be allowed to dispense medicinal marijuana
from their offices under a federal plan unveiled this week. As early as one week from now, the government will start delivering the
drug to doctors treating Canadians who have the right to use
it. The drug will be in the form of seeds or mature cannabis cultivated
at an abandoned mine in Flin Flon, Man.

meanwhile….

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration wants the Supreme Court’s permission
to strip prescription licenses from doctors who recommend marijuana to
sick patients.

Daniel Goldin, tapped as the next president of Boston University
and famous for
his "better,
faster, cheaper" philosophy, was known at
at NASA by the nickname ”Captain Chaos”. He was feared and respected
during his nine-year tenureas head of NASA, the longest of any head of
the agency.

from Boston Globe