At what point does a crime become a hate crime?
This is the question I find myself asking, after hearing the story of the attack at the mosque on Fourth and V streets by one Ms. Cynthia Sunshine:
Police responded to the mosque at Fourth and V streets Monday, and found a copy of the Koran tossed on floor. A fire extinguisher had also been sprayed inside the building, creating a smoky haze. Neighboring homes and businesses had to be evacuated while hazmat crews determined what was causing the haze… Sunshine was booked into the Sacramento County Jail on charges of burglary and vandalism.
The target for Ms. Sunshine’s attack as well as the disrespect she exhibited with the Koran indicates something much more than simply burglary and vandalism. This is a hate crime, plain and simple, and her charges and punishment should reflect her actions. It’s unacceptable that the Islamic community be targeted in the way that they have been. Perhaps in the eyes of the law, this incident at the mosque will qualify, as it should. It’ll be interesting to see what actually happens, and if the law will actually stand up for justice.
The Sac Rag 
I am philosophically against hate crime laws. We shouldn’t punish a person’s beliefs, only their actions. More pragmatically, hate crime laws are another way for zealous prosecuters to slather on extra charges.
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Typical western media, relegating a story about a Koran on the floor to a couple of sentences. This should have been FRONT PAGE NEWS. Why are the networks trying to bury this story?? Where is Geraldo?!
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Fear not, my dear Squirtnessa, we at the Sac Rag came with it – top headline for a solid eight hours.
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Not to minimize the crime, but it could have been something as simple as them not giving her money after she panhandled for it. See photo: http://www.kcra.com/news/6653411/detail.html
Just a guess, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say this MIGHT not be the first time Ms. Sunshine has had trouble with the law.
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Cynthia Sunshine looks like Bizarro Cindy Sheehan.
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