Trash Talking Goes Too Far

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I personally oppose specialty laws like this as a matter of political principle. Can anyone name an assault on a sports official that would NOT meet the definition of assault on an ordinary citizen? Use the normal assault laws to prosecute these idiots and justice will be served. We don't need the political feel-good solution.

I agree.

However, though I don't care for such laws, how many cases would be be cast aside by moronic judges who buy into the "heat of the game" bull$hit argument if a separate charge was not literally placed in front of them?

That type of attitude by the courts is what caused the separate laws to be enacted.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I agree.

However, though I don't care for such laws, how many cases would be be cast aside by moronic judges who buy into the "heat of the game" bull$hit argument if a separate charge was not literally placed in front of them?

That type of attitude by the courts is what caused the separate laws to be enacted.

Not to mention DA's that decline to prosecute "in the interest of justice."

[greymule]

seriously bitten in the face

It used to be that anybody who bit during a fight was considered the lowest of the low. Same with using a bat knob or hitting someone from behind, or doing anything else not part of a "fair fight." Not any more. A couple of years ago, in the "shake-hand" line after a men's SP game (surprise, surprise!), one guy, after his opponent had passed him in the line, reached back, grabbed the guy by the back of the neck, and slammed his face down into home plate. The next day the police had the field cordoned off with tape as a "crime scene," but it was all show; no charges were brought.

We've had so many violent and quasi-violent incidents that it's only a matter of time before somebody gets brain damaged. Not long ago, we even had a military-style raid of the field by Crips seeking revenge for the supposed "dissing" of one of their members by players. The police brought dogs to the field the next night, but no arrests were ever made, even though there were many witnesses to the assault.

Last year, in a 40-and-over SP league, a player, for an attack on a teammate, got himself banned indefinitely from attending any games (by a judge, not some league official).

[NCASAUmp]

Actually, if I remember correctly, the Wisconsin law had harsher penalties for assault upon a sports official. I believe it was a 10 year felony sentence.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Actually, if I remember correctly, the Wisconsin law had harsher penalties for assault upon a sports official. I believe it was a 10 year felony sentence.

That does nothing to change my view. I oppose such class-, gender-, position-based laws. Doesn't equal protection under the law mean anything anymore?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Dakota

That does nothing to change my view. I oppose such class-, gender-, position-based laws. Doesn't equal protection under the law mean anything anymore?

Never has, and never will.

I agree that there are laws that create disparity among the people based off of class, gender, etc. Most of the time, these laws are merely political stunts to appear to be "taking a stand."

[greymule]

I oppose such class-, gender-, position-based laws.

So do I. Take a look at Europe and Canada to see where such laws, as well as laws governing "hate speech" (i.e., any stated disagreement with someone in a protected group) lead.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by Dakota

That does nothing to change my view. I oppose such class-, gender-, position-based laws. Doesn't equal protection under the law mean anything anymore?

I wish that everyone lived under equal protection under the law, but there are some Americans who don't. I agree that some of the laws are silly but others are a step in the right direction.

Some people may consider the drug sentencing laws around cocaine to be "race" influenced. We do seem to go a bit easier on the mommy's from the suburbs then the people who use cocaine in it's non powered form.

Some people may consider stealing people's investments/pensions the same as robbing a bank,without a weapon, to be the same but we seem to go a wee bit easier on the suit and tie thieves.

We have seen rich private citizens get to take the property of not so rich private citizens-all for the greater good, of course and with the force and might of the Gov't...so the losers of their property may not feel equally protected....

Some people have gooten kicked out of the military because of who they sleep with....And if one is concerned about someone else's sexual habits those that make you a sex addict ?....They might not feel equally protected.

In a perfect country we all would have the same equal protection but alas we're not perfect......

[Dakota]

Nice screed, but how does that justify continued political padering through boutique "there oughta be a law" laws?

Equal protection under the law is a political principle stated in the constitution. Because it is not perfectly applied (or because some people invent unequal protection when none exists to forward their agenda) does not mean it should be tossed into the dust bin through class-based laws whose real purpose is to pander for votes, not address any actual criminal problem.

[NCASAUmp]

This thread is going down a dangerous path. Bringing it back here...

The players are certainly escalating their behavior, year after year. I'm very fortunate that one of the municipalities where I call games deals with this issue swiftly and appropriately. The other municipality does not, so I've asked my assignor to not assign me to those locations until the problem is fixed. More and more of our crew is following suit, so it's only a matter of time before the problem is fixed.

We refuse to be punching bags.