Nostr Web Client

https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/03/29/three-charged-after-rainbow-crossing-defaced-in-gisborne/

They are calling this 'painting' of the street a hate crime. Three were charged after the rainbow crossing was defaced. But I wonder how many were charged when the road was defaced by the rainbow crossing?

Any symbolism that inflames tensions is by definition divisive, irrespective of your position on what that symbolism means. Divisive symbolism should not be publicly funded. That inclues crucifixes, 10-commandment tablets, stars of david, swastikas, rainbow pride flags, all of it. Not only is it a stupid use of public funds, it is inappropriate for public funds representating ALL OF US to be divered to support only SOME OF US. This crossing should be a black-and-white zebra crossing like all the other NZ crossings are.

Previously I complained to my representative about the Human Rights Commission adverting on their website using public funds submitted by all of us asking us to vote a particular way on an upcoming referendum. They were not even pretending to be neutral.

All that being said, I have no problem with rainbows or LGBT people. This is about how public funds need to be spent in neutral ways. What if all the tax money America collected went into the Joe Biden campaign? Something wrong with that, right? Same issue here.

Reply to this note

Please Login to reply.

Discussion

Matt 1y ago

I'm curious as to who the actual victim is here. Is their position that painting over a rainbow constitutes a crime against every gay person within the jurisdiction?

What if some gay people didn't want the rainbow painted? Are they victims of a crime?

These types of laws are so obviously ridiculous. Maybe you could argue vandalism, even if the state shouldn't be paying for it, but intent doesn't change what was actually done.

Would a gay person be charged with a hate crime if they painted over it? If not, why? Law is no place for contradictions and ambiguity.

Hazey 1y ago

I would take it back a notch and say that all tax is theft.

Matt 1y ago

Sure, but I think he's speaking in terms of current reality. The reality is that they are taxed. I do agree on principle though that there really is no moral way to handle taxation.

MF MOON 1y ago

Your other examples are of institutions that have historically been behind a lot of violence and hate. I get your point but religion and Nazis have les to a lot of turmoil compared to gay folks so I don't think they're necessarily comparable. I agree with your overall point but kinda a poor set of comparisons to get it across effectively

Mike Dilger ☑️ 1y ago

I've seen the LGBT community go ragingly hateful and (mostly restrained) violent against Posie Parker. All humans, when they have strong beliefs, and when they are crowds, can become violent. I don't think history from before I was born is terribly relevant to the odds that some subgroup of society today becomes so hateful as to become violent against another subgroup of society. And for the sake of civility we should avoid inflaming tensions, especially with my tax dollars.

Christians don't believe LGBT people are anything other than sinners choosing sin, and that belief (which I disagree with) is not going to change in the minds of Christians. They lost the gay marraige legal battle. They've consistently lost when laws are concerned. LGBT people are getting everything they asked for. Why can't they just stop trying to aggrevate Christians? If someone wants to shove something down someone else's throat, they need to get permission.

Deleted Account 1y ago

Religions have been used to perpetuate multiple wars throughout history. This is factual & shouldn’t be ignored.

My belief is humans have human rights. Some see people fighting for theirs as if they are denouncing others choices. If others would allow people to live their lives by their own choices, there would be no fighting. No oppressor has ever willingly changed their mind.

It’s the same argument with abortion. I believe abortion is healthcare. Some don’t. I’ll continue to fight for others to get healthcare no matter what religion they follow. To me, it’s a human right.

Mike Dilger ☑️ 1y ago

And in that spirit, I propose that Easter and Christmas cease to be recognized by the state. Christians certainly wouldn't want to be forced into taking days off work and having the supermarket closed to celebrate LGBT holidays.

I'm serious. Cut this religious holiday shit out.

MF MOON 1y ago

I agree. And tax churches already.

MF MOON 1y ago

You could say that of the Christina priests shoving things down kids throats too

markonyte 1y ago

hate is an emotion that anyone can feel towards anything yet they've somehow weaponized it all in one direction

Mike Dilger ☑️ 1y ago

The concept of a hate crime, and harsher punishments for them, is totally illogical. There is no evidence that anybody's ideology is going to change because of fear of harsher punishments. It is itself divisive, giving part of society what they want, which is to harshly beat up another part of society.

markonyte 1y ago

i wonder if our overlords divide and conquer strategy is going better or worse than what they thought. Seems like they are doing a pretty good job so far.