Gay-bashing, racial appeal criticized

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Agree with almost all of your post. - 2009-11-06 15:18:34

"The same way as I don't think assaulting a police officer should get a harsher sentence than assaulting a general member of the public."

I disagree with this part of your arguement - the police officer is a recognizable symbol of authority and therefore deserves to be treated differently. Any assault on a public official should hold a stiffer penalty than on impossed for a similar crime against the general public.

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fred flintstone - , - Karma: Excellent

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Equal before the law. - 2009-11-06 14:30:25

I know it is not PC to say this, but painting a swastika on private property should be simply destruction of private property. Regardless of why it was done it is still a crime. So if someone painted a smiley face on the synagogue, would be a hate crime or just destruction of private property. In both cases private property is damaged and whether it was done because of hate, or just something to do because a kid was bored the penalty should be the same.
With hate crime laws we are asked to determine what motivates someone to do something illegal instead of just looking at what they do as being illegal. I happen to think that a crime, any crime should be treated equally, no matter who did it or why.
Once the government starts to punish you more for what a person says or thinks when they commit a crime it is not hard to think they could do the same for just thinking it or saying it.
The same way as I don't think assaulting a police officer should get a harsher sentence than assaulting a general member of the public. As what we are saying is that the police office is more valuable. In other words we are elevating people above others instead of looking at everyone equally as the law should.

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David Kyle - Pasadena, MD - Karma: Good

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Not a hate crime? - 2009-11-05 16:38:55

How do you figure? Is it OK now to paint Swastikas on the side of Synagogues and light up crosses in the front yard of a black family?

There may be an element of freedom of speech there, but when it is DISTRIBUTED by placing it on the PRIVATE PROPERTY of individuals that do not share that belief--it is a hate crime.

Funny, still no word from Classie Hoyle. I wonder why she does not have an opinion. I even emailed her the flier so she can't even claim ignorance any longer.

And Shropshire is introducing a charter amendment on Monday night introducing legislation for hate crimes that parallels the state and federal statutes. In addition he is calling for a thorough investigation to be reported back to the Council by the City Attorney and Election Board and is involving the FBI. Monday's meeting will be interesting--we all ought to attend!

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John Frenaye - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Free as birds!!!!! - 2009-11-04 13:57:17

While reading the comments over the months I have encountered thoughts as noble and inspiring as an eagle in flight, and I have experienced thoughts vile and diseased, like a buzzard enveloped in the stench of the reeking carcass it feeds off of. I want all birds to be free, though, whether I hold with their ways or not. I just wish the buzzard wouldn't flap it's wings so much and envelope others in it's odious reek!

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Jane Seton - severna park, md - Karma: Neutral

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thought? - 2009-11-04 11:11:43

David kyle,

What you say about thought crime is obviously not true as both you and your fellow Constitutionalist Don Dwyer are free as birds.

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

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Crime of thought. - 2009-11-04 09:52:43

The flyer was wrong of that I don't think the vast majority of people would doubt, but it wasn't a hate crime.
Welcome to modern America where you can be criminally punished for a thought, or a stupid opinion.

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David Kyle - Pasadena, MD - Karma: Good

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Classie Won - 2009-11-03 22:22:58

She won the election soundly. One has to wonder how much of an effect this card and flier had on the outcome.

But more importantly, as Josh denounced the flier (as did many others where was Classie Hoyle?

Her silence speaks volumes if you ask me!

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John Frenaye - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-11-03 19:53:58

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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-11-03 19:44:12

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Awards In Journalism - 2009-11-03 19:13:40

So the Capital website prominently features a copy of a genuine Cohen campaign postcard, in their news article about an anonymous hateful campaign flyer?!

Sheesh. Nice job there, crabwrapper.

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Greg Myles - , - Karma: Excellent

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Disgusting! - 2009-11-03 17:07:34

That unspeakably ugly flier reveals an unnamed (and unintelligent) extremely vocal minority in Annapolis. We do need to find out who is responsible for this flier and hold them accountable. How sad and disturbing is it that people in our city are trying to influence Annapolis' politics with these hateful beliefs?! Whoever this is wants to set us back after years of civil rights progress. This is outrageous and severely misguided. I hope there is a very serious investigation by the authoritative bodies of this illegal and very public hate crime, as this cannot be permitted in our city.

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Rachel Rachfal - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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letter - 2009-11-03 13:38:41

I'm with Cal on this 1!!! Read the letter last night in the company of my daughter and younger sister who at 1st didn't believe what I was reading to them. Does anybody (black, white, whatever) really think Cohen didn't know everything about Zina prior to the election!!!!!! They just thought she didn't have a chance and were flabergasted when she won!!! His constant "I'm shocked, outraged and knew nothing about 1 too many flyers, newsletters and endorsements" is getting old and laughable!!! Vote Indpendent for Chris Fox, the only canidate who has stayed consistent and honorable in this election for the city he loves!!!

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cathy burns - Ellicott City, md - Karma: Neutral

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Election - 2009-11-03 13:01:20

Its like this. as a black man in annapolis, i feel that the only reason blacks will vote for Cohen is because he got on by default. Whoever put out that flyer as "the freinds of Black annapolis" and had that offensive statement on it is a SELLOUT to the race. If you ask around,youll probably find out who it is. I am not voting Democat today because of the "Poverty Pimping"ive seen being done by the campaign for Mr Cohen. Ive seen both fliers and urge any black voters to vote independent this year. Until we can have someone in office who really cares about the PEOPLE and not their agenda, we will never have a fair vote as blacks in this illustrious city....PS Mr Cohen...Nice pic of you giving a speech in front of the ALEX Haley statue.

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Cal Allen Jr - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

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Reverse racism... - 2009-11-03 12:36:26

... would be just racism :-). Racism is defined (in this case) by Merriam Webster as, "1: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2: racial prejudice or discrimination"
(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism). It does not matter what color the offending or offended person is, just that there one is discriminating against the other based on race.

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Steve K - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

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vote for a black annapolis - 2009-11-03 11:23:35

what a stupid idea...vote for me because i am black....don't vote for me because i'm gay....are we in the 1800's.......jeezz....

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stanley davis - mayo, md - Karma: Terrible

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Shoddy Writing - 2009-11-03 10:50:51

Why is it the writer couldn't report on the other disgusting part of that flier? Beyond attacking the candidate's sexuality, it clearly says that because he's WHITE and gay.

"He is WHITE & GAY = SIN"

I find it repulsive that in this day and age we cannot talk about reverse racism. As if it doesn't exist. Don't get me wrong, it sickens me that this man's sexuality is being attacked, but the color of his skin? Come on!!

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Jocelyn Malone - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

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Cohen ? - 2009-11-03 07:42:42

You mean Josh had nothing to do with the postcard showing his picture above that of the blacks. I would be appalled too if someone in my campaign made me appear to be a master hovering over the blacks.
Can't cohen post a disclainer or retraction of some sort quickly to avoid what I understand is horrific damage? !

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

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Flier - 2009-11-03 06:01:15

I can tell you Josh had nothing to do with tis flier and is outraged!

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ROB Beall - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

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rascally racists - 2009-11-02 22:48:30

It appears that I misspelled the word, not once, but twice. For which I offer:

;)

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Neill Harrier - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible

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Unite!!! - 2009-11-02 21:02:17

As we can all see from the reaction to this article, Cohen's latest postcard is an insult not only to blacks , but the whole of humanity and he must be held accountable for his complete lack of sensitivity.

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

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I am appalled, Sir! - 2009-11-02 20:15:09

I am just shocked, shocked!! that there are black rascists in this country and not just white rascists. Imagine, voting for someone based on the color of their skin, and not the content of their character!!

Ironically it was on this day (Nov. 2) in 1993, that Reagan, a REPUBLICAN (hah!) signed a bill creating MLK Day.

My favorite part of the flyer is this:

Keep our African American power (?)
Keep us from sin and sexual assault (!)

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Neill Harrier - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible

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Principles Matter - 2009-11-02 19:34:25

I encourage all tomorrow to go out and vote for those that were the victims of this flier. It is obvious that those that put this flier out see these people as a threat. It is the character, and the principles that matter of the people that are running.

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Victor Henderson - Glen Burnie, MD - Karma: Neutral

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I concur - 2009-11-02 19:02:01

The postcard sent by Cohen has a certain master mentality and appearance to it. I find it simply repulsive.

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

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Shame - 2009-11-02 18:46:11

First I believe that both Democrats and Republicans are equally intelligent, we just have different interpretations of what is right. I just believe that democrats are more likely to be correct in their analysis. I think that it is shameful that a gay candidate was portrayed in such a way. I am a liberal African-American female and I do not believe that their should be any discrimination based off of characteristics but that people should look at issues. If it happens that the democratic candidate is the better choice then you should choose the democrat.

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Elizabeth Dudley - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

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FLIER - 2009-11-02 18:45:44

This is terrible. We need to find who did this. This is not the kind of town we are. This makes me really sad.
R Beall
West Annapolis

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ROB Beall - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

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"Gay bashing" Etc. - 2009-11-02 18:19:00

First of all, there are no intelligent democrats. Second, Obama is the most racially divisive person I have ever heard of. This nasty campaign that no one seems to know "whodunnit" with the flyers, should be set on the shoulders of the Democratic candidate, and be forced to back out of the running. And I thought only white people could be racists. Man was I ever wrong. Seems like lately, black people have taken over that service.

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Norman Cutsail - Baltimore (AACO.), Md - Karma: Neutral

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Looks amateurish. - 2009-11-02 18:15:36

Pretty rotten flyer in my opinion.
But a Liberal African-American bashing a Gay Conservative for being Homosexual?
Something isn't adding up here. Or are we brainwashed into thinking only those with an (R) beside their name can be racists? Perish the thought.
One thing's for certin, you can't make this stuff up. And it stinks.

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Paul O'Flanagan - West River, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Huh? - 2009-11-02 18:10:23

Dave Hal....huh? What are you talking about?

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John Frenaye - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-11-02 17:53:02

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Full Content Of Flier - 2009-11-02 17:45:58

If you want to read the full content of the flier it is here:

http://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2009/11/02/completely-despicable/

However, it is really stomach churning. You were warned.

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John Frenaye - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent