April 4, 201412 yr I'll throw out there the American girl who was charged with murdering her roommate in Italy several years ago. Can't remember her name but it was big news. Admittedly, I don't know all the details of this case very well, I really didn't follow it closely at all. So maybe you guys can tell me she pulled an OJ and got away with it, but from the little I know about the case it seemed to me: Police decided right away it was her, and that was that. Prosecutors/Italian authorities kind of made things up as they went along and kind of changed the rules of in mid-case to help their cause. The whole country kind of decided she was guilty before ever knowing the evidence, and then just went about pinning it on her, regardless. Kind of the definition of a witch hunt if you ask me. Granted it didn't take place in America, but it did involve an American. Amanda Knox. And she is still not out of the clear. I am not saying she committed the murder, but something fishy did happen while she was around. Had all of this went down in America, she would be free without a doubt. Our legal system is whack, but be appreciative when you see how other countries work. "Witch hunt" is standard procedure. I like a lot of the examples given in this thread. Our nation has had a multitude of race related "witch hunts" through the years. And now, any type of "witch hunt" today plays out in the media and is exasperated. The Trayvon Martin trial from both perspectives. I also think about the Duke Lacrosse case.
April 4, 201412 yr Amanda Knox. And she is still not out of the clear. I am not saying she committed the murder, but something fishy did happen while she was around. Had all of this went down in America, she would be free without a doubt. Our legal system is whack, but be appreciative when you see how other countries work. "Witch hunt" is standard procedure. Agree. IMO she is not innocent. But I'm not saying she's guilty. She was definately in the wrong country to be anything but innocent.
April 4, 201412 yr My son and I just had an interesting discussion about an assignment he is doing in high school. In short, his assignment is to come up with and "prove" a modern day "Witch-Hunt" in America. Some past examples given were the Salem witch trials, McCarthyism, and the rounding of Japanese Americans during World War 2. Some more recent items were Muslims after 911 and Edward Snowden as possible witch hunts. My question is, what examples can anyone provide (that at least can be proved in part) of modern day witch-hunts in America? Tim Tebow
April 4, 201412 yr I think we're confusing polarizing with a witch hunt. I'm not so sure. I think a lot of the media, and just people in general were always looking for fault in Tebow. He's often criticized for his beliefs and views.
April 4, 201412 yr I'm not so sure. I think a lot of the media, and just people in general were always looking for fault in Tebow. He's often criticized for his beliefs and views. Criticizing one for beliefs is not an example of a witch hunt IMO. I don't think criticizing gays is a witch hunt . It's one's beliefs. A witch hunt is the Muslim example. "They're all terrorists" simply because of their faith or nationality.
April 4, 201412 yr Getslow's persecution of fake celebrities on Kentucky High School sports forums. I don't persecute... Like the fella said: "I'm on a mission to civilize."
April 4, 201412 yr Criticizing one for beliefs is not an example of a witch hunt IMO. I don't think criticizing gays is a witch hunt . It's one's beliefs. Your thought early on that we needed a working definition in order to make this discussion feasible was a good one.
April 4, 201412 yr Criticizing one for beliefs is not an example of a witch hunt IMO. I don't think criticizing gays is a witch hunt . It's one's beliefs. A witch hunt is the Muslim example. "They're all terrorists" simply because of their faith or nationality. I guess it depends on how you define witch hunt. From Webster: the searching out and deliberate harassment of those (as political opponents) with unpopular views. Another definition: An investigation carried out ostensibly to uncover subversive activities but actually used to harass and undermine those with differing views.
April 4, 201412 yr Criticizing one for beliefs is not an example of a witch hunt IMO. I don't think criticizing gays is a witch hunt . It's one's beliefs. A witch hunt is the Muslim example. "They're all terrorists" simply because of their faith or nationality. I can be down with that thought. Do you feel the homosexual example applies? "They'll turn us gay", for example, is one of the prevelant refrains I hear. A segment of our society ostracizes them, there have been beatings of gay people, even killings.
April 4, 201412 yr I can be down with that thought. Do you feel the homosexual example applies? "They'll turn us gay", for example, is one of the prevelant refrains I hear. A segment of our society ostracizes them, there have been beatings of gay people, even killings. I guess if people take it that far then it qualifies as a witch hunt. I am not sure if I would call Matthew Sheppard an example though. Two bad guys (if I remember correctly) beating/killing one guy because he was gay. That's just evil. I don't think McCarthy, for example, was evil.
April 4, 201412 yr I read a story recently about the rise in other states' law enforcement pulling over cars with Colorado plates and searching for marijuana. Could be an example of a witch hunt in the making?
April 4, 201412 yr I guess if people take it that far then it qualifies as a witch hunt. I am not sure if I would call Matthew Sheppard an example though. Two bad guys (if I remember correctly) beating/killing one guy because he was gay. That's just evil. I don't think McCarthy, for example, was evil. Matthew Shepard is but an example of the actions of people who believe that their beliefs are more legitimate than the belifes of others. I liken "witch hunt" to "hate crime". The crime is committed because of a difference in beliefs or intolarance of differences. I cited one specific example, but we have campaigns to deny (or at least not recognize) the same basic rights that heterosexuals enjoy. The Salem Witch Trials were not strictly about people being literal witches. It was the ruse under which people with differences, physical, emotional, etc, were targeted and "eliminated".
April 4, 201412 yr I can be down with that thought. Do you feel the homosexual example applies? "They'll turn us gay", for example, is one of the prevelant refrains I hear. A segment of our society ostracizes them, there have been beatings of gay people, even killings. I agree, but there are segments of our society that ostracizes every other segment of our society. People have been ostracized, beaten and killed for being Gay, Black, Jewish, Irish, Asian, White, Muslim, Christian and just about any other demographic segment you can come up with. Never heard the "They'll turn us gay" saying before :lol2:
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.