In Nevada Iowa a man was sentenced to 15 years in jail for pulling down a LGBTQ flag and burning it. Yet people on the radical left that pull down American flags and burn them are not even arrested. The American flag burners are just said to be exercising their freedom of speech. So why the jail sentence for the Iowa man? Where is his freedom of speech?
He got 6 years for this crime, 15 years in total as he has previous convictions. That's absolutely insane to think someone can be put in jail for that long for something so minor.
Hating is now a criminal offense? Where are we going to put all those Democrats that just impeached the President because they hate him? This from the Des Moines Register: Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, was found guilty last month of third-degree arson in violation of individual rights — hate crime, third-degree harassment, and reckless use of fire as a habitual offender. They were treated as 3 offenses and the 16 years represents the combined sentences. Sounds like someone hated him back.
As near as I can tell it was a mandatory sentence because of his repeat offender status. I haven't found what his previous convictions were for. FYI he would have gotten the same sentence if he'd burned a troop's boy scout flag or someone else's US flag. The fact that he burned anyone's property out of hate got him the sentence.
No, destroying property is a crime. When you already have a criminal record you will do the time. So no, sorry, you can't go around destroying other people's property just because you don't like it.
The main thing is the arson, setting a fire of any kind is a very serious crime as you can easily cause much greater damage to life and property than you intended. Also a habitual offender; most everyone is surprised that you can get a life sentence almost for jaywalking if you've been in prison just twice before. He'll be out in 5 if he behaves well but why do I think he won't. Still, convicts get a bad rap, most are, in fact, model prisoners, as it gets them out early Was the sentence suspended fully or partially btw? They often give and then suspend sentences like these to keep these bad actors in line.
Burning a flag is free speech, not arson. We've all seen the American flag burned but I've never heard of either an arson charge or hate crime label for it. I think three strike laws only count felonies. 5 years is pretty harsh for burning a piece of cloth even if you did steal it. Maybe he's a local trouble maker and he just wore the system out.
Your average righty thinks this guy should get a medal. WHY are the cons so down on gender-bent individuals anyway? It's not like they're hurting anybody, they're not taking any "taxpayer dollars" and nobody is making any conservatives wear a dress if they don't want to. You'd think they're all afraid they'll "turn" themselves unless there are harsh laws and societal opprobrium preventing it
Burning a flag stops being free speech the moment you steal it. My free speech doesn’t give me the right to destroy your property. That said, I agree we need prison/sentencing reform.
Apparently, when they demanded insane sentences for 3-time offenders. they only meant liberals. It never occurred to them that it applies to everyone.
You mean like cars and businesses and stuff like that that belongs to someone else? Those get set on fire because someone is mad or maybe won a championship of some kind.
Find anyone here who thinks that burning other people’s property is free speech. You won’t. Stop making this ridiculous argument. It’s making you look bad.
It starts becoming someone else's business when we get to the bathroom issue or who competes in women only sport events.