Reader comments about the theft of gay pride flags

(decorahnews.com asked for reader e-mails about the recent thefts of gay pride flags in Decorah.  Here are their comments):

(Jonathon Struve of Decorah comments):  "I think that there is no one right response to verbal abuse and harassment.  I suppose that personally I would likely not be one to report abusive language directed at me to the police unless I also thought my life or my property were in danger.  But, I also probably would tell others about the incident.

As for the flags, I think that all of them, including the young man who apologized, should be charged.  However, it takes great courage to come forward and apologize, and that should be taken into consideration when deciding punishment.

Finally, I am a little hesitant to label this a hate crime.  I would really prefer that moniker be reserved for crimes that do more demonstrative harm to an individual or property."

(Sheryl Rausch comments):  "My very first thought on reading the story was high school scavenger hunt, not malicious intent.  Just like with the political sign that was damaged and everyone thought it was adults and it turned out to be silly Luther student antics . I applaud the young man going around and making it right wish his cohorts had been as wise. Take it for what is was--a prank, though hurtful to the victims."

(Tina Carroll e-mails):  "Yes, it is a hate crime. They just targeted one type of people. Yes, everyone involved should be in trouble. Just like a bank robbery or other crime, you were there. If our society doesn't let teenagers know that this is a crime, even though they came around and confessed, they will think they can get away with anything.  Where do you think small crimes start from? These kids need to be taught a lesson!  Stealing is a crime!!"

(Jon Cowan e-mails): "The theft of flags or campaign signs no matter what, the message is wrong.  We must remember that in a civil society we must tolerate other people's constitutional rights of freedom of speech.  We might not all agree on an issue or a candidate but we should agree on these basic American principles set forth in our constitution."

(Steve Langland of Decorah comments):  "These youth need to be charged with fifth degree theft, since they were part of the group with the idea and went along with it.  Would it be any different than if they stole the American flag off someone's porch?  If they steal a pride flag and get away with it, who's to say they won't verbally abuse, intimidate or assault someone who may be gay, lesbian or transgender the next time?  They also need to learn a lesson that a crime is a crime and there is a price you pay for committing that crime.  If I were their parent, the legal ramification would the least of their worries when I found out, if it were my kid."

(Braden Archer e-mails): "First off, could we get more context?  It has been said that a local resident was verbally assaulted.  How are we defining verbal assault?  If the perpetrator of this incident threatened harm to this individual and there's reason to believe said threats could be carried out, then that is certainly a problem that I'm fairly certain has legal ramifications. However, if said assault was simply the perpetrator hurtling derogatory or intentionally offensive names at this individual, that's a bit different isn't it? We do still have free speech in this country and just like the people who flew the flags have the freedom to show their solidarity/pride with their friend/cohort, the perpetrator has the freedom to be a foolish jerk. To suggest that the perpetrator's speech should be silenced because some took offense starts to sound a little too much like censorship for my taste.  BUT, like I said, I'm pretty sure free speech ends at credible threats to someone else's safety or livelihood, to which I think we can all agree.

As to what my response would be if I was verbally assaulted (again, we need a definition for this discussion) for being gay, black, Hispanic, female, etc... Well, as I am none of those things, I suppose I can't really comment. However, being white doesn't exclude me from insulting/degrading speech or treatment. In fact, I believe one could argue that being part of the aforementioned group has actually made it acceptable to speak poorly of me and my kind in recent days/weeks/months. We are all humans, and we will all be the recipient of someone else's insults.  At some point; we need to learn to let it roll off. You can't fix stupid.

The act of stealing these flags was just that: theft. Theft is illegal and these youths should be held accountable, and certainly not be cut slack for "silly teenage antics". This is theft. Period. That being said, if the individual who came forward follows through and replaces the property, amends have been made, have they not? That doesn't let any of the others involved off the hook, but I believe the one who came forward would be free to go. (disclaimer: I am not, nor do I claim to be, versed in law. Do not take my conclusion as legal counsel).

There's no reason this shouldn't be in the news. Kids have to learn from their mistakes, and sheltering them from scrutiny when they broke the law will not help them learn. If you can't take the heat, don't commit the crime.

This was a crime. Period. Why do we have to attach a "hate" modifier to it? To steal someone's property, to hurt someone, to kill someone, is already hateful. To call these things "hate crimes" because they were done by a certain kind of person to a different certain kind of person is to have an adventure in redundancy."