Virgin Mary loses her head...

[Odysseus]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/06/darlene-fraga-virgin-mary-statue-beheaded_n_1858170.html?ir=Religion&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

Darlene Fraga's Virgin Mary Statue Beheaded And Replaced With Gnome, Woman Calls It Hate Crime

Usually, gnome news is good news, but it's terrible for Darlene Fraga -- and her Virgin Mary statue.
Vandals snuck on to Fraga's property in Windsor Locks, Conn., a few weeks ago and hacked off the head of the Virgin Mary statue in her yard. A week later, the head was replaced with a garden gnome.
"It just hurts me so bad I want to cry," Fraga told NECN.com. "They took a sledgehammer or something and decapitated her and took her crown of roses and her rosary beads."
Police investigating the matter don't have a suspect, but believe kids may be responsible since there have been other reports of random vandalism in the area.
Fraga has a different theory: The head hacking was a hate crime against her.
"That's up in my yard. That's not near the corner. That's right on my yard," Fraga told NBC2.com
Fraga’s friend, Roger Cygan of Somers, is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, according to Associated Press.
As hard as it's been for Fraga, she has yet to move the Virgin Mary statue or the gnome.
"I think after I get over the initial shock, I'm going to take the whole thing down," Fraga told NECN.com.
Regardless of whether there are any arrests, Fraga believes the culprit will have to answer to a higher authority.
"Whoever did it, God knows and you know," she told the station. "It's riding on your shoulder now."

I understand why she's pissed off, but 'hate crime?'  This is becoming one of these elastic-definition terms used when people want to make mountains out of molehills...

[rumborak]

Is she black? I didn't see a picture on the page.

But even if it's pretty obvious it's just plain vandalism. To be honest, those tacky statues almost kinda invite it.

[ReaPsTA]

If this statue was of Muhammed and the property owner was Muslim, it'd be called a sad reflection of America's anti-Muslim bias and a hate crime.

[theseoafs]

How do they know it wasn't a miracle?  The Virgin Mary statue could have replaced her head with a gnome's.

[Adami]

If this statue was of Muhammed and the property owner was Muslim, it'd be called a sad reflection of America's anti-Muslim bias and a hate crime.

Based on typical Islamic customs, you probably won't find too many statues of Mohammed.

[Tick]

To be honest, those tacky statues almost kinda invite it.

C'mon, really?

[ReaPsTA]

If this statue was of Muhammed and the property owner was Muslim, it'd be called a sad reflection of America's anti-Muslim bias and a hate crime.

Based on typical Islamic customs, you probably won't find too many statues of Mohammed.

I know, but that wasn't the point.

[Adami]

I think the addition of the gnome shows it might not be a hate crime. It seems it was more likely done by some foul minded people who considered an act like this to be funny. Outside of the fact that it happened to be a catholic statue, nothing screams "hate". However throwing the gnome tends to scream "juvenile attempt at humor".

[ReaPsTA]

I think the addition of the gnome shows it might not be a hate crime. It seems it was more likely done by some foul minded people who considered an act like this to be funny. Outside of the fact that it happened to be a catholic statue, nothing screams "hate". However throwing the gnome tends to scream "juvenile attempt at humor".

I completely agree with you.  I'm just saying, in the hypothetical scenario I mentioned above, how many people would see it the way you described it?

[Adami]

I think the addition of the gnome shows it might not be a hate crime. It seems it was more likely done by some foul minded people who considered an act like this to be funny. Outside of the fact that it happened to be a catholic statue, nothing screams "hate". However throwing the gnome tends to scream "juvenile attempt at humor".

I completely agree with you.  I'm just saying, in the hypothetical scenario I mentioned above, how many people would see it the way you described it?

Probably the same amount of people (if not less) that would consider this a hate crime. It just might get reported in the news a bit more because of the situation of the world regarding Muslims currently.

[eric42434224]

Everyone is going to see some act, somewhere, as hateful.  I am sure if someone lit a scarecrow with a Jets jersey on fire, a Jet fan would call it a hate crime.

[tofee35]

Everyone is going to see some act, somewhere, as hateful.  I am sure if someone lit a scarecrow with a Jets jersey on fire, a Jet fan would call it a hate crime.

hey, man, it'd only be a hate crime if it was a Patriots jersey

[eric42434224]

Everyone is going to see some act, somewhere, as hateful.  I am sure if someone lit a scarecrow with a Jets jersey on fire, a Jet fan would call it a hate crime.

hey, man, it'd only be a hate crime if it was a Patriots jersey

It would be deemed "justifiable" by authorities.

[rumborak]

To be honest, those tacky statues almost kinda invite it.

C'mon, really?

Those cheapo shell-looking ones with Mary or Jesus in them? Yes, sorry. Those are extremely tacky.

[Tick]

To be honest, those tacky statues almost kinda invite it.

C'mon, really?

Those cheapo shell-looking ones with Mary or Jesus in them? Yes, sorry. Those are extremely tacky.

I get that. They are tacky. I just hate dickheads with no respect for anything who vandalize for kicks. They are what they are...dickheads. Someday they will be all grown up and have a fit when someone keys there car. They will probably say, "what kind of asshole ruins someones property for no reason!" Then maybe they will think for a moment..."oh yeah...me."

[senecadawg2]

It's really not hurting anyone... Just an ill-advised, and failed, attempt at humor.

[Adami]

It's really not hurting anyone... Just an ill-advised, and failed, attempt at humor.

It's not physically harming anyone, but it's destroying someone's valued property.

[senecadawg2]

Yeah I get that, and it sucks. But in the grand scheme of things, it's just some asshole playing a bad prank. Furthermore, said asshole will have to live with himself/herself knowing that they are an asshole. I just hope the owner doesn't take it too seriously, as I don't think that would be a healthy response.

[Adami]

Yeah I get that, and it sucks. But in the grand scheme of things, it's just some asshole playing a bad prank. Furthermore, said asshole will have to live with himself/herself knowing that they are an asshole. I just hope the owner doesn't take it too seriously, as I don't think that would be a healthy response.

Oh yes, I agree. I just hope that "Eh, just a joke, no big deal" doesn't become the common reaction, or else things like this will just become more rampant.

[Tick]

Yeah I get that, and it sucks. But in the grand scheme of things, it's just some asshole playing a bad prank. Furthermore, said asshole will have to live with himself/herself knowing that they are an asshole. I just hope the owner doesn't take it too seriously, as I don't think that would be a healthy response.

and as I said, what comes around goes around. At some point the piss ants will grow up and someone will fuck with there shit. It will be hilarious to them I'm sure.

[Super Dude]

There was a gnome in the head's place. If there was an upside-down cross or something inciteful spray painted somewhere, I could understand calling it a hate crime. This was a prank.

[black_floyd]

Hate prank?

[Tick]

There was a gnome in the head's place. If there was an upside-down cross or something inciteful spray painted somewhere, I could understand calling it a hate crime. This was a prank.

Its surely not a hate crime. Its kids being kids.

[Super Dude]

Pretty much.

[Zook]

One of my friends stole baby Jesus once. He returned it of course, but his actions surely weren't out of hate.

Its kids being kids.

Of course, vandalism is a more serious offense.

[Tick]

One of my friends stole baby Jesus once. He returned it of course, but his actions surely weren't out of hate.

Its kids being kids.

Of course, vandalism is a more serious offense.

Most certainly. I'm just saying this is the stupid shit kids do. I'm not saying its ok.

[Zook]

I was actually agreeing with you. The quote was meant for emphasis, but in the wrong spot...

[eric42434224]

One of my friends stole baby Jesus once. He returned it of course, but his actions surely weren't out of hate.

Its kids being kids.

Of course, vandalism is a more serious offense.

Your friend stole Baby Jesus?
How the hell old are you?

[Zook]

My friend stole baby jesus ONCE. That implies it could have been years ago... which it was. I was not present. He was probably in his late teens.

He is teased for it a lot.

I'm 27. I stole a coca cola napkin once. I was 12.

[eric42434224]

My friend stole baby jesus ONCE. That implies it could have been years ago... which it was. I was not present. He was probably in his late teens.

He is teased for it a lot.

I'm 27. I stole a coca cola napkin once. I was 12.

You missed the joke.

[Zook]

I guess so.

[senecadawg2]

One of my friends stole baby Jesus once. He returned it of course, but his actions surely weren't out of hate.

Its kids being kids.

Of course, vandalism is a more serious offense.

Your friend stole Baby Jesus?
How the hell old are you?

...

My friend stole baby jesus ONCE. That implies it could have been years ago... which it was. I was not present. He was probably in his late teens.

He is teased for it a lot.

I'm 27. I stole a coca cola napkin once. I was 12.

[Zook]

DON'T JUDGE ME!

[eric42434224]

I guess so.

I figured you and your friend were over 2000 years old.
Get it?


its not as funny when you have to explain it. 

[Zook]

Ah yes, the joke is that baby jesus is real and not a doll.


Pluh.