I used to bully people back in school. Though I use the term roughly. I never extorted anyone, or tried to get anything out of it. I simply enjoyed causing people pain. Sadistic? Perhaps. More like I had many issues at home I was coping with and venting in an environment which I could easily dominate.
I find it absolutely silly however to paint the picture that bullies are somehow Jocks, or the popular kids. Or that bullies are somehow mentally handicapped when compared to the bullied. Physical aggression is by no means an indication of impaired mental capacity.
Does this constitute a hate crime? I think not. It constitutes a dumb@ss crime. As far as unreal.freak's comments concerning all violent acts as hate crimes - thats silly. Any number of factors can contribute to violence, as far ranging as alcohol/substance abuse to fear. To sum up the entire spectruum of violent acts as hate orientated crimes is ignorant, and refuses to deal with the complexities, and the potential resolutions to such acts.
But then, I'm just the dumb jock.
