Adding to my earlier post, I reiterate my main point:

Speech, even hateful and threatening speech, does not excuse violent retaliation.

The question in Jena today:

How much punishment should six African American teenage boys receive from the justice system for their particular offense?

If we are going to argue about proportionality, then we should also examine the disproportionate response from the six teenagers who beat another teenager for being the friend of a racist.

Where is the righteous indignation over that?

I am amused that commentators and reporters keep speaking of the "alleged" victim of the beating. I have heard that phrase all day today.

Exactly what does alleged modify?

Do people question that there really was a beating?

Or do people question that the recipient of the beating was a victim?

Once again, is it implicit that friends of racists who receive beatings get what they deserve?