Monday, April 23, 2007

A Case for Fruit Control

San Mateo Daily Journal

In keeping with my unfortunate tendency to equate gun-control messages with those which support ANY kind of 'hateful' weaponage, I give to you the Case for Fruit Control.

Tiffany Adler, 20, appeared in court Friday for the first time since being arrested on two misdemeanor counts of each crime. She pleaded not guilty and asked the court to appoint an attorney. She and her lawyer return to court July 2 for jury trial and she remains free from custody on her own recognizance.

On March 4, Adler reportedly lobbed apples and asparagus at a gay couple walking on the 500 block of Esplanade Drive. The van in which she was riding then turned around and Adler yelled “faggot” at the men, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Pacifica police reported finding asparagus in Adler’s purse at the time of arrest.

Adler reportedly said the couple frequented the grocery store at which she works. She told police she was unaware the victims were gay and her actions were based on a prior conflict rather than discrimination.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe sees it differently.

“We definitely think this is a hate crime,” he said. “This one is pretty offensive.”

If convicted, Adler faces possible jail time and probation.
(Emphasis added)

The two high-lighted sentences are probably the most telling:

Pacifica police reported finding asparagus in Adler’s purse at the time of arrest.

Of course, that's prima facea evidence of intent, or ... uh ... something.

“We definitely think this is a hate crime,” he said. “This one is pretty offensive.”

Oh, dear! This one isn't a cross-burning, it's an ingenue with an itch.

"Pretty offensive"?

Please, spare me. The recent events (the VT massacre) provides a standard by which 'offensive' actions may be compared. This one event doesn't even deserve mention, let alone criminal prosecution. I'm sure the Pacifica police department has better things to do.

A Babe with Broccoli ("... and I'm not afraid to use it!") is a joke.

Why do I think that Zero Tolerance has gone mad in Pacifica?

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