I have to agree that this case in particular shows the double standard pretty well. He's a criminal, there is evidence that he is a criminal who has done terrible things, he admits to it; and yet somehow defending an admitted and convicted criminal is acceptable behaviour?

When Imus was shut down and bashed, the first thought that came to my mind was: would the reaction have been the same if the sportscaster had been African-American? Or would it have been acceptable, because it's alright for someone who is of the same race to use that language? I didn't like the answer that appeared to me.

It's things like this that not only hinder social progression, but have brought it to a grinding halt for much too long. It's been a long time coming, I don't see why certain members of both sides have this burning desire to fight the fight. Instead of progressing together as human beings, as Americans, we're just making the lines between us clearer and clearer.

Racism has become a sword that cuts both ways. Who has the hardest time getting money for college? As a middle-class white student with average grades and no physical or mental disabilities, I think I might know the answer. I don't have schools and organizations falling over me to get me into school because of the color of my skin. Everyone should have a fair chance, your skin color should not be a gauge for how much money you do or do not get.

But I think I've strayed off topic a bit. Maybe it wasn't just because of the color of his skin, maybe his status as an NFL player was a motivational factor for the public defense and the somewhat lenient sentence (but that is a biased opinion on my part, being an animal lover. Anyone who abuses animals like that deserves a slow and painful death, no exceptions.) but even that isn't fair. I don't think I'll live to see the day when every man and woman, regardless of skin color or disability, is judged equally not because of who they are, but the skills and qualities they possess as a human being. I doubt my children will live to see that day. But until that day, we will only be hindering ourselves by perpetuating a hate war that should have stopped long ago.

And that's all I have to say.