# New Wave Lynch Mobs **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 29, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216 "2012-03-29T23:16:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/21 "2012-03-31T03:23:01Z")
**Dufus** , can you explain what you mean to by the term lynch mob? No one in your examples was hanged, so if you are asking me if “old timey” lynch mobs were worse that incidents where no one was lynched, I’m going to say yes murder is worse than not murder. But could you explain why you used the term lynch mob for your examples? ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/22 "2012-03-31T04:50:08Z")
“New Wave Lynch Mobs” consist of people being complete assholes. Old-timey lynch mobs consisted of people finding someone, tying them to a tree, beating them brutally, and then lighting them on fire (not necessarily in that order) while dressed in their Sunday best and taking pictures (which can be easily found online). ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/23 "2012-03-31T05:51:56Z")
So like a Eurythmics cover of “Country Death Song”? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/24 "2012-03-31T13:24:21Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > The old science fiction thrillers are coming true. No one is allowed to have any thought that is not aligned with a political affiliation. Planet Earth is the prison planet. If it’s any consolation, in this particular forum the rest of us aren’t allowed to tell you exactly what we think, either. ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/25 "2012-03-31T13:45:31Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > It’s your forum. I came here asking for people’s thoughts. You told me to not make any “future mistakes”. 😕 Paranoia doesn’t suit you, sir. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/26 "2012-03-31T14:29:45Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > So like a Eurythmics cover of “Country Death Song”? Or Adam & the Ants doing “Strange Fruit”. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/27 "2012-03-31T19:27:44Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > The old science fiction thrillers are coming true. No one is allowed to have any thought that is not aligned with a political affiliation. Planet Earth is the prison planet. Your screen name is so appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/28 "2012-03-31T19:42:58Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > ``` > The New Black Panther Party [offering $10,000](http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-black-panther-party-20120327,0,7849382.story) for Zimmerman's head. > > ``` You know I didn’t notice this before, because I just assumed the Black Panthers would do something like that, but in the article, it very clearly states that the $10000 bounty is not for Zimmerman’s head but for a citizen’s arrest. I suppose its much more sensationalistic to say that the NBPP is putting out a hit on Zimmerman, but it seems the reality is that they simply want him arrested and is offering some money to do so. In light of that, I fully support them ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/29 "2012-03-31T22:17:30Z")
Thank you all for taking the time to answer questions from a dufus. My apologies to everyone I pissed off. Miss Elizabeth, if I was a genius, I would not ask any questions. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/30 "2012-03-31T23:00:12Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > Miss Elizabeth, if I was a genius, I would not ask any questions. Asking questions is wonderful! It’s how everyone learns. I always tell my kids, “No one was born knowing anything. Don’t be ashamed of what you don’t know.” But, what I quoted wasn’t a question. ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/31 "2012-03-31T23:31:28Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > But, what I quoted wasn’t a question. Well, how about please excuse me for having a thought? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/32 "2012-04-01T03:30:58Z")
**Dufus** , can you answer my question that I asked earlier in the thread? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/33 "2012-04-01T11:56:12Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > Well, how about please excuse me for having a thought? If you did, no one would be more pleased for you than we would. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/34 "2012-04-01T14:08:09Z")
It appears the main difference between a new wave lynching and an old fashioned lynching is whether the black guy gets killed at the start or the end of the festivities. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/35 "2012-04-01T14:35:52Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > So I would like to ask SDMB what they think of current news events: > Couple who don’t even know Zimmerman [forced to move out of their home by death threats](http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/28/justice/florida-teen-spike-lee/index.html) > > ``` > The New Black Panther Party [offering $10,000](http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-black-panther-party-20120327,0,7849382.story) for Zimmerman's head. > > ``` > > Trayvon protesters [ransacking stores](http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/249567/4/Martin-Protesters-Ransacked-North-Miami-Beach-Walgreens) Personally? I’m against death threats, vigilante bounties, and ransacking stores. You? ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/36 "2012-04-01T15:56:13Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > **Dufus** , can you answer my question that I asked earlier in the thread? Madmonk28, I guess that my impression of “lynch mob” was formed by “western” shoot-em-up movies. The crowd is pissed about some crime, they have flaming torches lit, they’re moving down the street, breaking windows, shouting threats, demanding “justice”. In the end, the sheriff usually gets killed for protecting his prisoner, or he kills the leader of the lynch mob and the rest of them all go home to eat supper. I guess there are lots more examples, too. The Samaritan woman at the well is one. The crowd is howling for her to be stoned to death. The “first known liberal” steps in and saves her. Those are two examples of what I would consider to be a lynch mob. Thank you for asking, and sorry it took me so long to answer. ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/37 "2012-04-01T16:04:44Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Personally? I’m against death threats, vigilante bounties, and ransacking stores. You? Vinyl Turnip, I suppose I’m against them too. I don’t want my own opinion to influence anyone’s answer, though. Thank you for asking! ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/38 "2012-04-01T16:17:27Z")
Thanks to everyone for your replies. I asked the same question at a right wing “gun forum”. Despite the ubiquitous accusations of “being racist”, it’s been fun to hear all the answers. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/39 "2012-04-01T16:56:29Z")
A note about the store “ransacking”. I first saw that on one of those god-guns-and- whatever forums. The thread title? “It’s begun. Trayvon protestors looting stores.” the thread was then filled with racist comments, some thinly veiled, some not so much. Nobody was interested to know that, per their own link, It was one store, not a pattern. Damages were estimated at $150, nothing appears to have been looted, and all the students left the store when a school official asked them to. The only reason any of us know about this, outside of Miami residents, is that right-wingers want to spread it around as an example of outrageous “typical black behavior” that confirms their prejudices. It was an isolated non-incident that happens to make racists happy. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216/40 "2012-04-01T16:58:46Z")
> [@Dufus](#): > > Thanks to everyone for your replies. I asked the same question at a right wing “gun forum”. Despite the ubiquitous accusations of “being racist”, it’s been fun to hear all the answers. Huh, are you saying that you’re often accused of racism? Weird. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-wave-lynch-mobs/617216.md?page=3)