Ugliness of hate

THUMBS DOWN: It is impossible to fathom the depth of the degradation of a human mind that thinks it is justified in killing black people because they are “taking over the world.” That, according to an acquaintance of Dylann Roof, was what Roof was talking about before he allegedly opened fire in a Charleston, S.C. church and slaughtered people with whom he had just spent an hour during a bible study session.

According to the acquaintance, Roof wanted to do something “for sake of the white race.”

Well, what Roof is accused of doing “for the white race” has brought shame and horror to America, and reveal that hatred and racism are still sickeningly with us.

This is being treated, properly, as a hate crime. It should also be considered an act of terrorism.

Tougher DUI?rules

THUMBS UP: It is extremely disappointing that “Drake’s Law” – a bill in memory of 5-year-old Drake Bigler who was killed by a driver with a .32 percent blood alcohol contetn – didn’t pass during the 2015 session, but are glad to see some drunk driving penalties increase as a result of legislative action this year.

Drake’s Law would have raised the penalty for vehicular homicide from 10 to 15 years and apply tougher penalties for drunk drivers with similar offenses within the previous ten years.

As it is, the Legislature did lower the threshold for a gross misdemeanor driving offense to a blood-alcohol concentration of .16 percent – a decision that will result in thousands of more gross misdemeanor DWI offenses annually. The change also carries maximum one-year jail terms – up from 90 days under the misdemeanor standard – and triples the current $1,000 maximum fine. It also authorizes stiffer bail of up to $12,000. These are all positive changes, but we still want to see “Drake’s Law” passed in 2016.

Congrats, athletes

THUMBS UP: Congratulations to the Springfield Tigers, who finished second in the Minnesota State High School League Class A baseball tournament this past week. The Tigers made it to the finals after defeating New Ulm Cathedral, which also had a great season this year.

And congratulations to all, the area softball players, golfers and track athletes, who made it to the state level this year.