I noticed recently that iTunes was offering the first episode of the new Bravo series Tabloid Wars for free.

Since I was kind of bored at the time, and the show did look somewhat interesting, I downloaded it and checked it out. Basically the show follows around various reporters and editors for the New York Daily News as they go about their business reporting on news stories in New York, according to the show the "most competitive media market in the world."

It's actually pretty good, mostly for the insight it provides into modern reporting.

In the episode I watched the reporters were busy trying to get the facts about a beating that took place in Howard Beach. Apparently three black kids were beaten by some white kids. As the deadlined loomed at the end of the episode all the editors and reporters were in turmoil over whether or not they could call the beating a racial crime or a hate crime. They weren't sure as they didn't have it on good authority that racial epithets were made during the beating. Ultimately they went with calling it a hate crime, and were exonerated in this decision when a government official held a press conference and referred to the situation as a "hate crime" as well.

For me this illustrated the absurdity of hate crime legislation. If the white kids responsible for beating the black kids hadn't made any racial comments would the crime have been less serious? Would they suddenly be worthy of less punishment? Of course not. A beating is a beating, and is no less wrong if it doesn't involve racism. Nor is it more wrong if it involves racism.

Yet, according to hate crime legislation, if a racial epithet is made during a crime against a minority that crime is suddenly several times more serious. That's total crap.

Anyway, it's a pretty decent show. You guys should check it out.