"Bullying?" Wasn't this a violent, criminal offense?

[brentspeak]

If five 17 and 18 year-olds tackled and restrained, say, an old lady, and then cut off her hair while she was being held down, wouldn't the punks be arrested and likely charged with all kinds of felonies?

So why would it be any less criminal if the victim was another male student?

Should Romney's violent assault on a fellow student back in his senior year of prep school be lumped in the category of schoolyard teasing and backpack-hiding?

[cthulu2016]

1. Yes, though the statute of limitations has long expired

[brentspeak]

5. Oh, I agree that it's way too late to press charges on this

I just shake my head how the word "bullying" is used in the media to gloss over actions of what really are felonies.

[rustydog]

2. His father was Governor for Pete's sake!

The school did NOTHING to Rawmoney regarding the assault with a deadly weapon.

[polichick]

3. Back then it might not have been a crime.

On edit: I should say, it might not have been SEEN as a crime.

[cthulu2016]

4. Assault has always been a crime

[polichick]

6. It probably wouldn't have been seen as assault...

...just schoolyard stuff - boys will be boys.

[Cali_Democrat]

7. Not only was this felony assault,

but it's also a hate crime because Romney attacked the student based on his sexual orientation.

The reason why hate crimes laws exist now is because of people like Romney who attack innocent victims out of pure hatred.

[bigtree]

8. used to think of it as 'boys will be boys'

we know better now. Romney doesn't seem to, though, given his response and reaction to the charges.

[hifiguy]

9. Damn straight it was.

A "prank" is pennying someone into their room so they can't get out or putting a cow in the dean's office. This was assault and battery.