We’d thought the hot takes on “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, who maintains he was attacked in a hate crime, possibly by two Nigerian-born brothers who wore whiteface under their ski masks to disguise themselves as redneck Trump supporters, were all burned out, but then the New Yorker dropped this on us:

What does the reaction to Jussie Smollett’s fate say about America’s thirst for punishment? https://t.co/EFw5gJ6M2W — The New Yorker (@NewYorker) April 10, 2019

…as opposed to its thirst for the rule of law https://t.co/vVdpEyme8t — Kurt Loder (@kurt_loder) April 10, 2019

Boom.

What a stupid question.

How about: What does Jussie Smollett’s insistence that he was attacked because he’s black and gay despite extensive evidence to the contrary have to say about Jussie Smollett?

We wish the FBI would hurry up and bring federal charges against this guy; yeah, maybe we do have a “thirst for punishment.”

I’d say that when someone is clearly guilty of the charge and when that someone denies it despite all evidence to the contrary and that someone is a celebrity; that will enhance the “outrage” (LOL) and demand for justice. As for some mythical obsession? It doesn’t exist with most — Condorchristi (@condorchristi) April 10, 2019

The punishment should fit the crime. In this case of lies and deceit which caused racial fear mongering, there is a lot to be punished for! — Joseph Papalia (@USA763) April 10, 2019

The Chicago way in force? — Dave Zawislak (@davezawislak) April 10, 2019

Not thirst for punishment, thirst for justice. — David Francis (@PureManhattan) April 10, 2019

Almost as hot a take as your quest to find a sufficiently woke chicken sandwich. — Deputy Van Halen (@Serenitynow418) April 10, 2019

Yeah, poor guy. Hasn’t he suffered enough after suffering no consequences at all? — B. Miller (@BlaiseInKC) April 10, 2019

The sacrilege of an African American using the noose, the murderous rope of white supremacism, as a personal prop in some narcissistic exercise remains incomprehensible. — Etienne McD (@smcdonn4499) April 10, 2019

If you do not commit felonies, Americans will not want you punished. — ron (@RonOC777) April 10, 2019

I'll finish the headline for you: . . . punishment FOR UNREPENTANT LIARS. — Louche Libertine (@WitStream1) April 10, 2019

oh I dont know…………………….maybe its the hate crime hoax? — Fke (@fkebld) April 10, 2019

So far his punishment has been a couple of days stuffing envelopes at Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and even that wasn’t court-ordered, so yeah, we’re still thirsty.

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