Growing hate attacks: signs of hard times?

I heard, earlier in the day, there was an anti-semitic attack here in the States, in Indiana, actually, at Indiana University and found this at the Daily Kos from the IU website:


In the last week, rocks have been thrown through windows at the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center and the Chabad House Jewish Student Center, and a rock was thrown at the staff directory sign for the Jewish Studies program. There has also been vandalism of Hebrew books at the Wells Library.  All these incidents have been reported to police and to the FBI and all are under intense investigation.


Doesn't it seem like we should and would be so far above and beyond this kind of ignorance, no matter the economy?  I would have hoped so.


Then, today, I see this:


Hate crimes jump across England, Wales, N Ireland

By The Associated Press
12.01.2010 5:30pm EST

 (London) More than 50,000 hate crimes were reported last year across  England, Wales and Northern Ireland – a rise of 12 percent over the last year.

What is this about, anyway? 

 I don't suppose we can assume any direct correlation between the incident and the statistics but it does seem that the economies across the world may have something to do with it.  And if so, does it mean that, as long as we live, until we reach some educated, enlightened "Nirvana", that we'll always have this kind of ignorant response to difficult times?

Hopefully the economies and crimes aren't related because if they are, I see it getting worse before it gets better, any time soon.

Naturally, I hope I'm wrong.

Links:  http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/12/1/74514/2225

http://www.365gay.com/news/hate-crimes-jump-across-england-wales-n-ireland/