[Rick Lee]

It's equally outrageous that we even have hate crimes laws. Thought is truly criminal now. Why is someone's life worth more under the law than another person's because race was a motivating factor in their murder? Aren't both equally dead? Is anyone deterred by the additional hate crimes penalty when the assault or murder rap doesn't deter them? Yeah, we need more feel good, do nothing laws to protect the gov't-favored grievance groups.