--- 'Hate Crime' legislation is an incremental step toward thought control. ---
If we were going to even have such a thing as a "hate crime" it should not include categories of victims that somehow deserve more protection from hate than others.
For example, some people might hate white guys who wear black rimmed glasses and victimize them for it. Should we add them to the list?
How about people who dress poorly?
People who have bad teeth?
Lets face it, most people that are victimized are attacked because they are perceived to have more money than the perpetrator. Should "people with money" be included on the list of hate victims?
Hate Crime legislation is an Equal Protectioon clause violation, IMO.