Amen, bro, amen. I can't recall when the phrase "hate crime" came into vogue, but it's flat out stupid. Personally, if somebody sticks a knife in my side, I don't really care if they hate me, love me, or are just doing it cuz' somebody gave 'em a hundred bucks. It's a knife in my side. Somebody throws a rock through the window of my rig while I'm driving, it's pretty irrelevant what was on their mind at the moment.
What has happened is that activists judges and lawyers have turned thoughts into crimes instead of actions.
"I can't recall when the phrase "hate crime" came into vogue,..."
IIRC, it came to be as a result of an incident of 'gay-bashing'. This was one of the first victories of the homosexual agenda.
I agree as well.