Item #1 is one of the more stunningly ridiculous things I've ever seen, and that's saying a lot.
Hate crimes laws are contrary to our British/American heritage, in that they criminalize a thought or belief, rather than an action.
Verbally espousing a thought or belief used to not be criminalized; now, in some places if you merely read excerpts from the Koran aloud (those calling for war), or from the bible condemning homosexuality, you can be prosecuted.
How is that ridiculous? You don't think it's do-able?
Actually, I think the liberals, Muslims and homosexuals are all in line with the same plan...
It may sound ridiculous, but in England, a politician, Nick Griffin, was charged with a "race hate crime" for calling islam a "wicked, vicious faith." "Hate crime" legislation is a menace.