So, there is a new bill (HR 1592) coming down the pike that attempts to clean up the language of "hate crimes" and definitively spell out what groups are "eligible" to be hated against.
From what I understand, it will allow the federal government to step in and prosecute/investigate anyone committing a "hate crime". Giving local/state authorities more resources to get longer sentences for the perps. (Someone correct me if I am wrong .. I am going on second hand info).
But, in general, do you even agree with this idea of a "hate crime"? What makes the disgusting human beings who killed Matthew Shepard worse than the Virgina Tech Killer in the eyes of the law?
Does someone who vandalises a minority persons car with a slur deserve more punishment than the guy who vandalizes a passenger train? The whole concept seems kind of dumb.
From what I understand, it will allow the federal government to step in and prosecute/investigate anyone committing a "hate crime". Giving local/state authorities more resources to get longer sentences for the perps. (Someone correct me if I am wrong .. I am going on second hand info).
But, in general, do you even agree with this idea of a "hate crime"? What makes the disgusting human beings who killed Matthew Shepard worse than the Virgina Tech Killer in the eyes of the law?
Does someone who vandalises a minority persons car with a slur deserve more punishment than the guy who vandalizes a passenger train? The whole concept seems kind of dumb.