What if 'hate crimes' law was applied to Miss USA fiasco?

[MicroBalrog]

When someone explains why Colin Ferguson didn't have a hate crime tacked on to his murder charges I will believe that the motive for hate crime legislation is fair.

Did CF commit his crime after these laws were enacted

Did he target his victims based on age, sex, sexual orientation, or color of skin?

Some animals will always be more equal than other animals

This would be only correct if all attacks gainst homosexuals/blacks/whites were prosecuted under these laws. But in fact, only those who attack these people BECAUSE of their sexual orientation or skin color 'benefit' from the additional sentencing.

Agreed.  Let's just fix the problem, instead of policing people's thoughts, beliefs and emotions. 

Wisest phrase in the entire thread.

[roo_ster]

I don't see what the problem is, really.

Hate crime laws do not punish people for criticizing other people's sexual orientation or their skin color.

THey punish people for attacking other people, injuring and killing them. Attacking other people and causing them injury is a bad thing no matter who the people are - but one would argue that attacking people based on their sexual orientation or their skin color is worse than attacking them for profit - because at least the robber does not (normally) feel morally justified in comitting his crime, but the sort of person who attacks people based on their skin color does, and thus is a greater danger to society. He is basically a terrorist.

A problem with "hate crime" legislation is that it creates different classes of people with different values / intrinsic worth WRT the law.

Another is that it punishes thought. 

Also, such a regime is just plain unAmerican and disgusting.

[longeyes]

Un-American, for sure, but apparently not un-British, judging from the publishing of today's list of 16 people who've been Banned from Britain.  On the list is American talk show host Michael Savage.

[roo_ster]

Un-American, for sure, but apparently not un-British, judging from the publishing of today's list of 16 people who've been Banned from Britain.  On the list is American talk show host Michael Savage.

The Brits have already sold their patrimony for a mess of pottage.  Americans have theirs up for sale and are busy taking bids.

[tokugawa]

"All are equal, but some are more equal than others"

[oldfart]

All things considered, Miss California is probably better off now than she would have been had she won.  It seems as if EVERYONE knows who came in second...  but who finally came away with the title?   I don't know.  I haven't heard.  Who would really WANT it after all this?

[Jamisjockey]

This would be only correct if all attacks gainst homosexuals/blacks/whites were prosecuted under these laws. But in fact, only those who attack these people BECAUSE of their sexual orientation or skin color 'benefit' from the additional sentencing.

Yeah it sounds great in theory.  So does communisim.  But in reality, it's a great way of punishing the unprotected class, and creating a class of loyal voters.