Sparhawk

This is one of those questions that sounds right when you first think about it. Unfortunately it doesn't really hold water. A few examples: Assasinations, children, women.

The intent behind a 'hate crime' is what puts me in favor of it. The intent isn't to simply kill the person, but to terrorize an entire neighborhood, community, ethnic group, and thus should be submitted to more potential punishment than an equivalent murder where the intent is simply to kill. We're not holding zaccarias moussiau(sp) to the same standard as the accountant who kills his adulterous wife, are we? Nor should we.

Interesting topic, thanks.

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