I HATE hate crimes legislation.

Is that a felony? Maybe . . . if this passes:

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote soon on legislation that would create a new class of crimes based on the traits of the victim, including "sexual orientation" and "gender identity."

Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., introduced the so-called hate-crimes bill — S.909 — last week. The U.S. House has already passed similar legislation.

"There is no evidence of an epidemic of sexual-orientation 'hate crimes' in this country," said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst at Focus on the Family Action. "So, what's the real reason for this bill? Gay activists want to silence those who speak out against homosexuality."

If the legislation passes, pastors could be prosecuted under the federal inducement statute for preaching the biblical view of homosexuality. For example, a person could commit an act of violence against a homosexual individual and blame it on the pastor's sermon.

Also concerning is the fact that House Democrats voted down an amendment to their bill that would have excluded pedophilia from the definition of “sexual orientation." Source: here

Now even more disturbing is that TO THE MEMBER the Democrats opposed adding, as a Rep King (R) NY proposed, US war veterans as one of the "protected" classes. So let me get this straight - if your "trait" is child rape, you are a "protected" class; however if your "trait" is that you prevented a child rape while on duty in Iraq you are NOT a "protected" class? What is with these people that they find every aspect of "traditional" American values, sacred elements, and prized institutions so objectionable? They are 180 degrees on everything - up is down, day is night, good is evil, spending is "investing" . . . .

Now, just for the record, I oppose the very premise of "hate crimes" laws. After all, isn't all crime a hate crime? In other words, if one murders rapes, or steals, hang high em' and often; a short rope & a tall tree; or lock em' up throw a away the key, etc (sounds like a country music song). But I'd prefer not to give my government the power to penalize thought. And that's what hate crime laws do - they assign a penalization to what you were 'thinking" during the commission of the crime. This is not an authority our, or any other government should have. But that's me.