Thread: Free speech vs hate speech

The idea of hate crimes seems really screwed up. If somebody bashes somebody else's head in without justification or mitigation, then that person is scum and should be dealt with like scum, period. If it turns out that he did it because he hated the person's race, gender, or religion, should that really make any difference legally? He did what he did for an evil reason. Charging for hate beyond that point is charging for what amounts to a thought crime.

If I got attacked by some freak, I would be more offended if I found out that he did it just because he felt like attacking somebody than I would be if I found out he did it because I'm white. As stupid as that reason is, at least he had something to go on in thinking he was right for doing it. A person who can attack an innocent person without hating him is more cold blooded than a person who has to hate his victim.