Right wingnut groups twist hate crimes language to defend bigoted views....

In the United States, newly introduced federal hate crime legislation and a recently released report from the Department of Homeland Security have elicited cries that freedom of speech, among other liberties, is under threat. On April 7, 2009 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sent a memo to law enforcement offices entitled http://www.fas.org/irp/eprint/rightwing.pdf">"Right-wing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment." The report identifies extremists that may be hate-oriented, anti-government, against those of a particular race, religion or ethnicity, or those dedicated to single issue such as abortion. This last item has the opposition to sexual and reproductive health and rights up in arms.

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http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2009/05/19/farright-groups-twist-hate-crimes-language-defend-bigoted-views

It is a more severe crime if it is determined to be because of hatreds of types of people. America still allows people to hate. It is just when they use that hatred to drum up violence against one's person or property that it becomes criminal. A typical assualt and batery charge only draws a small time in jail and a fine. If it is because of racial or ? hatreds then it is more serious and in fact a felony.