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There are differences in penalty in crime due to motivation already; hate-crime legislation just adds another element to that calculus.
Remember -- the differences between first-degree, second-degree, third-degree?
Besides, the Constitution already mandates AGAINST forms of discrimination based on race, sex, religion, etc., etc., so why should the criminal law not follow the Constitution's lead?
Again, NOBODY IS CRIMINALIZING MERE THOUGHT OR MERE ADVOCACY. YOU CAN'T DO THAT. IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL. WHAT IS BEING CRIMINALIZED IS CRIMES CARRIED OUT FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES, WHICH IS THE ESSENCE OF DEFINING CRIMES ANYWAY.
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