Hate Crimes

"Hate-crimes laws are based on the fallacious premise that we may be punished for our thoughts and feelings, not just our actions. And insisting the state has the ability to look into our hearts and minds and adjust the contents is a very dangerous line to cross. It gives legislators, the courts, and human-rights tribunals far too much power to decide what emotions and beliefs are acceptable and, more ominously, which are not. Such power will inevitably be corrupted to the service of keeping legitimate opposition quiet."

** Lorne Gunter, Canadian columnist