I don't understand the need to classify certain violent acts as "hate crimes".  It seems too often when a person commits a crime against someone of a different religion, persuasion, gender, or age, the media -- and the government -- feels the need to call it a "hate crime".

That wouldn't be so bad, but laws are being created that make these crimes more severe than other crimes.  That doesn't seem fair.  If Bob goes and intentionally shoots Jim, of course it's a hate crime!  Bob hated Jim, and he shot him!  Why does it matter that they may have practiced different religions or had some different cultural belief?  Bob is a bad guy because he shot someone.  Would Bob be less of a bad guy if he shot someone who shared his own beliefs and culture?  Not in my book. 

Anyone who commits an unprovoked violent act against someone else should suffer the legal consequences, but those consequences should never vary based simply on the aggressor's belief system or morals.  I'm amazed that we hear on the news about Congress debating laws that are discriminatory by definition.  How can that be legal?  Bad guys are bad, and we should leave it at that.