[quote=6packscaredy]”Nonsensical” is a little strong.

Let’s say we were back in the 1960’s and rage against blacks was still strong in the south. Would it be “nonsensical” to punish crimes against blacks a little stronger, in order to achieve the desired social goal of a society where people of all colors can be safe and secure?

Probably not.

reasonable people can disagree about who should be protected a bit more when to further which societal goal, or even if it shoudl be done, but it’s not irrational.[/quote]

If hate crime laws were used as a logical response to discriminatory crimes, they would have been promulgated ages ago in response to the violence that is routinely inflicted upon women by men. I don’t hear anyone speaking up for such things. I don’t believe in concepts that are selectively applied.