Are hate crimes any worse than others?

[Natasha]

Are hate crimes any worse than others?

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/05/17/are_hate_crimes_any_worse_than_others/
Jeff Jacoby
5/17/09

Under current law, crimes motivated by bias against a victim's race, color, religion, or national origin can be prosecuted by the federal government, so long as the victim had been engaged in a "federally-protected activity" - attending a public school, for example, or being in a place of public accommodation or entertainment. The proposed Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which passed the House last month and is pending in the Senate, would significantly broaden the federal government's reach.