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Argument: Hate crime laws target violent acts not thoughts
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- Ken Goldstein. "The Case For Hate Crimes Statutes". The 13th Story. Retrieved 2.03.08 - "Let's get one thing clear: No law can make a racist change his or her ways. The purpose of hate crimes legislation is not to end hate. That simply can't be done. You cannot coerce tolerance. The purpose is to punish the violence that often stems from hate. Hate crimes laws do not and cannot fight discrimination. They fight violence and hopefully serve as a deterrent against further racist violence.
- You certainly have the right to hate people. With a free press, you even have the right to talk about your hatred, and try to influence others to share your views. What you do not have the right to do is to deprive other citizens of their rights, their property, their well-being, or their life.
- Let's set the record straight on another point: Hate crimes laws do not punish people for their thoughts. They punish criminals for their actions. It is another tool a prosecutor can use to help get violent criminals who are likely to be repeat offenders off our streets. The ability to use hate crimes statutes helps to prove intent, premeditation, and conspiracy. And get convictions."