Where to start?

Clearly, with the economy booming and unicorns roaming the peaceful streets of Obama's Ameritopia, the Congress has time to address a most vexing issue:

The House voted Thursday to make it a federal crime to assault people because of their sexual orientation, significantly expanding the hate crimes law enacted in the days after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968. With expected passage by the Senate, federal prosecutors will for the first time be able to intervene in cases of violence perpetrated against gays...

Civil rights groups and their Democratic allies have been trying for more than a decade to broaden the reach of hate crimes law. This time it appears they will succeed. The measure is attached to a must-pass $680 billion defense policy bill and President Barack Obama - unlike President George W. Bush - is a strong supporter. The House passed the defense bill 281-146, with 15 Democrats and 131 Republicans in opposition.

First, let me briefly note again the subversive effect of attaching completely unrelated issues to major legislation. If a matter is sufficient to warrant the attention of Congress, it should rise or fall on its merits and the will of the electorate, NOT procedural shenanigans.

As to the specific matter at hand: I'd have no problem with a story beginning "The House voted Thursday to make it a federal crime to assault people." Well, OK, maybe a little problem, since simple assault shouldn't be a matter for the Spanish Inquisition Federal Government. That's why we're taxed to provide local law enforcement.

But I digress. The point is that crime is crime, regardless of motivation. The term "hate crimes" is redundant. Supporters of such legislation feel good about their efforts to protect this or that category of people. But the effort is counterproductive, since by definition such categorization blurs the fact 'all men are created equal.' Is beating someone because of their sexual preference or skin color somehow worse than, say, domestic abuse? Everyone bears the Imago Dei, and for that reason alone, are worthy of protection from harm.

Make no mistake, though. Those pushing this legislation have a deeper agenda. It won't be long before 'hate crime' expands to include speaking in sober opposition to the homosexual lifestyle. Incitement to violence should be, and is, proscribed. Good. But in an era where one's feelings have become the sole compass for what's acceptable, it won't be long before stating plainly that gays—like most of humanity—are defying God's design for life will be criminalized as "hate speech."

I’m as upset as any activist when I see alleged disciples of Christ carrying signs that say “God hates fags.” Such selective sloganeering obscures God’s own message: that despite everyone’s failure to live in accordance with His will, He offers hope and forgiveness.

...But beware the day that calling sinners to repentance becomes a ‘sin’ in the eyes of the State.