The Hate Crimes Bill... Sneaking its way through Congress.

"Democrats should stop using our troops and their families as a vehicle for their political games." - Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.)
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The hate crimes measure was attached to a $680-billion defense policy bill, which included a 3.4% pay increase for the military and authorization for the development of a new engine for the next-generation jet fighter, among other items. - Source

Republicans have complained they were placed in a politically awkward postion - that if they voted against the bill they would be demonized as voting against military personal and their families.  Both sides of the aisle have resorted to similar tactics to get controversial measures through - which is why a line item veto option is so important.  Unfortunately, it wouldn't matter in this case, since Obama supports the measure.  The bill is before the Senate now and should have no trouble passing.
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So what's wrong with the bill?  A couple of things:  Among others, the measure has the potential of prohibiting free speech and freedom of religion:  A homily providing Catholic teaching on homosexual acts as intrinsically disordered and sinful could be construed as a hate-crime or inciting hate - especially if a member of the Church had been accused of an actual hate crime.  Blame the priest - blame the Church.  It happens in Canada and Europe already.  The measure also has the potential of limiting American's right to free speech.  In effect, the measure amounts to "thought crimes" legislation and singles out a politically privleged group for special protections.  It's another aspect of the nanny state - Big Brother will take care of you as long as you conform to the plan.  It is a control measure - another liberty surrendered to placate a special interest.   
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Thus far, it seems to me, our justice system adequately provides all necessary protections the American people require - excluding unborn infants of course.  Violent crime committed against any person is already against the law in this country.  In addition, we have a legal system which allows for lawsuits and settlements of disputes arising from workplace discrimination, defamation of character, calumny, slander,  and many other violations of individual rights and freedoms.
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"The real reason for hate crime laws is not the defense of human beings from crime. There are already laws against that - and Matthew Shepard's murderers were successfully prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in a state with no hate crimes law at the time. The real reason for the invention of hate crimes was a hard-left critique of conventional liberal justice and the emergence of special interest groups which need boutique legislation to raise funds for their large staffs and luxurious buildings." - Andrew Sullivan.
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Tomorrow the gays march in Washington, after a special address from the President tonight.  Even Barney Frank thinks the march is over-kill:
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Rep. Barney Frank, an openly gay member of Congress, says he'd rather see gay rights supporters lobbying their elected officials than marching in Washington this weekend, calling the demonstration "a waste of time at best."
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Frank said in an interview with The Associated Press that he considers such demonstrations to be "an emotional release" that does little to pressure Congress.
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"The only thing they're going to be putting pressure on is the grass," the Massachusetts Democrat said Friday.
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Thousands of gay men and women are expected to gather for Sunday's National Equality March.
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Organizers say the march is only part of a broader effort that includes the kind of lobbying Frank is urging.

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"We hear Congressman Frank when he says this is about getting back into your district and doing the work there," said Kip Williams, co-director of the march. But he said the march in Washington "is about building community and building a network who will go back and do that work." - Source

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Yet they say there is no agenda.
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And they don't want us to say anything about it either...