Regarding hate crimes, I can see the problem in certain circumstances. Let’s say that race A feels it’s justified in killing race B, and race B, feeling victimized, feels preemptive strikes are justified (a race war, essentially). In this context, there are three kinds of acts of aggression: Intrarace murder; interrace murder not inspired by hate; and interrace murder inspired by hate. In order to maintain the rule of law, I say it might be justified to punish the third variety of murder more severely if the motive can be determined with absolute certainty. It might not be an effective deterrent for all potential aggressors, but it might for quite a few. If that’s the case, is it not a good idea?