Fred Dickey

About the author: Fred Dickey is a contributing writer to the Los Angeles Times Magazine.

Expanding the definition of hate crimes would create more problems than solutions. For instance, the vast majority of hate crimes are not committed by vigilant members of extremist groups, but by habitual troublemakers. Enhancing hate crime laws would inadvertently send more young, undereducated, poor, mentally ill men to prison. In addition, the small number of hate crime prosecutions does not necessitate the expansion of hate crime laws. Existing criminal justice policies sufficiently deal with hate crimes. Furthermore, extending extra federal protection to certain groups creates a special class of victims and undermines the equality of all Americans.

Billy McCall is a man of dubious distinction. He is the first man in the nation...