The absuridity of hate crimes

Here is an article by Richard Cohen from the Washington Post. Hate crime legislation is immoral and discriminatory in nature. It legislates against thought and speech which are constitutionally protected. Not to mention it seems to me to be a redundant term. Maybe all crimes are not motivated by hate per se; then again, what exactly is a "love crime?" Should it matter that the person that rapes and kills an innocent woman or child is so desensitized that s/he has no feeling for that person or even claims to "love" the person? Should that person be treated any differently? If so, what does that say about the value of life of the victim relative to victims of a "hate" crime? It suggests that the value of life is not equal. If two people are victims of the same crime are treated differently, it suggests that the value of life of one was greater than the other. This is completely at odds with the concept that "all men are created equal." (HT Don Boudreaux)