My opinions on thought/hate/bias crimes have already been expressed by others in this post. So, I'll focus on the other thing that bothers me.

This is part of a defense spending bill. It should not be. Politicians at it again. Putting in amendments that have nothing to do with the bill as a whole, just to get it passed, because they can't get it passed on its own in all likelihood.

I didn't follow Obama's promises during the campaign closely. But didn't he say something about things like this? At the very least, where is the "change" he promised?