Is expressing a desire for harm the same as making a threat? [closed]
According to dictionary.com's page on 'threat':
"a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc."
"I hope that ..." is not really a threat (although it will frequently be interpreted as one).
However, "I wish that I could ..." is determination to and therefore is a threat by definition. It will also likely be interpreted as "I will ... when I get the chance.".