I am sure that most people here of heard of Fred Phelps and his dispicable version of religion. A case will be heard tomorrow in the SCOTUS to determine if their right to protest outweighs the rights of the families at the funerals.
It was great to see that 47 states’ attorney generals have filed briefs on behalf of the plaintiffs. Let’s hope that it is decidely quickly and favorably. These people are scum.
I belive little ole VT is one of the 47. We recently made it illegal to protest near a funeral. These folks are clearly out there. They DISGUST ME!
I am certainly a strong supporter of the first amendment, and free speech.
But Fred and his brood are such a vile, hateful nest of snakes that they should never be referred to as a church.
I hope that SCOTUS returns a thoughtful decision that protects mourning families from his reprehensible behavior.
Folks, remember to support the Patriot Guard Riders, that shield military funerals from that ilk.
Fred and his ilk are a different breed. It is like the currnet islamic breed and their ilk using our political freedom against us. I think a united public front shooting them down(figuratively for now) is the best first step. Now it that and the court fails… well you know what the alternative is…
It’s about time. When will people realize that abusing our god-given rights leads to a gov’t clamp down on these rights? Fools. It’s sad that a lot of human beings can’t discern what’s right and wrong and show some decency and integrity. Is it that hard? I wonder how they think what they’re spewing goes hand in hand with the Bible. Despicable.
I remember when those assholes were at Ft. Campbell in 06, their protest damn near caused a riot. If there hadnt been all those LEO’s there, I have no doubt they would have gotten beat down.
Folks, remember to support the Patriot Guard Riders, that shield military funerals from that ilk.
I have a couple very close friends in the PGR. They’ll be the first to tell you they’d love to be out of a job. Here’s hoping…
As long as they’re not inciting violence than they’re within their rights as shitty as it is. They may need to change some of their signs but other than that you can’t stop protest.
I’m still waiting for Phelps to drop dead, the old bastard can’t go to much longer. When he does I already have some sign ideas 
There is a time and place for them to exercise their rights. What about the rights of the familes to greive. You can not yell fire in a crowded theatre. It’s all well and good for us to sit at our keyboards and talk about their rights. A funeral is not the place for any “free speech” that argument is a perversion of the constitution. Funerals are a personal and private time not a time for disgusting freaks to protest. It is about the rights of the dead and their familes, not a bunch of assholes trying to use someones death to get their mugs on TV.
Apple and oranges, you’re talking about Schenck v. United States and it doesn’t really apply here. What they’re doing is in my opinion immoral but isn’t a violation of the rights of the families of the deceased. No difference than the KKK protesting in a black neighborhood. As long as they’re not inciting violence than they’re within their rights.
We wouldn’t need the first to include freedom of speech if it was for speech we all agree with.
They may not be committing acts of violence, however their presence has caused people to do rash things. The most recent was the guy that pepper sprayed a group of them as they were protesting.
I predict the SCOTUS will rule in favor of the plaintiffs in this matter.
Smiles
Of course it applies. My point was free speech can and has been limited. It is not the same situation but.it applies because it has been limited. Look at what has been done to the second ammendment there are all kinds of limits there.
sorry to say it they have freedom of speech too. As much as I would like this behavior to stop, I do not want the govt legislating morality.
I’m taking a look at every organization that is for the respondant. I will do my best to never do business with any organization that supports these people. I’m sorry to see NPR supported Phelps here. They will never receive another dollar from me. I expected to see NY Times in the list.
I agree that some of the stipulations in this case need clarification–hence its review by the supreme court. The award of damages is also a major concern for the media corporations.
However, I do believe that “Hate speech” should be limited, outlawed and carry heavy civil and criminal penalties. What the WBC asserts is absolutely hate speech. Defining the boundaries of what “Hate speech” means is something that does need to be legislated.
You can’t just say whatever you want without being responsible and accountable for the words coming out of your mouth or keyboard. That is one issue we have not dealt with successfully… yet.
People should be held acccountable for their actions. Organizations like WBC or the Dove organization in Florida need to experience the power of consequences. Common sense and good taste are clearly not a boundaries capable of restraint.
Here is a link to an op-ed piece on this subject written by Maryland’s Attorney General Doug Gansler, one of 47 state attorneys general who submitted arguments to the SCOTUS in support Mr. Synder, the father of the Marine whose funeral was picketed by Mr. Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/05/AR2010100503827.html
As much as I loathe Phelps and his gospel of hate and intolerance, I am reluctant to see the Supreme Court establish a judicial precedent which prohibits free speech based on another individual’s right to privacy. If you have concerns about judicial review and slippery slopes, this would be a doozy.
The worst part of this appeal is the free publicity provided to that vitriolic prick Phelps and his extended family of litigious vermin.
yea these people are just like forum trolls, just ignore them. Media is feeding them by giving them coverage and attention
Who gets to define these boundaries and will it be all encompassing. Like it’s Hate Speech if a white says the N word but not if a black says it. Or Homosexuals can only use the terms gay, queer or homo but not everyone else.
Okay I am paraphrasing here but I don’t know exactly how to define it but I know it when I see it. Do you think the protesters in these cases are spouting hate speech?
SCOTUS needs to define hate speech. There has to be a limit. I attended a funeral in 2006 with these individuals present. The level of pain, anger, frustration and suffering they inflict on those grieving is difficult to put into words.
Here is a letter I wrote to NPR today after seeing them on the list.
I am deeply disgusted to see your organization has sided with the respondent in this case, SCOTUS docket 09-751. Your support of the Westboro Baptist Church will directly result in my immediate cessation of support and utilization of all media produced by NPR. I have read the response and understand the corporate desire to limit liability litigation, but this does not excuse your organization from taking a firm stance against hate speech. Your desire to maintain the unrestricted interpretation of Free Speech without acknowledging that boundaries should exist for good taste and common sense leads me to believe your organization has deeply misguided beliefs. Responsibility and accountability for a person and the actions they take is critical to being a productive member of a global community. When people deliberately injure with malice, there should be culpability for those actions. Your defense of the Freedom of Speech is admirable, but in this case—fundamentally flawed from my perspective.
I have enjoyed your programming for the past twenty years of my life, but I will not participate or support any organization that supports the Westboro Baptist church. I have lost too many friends to dishonor their memory. I sincerely hope no member of your organization ever has to bury a friend or loved one during one of their protests.
I strongly suggest that someone at a decision-making level within NPR attend the funeral for a fallen soldier while this organization is present. There is no boundary for the shame a person should feel for supporting this group after witnessing these individuals in action while a grieving family tries to bury a son, daughter, husband or wife.
Amen, brother! As much as I can’t stand these creeps, I would rather put up with a few douche bags’ distorted statements and continue to enjoy my personal liberties than to get the government involved. These things have a way of taking care of themselves. When they came to protest at Camp LeJeune a few years ago so many pissed off military spouses showed up that Westboro and its views were completely overshadowed.