Military Funeral Picketing partially banned, WBC are tools.

[Dangit2019]

Well, yeah, the last part was obvious.

So this happened. For those of you not able to load that up for some reason, Obama put restrictions on the way that military funeral protesters could protest, i.e. staying back 300 ft. and other restrictions. OK, let's just get it out of the way that WBC are pretty much the only people we're talking about because no one else has reached their level of scum to protest dead soldiers.

Now, not too many people are standing up for the underdogs in this case due to the underdogs being swine that the KKK considers too rash and bigoted, but there is discussion on whether or not we should bend the rules of the 1st amendment (freedom of speech for you European people who hate liberty and apple pies) even if those rules allow douchebags to do what they do best by desecrating every inch of space they take up.

So, Escapists, should America let the people who I'm running out of insulting names for protest lest we invalidate the 1st amendment? Should I be taking my meds more often? And why is there a floating piece of garlic bread levitating in the corner of my room trying to convince me that OJ didn't do it? Let me know below. Quickly.

 

[cerealnmuffin]

I don't see why hate monger picketing at funerals can't be charged under harassment and disturbing the peace. If I started screaming and raving how someone should burn in hell while standing in a public area, I'd go to jail. Yet, it makes it okay and a matter of 'freedom of speech' if a group does it? If you are saying so-and-so should die etc etc, why isn't that considered illegal to do when done in a group?

 

[Lucem712]

I'm not sure why the WBC even does this. I mean, if you hate someone or something that much, why not keep away from it?

'Cos otherwise how will those [dead] gay lovin' heretic soldiers know how badly they've sinned and how much God hates America!


While I support everyone's right to think as they please, it still makes me a bit sick to my stomach watching anything related to them. I just don't understand how someone can even begin to hate something that much.

Though, it hadn't stop them, so there's that.

 

[Kolby Jack]

This isn't really a restriction of their right to picket, it's more of a zoning ordinance. A good one.

CAPTCHA: Hear hear!

See? Captcha agrees with me!

Also, read the comments on that article TC linked. Pretty... uh, interesting read.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

Well, in all honesty, I think the distance restriction is more or less good enough. Censoring people's opinions, no matter how extreme they may be, would probably be worse than a group of old trolls who are dribbling bullshit.

 

[Thaluikhain]

I don't see why they should be allowed to do this. That sort of shit would not be allowed in my country, and it's not turned us into an Orwellian nightmare.

 

[Easton Dark]

I hope they don't get megaphones to make up for the distance. Then everyone in the surrounding areas get to hear the protesting.

 

[The Funslinger]

I don't see why hate monger picketing at funerals can't be charged under harassment and disturbing the peace. If I started screaming and raving how someone should burn in hell while standing in a public area, I'd go to jail. Yet, it makes it okay and a matter of 'freedom of speech' if a group does it? If you are saying so-and-so should die etc etc, why isn't that considered illegal to do when done in a group?

Since performing celebratory acts near a monument is illegal, I think actively attempting to wreck a funeral should be too, honestly.

Seems like one of them there double standards.

 

[The Funslinger]

I don't see why hate monger picketing at funerals can't be charged under harassment and disturbing the peace. If I started screaming and raving how someone should burn in hell while standing in a public area, I'd go to jail. Yet, it makes it okay and a matter of 'freedom of speech' if a group does it? If you are saying so-and-so should die etc etc, why isn't that considered illegal to do when done in a group?

Since performing celebratory acts near a monument is illegal, I think actively attempting to wreck a funeral should be too, honestly.

Seems like one of them there double standards.

Illegal in the UK? Interesting. Can't say I've heard of that law.

No, I mean 'Merica. Since this is 'Merica we're talking about. The UK shut down WBC's picketing ages ago.

'MURRRRRICA![footnote]I actually like American culture, and would enjoy living in America.[/footnote]

 

[Zoe Castillo]

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[Frission]

Since the slippery slope argument always seemed like garbage to me, I'm okay with this decision. The First Amendment won't be overturned by some pricks arrested for being pricks.

 

[Starik20X6]

I thought the first amendment just guaranteed you the right to say what you like. It doesn't give you the right to be heard, it doesn't mean other people can't call you out for what you say and it doesn't mean you can't get punished for it.

What kind of tasteless asshole do you have to be to picket a funeral? More importantly, why hasn't someone wiped them out yet? Where's the Punisher when you need him?!

 

[Frission]

I don?t like America, oh sure it started off with some very noble intentions but it?s now become the crazy capital of the modern world .
but with that said their bill of rights is one of the few things I do like about them , I hold freedom of speech as one of the most important rights people should have . I don?t even mind hate speech as long as it's not suggesting harming other people or their property , and while I don?t like it the WBC did not violate The First amendment and should be allowed to do what they do if only to show the world America is still the land of the free .

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"-Voltaire

Ah, but this isn't about not allowing people to speak, it's not allowing them to protest funerals. There's a difference. They're free to say whatever they want somewhere else. Freedom always ends when it encroaches on the freedom of another.

 

[Xanadu84]

I disagree with any abridgement of freedom of speech and philosophically oppose this law. On the other hand, I won't lose any sleep over it. It isn't good but, well, we don't ALWAYS need to fall down a slippery slope.

 

[Depulcator]

Why even bother talking about them? All they can do is shout and taunt, just ignore them, and they will fade away.

 

[octafish]

I thought the first amendment just guaranteed you the right to say what you like. It doesn't give you the right to be heard, it doesn't mean other people can't call you out for what you say and it doesn't mean you can't get punished for it.

What kind of tasteless asshole do you have to be to picket a funeral? More importantly, why hasn't someone wiped them out yet? Where's the Punisher when you need him?!

I'm not American and I know this. The important thing is they can say what they want, they still have free speech, they just have to exercise it waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay over there. No problems with your first amendment there.