Supreme Court claims Protesting a soldier's Funeral is protected by 1st amendent

[Kortney]

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

That is only ever said by the third party. I doubt you'd say that if it was your child they were calling a murderer.

 

[Lucifus]

Theres been a fair few counter trolls against the church. One of my faves is this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-h3Wl5wVns

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

I tend to not agree with the Court on this one. The text of the amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The problem is, in the purpose of such assembly is to incite anger in those forced to endure it. There should be no prohibition against filing a restraining order against the group for the duration of the funeral; restraining orders are commonly granted for far less.

 

[Eumersian]

"I may not agree with what you have to say, but I'll fight to the death for your right to say it".

I had just read Voltaire's quote there earlier today, which made me think of exactly this kind of thing. Funny how that works out.

OT: Yes, I go with the supreme court on this. They have the same freedom of speech as anybody else. If they want to go as far as they do, they have every right to do so. That doesn't mean that I like them. I think that the WBC brings a bad look on everybody that lives in that area, or is a Christian themselves. But I will let them say whatever they want, because I am not one to support abridging the freedom of speech.

 

[Altorin]

They already have. They get bricks thrown at them and biker gangs keep them a certain distance from such funerals out of respect for the soldiers.

that's honestly really the way it should be.

If someone wants to be an ass to someone else, then the PEOPLE need to stop it. letting the government just dictate what can and can't be said is dangerous territory that I'd not like to have be the status quo where I live.

So let those idiots protest the funeral. Good (or hell, they're biker gangs, so maybe even evil) people will stand up and say "not this shit again" and put a stop to it. that's the way it should be. Freedom of speech for all involved, at least as far as the government is concerned.

 

[Dogstile]

I'm sure you Americans have "breach of the peace" or "harassment". I would say going to a funeral to yell and scream at the family constitutes that.

 

[ph0b0s123]

What else did you expect. They even upheld that you making 'crush' death videos of animals was protected.

So far the only things they have had protections taken away is porn, incitement to racial etc violence (I hope) and maybe soon video games. Though with these recent decisions I think the changce of games having protections removed is slim. If it is removed though it will be the biggest injustice ever. Vids of animals being crushed to death for fun, fine. Deaths of virtual people, that's too far.

Though there is good news on the animall front as Obama put in a new law saying that crush vids commerce is now illegal (I belive). Though I find it interesting that they have not made possesion illegal, un-like certain other non protected media.

But if they were being properly consistant they would also protect porn as well, but that's anohter discussion.

I must admit as a non American I do actually envy how seriously you take these protections. I wish my native UK would take them as seriously. The price you have to pay, like the awfull people in this case, is high, but I personally think it is worth it.

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

That is only ever said by the third party. I doubt you'd say that if it was your child they were calling a murderer.

Of course I would be as angry as hell. But I would also know I was not in the right frame of mind to be deciding on laws. That's why we get an impartial third party to descide the issue rather than the victim at the time of the crime.

 

[Mcface]

They already have. They get bricks thrown at them and biker gangs keep them a certain distance from such funerals out of respect for the soldiers.

I think it's more "out of respect for the dead" than "for the soldiers". A dead soldier deserves no more respect than a dead anybody else, really. After the Tucson shooting, for example, the bikers guarded the funeral of a 9-year old girl.

I disagree, they willingly put their lives on the line in defense of a country, I'd say that earns more respect than just dieing.

OT: I think if you are willing to hold that radical of a viewpoint, and activily spout it out, you should be forced to fend for yourselves. If you challenge someone like that, they should have every right to accept that challenge and whoop some ass.

 

[Kortney]

You

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

That is only ever said by the third party. I doubt you'd say that if it was your child they were calling a murderer.

You're absolutely right, I would be furious beyond words. I can't even imagine the pain those families feel, I can't. But it doesn't change anything. The WBC still have every right to do what they are doing. Just as everyone else. We can't hold them to a different standard.

But why can't you? (You being the USA). Surely you can hold funeral protesters to a different standard?

There is a difference between freedom of expression and being outrageously disrespectful. Surely any protesting at a funeral should be made illegal. What good can come of it, for anyone? I have two brothers in the armed services and if something bad happened to them, and this happened at their funeral it would probably break me. There is no need to ever do this. Make it illegal is what I say. These bastards should be arrested.

 

[Altorin]

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

That is only ever said by the third party. I doubt you'd say that if it was your child they were calling a murderer.

that's the whole point. The parent of said soldier SHOULD be incensed to say "Hey, shut the fuck up". Just because WBC has freedom to say those things (and they do) doesn't mean you have to hear it. You have all the rights they do to say what you like about them. And if they're trespassing on private property or a perceived private space, such as a wedding or a funeral etc, you have all the right to evict them from the area.

That quote is just about limiting the government's power of speech, and it's an important quote.

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

Protesting about the war is all fair and well, but insulting the dead in front of the family strikes me as harassment.

Still, people should just ignore them. They're low, soul-sucking cretins who are using everyone's low opinion to springboard themselves into the public eye. Just starve them of their attention and hopefully they'll dry up.

actually, they're not protesting the war. they're a bonafide hate group, claiming that all war deaths are the result of the US's toleration of homosexuality. they claim that God is punishing us. also, by their statements, homosexuality is pretty much the ONLY thing God truly hates. they basically claim that every single frakking bad thing ever is the result of homosexuality. they're very much a one trick pony.

 

[AngloDoom]

Protesting about the war is all fair and well, but insulting the dead in front of the family strikes me as harassment.

Still, people should just ignore them. They're low, soul-sucking cretins who are using everyone's low opinion to springboard themselves into the public eye. Just starve them of their attention and hopefully they'll dry up.

actually, they're not protesting the war. they're a bonafide hate group, claiming that all war deaths are the result of the US's toleration of homosexuality. they claim that God is punishing us. also, by their statements, homosexuality is pretty much the ONLY thing God truly hates. they basically claim that every single frakking bad thing ever is the result of homosexuality. they're very much a one trick pony.

Ah, I stand corrected. They should be totally ignored. Violently ignored, to the point that they even begin to doubt their own existence and have to pinch themselves on occasion to check if they're not all dreaming.

 

[Mr. Eff_v1legacy]

I think it's a tasteless, despicable, insensitive thing to do, and I hate this church.
And yet, I can't say that I disagree with the legality of it - it's one of those sticky areas.
I wonder what the fallen soldier would think of this.
Much respect to him.

 

[icame]

I've never said this before, but our system is fucked.

I hope they all die in a fire. Without death by smoke inhalation.

 

[Kortney]

But why can't you? (You being the USA). Surely you can hold funeral protesters to a different standard?

There is a difference between freedom of expression and being outrageously disrespectful. Surely any protesting at a funeral should be made illegal. What good can come of it, for anyone? I have two brothers in the armed services and if something bad happened to them, and this happened at their funeral it would probably break me. There is no need to ever do this. Make it illegal is what I say. These bastards should be arrested.

Are you serious? Free speech is only ok if you deem it worthy? I think you're missing the point of free speech. I'm sorry their words hurt you, but it's not the goverment's place to intervene.

Ugh. Why does everyone have to do this on the Escapist..

Anyway.

No, I don't think free speech is only alright if I think it is okay. I just think protesting a funeral should be made illegal. Why? Because it is an action that makes people immensely hurt and no good can come of it. Funerals should be protest free. There is never any need to picket someone's funeral. I'm not suggesting this group of people don't have the right to call soldiers murderers (like you think I am), I'm suggesting that these people don't have the right to call someone a murderer at a funeral. Have you no idea of how traumatic that would be for everyone attending? And that's okay because it's "freedom of speech". Not in my book.