What do you think about this ?

I'm torn on the issue. I despise Westboro and Phelps. I think what they do is straight from Satan and they aren't even close to being Christians.

With that said, they do their picketting in accordance with the law. If we punish them, who's next? Will it set a precedent that holds over to anti-abortion picketters?

 

I think its horrible. A funural is a private affair not a public option. A person by the nature of dieing hasn't consented to public attention like a mucisian or artist, or actor, or politician. Therefore I question if this is a constitutional issue of free speach or not. Its not a public arena but a private one. The offence is perputrated by the baptist church. They are free to publish articles about their beliefs. Even have sermons about it. They can even protest in the mall in Washington DC. However, to insult a person they know nothing about at a private funeral is a violation of that families right to bury their own in respect. The father should not pay legal cost and the church should not be viewed as practicing an option for freedom of speach. IMHO

 

I agree...it wouldn't be decent at all. I wouldn't want to restrict those people from exercising their right to free speech though.

Restricting free speech is a slippery slope. Once you begin, your speech is likely to get trampled on.

 

>A funural is a private affair not a public option.

If this funeral had been a family affair the Phelps family would have not known about it. Anything publicized in the press in a public affair.

 

Obituaries are regularly published: Its a way of notifying friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Funerals are private affairs, to honor the memory and repose of the deceased and to comfort the living. As public as it might be known, it is still a private affair and should be within the rights of family to determine with law enforcement the boundaries of trespass, imo.

IMO, if the judge saw any reason to justify the overturn.... he should not have passed the threshold of calling it a 'draw' as the Phelps put themselves in the position by their own free will.... while the family and friends of the soldier were in an appointed commitment bound by time and space.

 

I would expect nothing less from someone who doesn't believe in individual rights. If this was your son or daughter I doubt you would feel the same way. You know, the whole do unto others as you would have them do unto you thing.

 

Not to mention that billwald sees no difference between our military and Hitler's SS. (His views). He's to be pitied. Of course, our soldiers are better than he gives them credit for, and they are willing to defend his right to have such ridiculous views.

 

O'reilly has offered to pay the father's court expenses....
http://www.newser.com/story/84858/oreilly-ill-pay-legal-bill-for-dead-marines-dad.html

And this link is a very liberal new's site.. and notice by the comments that even the liberals are cheering O'Reily on!...

I guess there are some things even Conservatives and Liberals can agree too...

 

Anyone who would picket a funeral (especially of a military soldier regardless of his sexual orientation) is not (in my opinion) a Christian.