Supreme Court rules 8-1 that Westboro Church has the right to protest

[Bubblehead1980]

Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that the Westboro Baptist church nutjobs can protest at military funerals.While I despise their zealots and their message, I do agree with the decision, tough case.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefi...irst-amendment

[gimpy117]

they're stupid, but even stupid people have rights.

[Growler]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that the Westboro Baptist church nutjobs can protest at military funerals.While I despise their zealots and their message, I do agree with the decision, tough case.

Aye. They have the right, as much as it grates my spine to say it. Thank whatever deity you wish for guys like the Patriot Guard Riders, and every other decent American who interposes him or herself between these vitriolic "Posterior Haberdashers" and the families of the deceased.

If it's their "Right" to free speech ,then doesn't that mean that other people would have the right to picquet and block off their church with demonstrations? seems to me it's all the same thing ,maybe someone might decide to do it back to them

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by darius359au

If it's their "Right" to free speech ,then doesn't that mean that other people would have the right to picquet and block off their church with demonstrations? seems to me it's all the same thing ,maybe someone might decide to do it back to them

I have not had time to read the full decision yet(going to in a little while, we will no doubt discuss the case in my class tomorrow) but my understanding from what I have read/heard on the news is they were not in view of the Marines family and other attendees of the funeral, so they were not harming the Marine's family per say.The father of the fallen actually said he only saw the top of the signs and only learned what they said until later.Simply put, the "can't cry fire in a crowded theater" argument(which is often used to argue against controversial/unwanted speech although that limit is in place to prevent abuse of free speech) did not apply here since their protest was doing no direct harm at the moment.8-1 is a pretty sweeping decision.Like it or not, the jerks get to protest.

Good news is they can be contained...

[Platapus]

I also abhor what that cult does, but I also agree that it was the right decision.

Our freedoms are never more tested then when they are applied to people we strongly disagree with.

[Rockstar]

Those goofballs are going first against the wall when I come into power.

[Feuer Frei!]

Errr what?
I read the link OP posted, ok, but at what distance are they allowed at the funeral to protest?
Regardless of nutjobs or not, i think that there are let's say more appropriate places to bleat your beliefs than a funeral, am i right?
No respect for the dead comes to mind here.
Sorry but i think that in this case certainly that it is in bad taste.
The mourners, would they hear the protesters? See them? Whilst they pay their respects to the deceased?
I know i for one would be outraged and disgusted if i was at a military funeral of a family member or close friend, letalone a funeral in general.
Sorry but that's b***crap!
Protest if you must, but do it with a bit of respect, and certainly not at a funeral
Doesn't matter what your beliefs are.
And as for the matter of 'freedom of speech' arguement?
Moot.

[Feuer Frei!]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

they were not in view of the Marines family and other attendees of the funeral, so they were not harming the Marine's family per say.The father of the fallen actually said he only saw the top of the signs and only learned what they said until later.

Just saw this after i posted some of my questions, so seems a slight visibility still occurs.
I stand my ground and disagree with the decision.

[Feuer Frei!]

Aha, just did some research into this so-called 'group',
nutjubs indeed!

This article was posted back in Oct 7 2010, however is very relevant to this thread, if indeed the decision was made to reference to the linked case in particular, i am not sure, haven't gotten that far yet.
"The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday in a case that could redefine what constitutes free speech under the First Amendment. In the case, the father of slain Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder sued the small Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church for emotional distress after church members protested outside his son's funeral with signs such as "Thank God for Dead Soldiers." Snyder was awarded $5 million in damages by a Maryland court for emotional distress, but that judgment was overturned on free speech grounds. Were Rev. Fred Phelps and his Westboro clan within their First Amendment rights?"
SOURCE

Thank God for dead soldiers eh?
Wooow!!! Nutjubs is an understatement.

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that the Westboro Baptist church nutjobs can protest at military funerals.While I despise their zealots and their message, I do agree with the decision, tough case.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefi...irst-amendment

Yeah. These guys are terrible human beings, but our rights extend to terrible human beings as well.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

Yeah. These guys are terrible human beings, but our rights extend to terrible human beings as well.

Yep they do, it sucks in some regard, I despise them but if their rights can be trampled on bc most people dislike the message, anyone's can, including yours or mine.