SCOTUS takes up Westboro Baptist Church case

[Perky]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court is getting involved in the legal fight over the anti-gay protesters who show up at military funerals with inflammatory messages like ''Thank God for dead soldiers.''

The court agreed Monday to consider whether the protesters' message, no matter how provocative and upsetting, is protected by the First Amendment. Members of a Kansas-based church have picketed military funerals to spread their belief that U.S. deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq are punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/03/08/us/politics/AP-US-Supreme-Court-Funeral-Protests.html?_r=1&ref=politics

[Beer Snob-50]

1. While the language sickens me

unfortunatly, morans like this have the protection of the first amendment to say this stuff.

[Ozymanithrax]

2. Free Speech is Free Speech...

It will be interesting to watch the Roberts Court dance on the head of this pin.

[zipplewrath]

5. I'd have to see the particulars

The first amendment protects against government interference in your speech. Depending upon how this civil suit was brought, this wouldn't be the government interfering, it would be another private citizen. Like I say, I'm trying to imagine how another citizen could stop this. But if they were trespassing or otherwise violating a law that then enabled them to utilize their free speech, the civil suit could be for the illegal act, not for the speech itself. I'm dubious though, although I'd be curious to know why the SC is taking the case if the lower court already came to the proper conclusion.

[Ozymanithrax]

6. Well, if they are protesting on private property...

they can be evicted.

[zipplewrath]

9. Yes

Even in a "public place" people can be guided around private events. If they willingly and knowingly violated various laws intended to maintain safety, those willing acts can be the basis for bringing civil damages. Dunno that's what went on here though.

[MuseRider]

3. I agree that free speech is free speech but

why did this not come to the SCOTUS when they were doing this only at funerals of families and loved ones of gay people? Why are they allowed more right to those signs but not if they involve the military? It is all disgusting but if this is going to be heard it needs to be inclusive don't you think? I am continually amazed at how easily that seems to be forgotten since the military became a target.

I see that the protest of gay people is just an aside here. Our "tolerance" of them is the reason those others were killed in the wars. They are not mentioned as the original and continued victims of this hate speech and incitement to violence.

[Ozymanithrax]

7. Actually, god is killing military men because the nation allows Gays to live.

The church does give a flying fuck about the war.
It is entirely about gays and what they see as the wrath of God upon this nation becasue Gays are allowed to remain unburned.

[MuseRider]

12. Right, I agree.

I can also understand why this father is doing what he is doing but it seems the country loses sight of the original and constant theme here. It was certainly a good plan when what they were doing did not incite the violence or uprising against the Gay citizens they were hoping for. Thankfully Fred and his little Band 'O Bigots does not have what it takes to do more than whacking people with a few signs, no throwing of stones or shooting. They just stir it up and garner all the attention that Big Daddy requires. I wonder what will be next with them? Whatever it is it will have the recurring theme of evil Gay people.

[Ozymanithrax]

13. This church fits the definition of a cult...

designed to feed the Ego of Fred. It won't go away.

[MuseRider]

14. Yup.

I know them. I have known the family my entire life, went to school with the kids. Fred Jr. is my age and we went all the way from grade school through part of college. It has always been like this with them. From his days of a Revival Tent across the street from the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake to forcing the kids daily to sell candy bars for something (it was unmerciful the pressure put on those poor kids) to his "civil rights" days when he really just fleeced every person who needed defense. All for attention, always for attention. He is a creepy man and the family that has stayed with him are all just like him. There are some others who have been with them through out this. Not too many but they do apparently get support from other groups across the nation. I don't know much else, I try not to know anymore than I already do.

A picture from our counter protest at Meade, Kansas where the Rainbow flag had been removed by kids from the hotel there.

[Beer Snob-50]

15. the reason for it coming before the supreme court

is that someone brought suit against them for their protest and how it caused anguish. now if someone had sued them for mental distress because they protested a gay persons funeral, then the suit could have been brought earlier for that.

[tomm2thumbs]

4. won't be long till Westboro descends on the SCOTUS with their signs about THEM

I'm sure they will be in overdrive about this free publicity windfall

[NJmaverick]

8. As much as I hate this group

It would be a travesty of justice for the Supreme Court not to rule in their favor.

[zbdent]

10. if they show it on camera, will it look like

gay porn, with the Westboro inbreds fighting over who gets to kiss John Roberts' ass first?

[Dappleganger]

11. It's protected.

It's sickening, however. :puke:

[kestrel91316]

16. Time to start disrupting Westboro church services.

[BR_Parkway]

17. Shouldn't even be a question - they've got as much right to say what

ever stupid or hateful crap they want to. I have the right to laugh at them or call them bigots. The only possible restriction that should possibly apply is if they're on private property - without permission of the land owner, they got to move.

Other's also have the right to stand with them bearing signs saying God Hates Shrimp or I'm no different than any other Republican, I just have slightly less Class.

It sucks for the military family. But that's the Constitution every service member held their hand up and swore to defend - in many cases to the death.

[LiberalFighter]

18. If they really want to express themselves they should do so in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[LiberalFighter]

19. I wonder if they are on the terrorist watch list?