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Westboro has been counter-picketed before (they even got rick-rolled >.>) While I am glad that the First Amendment was upheld, I'm not so happy that Westboro gets another reason to puff up. So long as Westboro is on public land when they picket, and do not physically molest someone, they are (unfortunately) allowed to demonstrate like anyone else. I'm a little leery of government regulating morality, even if the subject needs a little "help" to understand what is moral.

I do believe that if a funeral is private, then Westboro could be thrown out of the graveyard proper, but not off the sidewalk outside. I would have "accidentally" pointed a 21-gun salute at them, but I'm just a vindictive b***h. I almost, *almost* wish that they would deface a gravestone or something, because then they would be in such a world of legal hurt. Too bad they aren't that stupid (though it is better for the families that they don't).

And yes, I do know that hate speech is a terrible, hurtful thing, but the government cannot be allowed to decide what is too far. The second that Westboro does something to turn hate speech into hate crime, they're screwed. Until then, the whole family (and it is mostly a family, most of which are lawyers) will continue to picket and sue people when their picketing gets the desired effect, i.e. a bystander gets pissed and throws a punch. Fight them a different way, with hilarious counter-protests or by forming a human wall between the grieving family and the picket line. Sing a hymn or just show your solidarity. Don't blame the legal system for acting as a decider of law instead of as outraged human beings. They have to be impartial, otherwise what's the point?

before I read the rest of the replies, I am going to post my initial responce to reading those articles.

first of all, I've always stood by my support of the 1st Amendment. everyone has the right to peaceful assembly, the freedom to worship as they choose, the freedom of speech and of the press, and this right should always be protected.

however, the westboro baptists have not assembled peacefully. they have repeatedly attempted to incite violence, an when they failed to start wars they would make up that they were attacked. they have done this in person and through cyberspace.

their right to assemble peacefully would not be taken away if the Supreme Court ruled against them because their protests were violent, not peaceful. They can believe whatever they want, and they can say all the hurtful things they want, but they deserve to be persecuted to the full extent of the law for their crimes against others' freedoms.

hate-groups are allowed to believe what they do, but not to act on it. hate-crimes are illegal. I am disgusted by the ruling.

You know the funny part about that is it's mostly true. There are a lot of nice honest baptists out there. But their dogma has a ton of hate as I found out by getting on the proverbial "Sh!t List". Don't forget it was a baptist pastor that threatened to shoot me a year, two weeks and five days ago.

Their faith doesn't have any hate in it. However, the people do. Remember that it's people make dogma and therefore their dogma is what continues on to shape their faith and beliefs. People have flaws and therefore the Dogma is flawed. The odd part is that people can't choose to be a Christian without choosing a dogmatic formula that suits them. Therefore Christianity in it's "religious" form is flawed. On the other hand, I believe that the Bible is it's own dogmatic formula to believe in. Big difference right? It comes down to this: man made theory and dogma VS what the Bible really says.

Westboro on the other hand is no where close to following what the Bible really says. They are despicable because like you said they do this for their own benefit (whatever that could possibly be). Not only do they have worse dogma that generates more hatred than most baptists. They "show their @sses in public" if you will. I'm sure if any of them chose to read the book that they so highly prize they would change their denomination post haste.



This is absolutely correct. The military and the families that are picketed should sue for libel and slander. While peacefully assembling and picketing is allowed, slander and libel are punishable offenses and if nothing else Westboro is guilty of them.

And when they protest at funerals they usually do it before and after the procession and are on a different lot. They'll be right across the street on some other land, and since they aren't in the cemetary thay figure they aren't doing any harm.

In the Snyder case the lawyer pulled out some nifty tricks. They said that it was an indirect attack of a sort. I forget the whole deal, but they actually did win the case because of the way the lawyer worded it. He said that they were attacking a private person, which is different than attacking a public figure, therefore providing a claim.

The whole case can be found here

"God" Bless Jon Stweart! This is amazing that he has done this on his show! Especially with such foul language towards them! XD Yes! Something may actually happen now that Jon Stewart said something. I'm sure Colbert has something comming up.

xd Gods, I love the Daily Show! heart

by the way, just putting this out there, that BYU part, great. xd

Governments should fear their people........
This country was founded on the principle of the common man being able to question the actions and hold their government RESPONSIBLE for abuses of power and of the citizens. We simply have been brainwashed to accept everything the government does is infallible.

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.
Thomas Jefferson

Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories.
Thomas Jefferson

Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
George Washington

Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals.
George Washington

Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.
George Washington

A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.
Benjamin Franklin

Hear reason, or she'll make you feel her.
Benjamin Franklin

Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things.
Alexander Hamilton

Here, sir, the people govern; here they act by their immediate representatives.
Alexander Hamilton

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.
Alexander Hamilton


Words from the founding fathers.... and what are we doing with their goals? their ideas? we're sheep...afraid to question our own government, lest we be persecuted, and branded "traitor"

WBC is one of THE MOST DISGUSTING examples of humanity in this country. That's how I see it.

The right to assemble is meant for demonstrations to show support or disdain for ideas or practices. It was meant to be an outlet for a group of people to share their strong feelings and allow others to join them without things turning to violence. It wasn't a right that was meant for people to personally attack anyone, and Westboro has made their demonstrations very personal. They have definitely crossed the line.

If they wanted to make a statement, they should be picketing in front of the Pentagon, or around military bases, not at an individual's funeral. What in the hell is a dead man going to do about what they are gathering for anyway? Funerals are for the families of the deceased anyway, and the families aren't the ones who sent their boys and girls off to war, the soldiers made their own decisions.

What do the picketers think they are going to do? Block the soldier's soul from crossing to the pearly gates? .... Oh damn, I guess I can't go anywhere, it's a sin to cross a picket line... I guess I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't...

Yeah, Westboro isn't hurting our soldiers who died, and it's kinda a bit late to change their mind anyway... They aren't making our politicians think any harder about bringing our boys and girls home... They aren't breaking any terrorists' hearts... They are just grievously hurting those people who are putting their family member in the ground, more than they are already hurt by their loss... It's disgusting.

And, i am sorry if the points have already been made, but I will have to read through all of the posts in this topic later. I am spent, and off to bed.