Phelps still wants to protest Soldiers funerals

[Craneman 2]

I'd like to know what ACLU's detailed position is on this because does that mean a person's right to free speech could also include yelling out obscenities at a wedding, or high school graduation? Certainly they can see that there is also the right to privacy and that privacy shouldn't be confined to inside someone's home or a enclosed building, but to cemeteries and group gatherings outside.

i wonder if the aclu will be so quick to help defend a relative of the deceased for expressing him or herself by punching a westboro church member at a funeral.

I have had many run ins with these low lifes.

They carry signs at funnerals saying "Thank God for IEDs" "God Hates America" "Thank God for Dead Soldiers"

They scream obsenities at the families.

I have been between them and the families at many funerals.

Thes low lifes make a living by provoking people at funnerals and then suing them.

They are scum.

They know me on site and always the nicest things to say to me.

There is now a group called the Pstriot Riders and one called Combat Vets which go to funnerals to keep these scum away from the families.

They represent the absolute worst of free speech.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Well, at least our religious nuts aren't blowing people up.

[Craneman 2]

I'd like to know what ACLU's detailed position is on this because does that mean a person's right to free speech could also include yelling out obscenities at a wedding, or high school graduation? Certainly they can see that there is also the right to privacy and that privacy shouldn't be confined to inside someone's home or a enclosed building, but to cemeteries and group gatherings outside.

i wonder if the aclu will be so quick to help defend a relative of the deceased for expressing him or herself by punching a westboro church member at a funeral.

I have had many run ins with these low lifes.

They carry signs at funnerals saying "Thank God for IEDs" "God Hates America" "Thank God for Dead Soldiers"

They scream obsenities at the families.

I have been between them and the families at many funerals.

Thes low lifes make a living by provoking people at funnerals and then suing them.

They are scum.

They know me on site and always the nicest things to say to me.

There is now a group called the Pstriot Riders and one called Combat Vets which go to funnerals to keep these scum away from the families.

They represent the absolute worst of free speech.

Go to "www.godhatesamerica.com" for more information

[mox 298]

I'd like to know how someone's "rights" are allowed to trample over another person's "rights."

The Constitution doesn't guarantee anyone the right NOT to be exposed to somebody else's free speech. As long as they're in a public place obeying the law (which they are), they are entitled to exercise their First Amendment rights. So nobody's rights are being trampled on.

The whole situation is crazy. These soldier's families aren't even supporting homosexuality as a cause (at least to any extent I know of), so how the hell does protesting at these funerals help the so-called anti-homosexual crusade? Ignoring the obvious insult to the families of fallen soldiers, this is a waste of time on Phelps's part.

I agree with you that Phelps and the morons who associate with him are complete wastes of humanity. But if you believe in the "no publicity is bad publicity" principle, he's actually doing it right. It's probably a great recruiting tool for him.

[Danno 1,228]

I'd like to know what ACLU's detailed position is on this because does that mean a person's right to free speech could also include yelling out obscenities at a wedding, or high school graduation? Certainly they can see that there is also the right to privacy and that privacy shouldn't be confined to inside someone's home or a enclosed building, but to cemeteries and group gatherings outside.

Probably because the cemetary is considered public property, I'd imagine.

I'm quite sure most of the Places Obama held rallies was also public property, yet security escorted hecklers out???

[mox 298]

I'm quite sure most of the Places Obama held rallies was also public property, yet security escorted hecklers out???

As have all candidates, not just Obama. And the ACLU has been involved in some of these cases also.

I don't know what the law is on First Ammendment limitations, but I'm guessing you are not allowed to wade right into the middle of a private event and start up with your free speech, even if the private event is being held on public grounds. I could be wrong though. I honestly don't know what the law is on hecklers being ejected from a political rally held on public property. Anyone know?

[Danno 1,228]

If you think that the ACLU is doing this because they support hate speech, then you absolutely do not understand what it is that the ACLU does.

The ACLU takes a completely neutral stand with regards to the content of free speech. They only seek to make sure the Constitution is enforced. .... the ACLU provides a valuable service in protecting our Constitution.

Oh really?

There have been thousands of cases challenging the RIGHTS in 2nd amendment cases.

IN how many of those has the ACLU been involved defending the rights of Gun owners?

Everyone knows the ACLU has a narrow scope of interest.

Edited January 12, 2009 by Danno

[Danno 1,228]

I'd like to know what ACLU's detailed position is on this because does that mean a person's right to free speech could also include yelling out obscenities at a wedding, or high school graduation? Certainly they can see that there is also the right to privacy and that privacy shouldn't be confined to inside someone's home or a enclosed building, but to cemeteries and group gatherings outside.

i wonder if the aclu will be so quick to help defend a relative of the deceased for expressing him or herself by punching a westboro church member at a funeral.

I have had many run ins with these low lifes.

They carry signs at funnerals saying "Thank God for IEDs" "God Hates America" "Thank God for Dead Soldiers"

They scream obsenities at the families.

I have been between them and the families at many funerals.

Thes low lifes make a living by provoking people at funnerals and then suing them.

They are scum.

They know me on site and always the nicest things to say to me.

There is now a group called the Pstriot Riders and one called Combat Vets which go to funnerals to keep these scum away from the families.

They represent the absolute worst of free speech.

Go to "www.godhatesamerica.com" for more information

I thought it was...www.Godhatesfags.com?

[mox 298]

Oh really?

There have been thousands of cases challenging the RIGHTS in 2nd amendment cases.

IN how many of those has the ACLU been involved defending the rights of Gun owners?

Everyone knows the ACLU has a narrow scope of interest.

I don't know the answer to this question, do you? But it's happened at least once.

But my guess (and honestly I just don't know) is that you don't see a lot of ACLU activism on the 2nd ammendment because they typically takes on cases where there is little financial support for the plaintiff. The NRA is pretty flush with the cash that it takes to defend our 2nd amendment rights.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I guess then ACLU should have no problems then if I (or others) decide to go to same location as Phelpsian-chops' protests and do some counter-protest noise amplified with 6,000-W speaker system--and do so without getting an officious permit.

Edited January 12, 2009 by CherryXS

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'd like to know what ACLU's detailed position is on this because does that mean a person's right to free speech could also include yelling out obscenities at a wedding, or high school graduation? Certainly they can see that there is also the right to privacy and that privacy shouldn't be confined to inside someone's home or a enclosed building, but to cemeteries and group gatherings outside.

Probably because the cemetary is considered public property, I'd imagine.

I'm quite sure most of the Places Obama held rallies was also public property, yet security escorted hecklers out???

What's your point? Obviously there isn't a consistent standard - because all of these things (as Alien noted previously) are subject to local by-laws and interpretations by law enforcement officials about what people are doing. Hence the same laws that determine what constitutes lawful protest are at odds with laws that designate a "riot".

[mox 298]

I guess then ACLU should have no problems then if I (or others) decide to go to same location as Phelpsian-chops' protests and do some counter-protest noise amplified with 6,000-W speaker system--and do so without getting an officious permit.

I doubt the ACLU would have a problem, but you might have a problem with local law enforcement for breaking noise ordinances.

[Craneman 2]

I guess then ACLU should have no problems then if I (or others) decide to go to same location as Phelpsian-chops' protests and do some counter-protest noise amplified with 6,000-W speaker system--and do so without getting an officious permit.

You should go to one.

Phelps publishes where they will be on their web site.

The 6000 watt noise comes from the motorcyles drowing out the trash spewed by the Phelps crowd.

And yes the families do like the sound of the bikes over the sound of the Phelps vermon.

[Reba 2]

I say we all set up a protest at Phelp's funeral. He can't live forever. Unless he's made a deal with the devil

He and his group make me sick to my stomach, they really do.

[Amby 490]

PS: From the title I thought Michael Phelps was going around protesting soldier's funerals. duh.

ok I seriously thought that too but wasn't going to admit it until I saw you thought it too