Congress passes funeral protest ban

At least some of the cemetaries will be safe, too bad the private ones could still be spammed. I've said it before and I'll say it again; my thanks to those who defend our country and our freedom. Also Kudos to groups like the Patriot Guard Riders who allow people to mourn their losses.

-qor72

P.s. Link is to a write up I did on my blog. The Patriot Guard Riders official website is here.

 

I think this law is well-intentioned, but I don't think it's a good law. While I think that the actions of Fred Phelps and his gang are beyond despicable, at the same time, the Congress has no Constitutional right to restrict anyone's right to free speech or peaceable assembly -- Amendment I expressly forbids them from doing so. Even though Fred Phelps is, well, Fred Phelps (I don't think he needs any more of a description), he is still an American citizen and allowed the same Constitutional protections that we all enjoy.

This is always how the Constitution is eroded -- an unconstitutional law is passed with unanimous approval because the person or group the law is targeting is universally reviled, and the law is well-intentioned. Then, later, through loopholes and precedent, the door is opened to allow unscrupulous public officials to abuse the law and persecute people who have committed no offense. As a better man than I am once said, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

I suppose the trouble with defending freedom is that some of the time you end up defending evil men.

 

its too bad that the constitution and our laws don't allow for Moronicide. That would take care of people like Phelps. Too bad its a subjective qualification.

 

You are wise. I think the intentions of this law are good, but it was carelessly written. Fred Phelps style of taunting at a military funeral should have been categorized as a hate crime.

 

hehehe!

 

I agree with symen as well...but i am wary of hate-crime laws

I'm white. So lets say i hit a man that happens to be a different race or sexual/political/spiritual/religious/economic 'orientation' than myself. suddenly i've committed a hate crime in addition to assault or whatever i might be charged with. Obviously this might not always happen, but it certainly opens the door for prosecution for a 'crime' that i didn't commit. Sure i hit the guy...but not because he was some other race than me...maybe he stole my favor skittle flavor...who DOESN't deserve to get punched for that?

Not saying hate crimes don't happen, nor am i saying they aren't wrong...i dunna...that's just how i feel about my skittles

 

That's a good point, but it's pretty darned clear Fred Phelps is targeting a specific group to focus hate on.

 

i agree...like i said in my previous post...too bad moronicide isn't an option.."thank God for IEDs"???? seriously...people like that are what repressive governments are meant for

 

muahahahahaaa


http://realestate.theemiratesnetwork.com/developments/dubai/world_islands.php

 

lol!

 

now you have to know, that before i even turned to page two, i already knew what hamma's response was, and i LoL'd in RL ... that was just hysterical. thank you for the laugh guys i needed it

 

I've been thinking about why this funeral protest thing bothers me so much. I am an advocate of free speech and always have been. I realise finally this bothers me because of the captive audience.

These people are attending a once in a lifetime event to show respect for their loved ones and it's being vandalized and ruined for them. To fail to show up would hurt their family and themselves even more. They are captive due to the event.

Freedom of speech implies freedom to listen or not to listen.

The people attending these funerals have had their freedom to listen or not to listen taken from them at an irreplaceable and heart wrenching time in their lives which elevates their suffering beyond my tolerance.

 

excellent observation Queen...our freedoms extend only to the point that they start to infringe upon others rights and freedoms