Westboro Baptists

[Ducy]

I'm sorry but these people are out of hand. Posting crude videos online paying tributes to the gays (obviously a more slanderous term) who have died for our country. Telling us that all these people who have died are deserving of death because they have fought in this war.

This is ridiculous. I understand freedom of speech but what is there to gain by protesting military funerals and such? Causing pain to the families of the fallen isn't gods punishment. What gives them the right to "spread gods will"? If I killed someone and said god wanted it I would be thrown in prison or the mental house.

I have my opinions. But I exprese them in ways that are not cruel. If I can listen to someones opinion or express them in ways that are mature. If I can avoid resorting to terms like F** and D*ke. Then why can't they? I'm going to leave my little rant where it is because its infuriating watching their "protests" on the news and hearing about them.

[RedRoses]

Wait a minute... am I correct these people are convinced that the soldiers die as a punishment from God because the US is more gay-tolerant? War kills and people kill; being tolerant and respectful towards eachother only brings peace. And those boys and girls would have never gone there, had people learned how to be tolerant and respectful for eachothers' views. I personally think it's absurd that the court permitted these demonstrations... Yes; freedom of speech is one of our key rights. But to hurt those in pain of a life lost? How low can this go...

[Ducy]

Yes they claim that 9/11 was punishment from god and that the deaths in afghanistan is our punishment for being tolerant of homosexuality. They protest funerals of military men and women and post "tributes" to gay servicemen and woman. I'm all for freedom of speech but they are inflicting emotional harm on families

[lnt1103]

They're attention grabbers. I honestly believe that if they stopped getting press, they'd decide their "ministry" is failing, shut the hell up and find another method of sensationalism.

But here's the thing: the reason they have to be allowed their freedom of speech, is to ensure everyone else is allowed theirs, too. The only way to guarantee my right to shout my opinions at the top of my lungs from the highest mountain, is to guarantee their right to do the same.

Having said that.....just because a person or group CAN do something, doesn't mean they SHOULD. Here's where I get my solace about them: I dunno what God they're claiming to quote, what God they pray to, but it sure as hell ain't mine, and mine's the only one I really need to worry about.

[Ducy]

I understand its an all or nothin scenario for our rights. The only thing about freedom of speech is where does the line stop? I mean I can't say I am gonna kill someone. Its a threat and a crime. What about my right to say what I want? I can't slander someone yet its my freedom of speech.

They are inflicting terrible amounts of emotional pain. They are supporters of 9/11. As far as I'm concerned they should be locked up in a military prison as suspected terrorists.

[EvilEvilKitten]

What these people are doing is SUPERSITION similar to "step on a crack, break your mother's back". This is what happens when those who believe in God try to make Him out to be as petty and as paltry as they are. They are a disgrace to their religion.

They have the right to what they're doing as we have the right to form a shoulder to shoulder line between them and the families blocking these so-called Baptists from sight or the van with the vet in it that follows them around and plays patriotic music (very loud patriotic music) over its loudspeaker.

[weasel]

i wonder if Anonymous will go after them once all the civil unrest in the world is over

[Ducy]

Speaking of Anonymous. I like how they hacked the governments "contractor" who tried hacking their firewall!

[RedRoses]

Apart from how they disrespect those attending the funeral, I take it the court did take into account that these people show contempt towards homosexuality. Does freedom of speech exceed the laws that forbid you to insult and hurt others based on their religion, sexual preference, color of skin, etc? We're having that discussion here right now, since one of our politicians is rather reckless in this and has been dragged to court. Personally; I think freedom of speech was never meant to be used in this disrespectful way...

[lnt1103]

Actually Red, I think Alito's dissent was along those lines.

The hair gets split here: slander, libel, defamation of character are all about purposely saying untruths about someone--saying and spreading things you know to be dishonest, making false accusations, for the purpose of harm.

Knowingly telling the lie "Joe felt up a 5yo" would be slander, and saying it to more than X number of people would be defamation. "God hates f**s" just doesn't equate to that. You're not accusing anyone of anything, falsely or otherwise.

Please, I'm not defending these people's actions or the beliefs that generate them. Far from it. I would join the Harleys and shout at the top of my lungs to help drown them out if I got the opportunity.

However. While I don't believe it's right that they do it, I will also defend at the top of my lungs their liberty to do so.