The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas has been called the "most hated church in America". The church first garnered national attention for picketing at the 1998 funeral of Matthew Shepherd, the Wyoming teen who was murdered because he was gay. They have been the subject of controversy in recent years for picketing at many funerals, including those of soldiers. A recent decision by the Supreme Court upheld the 1st Amendment rights of the Westboro Baptist Church.
Warning: The views of this church are offensive and are expressed in the news clip through spoken language and images.
View the abc news story, "Inside the Westboro Baptist Church"
and read the Time Magazine article found here http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2056471,00.html
How do you fell about the Supreme Court's ruling? Do you believe the Westboro Baptist Church protests are protected but the 1st Amendment? Be sure to cite both the news clip and the article in explaining your opinion.
38 comments:
Personally, that video was hard to watch. It's hard to swallow the reality that people in America are fighting for their first amendment right to slur hate speech at people. Not only that, but it is disgusting that they are using "religion" as a medium in which to do so. Personally, I understand the argument that the protests should be protected by the first amendment, but I don't think that they should have the ability to cause emotional damage. If this is ok, then why can't members of the KKK protest on the streets with signs that are racially hateful? This opens the door for much more hate to spill into America's streets. There is a difference between having an opinion and voicing it and forcefeeding hate speech to others and children. In the video, the child barely knew what "God hates f*gs" meant, yet still reguritated it nonetheless. This is perpetuating a cycle of violence and hatred, which in a 21st century world, is extremely disheartening. Many US Senators called their protests "psychological terrorism" according to the article. Their actions are creating an atmosphere circa 1950's segregated USA that we all recognize today as deplorable. Personally, their “mission” disgusts me.
I suppose you can justify the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church under the clause of free speech, but freedom of religion doesn't even come into the matter. Phelps and his family do not practice religion. Religion is for encouraging morality and love and cooperation. Anyone who uses religion for hate is not practicing a religion.
For all the Westboro Baptist church goes on about G-d, they clearly have no idea of the point of religion. Religion is about love and justice, not hate. They're bad people to pretend otherwise.
That said, Phelps is right when he says in the news clip that any 6th grader could see that he's allowed to do this by law. Ideally there would be a way to ensure freedom of speech without giving people carte blanche on hateful speech, but there isn't, so the law requires us to put up with it.
-Cat McKeown, 7th period
I feel that it is not under the group's first amendment rights to speak out so hatefully. The video showed a sign that read "Thank God for Dead Soldier" which is really not okay. It offends me that people would disrespect people that fight to keep the rest of the country safe. It is one thing to protest against fighting, but it is not their right to insult people who have basically died for them. Children are able to state the phrases that they repeatedly hear from adults, but they don't actually know they meaning of the words that they say. These kids are being so strongly influenced to have judgmental beliefs that do not follow the common religious guidelines of love and peace.
The article talks about how most of the supreme court justices ruled in favor of the church, while only one had a dissenting opinion. I couldn't believe that only one saw the hate that this "free speech" is bringing to the country. Although this speech is hateful and should not be considered a freedom, it is protected under the first amendment.
Although the beliefs of the Westboro Baptist Church make my stomach churn, and I find it disgusting that they are full of so much hatred, the First Amendment allows protesting, and we can’t say that what they are doing is against the law just because they have different beliefs from us. That being said, however, I do not think that it should be okay for them to be purposefully causing emotional damage to get their point across. I don’t understand how anyone would want to protest at a funeral in the first place because no matter who the person was, their family and friends should be able to mourn in peace and have privacy. It’s horrible that after protesting the funeral of a fallen soldier, the church posted a poem attacking and criticizing the parents for how they raised their son, and that is not something that should be tolerated. Mr. Snyder had every right to sue for that, and he deserves every bit of money that he got from doing so. They may have the right to express their religious beliefs, but they should not have the right to be so emotionally abusive, not only with the words they used towards individuals but also with their signs claiming that “You will go to Hell”, and “ God hates f..s”.
I am shocked that people would do something like that. To stand up where people are mourning the death of a family member and insult them! These are soldiers who died I war trying to protect America and they are saying the are going to hell and that it is the fault of the homosexuals that we went to war, they are even saying natural disasters are their fault! This one woman says that if you mess with God then he is "going to kick your a**." She says this because gays are being to get the rights they deserve and they think thats going to end the world. They are holding signs that say things like " F**s die, God laughs" "pray for more dead solders". They are twisting the word of God and making it into something horrible. As a Baptist I feel like it gives me a bad name. That people are seeing these radical Christians speak out with such horrible hateful words and horrible ideas. I can see where the supreme court saw this a first amendment right but I think they should not be able to do this at a funeral. They could do it anywhere else but not in a place where people are trying to mourn the lose of a family member, They have the right to say what they are but it should not be aloud at a funeral. That is just sick and horrible to think about!
From my own opinion this video was difficult. I cant believe there are people out there like that. I am completely shocked that there are people fighting to make harsh speeches about people and to get religion involved just made the whole thing worse. I don't think they should have the right to do something like that in public. I understand why this is a first amendment right but i do not understand why it would ever be okay for anyone to protest such harsh things like that at a funeral. Where there is a local family there that have lost a family member. This whole thing it just horrible it makes me sick to think about it!
I didn't appreciate the Court's ruling in favor of the Westboro Baptist Church, because I feel that the 1st Amendment, Freedom of Speech, was made long before many of these stupid people came along. They should use this Amendment in a positive way and not abuse it as they are protesting at soliders' funerals. These soldiers are the ones who are protecting our country for everyone, including members of the Westboro Baptist Church. What would they do if there was a draft into the army -- would they flee this country? The Westboro Baptist Church and their protests are protected by the First Amendment because of Freedom of Speech; however, they are using "vicious verbal assaults" to express their strong views about homosexuality. Their thoughts for everything going wrong in this country is being chalked up to some citizens' acceptance of homosexuality. As stated by K. Ryan Jones of Newsweek Magazine, "Just because they're ignorant, doesn't mean they're stupid." The pastor's daughter is a lawyer, whose very intelligent. Unfortunately, she lives by different beliefs and views than most of the people in the United States.
You cannot justifiable take away the westboro Baptist church freedom of speech because the are protected under the first amendment right. But i am not condoning what they did it was hard to watch the video of them saying such hateful thing though the use of religion. Things like "Thank God for dead soilders" "God hates USA" at funerals it made my stomach churn and could not believe they said just hateful things to people who give them the right of reedom of speech. Their kids are saying the same things but they dont know what is means as shown in the video when the reporter asked what something ment but he said he did not know but his parents said it. Mr.Snyder had everu right to sue them and deseved ever dollor he got because it is "psychological Terroism" and the family deserve better.
We actually had a class discussion about this topic in Ap Gov. following up on a current event that I did based on this church. I found it hard as well as disturbing to read this, discuss it, and watch the video clip about their hatred speech towards others who are innocent. I do not agree with the ruling of the Supreme Court although, it does not suprise me as this court under Chief Justice John G. Robert is the most conservative that it has ever been when contrasting it to the years before. However, even though the members of Westboro Baptist Church were protected by freedom of speech they were still a disturbance by the signs that they held with hate language even though they were 1,000 or so feet away from the funeral. They attracted so much attention from the media and the mourning family of the deceased soldiers while picketing. I believe that there is a way that you can censor what is being said although, many would disagree because now this man Mr.Synder will always remember this whenever he think about the funeral of his son. Who want's to remember the loss of a love one like this ? People never put themselves in the "shoes" of the other person who is suffering from the actions that they make ! It would be a different story then. According, to the article, the daughter of the Pastor Phelps seems to be so into what she believe and if that's the case she would go about the right way in the appropriate form of expressing her beliefs and not a funerals.Just like the man who was being interviewd in the clip said these people may be ignorant but they are not stupid, I have to disagree because anytime you have to do something outragious like this to gain attention you are most definantly stupid !
-Tyreese
During the video, you find out that the Westboro Baptist Church protest at funerals of fallen soldiers because they think the deaths of these soldiers are caused by America's tolerance of homosexuality. I understand that some people don't like homosexuality but this church is taking this way too far. I definitely do not agree with the Supreme Court's ruling. Yes, we are entitled to the first amendment but we should use this right in a positive way. I think the Supreme Court should have made an acception to not allow these people to protest anymore, their words are hateful, cruel and ignorant. While reading the article I read that Mr. Snyder, a man who lost his son, found on the church's website a poem that criticized him and his wife for the way they brought up their son. This was probably the most annoying thing I've had to read by far. The Westboro church should NOT be protected by the first amendment when they're emotionally abusing families. These families are already going through enough when they're trying to cope with the loss of a loved one, having this church attack them during this sad time is absolutely appalling.
From my point of view I can see WHY the Westboro Baptist Church's activities are protected by the first amendment, but I don't think they should be. First off I think that there are certainly boundaries for free speech; Personally I think when stating an argument and explaining your argument you should try to refrain from using slurs merely out of respect for other people's opinions and feelings.
Second off considering the "church" is mainly made up of the Phelps family, I don't think a lot of the individuals are given the opportunity to form their own opinions. For example, the boy who was asked which sign was his favourite didn't know what it meant. Of course at that age I'm not sure I could really understand the issue either. But I think the whole "church" is more of a spreading and forcing of someone's idea into other's heads so the original person can have a "working force" with them.
- Sophie Jordan, 6th Period
I feel extremely angry towards the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the 1st Amendment in the case. What these people are doing is completely out of line and unacceptable. In the video it talks about how they feel all these bad things are happening to America because we except homosexuals but I don't understand how they could even think that. They have signs saying thank god for 9/11, an attack that killed thousands of innocent (heterosexual) people. That clearly has nothing to do with God hating homosexuals. Sadly though, I do understand the obligation of the court to uphold this amendment. As the Phelps lawyer said "We read the law. We follow the law. The only way for a different ruling is to shred the First Amendment." Technically they were not doing anything against the law but there also has to be a limit. These people are in mourning for the lose of their son and in no way should they have to be subjected to this horror. I believe there needs to be some regulation put on the 1st Amendment to prevent this distress. I personally believe that being homosexual is genetic and not a choice so by them protesting this it is like protesting nature. I am compelled to go to their grandfather's funeral when he dies and protest there. They need to understand that nothing that they are doing is okay.
I don't agree with the Westboro Baptist Church and their opinions. It surprised me to even see a little boy that says "fags are going to hell" and say it without any other feeling besides hate. this video was difficult for me to watch, not only did it make me upset but it also made me very angry. the pastor basically is bashing everyone and it just doesn't make sense to me. I don't think it's fair that people are able to protest anywhere, especially at someone's funeral. I believe that no matter who you are, or what you've done, you should be able to grieve in the correct way (whatever way that may be to you) without any disturbance. It's just not fair. I respect other people's opinions however that means that they should too. no one has any right to be so ugly like that to anyone. In the article Roberts says, "Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and — as it did here — inflict great pain. On the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker", I agree as to where they are coming from because freedom of speech is stated clearly in the constitution and I understand that if they hadn't let Westboro protest there would probably be more conflict, but I still think it is really wrong. It makes me upset just thinking that someone could be that insensitive and rude to be at someone's funeral just because of their own ignorant opinions. these people have fought for our country and deserve some respect, and even if they hadn't they still deserve it.
i thought that the video was very sad to watch. I can't even imagin how those people felt after hearing those hatred speeches.I think the the Westboro Baptist Church took this way out of hand about homosexuality. For them to to even go to the soilder funerals and protest because they think that they're deaths was caused by their homosexuality is not right they took it too far with that one.After watching this video it makes me look at people different you shouldn't be judging people anyways God is the ONLY one that can judgee his people. To even hear the little kids say those mean things were surprising to me, like why would you wat your child going around saying things that they don't even know the meaning too. Those parents need to grow up and stop thinking that this world is all about them.
i found it really hard to watch the video, mainly because of the messages that the people are saying in their signs and their protests. I personally found the supreme courts decision a little suprising. But i can see both sides of the arguement. they( the westboro church) do have their first amendment right and are protected by it, all they are doing is saying what they believe, its not like they are actually going around and killing "fags". on the other side, what they say and what they say in their signs is hugely offensive to a very large group(s) of people and personally, i'm glad someone took action. what they say is extremly radical, such as "god hates america" and "thank god for ied's". i can totally see how a majority of people think that it violates the first amendment. i personally think that they violate the first amendment right, what they are saying is extremely radical and it just goes way too far
I am very surprised that there are people who would do things like the people at the Westboro Baptist Church are doing. Even though what these people are doing is wrong, they are protected by the First Amendment. The words they are saying are very offensive and I don't think it's something that should be allowed. I don't think it's right to be able to protest at a funeral, especially a funeral of a soldier. Soldiers who have fought for our country should be given respect at their funeral, and it is very rude of the Westboro Baptist Church to disrespect it. In the article, I found it horrible that Albert Snyder found a poem on the church's website talking about how bad his son, Matthew, was raised. Watching the video was hard because not only were adults saying mean things, but their children were too. The children didn't even know the meaning behind the words that they were saying, but they are raised to say it because it is what is right. It's sad to think that there are signs saying "God hates America" and "Pray for more dead soldiers". The signs are very insulting to everyone, especially the soldiers.
The video and the article had a lot of really offensive things in them. I feel that the members of this church can't really understand the other side's opinions. Even though they do say a lot of offensive, intolerant, ignorant, and hateful things, they are US citizens. I don't agree with anything they say and find all their protests and actions to be super offensive, but I feel that they still get a right to free speech. BUT I think there should be a limit in these kinds of situations. Enflicting emotional and physcological pain on mourners, who already are in a lot of pain, is not justified by freedom of speech. I think it's somewhat similar to bullying, which isn't accepted anywhere. It's hard to pick a side just because of how offensive they are, and I feel in the middle with this. I don't like what they're doing, I really don't, but at the same time there's freedom of speech that's gauranteed to everyone. Obviously, these protests and pickets are different from the past. They reached a new level of intolerence that society doesn't accept. In the article it said that the pastor's daughter was a lawyer. They know their constitutional limits, but they do not understand emotional limits and the other side's feelings. In the video, the director of the documentary about this church said the members are relatively smart, just misguided, intolerant, hateful, and ignorant.
I personaly think that hearing about what these people do makes me almost physicaly sick. Everyone is intitled to there own opinion and i would never want to take that away from another person. But i believe that it crosses the line when they take these kind of protesting and pickets to a funral. I personaly have been to a funral of a solger and it is one of the sadest and memorable things of my life and having almost all of my family in the military makes this seem very insulting. To claim that excepting people for who they are as americans means our boys fighting of us will be killed is an opinion but to me a very rediculs one.
For supream court this case should be very important and very hard to make a desishion. But if i could be a membor i would tell them this: Everyone has the right of freedom of speach and freedom to protest, normaly people know how to draw lines but when it comes to saying god did this to your family because he hates america at the funral is miles over the line. I think that there should be a law set that you may express your rights as much as you want but the where part should be exclusive. This isnt the first time protesting at a funral has been an issue but i dont think it can be tolorated. I would tell them to make a law not letting people protest at the funral or church site. and im sure other places sould be considered too but i draw my personal line there. once they hold up a sign saying you excepted gays and god is punishing you for it by killing your son, doughter, mother or father it is too far, these familys have already sacraficed the biggest thing in the world to me that you can give (there family member) to protect the country they love. noone ever desirves to have that on there much pain on them i honestly think that there really is only so much hurt a family can take before you break them. This is past the breaking point for me.
I didn't find the Supreme Court's ruling surprising, as I kind of expected it to happen. Although I don't agree with the Westboro Baptist Church's practices, I understand how they are protected. I'm sure some people find their practices/ideals very offensive, however, they are ultimately free to say what they want. Although they are protected by their First Amendment Rights, I feel as though they are crossing the line by protesting at funerals. It's a very emotional time for the grieving, and it's not the right place for people to be protesting. Also, the signs they were holding up in the video are very offensive. In the Time article, I thought an important point was stated by Chief Justice John Roberts. He said: "Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and — as it did here — inflict great pain. On the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker."
As much as I hate what Westboro Baptist church is abusing their first amendment rights with their tasteless attempts to grub attention, it is indeed indubitably their right to peacefully protest in any manner they see fit. While it is quite certainly their right to publicly hate whomever they want, I don't understand how protesting in such a manner that a funeral procession must alter its route could possibly be considered peaceful. It's provocation. This is a direct attempt to inspire an unconstitutional violent response that will bring only more coverage and infamy to this "church". These people are going to get hurt, and when they do, they will shirk any responsibility by hiding behind the constitution claiming that they were just exercising their right to free speech. This reminds me of a child that repeatedly pokes his older brother to provoke response, then when the brother finally turns around and socks him in the face, he runs to Mama, saying "He started it!"
Oh, by the way, Denise is actually Megan Phelan. My mom must have forgot to sign out of her account when she was done, sorry.
Even if it is technically under their 1st amendment rights, it's not right for them to do. Funerals are very private and sensitive matters. Their opinions of gays are irrelevant and it's just cruel. Even if you don't like someone or something they have done you should still respect their family and friends during the time of the funeral. They aren't accomplishing anything by being there except for causing more pain. No one at the funeral is going to be like oh yeah you're right being gay is wrong, it's just so dumb and completely insensitive. The people from Westboro Baptist Church have no souls and shouldn't be allowed to protest at funerals.
Personally, I think it is fairly securely within their 1st Amendment rights to do what they are doing. They mean to be shocking to spread their message, but they also want it to hit home - which it does with a fair amount of people. As the video said, they truly believe that their message is one that needs to be spread and they will try to get through to people by any legally acceptable means. No matter how offensive the Phelps family is, they aren't shouting "Fire" in a crowded theatre - nor are they causing harm just for the sake of causing harm.
This does not, however, validate their actions and psychological states as morally acceptable or balanced, respectively. As the previous comments have stated, the way they handle their views is atrocious; this does not mean, however, that the correct way do deal with such atrocity is through hatred toward them. This approach only fuels their misguided mission. The more they are taken seriously, the more motivated they are to continue trying to achieve their goal, whatever it may be.
The sad truth of the matter is that they are delusional, hate-filled people. This does not mean they are not people, however. Under that premise, they should be treated with the same amount of respect as any other human being. As Jesus himself taught, one should love ones enemy as one loves oneself - no matter how objectionable that enemy may be. Therefore, their rights to protest against something they view as wrong should be as equally protected as anyone's. The best way to deal with them is just by taking what they have to say with a grain of salt, and being thankful that they aren't in charge of much more than a disassociated church.
By watching the video about the hurtful actions of Westboro Baptist Church it made me extremely angry. From watching the video i thought it was sad how ignorant the children were. The kids seem to be brainwashed into believing what they are fed to think. From watching the boys reaction to the question about the sign it seemed he had no idea what he was saying but he said it because of the influence of his family. Although i strongly disagree with what the Westboro Church is doing i can see how the Supreme Court made that ruling. They have the right to do that its just a shame they chose to cause people so much pain and anger after such a tragedy. Another aspect of the video which made me very upset is when they talked about how the Church was just happy to get publicity in the press about their views on gays. Although it was a very interesting article and video to see it triggered many emotions towards the actions of the Church.
I believe that the Westboro Baptist Church should not have the right to cause as much emotional and psychological pain as they do, but our Constitution allows all free speech, so technically I guess they are legally allowed to do so.
I'm all for freedom of speech, but I feel personally that groups who are using this freedom to intimidate and hurt others should be limited to it. If the speech in question is intended to negatively affect people or has potential to cause damage, psychological or otherwise, to another human being, those messages should at least be carefully watched. As the guy in the video who directed Fall From Grace mentioned, they just want media attention. That is the main reason as to why they hold protests.
In the article, Justice Alito called the WBC's message "vicious verbal assault," which I think is a very accurate representation.
I could be entirely biased, since I myself can not in the least bit understand the religious element in the WBC's message, however anybody who has it set in their minds that protesting a funeral is the moral thing to do is dehumanizing a deceased individual. They are taking all emotion and compassion out of the funeral service because they feel that person does not deserve the respect that comes along with a respectful funeral. That is dehumanization and that is sick.
I suppose they technically CAN spread their message to others, but they shouldn't be able to protest funerals. Especially funerals for those who are fighting for this country. We should as a country at least owe our soldiers the right to a restful, non-protested funeral.
I've read through the comments and watched the video/read the article, and I can say that I agree that the Westboro Baptist Church was protected under the 1st Amendment. However, I feel like this is proof that America is far behind other countries of the world who have laws banning hate speech such as this. If Canada and the majority of Europe can find the logic in banning such hurtful words (that may even result in violence due to its offensive nature), why can't we? There must be steps taken to ensure that "people" like the followers of the WBC cannot spew their blind harrassment.
I wanted to say that the poem that the WBC published about Matthew's parents that insulted their parenting could be considered as slander and would therefore be against the law, but after researching more about it, it turns out that insults cannot be considered as lies, which is what slander means (publishing false information to destroy someone's name and reputation).
There is some part of me that hopes that this organization knows that what they are doing is utterly and simply wrong deep inside. It's very hard for me to believe that people like this exist in this world. All I can do is hope that they get their just reward in the near future.
Although I hate to say it, they are protected by their first ammendment rights. Although what they are doing is absolutely ridiculous they are not cuasing immediate danger to anyone or participating in physical violence.
I am shocked by this video becuase I never imagined anyone could feel hate for another person as strongly as they express it here. The fact that they are protesting a funeral is insane. What exactly do they hope to accomplish? It's not as though the soldiers won't be buried, or the family won't mourn their death. All they are doing is creating a greater victim pool to something they believe "god" is against. I don't care what your views are, protesting a funeral is barbaric.
I truly wish the law could catch up to modern delemma's like this. I'm sure no one wants them to continue spreading their hate, but unfortunately the law is not quite defined enough to suite this issue. Do i want to change the constitution, no, but i would like to perhaps re-evaluate some interpretations.
Other than the fact that the law is on their side, I am just shocked at their mob-mentality. It never leaves them. Not one of them seems to be thinking for themselves and the hate is just preading and getting out of control. I wish they would step back and look at themselves. It would be impossible not to discover the harm they're doing.
In conclusion however, although i wish it weren't so, they are not breaking the law.
I believe, unfortunately, that the Westboro Babtist Church has the first admendment right for these protests. Like Fred Phelps, the pastor at the Church, says in the video, "You wouldn't need to go pass the sixth grade to decide this case. That speach is protected speach". Altought arrogant, he is right. If the KKK is aloud to continue to have meetings, this group is aloud to protest. Personally, I believe the admentment to be the backbone of American culture, but I do believe that there should be adjustments, or modifications, to the rule to avoid such terrible and unjust practices such as this by the Westboro Babtist Church. The group hasn't been violent because "they obeyed police directions and were 1,000 feet from the church". Violence hasn't erupted yet but when it does the court may need to reconsider their decision.
The video was really difficult to watch and made me a little nauseous. I think this was a really difficult case for the Supreme Court to make a decision on because on one hand the things the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) are doing (protesting at funerals specifically) are wrong and emotionally damaging but on the other hand freedom of speech and right to picket is a protected right in America. I just think it's really sad that the WBC is taking advantage of our amendments to be hateful to mourning families. Funerals are a holy thing and I would think that people who consider themselves believers in God would respect that.
Elaine is Amarandi by the way. Sorry the computer was signed onto my grandma's account.
I believe that the court's decision is a hard one to accept but it is a necessary one to continue to protect the freedom of speech for all Americans, even the ones who have opinions that are not the majority. I do not understand where they got the idea that this is something that Jesus would have done or thought was good and I do not understand how they can say that God would hate anyone. ALl in all I feel the court made the decison that was a hard one but was the one that needed to be made to protect American's rights.
Personally, I was very disturbed watching these protestors display their hatred towards homosexuals. I suppose that in America, "land of the free," the first amendment should allow them the right to peacefully express how they feel. However, when a group is being so attacked with verbal terrorism, that group is no longer free to live their lifestyles due to hateful threats expressed through groups like the Westboro Baptist Church. Freedom of speech is no longer acceptable when it oppresses other's freedom to live.
Personally i feel that there are limits and should be limits to the first ammendment. Watching the video was really hard, because they believe that 9/11 and hurricane katrina was caused by america accepting homosexuality. Also when they were protesting at a soldiers funeral made me really upset because the family there are trying to have closure. They should be glad that the soldier was fighting for america...nothing else should matter to them.
I feel like athough it should not be, the Westboro Church Member's sppech is definitely portected by the 1st amendment. They have a right to feel how they want and have reasons behind why they feel so. I think the author of the documentary that was in the abc news clip was right when he said we cofuse stupidity with ignorance. We think it's stupid because we know better. Soem people are just ignorant and although I would like us to be able to, we cant use the law to get rid of ignorance. However, it really surprised me the the supreme court vote was 8-1. I thought it was a little too controversial to have such a plain decision.
and it was very sadening to see that even the young children are involved and don't even know how to explain what they are participating in!
That video made me really mad and upset about how they try to get their message across. In the video little kids were holding awful signs and yelling mean things and they didn't even know what they were really yelling about, i think its wrong to make these young kids go out and picket. I understand that what they are doing is protected by the first amendment but i feel there should be a limit to that amendment, like the article said what they are doing is "psychological terrorism" which in my opinion should not be protected by the first amendment. It's hard to judge this situation with out getting my opinion involved. Technically it should be allowed to let them picket because its their right to freedom of speech but personally i think they need to shut up and go away
At first im sure these people do not quite understand what they are doing.They are actually fighting against nature. "Freedom of speech" had gone the way too far. Im not really good in American Constitution, but there is not only 1st Amendment in the Bill of Rights. It also must say something about respect. And there must be some board between freedom of speech and rudeness and disrespecting.its very sad and scary that crazy people are also serious and initiative. They'd rather put their initiatory in something more reasonable. And why government does nothing to ban or at least limit those kind of pickets by federal law at least in situations like when its a funeral?
Post a Comment