FeetVlog#30: The Supreme Court's Westboro "Church" Decision

[polemius01]

The Westboro Baptist Coven is a group of sick twisted excuses for human beings. Their behavior at funerals of US Service Personnel is absolutely unjustifiable.

That said, the Supreme Court's decision is the correct one. In order to protect Free Speech for all, we must protect the speech we hate.

So, sadly, the WBC will continue to spew forth their hatred and continue to get publicity, which is sicko closet-case Fred Phelps' true aim in life.

[FeetVlog]

@polemius01 I strongly believe that we should protect the right to express unpopular ideas. The question for me is did they cross the line between free speech and harassment and to me the answer is a firm "yes". We focus a lot on the bad things they say but let's say, for the sake of argument, that the funeral was for a bigot and the protesters were preaching peace and love, it would still be harassment to me. I don't think we have a right to protest anybody's funeral for any reason.

[polemius01]

@FeetVlog I understand and respect your contextualizing of protests to funerals. You're right that the practice is heinous.

Should there be an exception made in Free Speech laws for funerals? I'd be happy to see it discussed in Congress, and would welcome a change in that aspect of the law.

Meanwhile, let's hope that the Biker associations can continue to track down and block WBC's hate-speech from people in mourning.

[DavidLynch007]

A "very bad ruling"? Did you even listen to the oral arguments?

Synder's attorney even said "They didn't break any laws".

You can't rule against someone just because you don't like what they say.

[FeetVlog]

@DavidLynch007 I do believe in the right to say unpopular things but I don't think we have a constitutional right to harass people. I agree that they didn't break any local ordinances but I do believe that freedom of speech dosen't mean freedom to harass, even if it's a message of love and joy, such behavior must not be legal. Also remember that the ruling was not unanimous. However, because of the ruling, we need a new amendment to address the narrow concern of funerals.

[ajhilger]

While it's a legal "win" for the WBC zombies, the practicality is they are allowed to continue being themselves. This would appear the equivalent of a prison sentence, but not as interesting.

[FeetVlog]

@ajhilger LOL you may be right!!!

[toucan780]

While I find the behavior of the WBC disgusting, the right of free speech is far more important and should not be restricted because of the actions of the religious cult located in Topeka that is now operating a human puppy farm to fill its ranks.

I am curious how does the WBC celebrate? They are so full of hate and so when they do get some good news, what do they do?

[FeetVlog]

@toucan780 They will probably have a party and then become even worse in our society. I do understand the passionate importance of free speech. Youtube is literally based on free speech. I just think that protesting funerals, regardless of the message, crosses the line between free speech and harassment. However, I will always believe in the right of any person to express unpopular beliefs.

[toucan780]

@FeetVlog Freedom does have a price and I agree with you.