Originally posted by Epiphron
It’s a waste when it’s obvious that he was going to lose. He knew they were perfectly in their right. He knew the supreme court would never uphold such a restriction on free speech. He knew that when it comes to law, feelings don’t weigh nearly as much as rights.

He put himself through unnecessary stress. His funeral was uninterrupted. He was not harassed at his funeral. He could have continued with his life unbothered. But no, he decided he wanted to take from these people the freedom that his son supposedly died for.

Originally posted by SMR
reply to post by Epiphron

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Who said anything about it being directed to just dead soldiers ? They protest and speak to and about others, living and dead.

Protesting on a street corner is fine. But watch the videos. People pass by and they scream their chants. Again. Not fully directed at their "Targets". They want to get their word out to everyone in the vicinity.
It becomes harassment when you have WBC shouting in the faces of passerby's when someone asks them to stop. Rather than walk away and not have an issue, they continue, which is harassment.

Originally posted by Epiphron
The father defamed himself by wasting 5 years of his life only to pay $100,000 to people that are glad his son is dead.

WOW ... wasted huh. Such a waste to try and protect others from the same vile people so they don't have to go through what he did. Such a waste that he tried everything he could for the love of his son ... yeah, such a waste.

Originally posted by SMR
reply to post by mattdr

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I never said they cant have "Free Speech" on public property. The "Illegal" part comes from harassment regardless if on public or private property.
The defamation part comes from words, spoken or written, that they use. Im not talking about the opinionated stuff like "God Hates Fags" and all that crap. I'm talking about the stuff they spew while holding those signs.

When does their "opinion" become something that they feel is fact and it ends up having negative affects on the other person.
People have had their businesses run into the ground because of these people. They protest businesses and customers have enough of it and never come back. They end up closing because they don't have enough business to keep open.

As far as "opinion" goes. They believe what they say to be "Fact", not opinion. Who decides what is opinion or not ? If they say it is fact, can we say, no, that's your opinion ? If they say their words are facts, then there is your defamation case. They say it is fact when it is not (opinion)

Originally posted by ker2010
reply to post by mattdr

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You know what counter protests will do? Just bring WBC more publicity. Its a win-win for them. Going to these funerals is a waste of time for them and their cause and they know this, they go for two reasons, to get publicity and or try to instigate someone to assault them so they can sue.

The only way to defeat them is to get the media to totally ignore them, fat chance..

Freedom of speech doesn't mean jack when your six feet under and the father called it right. One day they are gonna picket the wrong funeral and end up on the receiving end of a bullet or azz whooping.

Let me dress up in a KKK uniform and go into Compton on a street corner with a sign saying N####$s are worthless.

Would i be allowed to do that? And how long will it be before im shot or beat down? hmmmmm

edit on 5-3-2011 by ker2010 because: (no reason given)

Originally posted by muzzleflash

Originally posted by mtnshredder
reply to post by muzzleflash

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One of the biggest problems with this country is "Political Correctness". To say it nicely Westboro needs a butt kicking. There's a place and time for everything, this isn't it! I could care less about their freedom of speech, how about a little respect for the one's that have fallen for their Right to protest and hold up their hate signs.

You are contradicting yourself.

The way to respect the sacrifice the soldiers made is to respect the freedoms they died for.

Gagging protesters is the exact opposite of what they fought to defend.

Please think about this.