The First Amendment Cuts Both Ways
It's all over the news this morning, so I won't even bother with a link. The US Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision, says that the 1st Amendment protects the rights of the hate spewing Westboro Baptist Church to picket military funerals with signs that say that God hates America because of our permissive attitude toward homosexuality. A few choice sign quotes: "God Hates Fags" "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" and "Thank God For 9/11"
From NPR: "Asked why anyone would bring signs reading "God Hates Fags" and "You're Going to Hell" to a funeral for U.S. military personnel, church leader Rev. Fred Phelps said last year, "When the whole country is given over to sodomy and sodomite enablers ... the country needs this preaching.""
And the worst thing is, the Supreme Court did the right thing. Phelps and his ilk are reprehensible, no question about it, but a ruling against their right to speak their minds in a public place would create the worst kind of slippery slope. I believe it is hate speak, but such a ruling would set a precedence for anything to be classified as hate speech and shut down. This would affect everyone from the press on down to individuals. It's awful, but necessary.
But that doesn't mean the communities where this plague descends can't do something about it. And no, I don't mean ax handles, tar, and feathers. That would be illegal. No, but you can identify them (post their photos so that the public knows who they are) and do things like:
Refuse to admit them to privately owned hotels, motels, or campgrounds. If they camp in public areas, charge them with vagrancy.
Don't sell them any supplies-- food, water, poster board, markers, etc.
Form peaceful human barricades: I love the Angels, who wear huge wings and use them to screen Phelps & Co from mourners. You could also stand so close to them that someone snaps and takes a swing at you. Then it's assault.
Have a surveyor very carefully survey the lines dividing public from private space and nail the protestors legally if they cross the line.
Those are just a few ideas, but I think finding legal ways to battle this kind of hatred is worth some thought. Other ideas?
I also firmly believe that Phelps's karma is going to catch up with him, and soon.
"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him." The Buddha
From NPR: "Asked why anyone would bring signs reading "God Hates Fags" and "You're Going to Hell" to a funeral for U.S. military personnel, church leader Rev. Fred Phelps said last year, "When the whole country is given over to sodomy and sodomite enablers ... the country needs this preaching.""
And the worst thing is, the Supreme Court did the right thing. Phelps and his ilk are reprehensible, no question about it, but a ruling against their right to speak their minds in a public place would create the worst kind of slippery slope. I believe it is hate speak, but such a ruling would set a precedence for anything to be classified as hate speech and shut down. This would affect everyone from the press on down to individuals. It's awful, but necessary.
But that doesn't mean the communities where this plague descends can't do something about it. And no, I don't mean ax handles, tar, and feathers. That would be illegal. No, but you can identify them (post their photos so that the public knows who they are) and do things like:
Refuse to admit them to privately owned hotels, motels, or campgrounds. If they camp in public areas, charge them with vagrancy.
Don't sell them any supplies-- food, water, poster board, markers, etc.
Form peaceful human barricades: I love the Angels, who wear huge wings and use them to screen Phelps & Co from mourners. You could also stand so close to them that someone snaps and takes a swing at you. Then it's assault.
Have a surveyor very carefully survey the lines dividing public from private space and nail the protestors legally if they cross the line.
Those are just a few ideas, but I think finding legal ways to battle this kind of hatred is worth some thought. Other ideas?
I also firmly believe that Phelps's karma is going to catch up with him, and soon.
"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him." The Buddha
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