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Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westboro

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TheDemSocialist

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Westboro Baptist Church protesters will soon be severely limited in their ability to disrupt military funerals, after Congress passed a sweeping veterans bill this week that includes restrictions on such demonstrations.

According to "The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012," which is now headed to President Barack Obama's desk, demonstrators will ​
no longer be allowed
to picket military funerals two hours before or after a service. The bill also requires protestors to be at least 300 feet away from grieving family members.

​
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Read more @: ​
Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westboro Baptist Church

Several thoughts about this.
1.)I can see where they are coming from on this and i dislike Westboro just as much as the next person
2.)But doesnt this block first amendment rights?
Does it make me a bad person for worrying about their rights?

Thoughts?
Comments?
Response?
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

More feel-good micro-management from our fearless owners.

Good grief©

TheDemSocialist said:
Read more @: [/FONT][/COLOR][/LEFT]Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westboro Baptist Church

Several thoughts about this.
1.)I can see where they are coming from on this and i dislike Westboro just as much as the next person
2.)But doesnt this block first amendment rights?
Does it make me a bad person for worrying about their rights?

Thoughts?
Comments?
Response?
Click to expand...
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

TheDemSocialist said:
Does it make me a bad person for worrying about their rights?
Click to expand...

The nature of defending free speech requires defending the worst speech. Inoffensive, placating speech will never be under attack. Offensive speech that riles people up is what needs to be defended if we are to ensure our right.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

Its a double edged sword.

I'd have to say I support the measure. While I support free speech rights wholeheartedly, is it really fair that the rights of the grieving are disregarded by the exercising of someone else's first amendment rights?

I said this years ago, let them do it but pass a law saying the assault on someone protesting a military funeral will be punishable by a $1 fine and nothing noted on a permanent record.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

I'm wondering if the SCOTUS won't strike this down. They've already ruled in favor of WBC once on the premise of free speech. Then again, limiting the time and place of protest has been done on a case-by-case basis in other areas.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

...and the $1 fine will thus be effective how?

One man's free speech is another mans worst nightmare.

Congress has more important issues to tackle.


Fishstyx said:
Its a double edged sword.

I'd have to say I support the measure. While I support free speech rights wholeheartedly, is it really fair that the rights of the grieving are disregarded by the exercising of someone else's first amendment rights?

I said this years ago, let them do it but pass a law saying the assault on someone protesting a military funeral will be punishable by a $1 fine and nothing noted on a permanent record.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

TheDemSocialist said:
Read more @: [/FONT][/COLOR][/LEFT]Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westboro Baptist Church

Several thoughts about this.
1.)I can see where they are coming from on this and i dislike Westboro just as much as the next person
2.)But doesnt this block first amendment rights?
Does it make me a bad person for worrying about their rights?

Thoughts?
Comments?
Response?
Click to expand...

If its public property and they are not blocking anything or bogarting public spaces then they should be allowed to protest where they want. If they truly want to stop the WBC then they should limit attorney fee awards in lawsuit. Property owners should be allowed to refuse to let anyone protest on their property. I suggest limiting the attorney fee awards to what 1 average lawyer in the area the subject of the lawsuit takes place.This way if they decide to run another provoke and sue scam then regardless of how many lawyers they use they will get the fees of a single lawyer of where the subject of the lawsuit took place.For example if they run their provoke and sue scam in Pleasant Valley Alaska and the average lawyer there only makes a couple hundred backs taking such cases then that is what the phelps will make.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

This is how it STARTS, first we restrict IN ADVANCE all free speech to "protect the FUNERAL rights for veterans" for no stated reason; if that passes constitutional muster, then we have established a precedent to enact TIME and PLACE restrictions on free speech, so what is next? Once you have time and place "free speech" restrictions then simply start adding to them at federal, state, county and city levels for every CONCEIVABLE group and function citing the precedent of these "good and just" FEDERAL free speech restrictions. Yes they can!
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

I support any measure to prevent these freaks from causing more emotional distress.

I consider it to be nothing more than a form of cruel, vile harassment - and harassment, I think, is not a constitutionally protect right.

It's unacceptable and inexcusable.

Don't like the military? Write some books - start a blog - get a bullhorn and street corner - if the military keeps it up I might find myself one of those. . . . But let the grieving family and friends bury their dead with dignity, respect and peace.
 
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Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

specklebang said:
...and the $1 fine will thus be effective how?

One man's free speech is another mans worst nightmare.

Congress has more important issues to tackle.
Click to expand...

I only get a $1 fine for punching one of these douchebags in the face.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

tessaesque said:
I'm wondering if the SCOTUS won't strike this down. They've already ruled in favor of WBC once on the premise of free speech. Then again, limiting the time and place of protest has been done on a case-by-case basis in other areas.
Click to expand...

But if you can protect "grieving people" why not "sleeping babies" or "sensitive people" in general. It is a VERY slippery slope here, as who gets to DECIDE the cases to be offered "hassle" protection? After all it matters not if it is LATER ruled unconstitutional as the protest or speach was ALREADY DENIED by the time it can get to court.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

TheDemSocialist said:
Read more @: [/FONT][/COLOR][/LEFT]Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westboro Baptist Church

Several thoughts about this.
1.)I can see where they are coming from on this and i dislike Westboro just as much as the next person
2.)But doesnt this block first amendment rights?
Does it make me a bad person for worrying about their rights?

Thoughts?
Comments?
Response?
Click to expand...

If someone were to challenge its constitutionality, it might be ruled unconstitutional. Let's hope the ACLU is busy doing other things. Who else would challenge it even if it does abridge a scumbaggy rights?

I'm glad for it.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

ttwtt78640 said:
But if you can protect "grieving people" why not "sleeping babies" or "sensitive people" in general. It is a VERY slippery slope here, as who gets to DECIDE the cases to be offered "hassle" protection? After all it matters not if it is LATER ruled unconstitutional as the protest or speach was ALREADY DENIED by the time it can get to court.
Click to expand...

Well, in relation to the sleeping baby thing there are noise ordinances that limit the volume and quantity of noise in general and during specific times...
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

MaggieD said:
If someone were to challenge its constitutionality, it might be ruled unconstitutional. Let's hope the ACLU is busy doing other things. Who else would challenge it even if it does abridge a scumbaggy rights?

I'm glad for it.
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I hope the ACLU challenges the case. Free speech applies to everyone, even these ****s.

By the way. Good documentary on freedom of speech if anyone interested:
Shouting Fire HBO Documentary Trailer - YouTube
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

MaggieD said:
If someone were to challenge its constitutionality, it might be ruled unconstitutional.
Click to expand...

Ruled or not, it's unconstitutional. Plain English is plain English.

Strong disapproval.

Besides, it's not like this is a widespread practice. There's one group of real life trolls that do this, and they do this to get attention and sue folks who attack them. This is frankly beneath Congress.
 
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Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

JayDubya said:
Ruled or not, it's unconstitutional. Plain English is plain English.
Click to expand...

And this thought process explains how our country veered off track: favoring forms of harassment as a right over the right to not be harassed.

When did this shift? 1960's?
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

If by harassment you mean speaking freely while standing on public property (or private property, with permission), there is no such thing as a right not to be harassed.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

ttwtt78640 said:
This is how it STARTS, first we restrict IN ADVANCE all free speech to "protect the FUNERAL rights for veterans" for no stated reason; if that passes constitutional muster, then we have established a precedent to enact TIME and PLACE restrictions on free speech, so what is next? Once you have time and place "free speech" restrictions then simply start adding to them at federal, state, county and city levels for every CONCEIVABLE group and function citing the precedent of these "good and just" FEDERAL free speech restrictions. Yes they can!
Click to expand...

...and before you know it, we're the UK. ;)
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

TheDemSocialist said:
Read more @: [/FONT][/COLOR][/LEFT]Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westboro Baptist Church

Several thoughts about this.
1.)I can see where they are coming from on this and i dislike Westboro just as much as the next person
2.)But doesnt this block first amendment rights?
Does it make me a bad person for worrying about their rights?

Thoughts?
Comments?
Response?
Click to expand...

Technically speaking, yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater is against 1st amendment rights, but they made laws against that kind of behavior because it puts people at risk.

This is an exception to free speech that I think very few people will oppose due to the emotional harm it can put people through.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

tessaesque said:
Well, in relation to the sleeping baby thing there are noise ordinances that limit the volume and quantity of noise in general and during specific times...
Click to expand...

True but that is for ALL people during those times not for specific events. The setting of this precedent, if upheld, opens the doors to all manner of restrictions, that EACH must be challenged in court well after the fact. I see too much potential for VERY selective yet VERY fequent use of these "temporary" yet well defined protest bans to stop ALL protests except those that favor those "in charge". Simply require "advance notice" for a parade permit sufficient to pass a temporary ban act and then ALL protests may be selectively banned.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

RadicalModerate said:
...and before you know it, we're the UK. ;)
Click to expand...

Yep. You may speak only in the approved zones, during the approved hours.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

Aunt Spiker said:
And this thought process explains how our country veered off track: favoring forms of harassment as a right over the right to not be harassed.

When did this shift? 1960's?
Click to expand...

I completely agree with this. Who's rights are we to protect? I know! Let's protect the ***holes!

We've got plenty of laws on the books that, if challenged, would probably be found unconstitutional. This sounds like it is specifically about military funerals. If we can't protect our fallen soldiers and their families, this isn't the USA.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

JayDubya said:
If by harassment you mean speaking freely while standing on public property (or private property, with permission), there is no such thing as a right not to be harassed.
Click to expand...

I have a feeling you wouldn't take it so lightly if it was directed at you.

Regardless: government DOES retain the right to define and control means of acceptable 'protest.' - using 'protest' liberally, here.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

I appreciate the sentiment behind it but I am not in favor of such legislation and my guess is it will eventually make it to SCOTUS. First, is this really a big enough issue to pass a law over? There is just one sh!tty family out there that does this and it is to the point now that when it happens other people and organizations block them anyway. Everyone knows who the WBBC are and that they are universally hated so nobody should take them seriously anyway.

Second, if you are going to pass such a law why just for veterans? WBBC doesn’t just protest veterans’ funerals. So, they aren’t allowed to protest MY funeral but they can protest my parents’ or my brothers’? WTF?

As a career member of the military I see such anti-free speech laws as more a slap in the face to my service than anything WBBC could ever do. I feel the same about flag burning. You want to honor those who served? Then keep your hands off the very document we swore to defend. Sounds cheesy, but that is how I feel.
 
Re: Congress Passes Restrictions On Military Funeral Protests, Delivers Blow To Westb

ttwtt78640 said:
Yep. You may speak only in the approved zones, during the approved hours.
Click to expand...

And they kick out people with "offensive speech". I may hate Micheal Savage, but I would never bar him from entering my country.

I guess the English need an authority to tell them what kind of speech is good for them.
 
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