Justices refuse to hear case over protests at soldier funerals

[eppur_se_muova]

Source: CNN

From CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears

WASHINGTON (CNN) – A small Kansas church that has gained nationwide attention for protesting loudly at funerals of U.S. service members killed in overseas conflicts received a temporary victory from the Supreme Court over their free speech rights.

The justices Monday rejected an appeal from Missouri officials over their efforts to keep members of the Topeka-based Westboro Baptist Church from demonstrating at least 300 feet from memorial services and burials.

The church, led by pastor Fred Phelps, believes God is punishing the United States for "the sin of homosexuality," through events including soldiers' deaths. Members have traveled the country, shouting at grieving family members at funerals and displaying such signs as "Thank God for Dead Soldiers," "God Blew Up the Troops" and "AIDS Cures Fags."

A lower court had granted an injunction blocking enforcement of the law until it could be challenged.



Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/29/justices-refuse-to-hear-case-over-protests-at-soldier-funerals/

[rpannier]

1. I find this case is not as cut-and-dry as some people think

There are 1st Amendment issues at play here.

But, if they can keep Abortion protesters (the anti-choice crowd) a certain distance from clinics, I don't see why they can't do it here as well.

One could make the case that their behavior is akin to yelling fire in a crowded theater because emotions are already high and someone may come to one of those funerals 'packing.'

Unlike many legitimate protest groups, this organization is only protesting for the sake of protesting. They aren't really protesting any issue.
They want free airtime

[Orrex]

3. RE: the anti-choice crowd

I've always viewed the goals of their on-site protests to be direct intimidation and blocking of access, and for these reasons the courts have agreed that they should be kept at a distance.

In the case of Phelps and his slimy ilk, they are mocking and dishonoring the dead and the families of the dead, but they aren't physically preventing anyone from attending the funeral services.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. Does anybody picket the worship services of these fuckers?

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

5. Don't wrestle with a pig.

You just get dirty and the pig likes it.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. I'm not so sure...

Ignoring them does not seem to help.

I like the way the predominantly gay synagogue dealt with them...turning the wacko's protest of their service into a fundraiser.

Something needs to be done to put them in their place.

[PJPhreak]

7. Believe Me...

A Lot of us Kansas Folk have given this quite a bit of thought...If Westboro Baptist wasn't located in a quiet neighborhood we would show up at 6:00 am on Sunday Morning with a shitload of Big Block Chevy and worked over Motorcycle engines!!!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

8. Maybe the neighbors would help...

:evilgrin:

[cstanleytech]

9. "Waggles virtual finger of shame at many of you here on the DU"

For shame, alot of you bitched and moaned years ago when a couple was arrested for wearing anti-bush t-shirts with cries of censorship (as you should have) but on this many of you are acting as silent accomplices, for this I find the majority of you guilty of the crime of hypocrisy