Update: Anti-Picketing Legislation Passes Arizona Legislature
- Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:53am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Lawmakers Ban Picketing at Tucson Funerals: MyFoxPHOENIX.com
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona legislators quickly approved emergency legislation Tuesday to head off picketing by a Topeka, Kan., church near the funeral service for a 9-year-old girl who was killed in the Tucson shootings.
Unanimous votes by the House and Senate sent the bill to Gov. Jan Brewer, who signed it Tuesday evening. It took effect immediately.
The bill “will assure that the victims of Saturday’s tragic shooting in Tucson will be laid to rest in peace with the full dignity and respect that they deserve,” Brewer said in a statement, praising lawmakers for “a remarkable spirit of unity and togetherness.”
Without specifically mentioning the Tucson shooting, the new law prohibits protests at or near funeral sites.
Dozens of lawmakers co-sponsored the bill, and legislative action was completed within 90 minutes. The Senate’s committee hearing took just three minutes.
The Westboro Baptist Church said Monday it plans to picket Thursday’s funeral for Christina Taylor Green because “God sent the shooter to deal with idolatrous America.” The fundamentalist church has picketed many military funerals to draw attention to its view that the deaths are God‘s punishment for the nation’s tolerance of homosexuality.
Lawmakers denounced the church‘s plan to picket a child’s funeral.
“This is just horrific that … people have to deal with this. We shouldn’t have to do this in time of great pain for our state,” said Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Phoenix Democrat.
The girl was the youngest of the six people killed during the shooting at an event held by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was among 14 people injured. Giffords was shot in the head and critically wounded.
Numerous states have passed laws restricting protests at funerals after members of the Westboro church began protesting at the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Arizona legislation is modeled on an Ohio law that was upheld by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Sinema said.
The four-paragraph Arizona bill makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail to picket or conduct other protest activities within 300 feet of a funeral or burial service – about the length of a football field. The prohibition applies from one hour before the event to one hour after.
Shirley Phelps-Roper, a church member and a daughter of its pastor, said the prohibition wouldn’t matter because church members plan to picket at one of two intersections more than 1,000 feet from the church where the girl’s service will be held.
Phelps-Roper also said church members plan picketing Friday in conjunction with a service for another victim of the shooting, U.S. District Judge John M. Roll.
Sen. Paula Aboud, a Tucson Democrat, said volunteers in Tucson were organizing a human shield to block the protesters from view of victim family members.
Sinema said the prohibition applies only to funeral and burial sites because courts have struck down picketing prohibitions for procession routes.
“This is a good compromise that doesn’t trample our God-given rights,” said Senate President Russell Pearce, a Mesa Republican.
Sen. Ron Gould, a Republican from Lake Havasu City, voted for the bill but earlier was the only senator who objected to suspending rules requiring several days of legislative consideration before a final vote.
Gould cited the public’s right to know what lawmakers are considering. “And when we suspend those rules mistakes get made,” he added.
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Comments (144)
WVremembersFLIGHT93
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:07amIf they can keep Westoboro Baptists from protesting this easily, they can shut us all up. Just say that everything is “hate speech.” I don’t agree with Westboro Baptists about anything, but no government should be permitted to silence anyone, and I mean ANYONE. That slope is tooooo frikkin’ slippery.
Report Post »Malachai
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 6:14pmAbsolutely. Those Westboro people are scum but this is trampling free speech is NOT the correct way to address this problem.
Report Post »PhantomsPhorever
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:04amRegardless how how vile the Westboro folks are, this is one of the most unbelievably arrogant moves I have ever seen from any government. Lets stop and review a minute folks. For 8 or so years now, these idiots have demonstrated at the funerals of completely apolitical citizens. Many legal attempts to stop this picketing has failed AT THE HANDS OF STATE AND FEDERAL JUDGES.
Then, a Federal Judge is killed, well apparently the free speech rights, previously protected by the judges, now do not hold enough gravity to be applied, when one of our exalted ruling class citizens is on the receiving end of the unpleasantness. If you think this is about the funeral of the 9 year old girl you are just naive.
No telling what will be attached to this “emergency measure”. I wonder if it will in any way curtail the rights of assembly of groups of citizens who deeply disagree with the government. Now I wonder who that would be.
Report Post »Taxachusetts
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:00amThese beings are another example of minds gone mad. Why is their place of worship still standing ?
Report Post »broncocasey
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:55amWhen someone law makers can relate to goes down, all of the sudden bills get passed that make since.
Report Post »thefljuggalo
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:42amits amazing all the hypocrits on this website. if the first amendment is banned for one group, it is banned for all. people of arizona should be outraged about this legislation
tbb
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:41amThey should have made it so that the protesters had to apply for a permit to protest at funerals 3 weeks or more before the funeral and then given them a permit for a corner way far away from anywhere the mourners were going to be.
Report Post »youguysready_letsroll
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:38amThey came to Blacksburg, VA to protest on the anniversary of the April 2007 VT shooting. They were about a quarter mile from campus. I wish I could understand them better. How can they call themselves Baptists? Pure evil if you ask me.Maybe there should be a huge rally against them at their church in KS or wherever it is.
Report Post »ksagpilot
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 11:02amI’m a Kansan and this is a black eye for our State. I know of no one in the state that supports them. They need to be re-located to California or some other Progressive state.
Report Post »James1
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:37amMore pointless legislation, before you get to the part where it says not within 300 ft, you the informed, already know they have never been within 300 ft. Some mourners never knew of their presence, and many have taken it upon themselves to protest the protesters.
Report Post »GOD BLEES AMERICA
chuck_wagon
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:19amYou can’t legislate morality, but an a$$ kicking will stick in the memory.
Report Post »Eyegore
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:36amAnd from what I hear, there will be a few bikers around to do just that. I hope all of the cops are on coffee break for a little while so business can be handled and the poor little girl can be laid to rest with dignity.
Report Post »chuck_wagon
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:38amAmen brother!
Report Post »PreserveOurFreedoms
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:13amThe legislation is a nice gesture, but restricting free speech is always a slippery slope and should be avoided.
These protesters thrive on such attentions – and in this case they have now gained even more by the reaction of the AZ legislature – wherein they have another coveted legal battle and the national stage upon which they can practice their tactics.
All the AZ legislature has really done here is waste time, taxpayers money, and given these vile people another opportunity to pursue litigation. Starve the Westboros machine with public shunning, do not feed them with publicity and more opportunities to litigate!
Report Post »TrueToTheCoreAmerican
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:01amJust “humane capture” a few skunks… drive up to the protesters, shake the cages and set the varmints lose on them. Watch them run from their own stench.
Report Post »tbb
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:44amVery funny! I would love to see that! I pity the poor soul that would transport the creatures.
Report Post »JaniceK
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:00amI don’t understand who is financially supporting these folks? They continue to show up at ‘events’ all over the country. SOMEONE is paying out big money to get them moved around!
Report Post »jerryod1627
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:10amSoros? Move on? Acorn? obama? progressives?
Report Post »PreserveOurFreedoms
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:32amThey help support themselves by goading people into assaulting them at these protests and then having them arrested.
Then they sue.
Several of them are lawyers.
Report Post »Jasper64
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:49amThe Phelps Clan (aka, Westboro Baptist Church) are all a bunch of lawyers who make their money suing those who act out against their provocations. They have taken advantage of provisions in the law that allow them to not only collect damages, but to be compensated for their legal costs, even though they represent themselves.
They are bottom-feeders of the worst kind.
Report Post »KINGRUDDY
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:53amWhy not ONE MILE away, constitutional rights? There ya go, go protest, atleast one mile away.
Report Post »Why is this so difficult? Common sense.
Random85
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:45amFirst off I do believe that all american citizens should have the freedom of speech in this country, and I worry that this legislation may end up opening doors for more restrictions on our First Amendment rights. However, I also live by the belief that “just because you have the right, doesn’t mean you should do something.”
What this so called “church” does is disgusting and disgraceful to me. Instead of supporting the family like they should do, they instead use the death of a child to further their own twisted agenda. This is a good example of how Christians, and I use that term loosely in this case, should NOT act and it’s shameful that they call themselves a church.
Report Post »gilmoresinc
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:40amI’m from Oklahoma….they seem to be here every weekend. We actually pissed them off by slashing there tires a few months ago. When they came to Norman, Oklahoma we chased them out real quick. This coming weekend they will be in Del City, Oklahoma. I will be there with many friends and bikers to drowned out there hate speech…..again. I don’t think creating more laws will help nor stop this crew of hate. I also think that when creating these laws you actually hurt yourself/neighbors. It’s like when Pelosi said “You got to vote on the bill to see what’s in the bill”. Honestley we need to go back to the old standards of the government is here to protect. Nothing more, let the states/people take care of there own issues. By creating this “anti-picketing” law, the left will be bringing up the “Constitution” and how we want to change it again to fit our agenda. When if we would just allow the “Bikers” that attend these rallys to conduct business….we would not be putting up with the likes of “Westboro”.
I’m so far right, I’m a Conservative Libertarian!
Report Post »ksagpilot
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:39amWe have the Patriot Riders motorcycle group that goes to the funerals to help shield the family from these creeps. The last funeral I rode in the tires on their van misteriously went flat and no one in town would sell them tires or help them.
Report Post »darlenekay
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:36amThis is a knee jerk reaction. While I abhor the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church, they have a right under our Constitution to protest. My advice, IGNORE them. Don‘t give them TV time and don’t talk about them. Without a platform to showcase their ignorance, eventually they will put away their signs and stay home. Remember, first they came for the Westboro Baptist Church members and then they came for me. Be very careful what you wish for.
Report Post »NavyCombatAdmin
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:26amWhile I understand your sentiment, I have to disagree. These clowns from WBC love the show they put on. While I agree they have the Constitutional right to protest, I don‘t believe standing outside a church or at the cemetery screaming obsenities at the mourning family is what the Founding Fathers meant by ’right to assembly’. I think this law protects those that need to be protected w/o completely trampling the rights of those who wish to make a statement.
Report Post »lionslayer44
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 1:12pmyes wbc has the right to protest they dont have a right to disrupt others. a buffer zone keeps first amendment rights in tact. the part everyone is missing is that dems and republicans got together and agreed on something worthwhile and in the state that the admin. is trying desperately to make an example of. research all the things the admin. is doing to Az. not just SB1070, when the states recently needed money for the foreclosures problems Az. has the third largest foreclosure rate in the country yet the admin. left us out of the program. think it has anything to do with the SB1070? duh!!! that Americans are being killed in Az. by illegals yet the admin. wont address the problem and obummer wont come see for himself. if the guy who had a concealed weapon had pulled his gun and shot loughner what conversation would we be having now?
Report Post »flagbearer
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:31amI’m not sure of the constitutionality of these state laws, but I am fully against these demonstrations. I have wondered what group of Baptists this church is connected to, as I have many Baptist friends who are not in any way like them. I like the idea of the “angels” that would shield the mourners from seeing the protestors.
Report Post »Lucy Larue
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:43amFlagbearer,
Report Post »They are not Baptist. They are not a CHURCH. They are the Phelps family.
They could just as easily call themselves the Westboro Methodist Church, or Presbyterian, yadda, yadda.
Google Fred Phelps and his dysfunctional (understatement) Westboro bunch.
I feel so sorry for the children that are in this family. I do not understand why what these young ones endure is not child abuse.
Barberrj
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:09amAs unspeakable as this groups actions are, more restrictions to our first amendment rights is not the answer. Soon someone will attempt to expand on this law to include all other sorts of protests that are deemed at the time to be inappropriate.
Report Post »PIL
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:40amWell said, I‘m glad you’re a man of principle. You don’t have to like Fred Phelps to defend his right to free speech. Limiting the Westboro bigots is only going to lead to more limits on free speech.
Report Post »http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/2011/01/pseudo-republican-david-frum-attacks.html
AmericanWarrior
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:05amJan Brewer is a Patriot!
Report Post »Carl1
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:21amYes she it. And there is NOTHING Christian in or about the Westboro Baptist Church.
Report Post »912828Buckeye
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:02amMore laws to fix what a good old fashioned ass beaten could have taken care of. Sorry not very PC.
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:14amHey 912828Buckeye
Right On! Hey! The truth is the truth. No apology necessary. To H*** with PC.
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:42amHey, I gotta say I’m with you guys on this one. If they really wanted to use existing laws, they could start with harassment, stalking, infringement on RIGHTS of people to have a decent funeral and religious rights to conduct one. They don‘t have to pass a new law just for these wacko’s… they’re the only ones doing it.
Like the people said above, a good ass whipping would do it, too. No need to pass any legislation that can open the door to broader restrictions of regular people. Isn‘t there ANYTHING EVIL left in this country we aren’t supposed to “tolerate”? Are offensive people the only ones left with rights?
Report Post »912828Buckeye
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:58amJust remembered back when I worked at the prision we called it “Thump Therapy”
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:15am@ Buckeye… Didn’t cost much did it? Bet it worked, too. I was thinking that all the furor over the idiot Sheriff of “violent vitriolic rhetoric” BS… seems like these people qualify don’t they? Where’s he in defending his own constituents? Seems like Westboro has exhibited enough hateful and mentally warped stuff publicly that they’re in the same class of animals that perpetrate these crimes in the first place… yeah, they need an intervention or do we have to wait for WESTBORO to get violent and then argue about why we didn’t do anything.
Report Post »BlueCollared
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:20amI’m with you guys. Laws have only put restraints on decent people. Who would get in more trouble the westboro protesters or a man knocking their teeth out? Decent folks obey laws. Trash like the westboro do not. If they come to a funeral to protest, stomp their asses.
Report Post »menotyou
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:01amTop down, bottom up? I do not like aggressive picketing, and many cities have put a stop to aggressive pan-handling.
This one is a tough one for me.
Report Post »Ladykiva
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:00amAs much as I value freedom of speech, I despise the Westboro Baptist group and their sick intrusion upon grieving families. I believe this law is the best compromise between a cherished freedom and the emotional cruelty practiced by Westboro Baptist protesters. I congratulate AZ on its expeditious and measured response.
Report Post »48
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:13amThis is a tough one but I agree. How can any human being protest at an innocent childs funeral? If this was one of my kids I had to bury and they were set up on the corner yelling their crap, I would be sweating blood.
Report Post »Border Ruffian
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:17amSweating blood, not me, I’d be spilling it. No one is saying it, I know many are thinking it, so I will say it. I wish these people would either STFU or die.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 11:07amLady, I also am torn over this. My rational mind says that everyone has the freedom of speech even these animals. My Heart says we have to do anything we can to protect grieving Americans from being emotionally savaged by people who use their constitutional rights to harm people who are already suffering such an indescribable loss.
Report Post »I was listening to the radio yesterday and two hundred fifty people were at the planning meeting for the human shield. If there are that many just at the meeting I think the turnout for the good guys is going to be incredible. Hopefully they will be able to block the view of the WBC from the funeral procession as well.
GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 11:22am@Kate
“Lady, I also am torn over this. My rational mind says that everyone has the freedom of speech even these animals. My Heart says we have to do anything we can to protect grieving Americans from being emotionally savaged by people who use their constitutional rights to harm people who are already suffering such an indescribable loss.”
The true test of one‘s commitment to liberty is one’s willingness to defend the most vile fringes of society in their right to be vile I think.
That said, I do empathize with anybody having to put up with these clowns. Here’s a thought though. It‘s not like they’re superhumans who materialize out of thin air and cannot be confronted and surrounded *peacefully*. How about instead of outlawing protesting in any venue, we instead form a foundation which gets called out to the funerals these nut jobs attend, and we surround them and sing respectful songs of peace? We outnumber people who think likes these vermin at least, what, a bajillion to one, we could overwhelm their protests with messages of peace and love and they’d *never be seen through our crowd*.
Just a thought. Not everything requires “a law”. In fact, most things don’t.
Report Post »Colonial Revolutionary
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:59amWhere is Obozo and Holder to rule this unconstitutional? It wouldn’t surprise me…
Report Post »theprofessor1031
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:45amNo, they won’t. This unfortunately plays into their larger picture of shutting down free speech on the right. The will gladly throw this group under the bus to accomplish their ends. As much as I can’t stand the Westboro morons, I think this was a very bad idea, and could set a precedent.
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:01amI have mixed feelings on this issue. These scumbags have even protested at my church and they sicken me, personally. I just am very sensitive on ANY encroachment on Constitutional issues because of the damage that has been done on these fronts and knowing that there are so many in power and in DC and elsewhere who have plans to take away our true God-given rights.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:11amI couldn’t agree more, although most reasonable people detest what these people are doing it doesn’t take a profound person to see the slippery slope this law will provide for eventually clamping down on other forms of legitimate protest (especially against the government). This is how most of our liberties our eroded slowly over time, ie. hate speech laws that have and will gradually erode freedom of speech. Particularly, in the pulpits of churches.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:11amNo one should ever, or ever want to protest at a cemetery. Civilized society requires the civil goverment‘s recognition that part of its duty is ensuring the reasonable protection of other’s moral and civic rights to bury their dead in peace. No one has the right to intrude on that. We lose no freedom nor set any precedent preventing these mosters from doing what no decent person anywhere would consider doing.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:27am@Islesfordian
Oh please. They were already relegated to a distance away from the funeral area/grounds/church. Nobody was walking up to the grave site and spitting and screaming. You’re cheering what will be the wedge to destroy your right to protest out of some kind of non-existent call for civility to be found nowhere in our founding documents.
I understand the need to be civil. These jokers were already cordoned off far, far away from funerals and could not be seen nor heard at the grave site/service.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:54amIf it was this easy to prevent the Westboro idiots from protesting, why hasn’t it been done elsewhere?
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:02amMaybe because up until now they were only protesting at the funerals of soldiers, so the liberals and MSM wouldn’t care so much.
But in fairness, it could also be because there is the threat of a specific protest at the funerals of those killed very recently and publicly, making the protest a visible continuation of the atrocity committed Saturday.
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:10amHey Enough is Enough. The men in this community need to ban together and take care of business if these idiots show up picketing. Is this politically correct? Of course not. Is it the right thing to do? HELL Yes. A human shield is a start. If the protestor’s physically push their point then Whip There Ass. This type of behavior is not going to stop without an intervention. These people are vacant of any mental or moral understanding. So passing legilstation and the rule of law (what a concept) means nothing to these people. People better rise up. The crazies are running the asylum. Nuff said.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:14amIt doesn’t protect them from protesting. I hoped they wouldn’t be allowed within a 1/2 mile or so, or that permits would have to be granted one month prior to a demonstration (exceptions could be made in special cases) or groups could not demonstrate under penalty of a very very large fine or jail time. I think there needs to be a clear, concise message to these people who, apparently, have appointed themselves God’s judge and jury.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:17amExcuse me, “prevent” not “protect” – haven’t had full cup of coffee yet.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:19amBecause
1> This will likely be challenged and may or may not be upheld
2> as the Article Says this WILL NOT STOP them, only move them.
The “solution” IS NOT NEW, Freedom oppressive laws, but for one group of citizens to use THEIR right to protest to drown out the other. i.e form Human Shields and protest out in front of THEIR church every time they do anything.
It is very sad that “conservatives” are willing to give up their rights just to silence a group of morons.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:37amTheir is no Constitutional right to protest at a funeral. The express purpose of the 1st amendmnet is to protect the CONTENT of speech, nor gaurantee its venue. I have a right to speak in public, but that does not mean I have a right to speak in every public area. The state cannot drive me out of general public view by relegating me to private venues, but that does not mean it cannot protect other SEPARATE groups from my protests. Rules for civility can be imposed without limiting the expression of ideas in the public market. The same concept applies to the form of speech. Obscenity is not, or should not be protected.
To say that our constitutional freedom of speech requires that we suffer this type of obscenity is as absurd as saying that our liberty means opposing all forms of government.
Report Post »APatriotFirst
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:45amSaw something on news about a group going to be there for protection with huge angel wings to block view of westboro.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:50amTHE_ANCIENT, this has nothing to do with giving up rights, it has to do with stirring the pot even more than that stupid sheriff did by creating a volatile situation. At some point there will be confrontation with these people that will not end well, just as in the Arizona shootings. If permits had to be issued one month in advance for demonstrations it would not prevent anyone’s rights from being trampled.
Report Post »Pucci
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:03amWhats next- can’t protest within a 1000 feet of a government official?
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:04amI think there are some things that are more sacred than the first amendment,
and a little girls funeral is one of them.
I also think that if there is one thing both democrats and republicans can agree on it is that these Westboro F*Tards are the lowest form of life on the planet earth.
Report Post »BernieKittyCat
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:05amPlease protect the Green family if you can by counter protesting the Westboro bats. DO NOT RESORT TO VIOLENCE. Look to Jesus, Ghandi and King.
Report Post »Kurty C Wipe
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:09amI am wth Cobra, its only a matter of time, men will make a stand in this country, and not the Ivy league canoe stroking elitists either. Longer a turd sits in the toilet, the worse it smells. Protesters like Westboro need flushed.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:15am@Islesfordian…great insight!
Report Post »Shurmus
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:15amCobra is exactly right…
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:19am@grandmaof5…”I hoped they wouldn’t be allowed within a 1/2 mile or so, or that permits would have to be granted one month prior to a demonstration”…Thank You…I always read your comments…
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:23amI cannot recall reading anywhere in the first amendment an exemption allowing prohibition or “removal” or “distancing” of offensive political speech.
The way that liberty is destroyed isn’t through totalitarian monsters showing up with Uzis at your doorstep and tanks rolling down the street. The way liberty disappears is when they convince you to jump up and down and shout to be restrained, and cheer when your liberties are removed.
Emotionalism needs to be quelled if we’re to sustain our liberties. Making exceptions for “those poor…” (pick your favorite cause/group) means that eventually we’re all chained from nose to toes. Everybody has a favorite cause/group after all, and restrictions used for one persons cause can be used for another person’s cause as well.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:24am@Pucci
“Whats next- can’t protest within a 1000 feet of a government official?”
Yep, count on it.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:51amDo this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause……………..
Sad, very sad
Report Post »pavnvet
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:57amTo those that are concerned about the government making laws that peaceful assembly at a government building will somehow be prohibited, I say it will never happen. However, if you are so much in support of the lack of sensible restrictions, perhaps we could arrange to have your family endure this emotional stress at your funeral. Unfortunately, unless you get gun downed by some madman, die in the defense of our Country or are a politician your family will not have this opportunity.
Rights are granted as long as they do not infringe on others rights. This Westboro group of misfits does not have a right to inflict intentional emotional harm on me or anyone else. They do not have the right to assemble and create such a controversy as to incite a riot.
When other distasteful groups (such as the KKK) have a rally, I can choose not to go. Burying a loved one is not a choice. Get real.
Report Post »AmericanSoldier
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:57amJefferson has it right on the money.
Report Post »Docrow
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:06amGood job AZ!!!
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:31amHave a care here.
The Westboro group has lawyers in it and they follow the letter of the law. Another poster pointed out that he had dealing with them and that they do not hesitate to sue anyone that interferes with them.
Personally, I think what they do is despicable. However, I am hoping that laws protesting funerals do not get passed simply because one of these fine days, one of them is going to die. And if financially possible, I plan to go, complete with sign and I hope that others will be there too.
To those who are in the nearby area and plan to shield, check with the local police for information to make sure they are going to be there and get there early. My best wishes to the shielders and my prayers to all the families of the victims.
Report Post »mikem1969
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:50amAnd now they attack free speech. Now I do not like the westboro protestors, so don’t get me wrong. An attack on free speech is an attack on us all. I do not agree with what they do, but they do have the right to do it. If we let this attack on free speech happen, it WILL HURT US ALL.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:52am@PAVNET
“To those that are concerned about the government making laws that peaceful assembly at a government building will somehow be prohibited, I say it will never happen. ”
If I had a dollar for everything that “will never happen” that has happened, I could probably retire early.
“However, if you are so much in support of the lack of sensible restrictions, perhaps we could arrange to have your family endure this emotional stress at your funeral. Unfortunately, unless you get gun downed by some madman, die in the defense of our Country or are a politician your family will not have this opportunity.”
Oh please. There are all kinds of shows at some of the less classy funerals in this nation. Ever visit the Appalachians friend? C’mon.
“Rights are granted as long as they do not infringe on others rights. ”
Very true.
“This Westboro group of misfits does not have a right to inflict intentional emotional harm on me or anyone else. ”
Oh? Where is the “right to not be offended or upset” codified precisely?
“They do not have the right to assemble and create such a controversy as to incite a riot.”
They certainly do have a right to assemble to create a controversy. If freedom of speech was only about saying things that don’t offend anybody, we wouldn’t need the 1st Amendment in the first place. And the only people who would riot would be those who cannot respond reasonably to idiots in their presence. For them I recommend self control and restraint.
“When other distasteful groups (such as the KKK) have a rally, I can choose not to go. Burying a loved one is not a choice. Get real.”
Ok, here’s real. They’re already cordoned off at least a thousand feet from any funeral proceedings. That’s over 3 football fields away, friend. It’s highly doubtful anybody can see or hear them who is attending the proceedings. That’s real.
If you want a right to not be offended, you may be reading a Constitution that the rest of us do not have access to.
Report Post »Indiana Patriot
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:54amAmen Cobra… Well said.
Report Post »Also, for the hunters in the area, spray the area around where they are protesting (not the protesters themselves) with skunk scent. If they want to protest that badly, make them suffer for it.
BlazingInSC
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 11:15am@Islesfordian
Sorry – but the first amendment does not discern the difference between what we would all consider to be obscene and that which isn’t. The first amendment that protects our right to speak out against WBC is the same one that protects their right to peaceably assemble and speak freely anywhere they wish (even if we don’t agree with the content). Let me be clear – I loathe the actions of the WBC, so don’t think I am on their side. I’m really on your side — but if their actions are peaceable, then their actions are protected.
I think the biggest problem with the WBC is that just because someone has the right to speak freely, it doesn’t mean they should. Exercising rights still requires an exercise in responsibility – and these people deciding to protest a 9 year old girl’s funeral is a HUGE err in judgment that does not exercise responsibility – but alas – it is still protected by the first amendment.
Report Post »pavnvet
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 11:19am@ ghostofjefferson:
Staying back 1000 feet at the cemetery does not prohibit them from being on the procession route. Think about what you are advocating. You are in the limo behind the flower car, you are turning a corner and to your left you see the hurst carrying your nine year old daughter and suddenly your attention is drawn to a group of people holding signs that state it is good your daughter died because America condones “****.”
If you think anyone has that right, then we live on a different planet. Infliction of intentional emotional harm is a civil actionable case. Knowing that this type of rhetoric can instigate violence and doing it willingly can be construed to incite riot. The only reason it hasn’t is that the police have done a good job in keeping these folks separate from the crowd.
And as far as the Constitution goes, the first words of it are, “to establish Justice, insure Domestic Tranquility, provide for the Common Defense and secure the Blessings of Liberty.” Is it just that your right to protest rises above my right of the liberty to bury my dead in peace? Is not the assurance of Domestic Tranquility subverted by a movement of vile hate?
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 11:42am““This is a good compromise that doesn’t trample our God-given rights,” said Senate President Russell Pearce, a Mesa Republican.”
Actually, it does. While I don’t like the Westboro people, I support their right to picket and protest to their hearts content, so long as they themselves honestly believe they’re message is right. Otherwise, it’s disturbance of the peace.
The murderer is going to die for murdering this little girl (at least, I hope she is among the reasons why.), so the family is getting the justice they deserve.
It’s another matter, entirely, that these Westboro jerks are misinformed and obnoxious. Freedom of speech extends to all those who have a point of view – even to the Wesboro church.
You don‘t want government telling people where they can or can’t protest. You don‘t want there to be a chilling effect on the People’s proclivity to protest when they believe they have something important to say.
Report Post »CultureWarriors
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 11:42amThis is good. We need protection from Democrat hate groups like Fred Phelp and the Westboro Baptist Church.
Report Post »Curioso
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 11:44amIf nobody covers them protesting on the other side of town then their protest means absolutely nothing don’t put them in the lime light. These people have nothing to do with God or Christianity, they are exactly the opposite.
Report Post »hickoryrat
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 2:18pmIn Indiana bikers yes I said bikers assure that military funerals are not disrupted.
Report Post »pavnvet
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 2:40pmThose “bikers” are the Patriot Guard…mostly Vietnam and recent war vets..
Report Post »chazman
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 5:00pmThese people are Manchurian Moonbats!
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 6:08pmTXPILOT, Why wasn’t it done at the military funerals. I am getting aggrivated at he government. They seem to think that if it applies to them they have to take immediate action with no compassion for the families of our fallen soldiers. On the day this tragedy occurred they were more concerned because it was one of their own than of the other victims and their families. I found it insulting and selfish. Last I heard they are no better than any of us. How interesting of the speed of this decision and the immediate results. That tells me alot about our government and where they stand when it comes to the citizens.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 13, 2011 at 8:33amAZDEBI, thank you, I am extremely flattered.
Report Post »Opinionmonger
Posted on January 13, 2011 at 8:39amLet them protest, but only 24 hours after any funeral.
Report Post »It does not matter to the dead anymore but the mourners are freed of that kind of harrasement.