Mississippi 'deals with" Westboro Baptists.

[Jaysyn]

Link gave me a 404

Me too. Here is the Google cache.

---

Considering US gun culture, I'm actually surprised and disappointed that neither Fred nor any of his obnoxious offspring have become shot. One can only hope they continue further south, to say Dallas

They've already been to Dallas, twice. Texans are way overrated.

[reverendjeremiah]

Here is the link..the original was broken:

http://www.retirelikeme.com/2011/04/21/m...ist-plans/

Jason, on the sites comments, reflects how I feel about this situation..ummm..except that Im not gay..

While I am gay, and certainly not supportive of the tactics and messages out there from Westboro Baptist, Repent America, and other such hate groups, I am appalled at the level gone to here to thwart someone’s first amendment rights.

The fact that municipalities and police offers were part of this operation scares me. The constitution and laws exist for a reason. We cannot pick and choose when they should apply and when they should not apply.

We are all entitled to equal rights under the constitution. It would have been one thing if private citizens had orchestrated this (although still in violation of the law), but the fact that elected officials and police officers were involved is disgusting. This is a sad day for democracy.

[Jaysyn]

Here is the link..the original was broken:

http://www.retirelikeme.com/2011/04/21/m...ist-plans/

Jason, on the sites comments, reflects how I feel about this situation..ummm..except that Im not gay..

---

While I am gay, and certainly not supportive of the tactics and messages out there from Westboro Baptist, Repent America, and other such hate groups, I am appalled at the level gone to here to thwart someone’s first amendment rights.

The fact that municipalities and police offers were part of this operation scares me. The constitution and laws exist for a reason. We cannot pick and choose when they should apply and when they should not apply.

We are all entitled to equal rights under the constitution. It would have been one thing if private citizens had orchestrated this (although still in violation of the law), but the fact that elected officials and police officers were involved is disgusting. This is a sad day for democracy.

---

[Doubting Thomas]

I think it's hilarious the lengths to which this small town went to prevent the WBC idiots from protesting. While I believe they should have the right to hold their silly little protests, they shouldn't have the right to do it at someone's funeral. They know good & well that the only reason they're doing that is to piss other people off. I'm all for freedom of speech, but families & friends of deceased loved ones should have the right to bury them without being harassed.

But since it's perfectly OK to protest at funerals, just think of how big a gay pride rally there will be when ol' Fred jumps in the box!

[Violet]

Doubting Thomas]But since it's perfectly OK to protest at funerals, just think of how big a gay pride rally there will be when ol' Fred jumps in the box!

Because I'm a fan of justice, I'll be there myself

[Cinjin]

Link gave me a 404

same here

[Minimalist]

Also, aren't cemeteries & memorial gardens private property? Can't you just arrest these fools for trespassing & be done with it?

No. Municipalities are required to grant a permit. They can implement reasonable restrictions. In the case of the WBC case that went to the Supreme Court (which they won) their demonstration was 1,000 feet from the location of the funeral and they could not be seen from the location. The issue there was that the father claimed that just the knowledge that they were protesting caused him mental anguish.

It probably did but it was irrelevant.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

There's a big difference between "freedom of speech" and being an abusive prick.

One of the most crucial elements of free speech is the right of dissent,to the point of giving gross offence.

Having said that, I was quite sincere in describing the reaction of me and my family. I'm aware such action would be wrong,not to mention illegal. It would also be deeply satisfying.

[theVOID]

Yeah but in the same sense a Pedophile cumming on an altar boy is deeply satisfying.

[Violet]

Yeah but in the same sense a Pedophile cumming on an altar boy is deeply satisfying.

To him, yes.

Satisfaction is personal