[LeoWindhorse]

"No good thing comes from Kansas " *Will Quantril*

[LeoWindhorse]

in 2006 :
The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit Friday in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., on behalf of the fundamentalist Westboro Baptist Church, which has outraged mourning communities by picketing service members’ funerals with signs condemning homosexuality.

[Rodebrecht]

I thought they quit protesting funerals and are now harping on synagogues.

[F15Eagle]

The illogical stance of Fred Phelps and company is incredible. They're suggesting that U.S. soldiers die in war because they allow gays.

In WWII, it was not so. At least the legislation hadn't come about yet. And about 500,000 Americans died in war.

Certainly it is unBiblical. But these kinds of stunts only give an improper impression of Christianity. On the flip side, many cities have gay pride parades, which is equally as bizarre.

[TurtleUp]

These protests are constitutionally protected speech, and they must be permitted by law. The morons from WBB can be barred from private property by trespass law. The morons can be dodged by changing routes, but they cannot be arrested for free speech. I’m disgusted with the methods they use, but the government cannot suppress their speech.

[jacknhoo]

The First Amendment is precious.

[SES1066]

As I understand it, the Supremes refused cognizance because it hadn't gotten through the complete lower court process yet, ie. it wasn't 'ripe'. Most logically, what will happen is a ruling to the right to protest but no closer than 'x feet' and not during the actual services and no obstruction of traffic and attendees. Similar to not being able to shout 'FIRE' in a crowded theater - logical control for civilized behavior.

FYI: Westboro Baptist is not logical, a church or civilized. "By their fruits ye shall know them!"