CitizenUSA has raised a perfectly acceptable legal, not emotional, question for discussion and followed his line of reasoning throughout in a civil manner. Attacking him for raising that question is highly inappropriate.
Few, if any, of us have so much as read the complaint much less the jury instructions and verdict in the case. As the parent of a currently serving soldier, and just as an American citizen, I am delighted the family of the slain soldier won its verdict. However, as a legal matter, it is fair to ask if the verdict and judgment will hold up on appeal and how it affects everyone’s First Amendment rights.
Then you haven’t read the Constitution or understand that the GOVERNMENT has no legal interest in this case.
It is a CIVIL matter.
There are no ‘FREE SPEECH’ rights protections from other CITIZENS.
The BILL OF RIGHTS was written to protect you from the GOVERNMENT.
No, they are trolling.
And they claimed personal attack when it was pointed out that they twisted and added to a direct question.
Specifically, they pulled a Clinton and got mad when called on it.
Libel and Slander are NOT protected by the 1st.
The Phelps have slandered our troops, and trespassed into funerals that are reasonably presumed to be sacrosanct.
Defending teh Phelps is a good way to make friends with those of us who were and are soldiers.
I do take issue with your justification as "the parent of a currently serving soldier". I might point out that at one time, Cindy Sheehan was also one. I would value your opinion as an individual, and this is speaking as one who served for 32+ years and had the "honor" of washing the spittle of protesters from my face and uniform.
In the end, we are all citizens. That is what really matters.