[Vigilanteman]

Fred Phelps freak show is on the road again, this time posing a dilemma to the ACLU which defends the slugs.

[allmost]

Westboro. Inbred scum lawyers. Let these families grieve please.

[Calpublican]

Where does free speech end and harassment begin?

ACLU—what a joke. Do they care about the psychic
injury to this family and other mourners?

[Biggirl]

This nutty group is why you have the Patriot Guard Riders, who protect the families of those military dead to grieve in peace.

[JLS]

I have heard radio news on this case and now the Fox panel on this hearing today and no one seems to be able to talk about what this case is about. It has nothing to do with the first ammendment or free speech. Congress nor any arm of government is seeking to stop anyone from saying anything.

This is a case about tort law. The question is does the speech in question constitute a tort. The jury found that the family was injured by the speech. But of course there can only be an injury and liability if the speech constituted a tort. Certainly as we know speech can be a tort ala slander.

It will be interesting to see how the court holds and who votes what way. I would not be surprised to see 7+ votes either way.

[SkyDancer]

We should “Glenn Beck” Westboro Baptist - see what it’s like to have thousands of people come and protest them - see how they like it ...

[SkyDancer]

We should “Glenn Beck” Westboro Baptist - see what it’s like to have thousands of people come and protest them - see how they like it ... as for the ACLU defending? The ACLU defended an anti-Jewish march through Skoki, Illinois. A heavily Jewish neighborhood where lots of Holocaust survivors lived. Free speech as I read it was for the people to be able to redress their grievances to the government without fear of jail or reprisals. Look how far out of context the SCOTUS has taken it ...

[goldfinch]

The Westboro group is despicable...but their right to protest is, IMO, protected by the First Amendment. I am curious about where the Westboro Baptist Church gets their financing? And...does whatever national Baptist organization the Westboro Baptist Church belongs to approve of their actions? Maybe Baptists should protest Westboro.

There must be a way to bring down Westboro Baptist Church without trashing the Constitution.

[AppyPappy]

“they’re shoving it down people’s throats.”

I find it ironic they would use this metaphor when describing a free speech issue because there would not be an issue if they literally shoved things down people’s throats as that is assault.

I find it odd that liberals went after the guy who didn’t burn the Koran by making him pay for security. Why don’t they do this to Phelps? Maybe because liberals really like Phelps. He’s their favorite strawman.

[rmlew]

I’m all for free speech, but a funeral is not a public event.

[nolongerademocrat]

I consider rock salt buckshot a part of my free speech and an appropriate response to these idiots.