Yes, Westboro “Baptist Church” (the quotes are obviously on purpose) is about as high up on my list as Judas Iscariot, Hitler, Himmler, Stalin…you know. Bad people that we all just love to hate. What they do is down right disgusting and disrespectful, but they have the right to do it.
The First Amendment of the United States of America says:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Let’s point out the main points, American citizens have the right to speak their fucking mind no matter how hurtful the words. Now, I feel for Snyder’s dad and the other families where the vultures have appeared and picketed. I do. Honestly. Because if the vultures showed up at a funeral of someone in the military that I was attending, I’d exercise my freedom of speech too. And it wouldn’t be directed at the family.
The thing about this whole debate that gets me is the fact that people say, “why are we letting these [assholes-my wording] protest and picket and saying demeaning and disrespectful things at funerals, in front of gay people, etc?” Why? Because they have the freedom to do so. Hate it all you want, but if you don’t want them to say what they have a right to say and you want a law saying they can’t do it, then you have to give up your right to say whatever you want and to protest. Are you willing to give that up?
They are a thorn in America’s side, there’s no doubt about that. But I’m actually proud of the Supreme Court for upholding the US Constitution, no matter how much I hate the party that won. So, hate the ruling because you hate who won, but be proud that Americans can say what they want to say.
averagepersonness 