NationStates Jolt Archive

Apparently, Phelps and his Super Friends are going to protest congress for considering a bill that would ban protests at US cemetaries. I'm torn on the idea myself, but since there isn't much hope of privatizing national cemetaries, I guess it isn't the worst option. Anyway. Westboro's press release is a must read, probably the funniest thing I've seen in months.

Today's WTF sentance brought to you by:
"Eager beaver Rep. Mike Rogers and 42 other like minded antichristic demagogues will flamboyantly present a petition for the so called Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act..."

Whole crankish press release here(PDF/WTF warning): http://www.godhatesfags.com/fliers/mar2006/20060329_congress.pdf

As far as I can remember, GHF isn't a website you're allowed to link to here.

As far as I can remember, GHF isn't a website you're allowed to link to here.
Ah, but in this case it is so FUNNY!

I think linking to somthing worth Mocking is a little different than linking to somthing just to shock.

I don't see why you can't ban protests from cemetaries. The US government has no problem banning protests in other government owned facilities: Hell, you're not even allowed on the floor of the senate, nevermind protesting there. What makes them so special?

As far as I can remember, GHF isn't a website you're allowed to link to here.

I know it is kind of an iffy site, but I figured it wouldn't be too big a deal since I linked to a one page PDF that was so far over the shark I had to share.

I seriously want to put that Phelps guy in prison, where he can be anal raped for the remainder of his years. see how much more he will love the gays then:rolleyes:

Ah, but in this case it is so FUNNY!

I think linking to somthing worth Mocking is a little different than linking to somthing just to shock.The person protesting against the ruling was Fass, if memory serves, and the argumentation was that it was necessary to discredit or mock said sites arguments. But I could be wrong... I'm getting older after all and my memory's failing :D

I don't see why you can't ban protests from cemetaries. The US government has no problem banning protests in other government owned facilities: Hell, you're not even allowed on the floor of the senate, nevermind protesting there. What makes them so special?

The problem here is that the cemetaries in question are public space, not simply publicly owned. There are no restrictions on who can or cannot enter, visit, and move within national cemetaries, so banning a specific group from doing a specific thing is not only difficult, but something most caretakers would be wary of doing.

I seriously want to put that Phelps guy in prison, where he can be anal raped for the remainder of his years. see how much more he will love the gays then:rolleyes:

As unpleasant as Phelps is, he doesn't deserve to be raped. No one does.

Ah, but in this case it is so FUNNY!

I think linking to somthing worth Mocking is a little different than linking to somthing just to shock.

And if nothing else is worth mockery, Westboro most certainly is.

I looked at that link and it made me sick... I stand up for gays and these people just are wrong in the head seriously!! But the ban on the protest is against the rights of the people. I am not saying we should have the protest within eye shot of the morners but you can have them at the entrance. The problem I see with this protest crap has already been said. We cant protest on the grounds of congress. Hmmm I fail to see were our right to petition the goverment comes in.. Maybe they will give us a thank you card and one of these:upyours: when we go up there to have alittle chat:D

The person protesting against the ruling was Fass, if memory serves, and the argumentation was that it was necessary to discredit or mock said sites arguments. But I could be wrong... I'm getting older after all and my memory's failing :D

And as much as I argue with Fass, that is a very valid point indeed.

It's very hard to disseminate agaisnt such idiocy as Westboro, if the mere mention of them, or refferences to their own idiocy itself become topics which are 'verboten'.

If they can make 'pens' for protesters at the RNC and DNC gatherings, then why not for the Phelps crew? Treat 'em like the animals that they are.

Just set up a free speech zone outside the cemetery. ;)

As unpleasant as Phelps is, he doesn't deserve to be raped. No one does.

Perhaps not, but he's closer than most. :p

Just set up a free speech zone outside the cemetery. ;)
Surrounded by Vets & the "Dykes on Bikes" motorcycle club on loud Motorcycles.

Just set up a free speech zone outside the cemetery. ;)

In heavy traffic. :D

In heavy traffic. :D
No.... Add a nice 'stock' for Phelps to go in, plus a place for people t line up to pelt him with rotten tomatoes, but, allow it closer to the ceremony!

As unpleasant as Phelps is, he doesn't deserve to be raped. No one does.

If the entire issue had anything to do with getting what one deserves, I'd agree. I think that most of us feel that Phelps is not worthy of an ouce of respect, and couldn't care about what is "deserved". I won't say he deserves it, but I wouldn't object to seeing him tied to the underside of a submarine for the rest of his miserable earthly tenure.

No.... Add a nice 'stock' for Phelps to go in, plus a place for people t line up to pelt him with rotten tomatoes, but, allow it closer to the ceremony!
That could still be in heavy traffic. In the middle of heavy traffic. Drive-by tomatoings. On the way to the cemetery. :)

I think cemeteries can restrict public demonstrations on their property. Most of the active cemeteries I've visited have signs reminding people that it's a place of reverence, that they should be respectful of funerals and other people visiting graves, and some specifically prohibit food and beverages (no picnicking), running around (this ain't no playground), loud noise, etc. I think an argument could be made to set up a "buffer zone" around cemeteries to stop loud protests from getting close enough for mourners inside to see or hear.

I think cemeteries can restrict public demonstrations on their property. Most of the active cemeteries I've visited have signs reminding people that it's a place of reverence, that they should be respectful of funerals and other people visiting graves, and some specifically prohibit food and beverages (no picnicking), running around (this ain't no playground), loud noise, etc. I think an argument could be made to set up a "buffer zone" around cemeteries to stop loud protests from getting close enough for mourners inside to see or hear.

Nope. Private property cannot be protested on without the owner's permission, but public land can and must be able to be protested upon. The first Ammendmant is pretty clear on that subject. It's restrictions of protest on public land that allow things like "Free Speech zones" (as if Free Speech weren't guaranteed anywhere) and nonsense like that.

I've been fighting over this on another thread for a while now, so I think I'll leave it at that. Basically, no matter how retarded and fucked up a protest is, we must not restrict the rights of the protesters because they offend or annoy us.

If the entire issue had anything to do with getting what one deserves, I'd agree. I think that most of us feel that Phelps is not worthy of an ouce of respect, and couldn't care about what is "deserved". I won't say he deserves it, but I wouldn't object to seeing him tied to the underside of a submarine for the rest of his miserable earthly tenure.

You're not thinking hard enough.

He should be put on a boat and sent on it to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Once there, he should be shackled with a cast iron ball-and-chain and dropped into the water.

If God truly favors his cause, then he will be able to free himself from the shackles and swim all the way back to Liberty Island, New York. Otherwise, we will have clear and definative proof that God does not, in fact, hate fags. (Can a benevolent and merciful deity truly hate anything or anyone, though?)

Of course it would depend a bit on how homopobic the jury is, but considering how emotional funerals are, the defense would probably have a pretty easy time of it defending any funeral goers who go postal on the protesters...

I've been fighting over this on another thread for a while now, so I think I'll leave it at that. Basically, no matter how retarded and fucked up a protest is, we must not restrict the rights of the protesters because they offend or annoy us.

How to protect the rights of the people that want to pay their last respects to someone and are hindered by the protests then ? They can obviously not just walk away if they do not wish to listen, nor can they continue with what they are there to do. Surely those people deserve some freedom too ?

The problem here is that the cemetaries in question are public space, not simply publicly owned. There are no restrictions on who can or cannot enter, visit, and move within national cemetaries, so banning a specific group from doing a specific thing is not only difficult, but something most caretakers would be wary of doing.

Fortunatly, a bill wouldn't be necessary to take care of the hatemongering funeral protesters like Phelps. When Phelps and his ilk go to funerals to protest the dead it's straight up harrassment.

All I see happening if protesting at cemeteries becomes illegal is people going to cemeteries to make awful speeches without fear of contradiction. OTOH, Bush might finally attend a serviceman's funeral.

That could still be in heavy traffic. In the middle of heavy traffic. Drive-by tomatoings. On the way to the cemetery. :)
Fine, you get your heavy traffic! :p