Should funeral protests be banned?

[Rainstorm]

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a443/rjd0530/RONNIE%20JAMES%20DIO%20FUNERAL%2030MAY2010/protest.jpg

The picture's of a WBC protest near a funeral in 2009.



When it comes to Free Speech, does protesting at a funeral go to far? Should there be a line where free speech becomes hate speech?

I have to say that I am against protesting at funerals. If you want to relay your message, that's fine. Do it somewhere else though. A funeral is a private (unless stated that it is public) goodbye between a family and the person who died. If you disagreed with their beliefs in life, OK. Great. Don't go to the funeral, don't protest about the funeral and don't make it as a breeding ground for you to scream your opinions.

[anonymous53]

I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.
- Voltaire

I think it's really messed up that they choose to do that, but that statement sums it up for me. If I ever saw it happening I'd stand right infront of them, call up a gay friend and start making out with them. If they want to push their beliefs on me; I should be able to do so to them. Also these people are just opening themselves up to physical violence I wouldn't blame anyone who went up and socked one of them in the face.

*Edit*

http://www.retirelikeme.com/2011/04/21/mississippi-town-destroys-westboro-baptist-plans/
WBC Got owned.

[Jess]

What I don't understand why they care about what other people believed. And I don't think they should even protest at a funeral especially since it'll insult the family. They're grieving and they come in and protest. seriously. Protest somewhere else.

I don't know about it actually getting banned, but I am leaning towards it.

[Fact]

Tricky issue in some respects, but I definitely don't agree with what they've done there. Funerals are a time to say goodbye, which is an emotional and often memorable time for most people present, not something that should be tainted by strangers being volatile in the background. It's disrespectful to those who are living even though they ask for the deceased's views to not be supported, you could say?

[anonymous53]

The thing I don't like is that it's pushing the lines of free speech to ban it. I really DO hate it, and I do believe it shouldn't be done.

[Zephyr]

Is it their right as American citizens to protest? Yes.

Is their protesting inappropriate? Yes.

As long as their protest doesn't turn into a riot or harassment, there's nothing that law enforcement can do. It's sad in all reality since they're making a bastardization out of freedom of speech by protesting those who have died to protect their freedom of speech.

[Peace God]

No. I completely support WBC's right to continue what they've been doing.

[Amnesiac]

No. A funeral is no excuse to curb free speech.

[Blake1994]

They should be arrested, and they should be sent out to Afghanistan and see how quick the Taliban would tolerate their protests. I hate these stupid ass bastards. They don't deserve to breathe the same air I breathe. I hate it when people talk bad about the military and protest a hero's funeral. Its fucked up.

[Iceman]

They should be arrested, and they should be sent out to Afghanistan and see how quick the Taliban would tolerate their protests. I hate these stupid ass bastards. They don't deserve to breathe the same air I breathe. I hate it when people talk bad about the military and protest a hero's funeral. Its fucked up.

Oh my. I'm not going to go into detail, but that is a simple narrow-minded answer. They're not breaking the law, so you can't arrest them. It's obviously got them more attention then standing on some random street corner.

[Amnesiac]

They should be arrested, and they should be sent out to Afghanistan and see how quick the Taliban would tolerate their protests. I hate these stupid ass bastards. They don't deserve to breathe the same air I breathe. I hate it when people talk bad about the military and protest a hero's funeral. Its fucked up.

Yeah, the military totally should be exempt from any form of protest!

I mean, look at North Korea! They don't have to deal with this shit!

[User Deleted]

I said yes, but what I really mean is that they need to be toned down to child-friendly no religious references or inappropriate words...or violence *goes on contradicting his contradiction*

[Sogeking]

Wow some people here talk about equal right for everyone and when they come across a situation people are like "What they are doing is wrong they shouldn't be allowed to do that!!!!1!"

Don't get me wrong, I don't support what these people are doing. Hell, I think the Westboro Baptist Church and the people of the sort really give Christians a bad name. But it just surprises me that people will support the right of one group and deny the other.

[Blake1994]

They shouldn't be allowed to protest Soldier's, Airmen, Sailors, and Marine's funerals plain and simple. They should be arrested. It's that simple.

[Iceman]

They shouldn't be allowed to protest Soldier's, Airmen, Sailors, and Marine's funerals plain and simple. They should be arrested. It's that simple.

Because they're so different from everyone else.

[Blake1994]

Because they're so different from everyone else.

No because they are un-American and its wrong. They are a cult not a church.

[Iceman]

No because they are un-American and its wrong. They are a cult not a church.

I was talking about the marines, army, etc.

[Blake1994]

I was talking about the marines, army, etc.

Because they are the ones defending this country, and they deserve more respect and dignity than the garbage these fuckers from the WBC are "preaching".

[Iceman]

Because they are the ones defending this country, and they deserve more respect and dignity than the garbage these fuckers from the WBC are "preaching".

"Defending". From the oh so many people that attack us.

[Blake1994]

"Defending". From the oh so many people that attack us.

YES.

[Iceman]

YES.

We've got attacked twice in the past 100 years cupcake.

[Blake1994]

We've got attacked twice in the past 100 years cupcake.

Wrong....

Pearl Harbor
Beirut
Khobar Towers
the 1st WTC Bombing
9/11
the Oklahoma City Bombing
The USS Cole
The shooting at the Frankfurt Airport that killed 2 Airmen
The Fort Hood Shootings
The London Bombings
The Madrid Bombings

just to name a a few....

[Iceman]

By countries, by countries. People kill each other every day,would like to classify that as "an attack agains the country"?

[Blake1994]

By countries, by countries. People kill each other every day,would like to classify that as "an attack agains the country"?

Depends on the circumstances.

[TopGear]

"Defending". From the oh so many people that attack us.

Do you not support our military? Or what they do?

[Iceman]

Depends on the circumstances.

I honestly hope you are joking. Honestly.

Do you not support our military? Or what they do?
No.

[Blake1994]

I honestly hope you are joking. Honestly.


No.

No idiot I'm not. You must think the terrorists are right then by killing innocent people.

[slappy]

It should not be aginst the law

[Iceman]

Depends on the circumstances.

Do you not support our military? Or what they do?

No idiot I'm not. You must think the terrorists are right then by killing innocent people.

We're innocent? No you have sadly mistaken.
They are simply standing up against themselves, and we turn it around and place the blame on them, so people such as yourself, will believe them.

[Blake1994]

Yes they should be arrested and yes they should not be allowed to protest. You haven't got a clue obviously Socko. You make me sick.

[Iceman]

Yes they should be arrested and yes they should not be allowed to protest. You haven't got a clue obviously Socko. You make me sick.

I'm glad I could do such a thing. One day you may realize. One day.

Oh, and no I am not an idiot.

[TopGear]

No.

Our military is the reason why we are Americans and still call the land we live on America. We don't have one of the top ranked Military services for nothing. You should take a few history courses and learn why we are were we are today.

[Iceman]

Our military is the reason why we are Americans and still call the land we live on America. We don't have one of the top ranked Military services for nothing. You should take a few history courses and learn why we are were we are today.

Oh my. Again here we go.
When has the last time someone attacked us due to something we did not bring upon ourselves. When you find this answer, which you never will, come back and we can debate.

[Scarface]

Name calling will not be tolerated in here, if y'all cannot contain yourselves the thread will be locked. A good debate does not include name calling. Consider this a warning.

[slappy]

[QUOTE=Blake1994;1256864]Wrong....

Pearl Harbor
Beirut
Khobar Towers
the 1st WTC Bombing
9/11
the Oklahoma City Bombing
The USS Cole
The shooting at the Frankfurt Airport that killed 2 Airmen
The Fort Hood Shootings
The London Bombings
The Madrid Bombings

just to name a a few....[/QUOTE

Well, I think what he means by attacking us is on American soil by people from other countries.
So
Pearl harbor
1st wtc bombing
9/11
And fort hood

But what is not true is those attacks occurred within the last 70 years
(oh crap, the 70th anniversary of pearl harbor is coming up RIP unckle Madok
USS ARIZONA. )

[Blake1994]

our military is the reason why we are americans and still call the land we live on america. We don't have one of the top ranked military services for nothing. You should take a few history courses and learn why we are were we are today.

agreed!

[TopGear]

Oh my. Again here we go.
When has the last time someone attacked us due to something we did not bring upon ourselves. When you find this answer, which you never will, come back and we can debate.

World War II attack on Pearl Harbor.

[Iceman]

They thought the islands were theirs. We thought they were ares. Both equally wrong. Both to blame. Not just the Japanese's fault. Any other tries?

Name calling will not be tolerated in here, if y'all cannot contain yourselves the thread will be locked. A good debate does not include name calling. Consider this a warning.

Cool pie

[slappy]

World War II attack on Pearl Harbor.

Well, we didn't do anything that made Japan attack us
They just wanted to scare us out of WWII I know it dose not make any since

[Blake1994]

They thought the islands were theirs. We thought they were ares. Both equally wrong. Both to blame. Not just the Japanese's fault. Any other tries?

Well I'm done with this ridiculous argument. I refuse to debate with a dude who is younger than me and hasn't got a damn clue. I find this unacceptable that a "moderator" is allowed to disrespect the American Armed Forces in this way. You may have the right to free speech, but remember who have given their lives so you can have that right. How pitiful. You've got no sense of history and you haven't got a clue.

[Iceman]

Well, we didn't do anything that made Japan attack us
They just wanted to scare us out of WWII I know it dose not make any since

Sense. It didn't make any sense, since we both thought the same thing.

Well I'm done with this ridiculous argument. I refuse to debate with a dude who is younger than me and hasn't got a damn clue. I find this unacceptable that a "moderator" is allowed to disrespect the American Armed Forces in this way. You may have the right to free speech, but remember who have given their lives so you can have that right. How pitiful. You've got no sense of history and you haven't got a clue.

Goodbye. Yah you're older, no you are not smarter. This is a global sight, so it's not just America everyone cares about. I have the right to free speech because it was put in order hundreds of years before you were born. Of course I don't know history, which is why I can still debate this against yall. I don't care that you "gave your life" to be America's testing dummies. It makes me laugh.

[slappy]

Well I'm done with this ridiculous argument. I refuse to debate with a dude who is younger than me and hasn't got a damn clue. I find this unacceptable that a "moderator" is allowed to disrespect the American Armed Forces in this way. You may have the right to free speech, but remember who have given their lives so you can have that right. How pitiful. You've got no sense of history and you haven't got a clue.

Just random Sag way
Fuckin love the navy.



[QUOTE=Socko;1256902]Sense. It didn't make any sense, since we both thought the same thing.

Oops sorry for typo. I'm on my iPad and I try to type fast on it and I failed
]

[Blake1994]

Sense. It didn't make any sense, since we both thought the same thing.



Goodbye. Yah you're older, no you are not smarter. This is a global sight, so it's not just America everyone cares about. I have the right to free speech because it was put in order hundreds of years before you were born. Of course I don't know history, which is why I can still debate this against yall. I don't care that you "gave your life" to be America's testing dummies. It makes me laugh.

I think its time this thread was closed.

[Iceman]

I think its time this thread was closed.

It has only just begun. Because you can't back something up doesn't mean everyone should be left out. If it was in your blog or diary I would understand, but it's a public forum.

[TopGear]

They thought the islands were theirs. We thought they were ares. Both equally wrong. Both to blame. Not just the Japanese's fault. Any other tries?

Are you kidding. "They thought the Island was theirs"?

The US had it's Navy Head Quarters there from the start of 1911. The attacks on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, 1941. That is 40 years difference. I do not believe that they just 'thought' the islands where theirs after 40 years of our navel base stationed there. They knew our navel HQ was there, It was an attack on the US Navy, because they knew we were strong in water.

It's not a "Both To blame" thing, They attacked to weaken our Navel Fleet.

[Perseus]

They thought the islands were theirs. We thought they were ares. Both equally wrong. Both to blame. Not just the Japanese's fault. Any other tries?

Wrong. We put an oil embargo on Japan and also, they were pissed off about us making them sign a treaty that was in our interest in the mid 1800s, though I have forgotten this treaty name and will get to it some other time. Japan did not want us having a presence in the Pacific since they were hellbent on "Asia for Japan".



Well, we didn't do anything that made Japan attack us
They just wanted to scare us out of WWII I know it dose not make any since
See above.

Also, in the 20th Century and now our military is not protecting our freedoms, with World War 1 and 2 the exceptions. Since when have we been at threat by an organized government, excluding North Korea and the Soviet Union? None, that's when. We have invaded numerous countries, and this just pisses off people. We arm a people, then we go to war with them. We get involved in affairs across the globe.

I know this is offtopic, so I shall add my on topic opinion. They have every right to do what they do. I don't agree with it, but they should have the right. Once you start infringing rights, then it just goes downhill from there.

[Iceman]

Oh to extend on Jake's thoughts, we have did the same thing Japan did in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Libya. Anyone take that into though?

[Malcolm Tucker]

I think its time this thread was closed.

No.

*

I voted no. If you do not like what's being said, then tough shit. It's excercising ones right to free speech which (so I'm told) is held dear. Because it's a funeral does mean the rest of society has to lose their rights out of 'respect'. So no, irregardless of who (or what) they are, funeral protests should not be stopped.

[Blake1994]

It has only just begun. Because you can't back something up doesn't mean everyone should be left out. If it was in your blog or diary I would understand, but it's a public forum.

Whatever, I could care less. I'm entitled to my opinion, and your entitled you own pathetic opinions. I'm done with this.

[slappy]

.


]

Wrong. We put an oil embargo on Japan and also, they were pissed off about us making them sign a treaty that was in our interest in the mid 1800s, though I have forgotten this treaty name and will get to it some other time. Japan did not want us having a presence in the Pacific since they were hellbent on "Asia for Japan".




See above.

Also, in the 20th Century and now our military is not protecting our freedoms, with World War 1 and 2 the exceptions. Since when have we been at threat by an organized government, excluding North Korea and the Soviet Union? None, that's when. We have invaded numerous countries, and this just pisses off people. We arm a people, then we go to war with them. We get involved in affairs across the globe.

I know this is offtopic, so I shall add my on topic opinion. They have every right to do what they do. I don't agree with it, but they should have the right. Once you start infringing rights, then it just goes downhill from there.



Sorry, I'm not sure what we are talking about here and I'm not gonna try to argue.
Yes, I think that the WBC has every right to protest.

I guess my history teacher taught it wrong to me, IDK

[Malcolm Tucker]

Whatever, I could care less. I'm entitled to my opinion, and your entitled you own pathetic opinions. I'm done with this.

Watch it. He's entitled to an opinion, and calling them (and by extension him) pathetic is not on. Name calling is not a proper way to conduct a debate.

Do not cross the line again.

[slappy]

[/COLOR]Whatever, I could care less. I'm entitled to my opinion, and your entitled you own pathetic opinions. I'm done with this.

Opinions can't be pathetic. They are only a different point of view



EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!

[Blake1994]

Watch it. He's entitled to an opinion, and calling them (and by extension him) pathetic is not on. Name calling is not a proper way to conduct a debate.

Do not cross the line again.

AND I AM ENTITLED TO MINE.

I find his opinion disgusting. This is not right. I have a lot of friends in the military. My family is good friends with a family who's son was a Marine and was killed in Iraq and his funeral was picketed by these bastards. It hits home hard. So I don't care if you don't like what I'm saying. I'm entitled to my opinion. I find him to be crossing the line as well.

[Malcolm Tucker]

I never said you weren't. Just respect others'. Simple as.

I'm done with this, you got your warning above so either get on topic and be fair or get out of the thread.

[slappy]

AND I AM ENTITLED TO MINE.

I find his opinion disgusting. This is not right. I have a lot of friends in the military. My family is good friends with a family who's son was a Marine and was killed in Iraq and his funeral was picketed by these bastards. It hits home hard. So I don't care if you don't like what I'm saying. I'm entitled to my opinion. I find him to be crossing the line as well.

Buddy, no one is questioning your love for the military. Most of us in here agree that they love the armed forces. What is going on is they don't think the WBC should be arrested for saying what it is that is on there minds. Like you said, everyone is entitled to there opinion, I may not agree with there opinion but I agree that they have the right to protest, it is in the first amendment. I don't like what they have to say but I don't think they should be punished for what they believe. It would be un American. Now admitted, what the WBC is doing is also un-American. But here is the thing, they don't like America, they don't co sited themselves Americans, they just benefit from rights as Americans and say "god" gave it to them. Once again, no one is questioning your love for country.

[Blake1994]

I never said you weren't. Just respect others'. Simple as.

I'm done with this, you got your warning above so either get on topic and be fair or get out of the thread.

Oh I do respect others, but I think your moderators might need a little lesson in civility themselves.

[Scarface]

What do you not understand about respecting moderators as well as other people's opinion? This thread is done. It's obvious people cannot conduct themselves as young adults in such a topic.