Louis Theroux Westboro Baptist Church Revisit.

[HAL9000]

I just watched this documentary, some of you may have seen it.

The worst thing about it for me, was the court case that they mentioned, where a father of a dead soldier, who's funeral was picketed was close to winning $13m from the church, but it was overturned 8-1 at the Supreme Court.

I couldn't believe this when Googled the court case after watching the video.

I know what everyone is going to say about "freedom of speech" but wow...

Has anyone else watched it?

I've added a poll, as I'm interested to know who agrees they should be allowed to say what they say, and who thinks they shouldn't. Also how being American effects that view, or if it doesn't.

 

[mmntech]

They're a fringe group with a very small support base and are almost universally hated. They're no threat and have not escalated to physical or property threats. The US constitution guarantees free speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion. not much to argue here. I don't support them but I support everybody's right to free speech.

 

[HAL9000]

They're a fringe group with a very small support base and are almost universally hated. They're no threat and have not escalated to physical or property threats. The US constitution guarantees free speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion. not much to argue here. I don't support them but I support everybody's right to free speech.

But surely they are inflicting damage, emotional damage at funerals etc.

 

[0roo0roo]

But surely they are inflicting damage, emotional damage at funerals etc.

 

[Codewiz]

But surely they are inflicting damage, emotional damage at funerals etc.

Sorry but this country is founded on the idea of free speech. Otherwise, who decides what speech is allowed?

Now I won't say I have any sympathy when things like this happen....

http://www.ihatethemedia.com/a-simple-way-to-stop-westboro-baptist-church-funeral-protesters

 

[nanette1985]

But surely they are inflicting damage, emotional damage at funerals etc.

It would be much worse emotional damage if we lost our right to free speech.

 

[xanis]

They certainly should be allowed to say what they want. One of the great things about this country is the right to free speech, and no one should infringe on that right.

That being said, I think that they're low life pieces of shit and wouldn't be too upset to hear that the whole bunch of them died in a bus crash or something.

 

[grrl]

Oh, look! Another nefbeard thread on Westboro and free speech.

 

[HAL9000]

Sorry but this country is founded on the idea of free speech. Otherwise, who decides what speech is allowed?

Now I won't say I have any sympathy when things like this happen....

http://www.ihatethemedia.com/a-simple-way-to-stop-westboro-baptist-church-funeral-protesters

It would be much worse emotional damage if we lost our right to free speech.

They certainly should be allowed to say what they want. One of the great things about this country is the right to free speech, and no one should infringe on that right.

That being said, I think that they're low life pieces of shit and wouldn't be too upset to hear that the whole bunch of them died in a bus crash or something.

Couldn't you guys institute a hate speech law without losing free speech, after all you already have some instances where speech is impeded such as threats in sighting violence etc.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Tags in this thread suck...

 

[schneiderguy]

I propose a "No HAL9000 speech" law. Who's with me?

 

[HAL9000]

Tags in this thread suck...

They are quite popular :sneaky:

 

[Whisper]

Couldn't you guys institute a hate speech law without losing free speech, after all you already have some instances where speech is impeded such as threats in sighting violence etc.

The trouble is, that very quickly becomes a very slippery slope. Eventually, "hate speech" can come to mean anything that might hurt another person's feelings.

Basically, unless the speech (as you've said) directly incites/indicates/implies violence or threat, then it should be allowed, regardless of how much it might emotionally upset you.

 

[HAL9000]

The trouble is, that very quickly becomes a very slippery slope. Eventually, "hate speech" can come to mean anything that might hurt another person's feelings.

Basically, unless the speech (as you've said) directly incites/indicates/implies violence or threat, then it should be allowed, regardless of how much it might emotionally upset you.

I just cannot comprehend defending the right to emotionally abuse a grieving soldiers family. Perhaps you guys could just make a law to conduct a funeral in privacy?

We have a load of hate speech laws and they seem to work...

 

[xanis]

Why did I fall for this trap? Should have paid more attention to who the OP was.

*posting in another "neckbeard is an idiot" thread*

 

[DaTT]

I voted yes, and I am not a USA'er. I do NOT agree with anything that they say or do. I personally think they are all pieces of shit...shit that has been eaten by a dog, then re-shit out. But if you stop them from free speech, where does it end?

People just have to get creative like these people on Rankin County (I know, link posted above too.)

 

[HAL9000]

I voted yes, and I am not a USA'er. I do NOT agree with anything that they say or do. I personally think they are all pieces of shit...shit that has been eaten by a dog, then re-shit out. But if you stop them from free speech, where does it end?

People just have to get creative like these people on Rankin County (I know, link posted above too.)

People shouldn't need to take the law into their own hands... The law should be there for this.

Where does it end? With hate speech would be my answer.

Shouldn't it at least be legal for people to sue and win for their funerals being disrupted?

 

[DaTT]

People shouldn't need to take the law into their own hands... The law should be there for this.

Where does it end? With hate speech would be my answer.

Shouldn't it at least be legal for people to sue and win for their funerals being disrupted?

Nobody took the law into anyone's own hands....no law was broken...ever. (except maybe a well deserved beat down a few days earlier).

Sure, and it is quite legal to sue and win....it just so happens they lost the case, it's also legal to sue and lose.

 

[HAL9000]

Nobody took the law into anyone's own hands....no law was broken...ever. (except maybe a well deserved beat down a few days earlier).

Sure, and it is quite legal to sue and win....it just so happens they lost the case, it's also legal to sue and lose.

They lost because it got the supreme court and they ruled it was covered under freedom of speech, that sets a precedent no one will ever win.

 

[nanette1985]

You also have to realize that the Westboro loonies inspire a huge amount of counter-reactions. A couple of wackos versus thousands of people pouring out positive support even in the tiniest little rural nowhere towns imaginable. (I was at a Westboro-targeted funeral a couple of years ago).

And, this is a media thing, not a real people thing. The Westboro folks milk the media circus with major skill. The reason you know about this Westboro thing is because of the media, and the media isn't going to go around making documentaries about sad, peaceful military funerals. There's no market in that.

 

[DaTT]

I am well aware of why they lost, I was simply pointing out to you that it is legal to sue and win.....also legal to sue and lose.

 

[HAL9000]

You also have to realize that the Westboro loonies inspire a huge amount of counter-reactions. A couple of wackos versus thousands of people pouring out positive support even in the tiniest little rural nowhere towns imaginable. (I was at a Westboro-targeted funeral a couple of years ago).

And, this is a media thing, not a real people thing. The Westboro folks milk the media circus with a. The reason you know about this Westboro thing is because of the media, and the media isn't going to go around making documentaries about sad, peaceful military funerals. There's no market in that.

Agreed. It's definitely the media's fault, but I'd rather limit these people from doing it than limiting the media from reporting it.

It's a serious problem that needs to be dealt with.

 

[HAL9000]

I am well aware of why they lost, I was simply pointing out to you that it is legal to sue and win.....also legal to sue and lose.

OK. So what you're saying is it's legal to sue but legal to lose?

Like saying it's legal to call the police but no one get's arrested...?

I'm arguing that these people should not be legally protected so that all lawsuits against them lose.

 

[DaTT]

Agreed. It's definitely the media's fault, but I'd rather limit these people from doing it than limiting the media from reporting it.

It's a serious problem that needs to be dealt with.

They are actually a well educated family that runs it. Lawyers and such. They will be around until they die either by natural causes or assassinated. There is nothing you, I or anyone can do about it....until they break they law, which they never will.

 

[FallenHero]

Sigh, cmon people. It's a Neckbeard thread on Freedom of Speech.