Using the usual elephant gun to hunt mosquitos, Congress has passed a bill banning protests at military funerals.
Folks, this is stupid.
I think that Phred Phelps is a lunatic, a jerk, and unfit to be seen in public, but we already have seven million pounds of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to things like tresspass, disturbing the peace, and whatnot. We do not need another one. Further, distasteful as it is, Phred's speech is as protected as yours and mine. You can't rail against "Political Correctness" and "Hate Speech" laws out one side of your mouth and cheer for legislation like this out of the other.
Plus, while I have plenty of respect for America's fallen heroes, a law with the name "Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act" is just a bit Orwellian, and making it a federal felony to say or do certain things (that will be left open to the judgement of future Justice Departments) within 150ft of a road leading into a cemetery is just bad law, bound for future misuse.
Phred is annoying, but he's temporary. He will die, and his loony followers will realize how fruity they look and go join the Moonies or some other respectable cult and harass people at airports instead of at funerals. This too will pass. But federal law is almost always forever.
Please, folks, unwrap that flag from around you and think before you legislate, okay?
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"Please, folks, unwrap that flag from around you and think before you legislate, okay?"
And this could apply to so many, many of the recent stupidities...
Heh, they could have simply added a law that says that a protest at a funeral is affirmative defense for a self-defense shooting...
Or, just let it all blow away. I *do* like the freedom riders though, that's a hell of a thing to do for your countrymen.
Free speech is only free when you're willing to extend it to the most loathsome opinions you can imagine.
What TN budd said +1
The PGR is a perfect example of Americans doing the right thing, the right way, in response to the Phelps gang.
Phelps and his kooks live not far from me (mapquest says less than 50 miles) and despite his numerous protests in Libervill...I mean Lawrence, he has yet to be lynched by the leftists there. Very suprising considering the vein of Dems that the town produces, i.e. Socialists.
I choose to ignore the bastard, as much as I can, and pull out my PTR91 for cleaning as a means of stress relief.
Tam is right. Fred and his followers (his congregation consists of only his family, BTW) will die and go away, and this law will end up being abused in other ways. Oh the unintended consequences this will bring.
More thinking and a lot less doing on Capital Hill.
Isn't there already a tort in place to handle stuff like this? Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress.
What these guys are doing is no different than if they stood outside rape crisis clinics/shelters and harrassed and mocked the victims, calling them sluts and saying they deserved what they got.
In a very basic way this relates to a post I just wrote.
I bet Phelps hasn't ever had his ass kicked properly. Seems to be a better option than passing another law. Hell, once upon a time getting one's ass kicked was a real possibility and people tended to be aware of it. Acted a lot more civil...then laws and lawyers took care of the ass kickers. I'm told we're better off because of it.
Protesting and making an ass of yourself at funerals should remain legal. Also, the punishment for beating down someone protesting at a military funeral should be 30 minutes in jail.
Perfectly stated response to a genuine outrage, Tam.
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