When I next move, it may be to THIS town...

[Richter]

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

As entertaining and "that's awesome" as this was, it hurts free speech. A good measure of what our actual freedom of speech is, is how protected the most detestable speech is. Speech that is not wildly unpopular does not need protected.

As much as I'd like to see Phelps & Co. on the receiving end of a spectacular beating, this event was government suppression of free speech.

What he said.  There's that dissconenct between people being free to say what they want, and people having to take responsibility for what they say.

[Disco Pickle]

WBC believes they are engaging in the exposition of an idea.  One which is very important to them, as self-appointed guardians of morality.

I think you mean this one.  I agree with that, that's what they believe, and the court has agreed with them.

I don't believe they're conveying any idea that is worth a damn to anyone, but that's only my opinion.  While there are certainly people who agree with WHAT they're saying and others believe that they should not be prohibited from saying it, even if they don't agree, any reasonable person would disagrees with HOW they're saying it.    

[The Good Reverend Roger]

WBC believes they are engaging in the exposition of an idea.  One which is very important to them, as self-appointed guardians of morality.

I think you mean this one.  I agree with that, that's what they believe, and the court has agreed with them.

I don't believe they're conveying any idea that is worth a damn to anyone, but that's only my opinion.  While there are certainly people who agree with WHAT they're saying and that they should not be prohibited from saying it, even if you don't agree, any reasonable person would disagrees with HOW they're saying it.    

On public property?

Perhaps we should establish "First Amendment Zones" 3 miles away from all sidewalks.  Or maybe a big empy building with soundproof walls.

[Luna]

A good measure of what our actual freedom of speech is, is how protected the most detestable speech is. Speech that is not wildly unpopular does not need protected.

THIS.

Truth.

It was wrong.

But I still enjoyed it.

[Richter]

WBC believes they are engaging in the exposition of an idea.  One which is very important to them, as self-appointed guardians of morality.

I think you mean this one.  I agree with that, that's what they believe, and the court has agreed with them.

I don't believe they're conveying any idea that is worth a damn to anyone, but that's only my opinion.  While there are certainly people who agree with WHAT they're saying and that they should not be prohibited from saying it, even if you don't agree, any reasonable person would disagrees with HOW they're saying it.    

On public property?

Perhaps we should establish "First Amendment Zones" 3 miles away from all sidewalks.  Or maybe a big empy building with soundproof walls.

Remember the "Protest Zones" for the last WTO conference?

[Disco Pickle]

WBC believes they are engaging in the exposition of an idea.  One which is very important to them, as self-appointed guardians of morality.

I think you mean this one.  I agree with that, that's what they believe, and the court has agreed with them.

I don't believe they're conveying any idea that is worth a damn to anyone, but that's only my opinion.  While there are certainly people who agree with WHAT they're saying and that they should not be prohibited from saying it, even if you don't agree, any reasonable person would disagrees with HOW they're saying it.    

On public property?

Perhaps we should establish "First Amendment Zones" 3 miles away from all sidewalks.  Or maybe a big empy building with soundproof walls.

yeah, you're right.  bad idea.  i concede all previous arguments.  let them bark their psychobabble all they want, wherever they want.  

[Eater of Clowns]

From the Muir Woods National Park.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

WBC believes they are engaging in the exposition of an idea.  One which is very important to them, as self-appointed guardians of morality.

I think you mean this one.  I agree with that, that's what they believe, and the court has agreed with them.

I don't believe they're conveying any idea that is worth a damn to anyone, but that's only my opinion.  While there are certainly people who agree with WHAT they're saying and that they should not be prohibited from saying it, even if you don't agree, any reasonable person would disagrees with HOW they're saying it.    

On public property?

Perhaps we should establish "First Amendment Zones" 3 miles away from all sidewalks.  Or maybe a big empy building with soundproof walls.

Remember the "Protest Zones" for the last WTO conference?

Or the last 2 democratic party conventions, for that matter, or anywhere Bush went.

The 2004 democratic party convention had the "freedom of speech zone" on the other side of a 2 acre parking lot, inside a razor wire-enclosed area.

Inside the convention, the spectators had to stand in big cages.  No shit.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

From the Muir Woods National Park.

When I was young, the entire country was a first amendment zone.

[Richter]

I feel this makes the counter - trolls like Iptuous mentioned only that much more awesome.

[Shibboleet The Annihilator]

This isn't really related to free speech, but it should be noted that the WBC people are pretty much just lawsuit trolls trying to goad people into situations where they can be sued.

Keep this in mind if you ever have any interactions with them.

[Dysfunctional Cunt]

From the Muir Woods National Park.

When I was young, the entire country was a first amendment zone.

You can't have that anymore Roger, think of the children....

[The Good Reverend Roger]

When I was young, the entire country was a first amendment zone.

You can't have that anymore Roger, think of the children....

We were very irresponsible, back then.

[Dysfunctional Cunt]

When I was young, the entire country was a first amendment zone.

You can't have that anymore Roger, think of the children....

We were very irresponsible, back then.

EXACTLY!!  Look how you and I turned out.

[Luna]

When I was young, the entire country was a first amendment zone.

You can't have that anymore Roger, think of the children....

We were very irresponsible, back then.

EXACTLY!!  Look how you and I turned out.

I do... and I look at the students here at the university.

Times when running your mouth could get your teeth knocked down your throat seem to have made better people.