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Just_Me
Harrisburg, PA
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The Fourth Estate wrote: it would have found the Phelpses did not have the right to protest directly outside Snyder's funeral."
One thousand feet away isn't 'directly outside.' Then what measure of logic has been applied toward the decision to transport a bunch of Phelps' idiots halfway across the county to state their protest at that particular funeral, and on that particular date? They intentionally singled out the funeral, and even faced their followers and picket signs toward the event. There is no way any form of law can be applied to justify those actions as a casual exercise of free speech. If they had protested toward all compass directions at the town square on the same date, instead of being so close to the funeral, their actions would have had better free speech protection, albeit highly suspect. The Fourth Estate wrote: If the free speech part of the First Amendment can be gutted, then so too can be the freedom of religion part. Will the government also then be allowed to decide what constitutes a bona fide religion based on the same subjective criteria as they will judge speech?
Albert Snyder has every right to be outraged, but that outrage should not be allowed to become a launch pad to do away with one of the underlying principles this country was founded upon, and one for which his son, ostensibly, died defending.
Mr. Snyder could do more good if he directed his anger and grief over his son’s death towards stopping needless and senseless wars, rather than stopping free speech.
The ugliest speech is far prettier than any war. Now that you've exercised your free speech, take a lesson on the details of the case. THIS IS NOT A FREE SPEECH ARGUMENT!!! It is based on overturning an incorrectly applied ruling by focusing on what damage has been inflicted by the Phelps, "intentional infliction of emotional distress and intrusion upon seclusion" The Phelps' primary "justification" for what they do is that they picket against funerals because the family supports a military force that allows gays. I'll repeat it for you, "They protest against the people who they feel support a policy the Phelps don't believe in." The important difference between their picketing and that of anti-abortionists is that abortion clinics are generally open and available to the public. Funerals are not. Since you appear to be a Phelps supporter hiding behind a fragile argument involving what is considered free speech, understand that if the Phelps ruling stands, then anyone willing can stand in public areas, 1000 feet from your home, and picket against you and your support for the Phelps. Are you ready to be the subject of that kind of "free speech"?
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GLORIA RUTHERFORD
Kingston, OH
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Judged:
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Our service men and women protect our freedom...it's not free...many have given their lives over the years. My brother died in Vietnam...I can assure you had this taken place at his funeral my family would not have stood by with out taking some action on his behalf. I support the Snyder family and pray that our Supreme Court will rule in their favor...it is the right thing to do.
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Sandy
Bridgeport, PA
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Fourth estate, You are an idiot, What branch of the military did you serve in. Also you need to get your facts streight, try reading some of the transcript of the trial. If it were my kid they wouldn't have to worry about a judge, and that is what is eventually going to happen, god forbid the bullet hits the mother of the dead soldier they are burying.
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John
Morgantown, WV
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This is the United States of America, Since when does anyone have "rights"??? We defeated the constitution in the war on drugs and finished off what was left of it with the war on terror. Throw these West Boro guys in jail. This is America not some free for all.
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Sandy
Bridgeport, PA
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The Fourth Estate wrote: Let's see a show of hands here....
How many of you know that Albert Snyder never saw the protesters at his son's funeral?
They were 1000 feet away from the church--complying with local laws--and Mr. Snyder only learned of their presence from a televised news story he watched later that day.
In support of overturning the Fourth Circuit's opinion, even Harry Reid and the other 40 senators who filed the amicus brief are unaware of this fact given their statement which said: "If the Fourth Circuit used the correct standard, the senators said, it would have found the Phelpses did not have the right to protest directly outside Snyder's funeral."
One thousand feet away isn't 'directly outside.'
And how is this any different from anti-abortion protesters voicing their opinions outside of clinics and calling women murderers?
If the offensive speech—and it is offensive speech--of the WBC is stopped, then the next-in-line offensive speech will targeted...then the next...and the next....
Eventually it will come down to each and every one of us being silenced by a government to whom we will have given control over that which the constitution wisely and carefully precluded them from having.
If the free speech part of the First Amendment can be gutted, then so too can be the freedom of religion part. Will the government also then be allowed to decide what constitutes a bona fide religion based on the same subjective criteria as they will judge speech?
Albert Snyder has every right to be outraged, but that outrage should not be allowed to become a launch pad to do away with one of the underlying principles this country was founded upon, and one for which his son, ostensibly, died defending.
Mr. Snyder could do more good if he directed his anger and grief over his son’s death towards stopping needless and senseless wars, rather than stopping free speech.
The ugliest speech is far prettier than any war. are you a moron, Mr. Snyder new they were going to be there, do you think he is going to leave his sons body to go see what some signs said, and by the way they were not 1000 feet away they were less then 30 feet from the main vhicle enterence of the church, they positioned themself there, and by the way there were no distence laws when his son was buryed. What branch of the military did you serve in I'll bet none you moron
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FISHMAN
Bridgeport, PA
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Wake up people its all about the MONEY,think about it have you heard one word from the mother or any other family member,this thing started out about the son .nows it all about MR. SYNDER, MONEY MONEY MONEY, easy street if he pulls it off,think real hard , i would like to hear from another family member, from what i hear they want nothing to do with what MR. SNYDER is doing
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WAYNE
York, PA
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Fishman you are an a%# hole.
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tom
York, PA
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Hay Fishman, If you ever saw these idiots in person you would realize why Mr. Snyder has kept his family out of this. For you info. I have seen his daughters comment on what their father is doing in the Baltimore Sun, they are very proud of their dad and talks about how strong he is. I have also seen articals from his sister and from what I have read she was like a second mother to Matt. and by the way are you related to the Phelps , you certainly sound like it. Get a life and do some research before you talk like an jacka%s
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tom
York, PA
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Shame on the YDR, you never cease to amaze me , where on earth did you find this idiot, Your paper is a rag. This is why I canceled my subscription and think after this article many more will see the rag you are and do the same, I would not use your paper to wipe myself
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the support
Chicago, IL
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I think snyder is a real and westboro baptist church is telling the truth
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the support
Chicago, IL
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the westboro baptist church has the right to freedom of speech why pick on a little church why dont you go sue the country of Iraq im sure they have done more the wesboro baptist church did not kill your son the iraqis did go sue them
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George
Frederick, MD
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Judged:
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the support wrote: the westboro baptist church has the right to freedom of speech why pick on a little church why dont you go sue the country of Iraq im sure they have done more the wesboro baptist church did not kill your son the iraqis did go sue them Why pick on an innocent soldier and his family??? Westboro is nothing more than a bunch of hate mongoring non-christaisn that should burn in hell! Oh, by the way it is my freedom of speech to say that!
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Sandy
Bridgeport, PA
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the support is really a member of the westboro cult. you are crazy and we know who you are. Snyder will win
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billy
Bridgeport, PA
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The support is just another anti war nut job, maybe he should join the westboro cult, he sounds as nuts.
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the fourth estate
Bridgeport, PA
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I want to say I am sorry , I was incorrect, I need to get my facts streight. You go Mr Snyder , I hope you kick their a$s
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just sayin
York, PA
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Al Snyder is a hero. I just hope and pray the SCOTUS sees it that way too! God Bless him for standing up this way. No person in their right mind, desires to have their life turned upside down like this. You insensitive morons saying that it is for money or notoriety should suffer a loss this great yourselves. Maybe then you'd understand this fathers devotion for his son and for the other sons and daughters that will hopefully not be smeared in this way.
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The Fourth Estate
Saint Augustine, FL
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the fourth estate wrote: I want to say I am sorry , I was incorrect, I need to get my facts streight. You go Mr Snyder , I hope you kick their a$s A valiant effort at distortion/obfuscation, but not good enough to fool any except those who are among the most ignorant. My facts are straight and are taken from the trial transcript. They're are not based on Topix rumors or wishful thinking. Read it for yourself, and please confine any further comments you have to addressing the rulings of the court--and challenge them, if you can, with statutory or case law. I particularly call your attention to the bottom of page 5, and the top of page 40, but if you really want to be informed, feel free to read it in its entirety.
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Fourth Estate
York, PA
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I am a member of the Westboro cult and we are all inbreads, I love my sister Shirley she is very tasty ask my father he will tell you the same.
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cec2
Dayton, OH
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The Fourth Estate wrote: <quoted text>
In what way, exactly, were the rights of the Snyders infringed? Certainly, you’re not suggesting that one has the right to not be offended. Can you even begin to imagine the restrictions we’d all face if that were the case? It is not a matter of being offended, or fear of offending someone. It ws the emotional injury that accompanied that offense. That is exactly what is happening in this country. It's bad enough that we now say 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas'. There is so much political correctness because no one wants to offend. That goes back to the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. If I wear something you don't like - turn your head. If I say something you don't like - get out of earshot. But when you are attending a funeral you shouldn't have to leave if the offensive voice is an univited one. Common sense needs to rule here.
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