1. Am I The Only One Troubled?

   I may be about to make myself the most unpopular guy in the blogosphere with this post. I may even be accused of defending the indefensible. But I’m taken aback by the untoward celebration of a decision that imperils the…

   Trackback by Rhymes With Right — 11/1/2007 @ 11/1/2007 - 6:10 am

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2. Phelps and Westboro Baptist ordered to pay millions to slain Marine’s Father: Suppression of free speech or just desserts

   It is a serious question and one I am admittedly bothered by.  Let me explain, but first I want to make it clear that I abhor Phelps and his protests at Soldiers funerals, and his entire anti gay campaign.

   To be double clear, Phelps and his ch…

   Trackback by Leaning Straight Up — 11/3/2007 @ 11/3/2007 - 4:54 am

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1. I’m glad that there was a settlement in the case in favor of the deceased Marine’s family. They were harrassed and their son’s funeral service violated. The thing that bothers me is that this Maryland court has now set a precedent that a church that espouses a view that hurts someones feelings (2 million dollar punitive damages for ‘emotional distress’) can now be sued for ourtageous sums of money to silence them. It may only be a matter of time now before the the so called pro-choice crowd sues churches that speak out against abortion using that same reasoning.

   Comment by mahwah @ 10/31/2007 - 11:14 pm

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2. The Westboro cultists aren’t Baptist by any legitimate definition. They only continue to use the name in a desperate attempt to give them the appearance of legitimacy however with the national publicity of their attrocious actions, such an appearance has long dissolved.

   In regards to the lawsuit itelf, many of Fred Phelps’ offspring and children-in-law are attorneys so expect this to be appealed, delayed, etc. so as to prolong any payment or payments they may be ordered to make. Furthermore, knowing their past behavior, I fully expect them to refuse to pay even if the SCOTUS upholds the lower courts rulings. This might bring about interesting confrontations when seizures are ordered on their properties. Again pointing out the devious attorneys who are blood-related or related by marriage to Phelps, expect all properties to be hidden as best as they can from legal inquiries further delaying any monetary gains by victims of their abuse.

   Please note I intentionally use the plural (victims) because I also further expect more lawsuits given the successful nature of this intitial one.

   The Westboro crowd isn’t finished by any stretch of the imagination but they are riding the downward slope of oblivion with failed brakes and oil-slicked tires.

   Comment by Carl @ 10/31/2007 - 11:52 pm

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3. The power of the state should never be used to repress free speech. Even nut case like Fred Phelps have the right to express their nutty views in public.

   Comment by DavidL @ 11/1/2007 - 6:51 am

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4. The power of the state should never be used to repress free speech.

   Agreed. But it sure is nice to see Phelps squirm a bit.

   Comment by Sister Toldjah @ 11/1/2007 - 8:00 am

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5. This isn’t really a free speech issue, it’s a question of whether people have the right to disrupt a funeral with harrassing behavior.

   A funeral is not the forum for shrill, hysterial, and abusive making political points (unless it’s Paul Wellstone’s). If these bottom feeders had a shred of decency they’d be appalled at the suggestion that they ought to attack dead soldiers and their next of kin. They are filth and garbage and they have no legitimate right to do this at the funerals.

   Comment by Steve Skubinna @ 11/1/2007 - 10:36 pm

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