Does this apply to gays? How could it not apply?

If the judges and Kansas’ Ethics Committee (or whatever it’s called over there) are bad enough, the members of the Bar are not far behind them in obtuseness. SPLC reported that one attorney developed a “novel” approach to beating off the family law firm — when sued for alleged “emotional damage”, the attorney demanded to conduct psychiatric examinations of the Phelpses. Duh. That’s “novel”? As in, under ordinary circumstances, when someone sues you, claiming a mental injury, you DON’T have your psychiatrist examine them?

This may be the root of all the problems with defeating the Phelpses: people just don’t stand up to them. I just can’t understand why. What is this supernatural hold they have on everyone around them that makes people cower? I wish every single person they’ve victimized sued them. They boast that they picket 6 different places per day — imagine if everyone of those became a lawsuit. All over the country. Take the deposition of every picket protester every time, in excruciating detail, for many hours. There won’t be much picketing if the members of WBC spend 10 hours per day in conference rooms being deposed. And if you lose, appeal. And if Phelpses sue you, fight back: flood them with discovery demands and take their depositions like there is no tomorrow. And yes, send them to a psychiatrist every time; build up the record. They keep using the legal system to promote their sick agenda: it’s time their victims availed themselves of it for a change.

Anyone thinking that he is carrying a “peaceful protest” and not harming anyone with it is wrong.

He and his “crew” travelled (by his own admission) more than 700 miles to “stand on their dirty streets” (a quote from his blog) and protest the fact that they wanted their teens buried with respect and dignity. They sang filthy songs about the girls and taunted the family members.

Earlier someone used the parallel of “crying fire” in a crowded theater. Others said this was not the same.

I guess the parallel for me would be more simple. Do human beings have the right to gather to worship God without someone trying to keep them from doing it? Would anyone tolerate an organization that walked into an Islamic Temple, a Jewish Synagogue, or a Black Church to spew hatred and keep them from worshiping?

The constitution gives us the RIGHT to peacefully assemble. The constitution gives us the RIGHT to worship God. Those who prevent us from being able to do those things (even under what they consider “freedom of speech”) are breaking the law.

I appreciate the comment earlier using the words “assault and battery” since that is closer to what his tactics entail than simple words. Fred Phelps can no longer batter his own children because they have grown up, and he must not be allowed to verbally batter others in the midst of their sorrow.

Many of the statutes passed probably do run afoul of the First Amendment simply because the burden of proof on the government, in cases involving restrictions on speech, is so incredibly high. The lawsuit in question, however, was by an individual for intentional infliction of emotional distress. There is nothing unconstitutional in bringing that lawsuit or in the jury finding for the plaintiff. Speak all you want — but if you use your words to hurt someone in particularly vicious ways, you might just have to untie your purse strings.

Jenny from Australia: That is one of the most simplistic things I’ve ever read. Not all “rights” are legally enshrined, and individuals’ interests (often mistakenly called “rights”) often run up against each other. Legislatures and courts must balance them — not as you said, proceed on the assumption that “one’s right does not negate another’s”. Your right to privacy is your doctor’s right to disclose your medical records. See? How do you reconcile that? As to the comment about the “nutty USA”, an old Russian proverb is apt here: “Every bird exalts his own swamp.” You are no exception.

Anyway, this man is an insult to humanity. His teachings are monsterous and bigoted. His crime is in hating. How dare he protest the funeral where a family is already in mourning. He must have absolutely no emotions.
What an asshole.

Nothing.

These people that are proclaiming to be baptist Christians are not right by doing this. They are obviously not loving their neighbor, and that is wrong. It appears that they are out to force their views of what is right and wrong on others, which is not wrong by any means, but how they are doing it, is dead wrong. The only reason they have the right to hold up those signs is because of those dead soldiers, and they are spiting in the faces of their families!

Prayer works a lot better than holding a sign thanking God for dead soldiers and ied’s. That’s just sick! And this is coming from a Christian!

They are making God out to be some bully with a magnifying glass looking to blow up whoever he deems fit. Jesus loves us all more than any of our puny pea sized brains could ever comprehend. When these people see thru His eyes one day what they did, they are going to want to shrivel up and die under a rock. I think we all will want to do that because a little white lie vs. what these people are doing, is no different.

There isn’t a grade on sin. You dont get a “B” for a white lie, and an “F” for murdering somebody. It’s all a big “F” in God’s eyes.

We all must repent and accept what Jesus came into this world to do…. to die for our sins. He was THE replacement for your death. All you have to do is reach out and accept him at his word. That is what makes a true Christian.

Do you people who are doing this actually think that God is applauding you, clapping his hands for causing these people grief at these funerals? I think your pride has blinded you.

Repent!