Read this breaking news….
Breaking News Alert
The New York Times
Wed, March 02, 2011 — 11:12 AM ET
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Protests at Military Funerals Are Protected Speech, Justices Rule
The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that protests and picketing at military funerals are protected by the First Amendment’s free-speech guarantee, taking precedence over the mourners’ right to privacy.
The court decided 8-1 to uphold a lower court decision in favor of members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., who frequently stage protests at private military funerals to promote the church’s claim that God is angry at America for its tolerance of homosexuality, with signs bearing messages like “Thank God for Dead Soldiers,” “You’re Going to Hell” and “God Hates the USA.”
The ruling was a defeat for Albert Snyder, the father of a Marine killed in Iraq in 2006, whose funeral at a Catholic church in Westminster, Md., was picketed by the Westboro group.
I ask, is this the same America where service-people are continually centered out for their courageous service to their country, where the flag is perpetually lowered in honor of the fallen. Really? I find it hard to believe this is the land where the President gets up in front of the country during a State of the Union address, focuses on the military, and thanks them for their service. In this same country, the supreme court sanctions the idea of protests (nasty protests) at funerals for these very men and women. Wow… Talk about a contradiction. And to add insult to injury, have a look at this site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church. How in god’s name, after looking at that, can one not wonder what the supreme court is thinking. Frankly, these “Church” members probably put on white costumes at night.
I Call it Like I See It 