Westboro Baptist protest in Mississippi does not go as planned

Ought Six · 04-21-2011, 09:24 PM

http://thehayride.com/2011/04/westbo...ppi-and-loses/

Auburn Boy · 04-21-2011, 09:47 PM

The setup by that county is hillarious!!! I'm glad they pulled it off!

Those morons from Westboro Baptist deserve all the harrassment they get..,

CanadaSue · 04-21-2011, 10:03 PM

Okay, let's say you're a member of the 'lawyering Phelps clan'... You're ticked off as all get out that you were thwarted. LEGALLY - what grounds might you have for a suit & who could you sue?

dharma · 04-21-2011, 10:07 PM

First Amendment rights were denied them, and by a government entity; that's the tack they will take. But proving it? Getting a jury verdict in their favor? Aye, there's the rub.

Only a Fed would be stupid enough to take this to court.

Ought Six · 04-22-2011, 01:01 AM

As a matter of principle, what was done to them was wrong. Sometimes it is really hard to stand by your principles....

CanadaSue · 04-22-2011, 01:16 AM

As much as I loved it - it was wrong. I hate admitting that but there you go.

Straycat · 04-22-2011, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadaSue

As much as I loved it - it was wrong. I hate admitting that but there you go.

Yeah, technically it is.

But you know, as badly as that bunch has abused their freedom of speech, with the malicious intent to deliberately cause pain... I can't say I'm sorry in the slightest.

Twoolf · 04-22-2011, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadaSue

As much as I loved it - it was wrong. I hate admitting that but there you go.

There's that pesky first amendment again. We don't get to pick and choose who or when it applies. That said, I'd like to buy each and every resident involved a beer. Somtimes the overwhelming community standards might have to take precedent.

Malcolm · 04-22-2011, 10:22 PM

I think there is some type of "malicious software" in that link ......................beware

Ought Six · 04-23-2011, 02:13 AM

My heart is also with those Mississippi folks. Like I said, sometimes it is hard to have principles.

rryan · 04-23-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twoolf

There's that pesky first amendment again. We don't get to pick and choose who or when it applies. That said, I'd like to buy each and every resident involved a beer. Somtimes the overwhelming community standards might have to take precedent.

My sentiments exactly

Mama Alanna · 04-23-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twoolf

There's that pesky first amendment again. We don't get to pick and choose who or when it applies. That said, I'd like to buy each and every resident involved a beer. Somtimes the overwhelming community standards might have to take precedent.

Quote:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

How were their first amendment rights violated? No governmental entity prohibited their whacked-off beliefs. No one held them down and superglued gags over their mouths. If they wished to assemble in the motel parking lot, no one stopped them.(And I would not call their plans "peaceable".

) If they wanted to walk, cab, or hitchhike to the funeral, they could have. Redressment did not apply.

So what rights were violated?

Twoolf · 04-23-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mama Alanna

So what rights were violated?

Didn't say they were. But just for the sake of discussion, and filling the role of devil's advocate, denying them their own transportation to get to a destination of their choice to exercise their right to assemble could be interpreted as violating their first amendment rights. Personally, I don't agree with that and if the folks of that town ever need an extra truck they can give me a call.

penguinzee · 04-23-2011, 02:32 PM

Hmm, seems the Phelps clan got a real taste of "Southern Justice"... I've seen that before, and usually it's because someone is seen as a pariah (rightly or wrongly), kinda in the same vein as "shunning" that happens in some clans and sects-you're just shut out, period.

I'd love to see Phelps try to sue-he'd have to sue the entire town! Were gov't people involved-why, yes of course, but not officially. There's not a scrap of evidence that Phelps will get his hands on, because for being a bunch of "good ol boys" I can guarantee that they KNEW not to leave any sort of paper trail-all planning was done via word of mouth.

I think I've finally figured out where I stand on all this-The First Amendment must be held up, of course, but the Phelps clan needs to relearn the Golden Rule-Do unto others as you would have others done onto you-so long as they keep doing these protests, and disrespecting the families of the dead, then I have no problem with everyone showing them the same disrespect that they have earned (i.e. blocking them in their parking spaces-GREAT move!!!)

Franc (penguinzee)

Ought Six · 04-23-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mama Alanna

How were their first amendment rights violated? No governmental entity prohibited their whacked-off beliefs. No one held them down and superglued gags over their mouths. If they wished to assemble in the motel parking lot, no one stopped them.(And I would not call their plans "peaceable".

) If they wanted to walk, cab, or hitchhike to the funeral, they could have. Redressment did not apply.

So what rights were violated?

It is quite obvious. The cops and people took specific actions designed to prevent a political protest from happening. No mystery here. This would be a slam-dunk First Amendment case if anything could be proven. Of course, nothing can be.