What do you think of Bush's law against Rev. Fred Phelps?

Question

Rev. Fred Phelps is a baptist minister who made a habit of protesting at gay people's funerals... he gained alot of media attention when he and his clonies showed up at Mathew Shepards funeral and assaulted Mathew's mother with signs and sticks that read "God Hates F-ags" and "Mathew burns in Hell"

More recently Mr. Phelps had been protesting the funerals of US soldiers who died in Iraq with signs reading "God hates America" and "Fa-ggot Soldiers Burn in Hell"

So Bush passed a law saying that he could not demonstrate until 30 minutes after the soldiers funeral has let out...

Some people argue that he has the right to freedom of speech
Others are thankful for the law
While some think that the law should apply to ALL funerals and not just protect the soldiers and their families...

What's your opinion?

Answer 1

Phelps makes me ashamed to be from Kansas... I have been familiar with his antics for many years. I especially dislike the fact that they have all their little children carrying their signs, with drawings of gay people having sex in hell... and with words the kids can't even read, mostly they just hit eachother with the signs (bored and violent.) Whenever these people do protests, also at concerts and plays and operas where an actor or musician is gay or weird, in my comparatively liberal hometown Lawrence people who are straight often openly kiss people from the same sex just to piss these guys off. I agree that they should not allow people to protest at funerals... but not just soldiers.

Answer 2

On the surface, this appears to be an issue of free speech.
But on closer look, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that a funeral (ANY funeral) is a time for solemn reflection of the person who died and the grief of the loved ones who are left behind.

Simply put: the rights of the so-called Reverend end where the funeral (and those within sight & earshot) begin.
The grieving party has a higher right to privacy, dignity and respect.

Regardless of what you or I think about homosexuals or the war in Iraq, let me just close by stating that any American solider (be he or she black/white/brown, Jewish/Christian, straight or whatever), who has died during times of war deserves the utmost respect.
Those people are defending our freedoms.
The freedoms that some abuse in the most despicable way.

Answer 3

well phelps has his right to free speech.....it's sad how he uses it...the man has no respect.yes it is said that being homosexual is something that god is against.if those people are to burn in hell then you know that's how it will be.but phelps doesn't need to go around with signs and all that.it's hard enough for people at a funeral with out having some disrespectful man outside screaming.as far as the soldiers go again no respect.they are fighting most dont want to and here's this guy again showing no respect at funerals.im not a violent guy but if my brother died in war and i saw him outside protesting.phelps would want some police around him because i would go out there and yeah beat his ***.The man has no respect.he has freedom of speech and what bush did is not constitutionally right.im not a very religious man but im sure god's not a huge fan of what phelps does.karma will come back on him.

Answer 4

I am not familure with this Mr, phelps, andhave not read much about him , and I really don't care what he does at the homo funerals ,I do feel he is very insinsitive to others as I am sure that some at least of the people who attend the homos funeral are relatives who love the person but, are still against his or hers choice of life style, But, when it comes to demostrating and calling the men or women names and ect, who are fighting for our countrys freedom and our way of life then as merle haggard put it he is walking on the fighting side of me, those people are not putting their lives on the line, being away from their families , and living in the conditions that they are, because it is fun they are doing what their country demands of them and following orders,and if it is wrong blame the ones who sent them there, most of them are not involved politicially but doing what they are ordered to do , and if we didn't have them Mr,Phelps would not have the freedom to protest or complain as he evidently is, if I happened to be present at a military funeral and Mr, phelps pulled his s,,,,, he would certaintly get his a,,,, kicked or me one, so call me what you like, therefore I have to say I am for this law, which should be unneccessary to begin with, as no doubt will be construed to include other things that we will find regrettable,

Answer 5

before each little thing Rev. Fred Phelps is meant to prepare what the bible says about how we are all gods creatures. How can every person that spread such airborne dirt and mud and hate be stated as a Reverend? purely because he disagrees with the conflict and authorities that even with the undeniable fact that doesn't supply him the right to flow to a funeral of a fallen soldier and commence yelling such terrible issues. That individual is someones father, mom, sister, brother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle.............. there is continuously a kinfolk destroyed even as a loved one lays their existence on the line. It makes the soreness worse and very nearly the warriors giving up their lives unnecessary even as there are idiots like that accessible. i'm talking as a protection stress better half.

Answer 6

People do have a right to protest and also freedom of speech.. But I do agree with Bush , the family members have a right to mourn their loved ones death in peace . Obviously the guy is still able to stage his protest , but not at the expense of the family and friends of soldiers. I don't want Cindy Sheehan yelling "murderer" over the grave of a family member who was killed during a war or conflict.. Good for Bush.

Answer 7

Yes, I've seen the web site, http://www.godhatesfags.com

Phelps, disbarred lawyer and anti-Semitic scumbag that he is, is entitled to his opinion.

Sad thing is that the soldiers whose funerals he pickets died for nothing except Bush's campaign on behalf of the military industrial complex. His grab of the Iraqi oil fields. He New Crusade against the Muslims.

His preparation for the end times and the Rapture.

Answer 8

I hadn't heard about this but I must approve of a law that prohibits vicious people from attacking others in their time of sorrow. Yes, I believe Phelps should be prevented from doing this at anyone's funeral. It is inexcusable.

Free speech is one thing, savagery is quite another.

Answer 9

30 mins after the funeral?
That idiot shouldn't be able to protest whatsoever! For godsakes, a man has died and some ignorant fool rather march around and humiliate him. A man who has served also for his country. That man will burn in hell!

Answer 10

NOBODY SHOULD DISTURB A SOLDIERS FUNERAL. I SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT ON THIS ONE.