Freedom of speech at what cost?

Question

I am all for freedom of speech but when EVIL NUT CASES like the Phelps family wants to protest at military funerals and even the Amish girls funerals....I have to ask FREEDOM OF SPEECH at what cost?

Answer 1

I'm really really against this war.

However I cannot believe anyone would be so unfeeling as to protest at a soldiers funeral.

I don't think this is Freedom of Speech....I think this should be classified as loitering and they should be arrested.

Answer 2

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is a part of the United States Bill of Rights. Textually, it prohibits the federal legislature from making laws that:

Establish a state religion or prefer certain religion (the "Establishment Clause");
Prohibit free exercise of religion (the "Free Exercise Clause");
Infringe the freedom of speech;
Infringe the freedom of the press;
Limit the right to assemble peaceably;
Limit the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The First Amendment only explicitly disallows any of the rights from being abridged by laws made by Congress, but as the first sentence in the body of the Constitution reserves all law-making ("legislative") authority to Congress, the courts have held that this extends to the executive and judicial branches. Additionally, in the 20th century the Supreme Court has held that the Due Process clause of the 1868 Fourteenth Amendment "incorporates" the limitations of the First Amendment to also restrict the states


In the end, as Learned Hand said, "Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution or court can save it." Thus, we may wish to take Thomas Jefferson's oath: "I have sworn on the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."

Answer 3

I always thought the phrase "freedom of speech" meant, you can say anything you want and the government cannot prosecute you for what you said.

It never meant, you can say anything you want and suffer no consequences. It also never meant, just because you can say it, you should. Obviously, there are things you really shouldn't say and if you do, you will suffer various consequences.

I think, those people who protest at funeral is abusing this privilege and are cheapening this privilege that many in this world do not enjoy.

I think everybody EXCEPT them are agreeing with what they do. In that sense, they are making fool of themselves at their own expense. Although I symphasize with those who has to see it and suffer, this is perhaps the cost of the freedom we enjoy.

It is true they have no respect or common sense, but the law is not the right place to control this. (you cannot require by law everyone have common sense)

Answer 4

Fortunately you had the right to post this question, do evil nut cases not have the right also? Sad but true, some people can ruin things for a lot of people.

Answer 5

I saw this same group protesting at my Church Lackwood Church in Houston texas and all of the ausher and pray parner line up in fron of them and ask people to pray for them!
Why would you put a sigh saing God Hate you in front of a Church!

Answer 6

With Freedoms come Responsibilities. Why is that always forgotten?

Answer 7

I agree and I was very disturbed over this. I agree this goes well beyond freedom of speech, it should be illegal.

Answer 8

pretty soon that will be gone too, and we won't have any freedoms left, all in the name of fighting terror