"Gene" <
gene....@home.com> wrote in message...
> "a425couple" <
a425c...@hotmail.com> wrote in message...
>>> Dan the Man wrote ...
>>>> Noj wrote:
>>>> >
http://www.pitpass.com/47893-Church-group-targets-Austin-GP
>>>> The Westboro people are the same ones who protested at funerals of
>>>> American soldiers because they were convinced we were all going to
>>>> Hades
>>>> for our complicity in allowing homosexuals to have rights. Or
>>>> something.
>>>> It's hard to get a grasp on these wingnuts.
>>>
>>> Explain why your politicians chase their votes?
>>
>> Please Noj, do give an example of what politician "chased" any votes from
>> the Westboro church?
>> And respectfully back to Dan, their main goal seems to be to push "free
>> speech", even when it is not popular.
>
> Right. You see, their holding signs saying that gawd hates
> fags, are glad (s)he's dead, it's the price America pays for
> immoral behavior ... at the funeral of a recently departed
> loved one isn't for purposes of inciting violence or fostering
> hatred, they're simply engaging in the academic pursuit and
> philosophical exercise of investigating and pushing the
> boundaries of free speech.
>
> Either you're that idiotic or desperately hope and earnestly
> trust that your desired audience will be.
"Idiotic" ? Maybe in some things, sure (GRIN!), BUT not on this.
My sworn duty was to protect free speech.
I was being paid, to among other things, financially protect
my jurisdiction from ruinious lawsuits.
(Please, if you missed it earlier, do read "Sla#s" very valid post).
Also note, "WBC, through the closely related Phelps Chartered law firm,
has collected fees under the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Award Act of
1976 when their protests have been unlawfully disrupted."
You deny it is protected "free speech", but since the SCOTUS
ruled 8 to 1 that it is, YOU ARE WRONG!
It is ugly, nasty, and rather despicable speech, but if a jurisdiction
fails to adequately protect it, Westboro can become enriched,
the the community becomes poorer.
They did several demonstrations in my area I had to work on.
One time it was 5 straight days. Tense work to keep the
'counter-protestors' from getting into fights when these
Westboro jerks are pushing every hot button they can.
Sure & sadly, some of our citizens could not see the forest
for the trees, and were angry at us for allowing, neigh even "protecting"
them. The community leaders understood, and spoke out supporting us.
It was quite tough, but satisfying, as they packed up to go to the
airport, and we stood down, confident that any lawsuit was unlikely.
Bottom line, if Westboro is there, it is easiest on the emotions
to just avoid them. You can not win an argument with them
to change their minds.
But,,,, some people like watching others take a stick and poke
at a hornet's nest,,,, so have fun!
(Hey, it takes special talent to get Bill O'Reilly, and Michael Moore,
and the KKK to all denounce you!)