February 6, 2006
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Insidious Hazards of Free Speech
I have written on several occasions about my appreciation for the First
Amendment, particularly the right of free speech. I’m not sure I
am capable of keeping my thoughts to myself. If I did, I would
probably explode.This, the efficacy of self-expression for letting off steam, is one of
the weaknesses in our system. We protest and picket, satirize and
criticize our imbecilic politicians and some of us get the feeling from
this that we are doing something. Perhaps, in a system where we
were not allowed to express our dissent, we would be more likely to
rise up and overthrow the corrupt system.That’s one hazard in free speech, one that’s been on my mind for a while. Today, I learned about this other one:
Reverend Fred Phelps (right, above) of Westboro Baptist Church, Topeka,
Kansas, and his congregation made up mostly of members of his extended
family, have been pushing the limits of free speech. They plan to
picket Coretta Scott King’s funeral this week, and have picketed the
funerals of miners killed in West Virginia and soldiers killed in Iraq.Many news stories report that they go beyond the bounds of “speech”,
into stalking, assault and harrassment. They have intimidated the
police in their hometown. Images on their website could be
considered pornographic, and much of Phelps’s invective is
obscene. They evade the prohibition of “fighting_words,” only narrowly.Ostensibly, they want the U.S. to outlaw sodomy, but one of the members
has said that even if that was done, they would find some other cause
to picket. I’m still thinking about all of this. I may have
more to say
about it later on. My intuitive feeling is that Rev. Phelps is a
cynical hypocrite who doesn’t actually believe everything he preaches,
but is using these inflammatory ideas as a ploy to gain power and
attention. Feel free to comment, whether you agree or not.
It is your right, after all.
Comments (18)
A while ago a seven-year-old boy in my town got in trouble at school for explaining to a classmate that he didn’t have a mom and dad, he had two moms; that this was because his mom is gay; and that gay means, in his words, “when a girl likes another girl.”
Fred Phelps and his group picketed the school, even though the school had punished the boy for mentioning the word gay. Obviously just an attention grab.
Sounds to me like that Phelps fucker needs a straight-jacket and padded cell. That’s one angry, hateful asshole, and he’s got to have some hardcore issues buried somewhere.
sadly, it happens when people don’t understand that his/her freedom ends where other one’s begin….
Yeah. It seems that if speech is always free, it feels too cheap. But if people in our government get their way, they just might succeed in taking away this freedom. Are you ready for the revolution?:lookaround:
All I know about Phelps is what I read in Wikipedia. I think he’s just pathetically sick. People whose god is a vicious imitation of the worst of humanity… well, I can’t help but feel a little bit sorry for them.
And there are some people who protest just because they can. Maybe Phelps didn’t get enough attention as a child. Who knows?
Phelps came to my county, Boyd, because students were attempting to start a ‘GSA’, or Gay-Straight alliance to promote tolerance. I despise the man, and I doubt he’s even read the book he gets his sermons from.
I think he is afraid that if people are tolerent of anothers beliefs that they might get smart and put him out of buisness…knowledge is power and the smarter and more educated you are the more toelerant you should be
I agree. wag finger at him. :nono:
i was listening to npr yesterday, which had an angry sounding fred phelps telling the reporter “it’s my job” … according to the report, he’s done 25,000 of these protests … many all over the country … and something occured to me
how does a guy with a small congregation like his afford to travel all over the country with his crew and demonstrate? … that’s kind of expensive … and i have a hard time believing he or his parishoners have enough money themselves
who’s financing this? … some reporter really should look into this
Actually, he probably believes everything he preaches but is so mentally compartmentalized that he does not see his hypocrisy. There is “free speech,” and there is also “just being a dick.” He is the latter.
agreed. I first hear of this sucker yesterday, boy am I disconnected or what.
I can’t believe that anyone would disrespect the dead and mourning to picket a funeral. That in itself is what appalls me the most.
How can he expect to be taken seriously after something like that? It is inhumane.
WTF….I just can’t believe that the Babtist Church, as a whole, would allow this guy to openly affiliate with them. Even if they do secretly or silently agree with him…there is just much hate there. Does it not bother them that this man preaches hate? This just reinforces my decision to stay away from organized religion.
Thanks for visiting my site, Kathy. I live in Kansas, and Fred P. is an abomination! You’re right, I think all of what he does is an effort to glorify his own narcissistic ego!
Kathi
Wow, this topic is everywhere today *l*. I talked to my mom about it, and some close friends and I were talking about it. What makes me sad about the situation, not only are these people not showing simple respect for the dead and/or bereaved, they’re bringing their children out to do this. They’re teaching their children that it’s ok to treat people like this…..the whole situation is sad. Unfortunately, even if laws or addendums like this are passed, it will only make them worse. Although, having them in prison and/or jail and not picketing may be a good thing. *sigh*
He is vermin. For the good of society, he should be exterminated.
what makes him any different from the KKK? or some Neo-nazi group. I think for those who abuse their rights to free speech and to peaceably assemble, they should loose those rights. How much longer untill someone gets hurt or dies because of his fanatical beliefs? How much longer until they resort to violence to prove their points?
I want to comment, but I have nothing new to say because you’ve all made excellent points. So I would like to “second” all the previous comments and say thanks to Kathy for bringing up this topic. I’d heard of Fred Phelps before, but it was in the most vague of terms, so thanks for filling me in, although I have to say that I am appalled.
I hadn’t heard of him so I looked at the site and was appalled, thing is, I think he’d be gratified by that you know?