The recent Supreme Court decision allowing free speech for protesters such as the members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas has stirred a national firestorm. The Kansas congregation is famous (infamous) for their outrageous behavior at funerals of our servicemen.They carried signs saying "God Hates Our Soldiers" and "God hates Fags." Were they there to celebrate the lives of those who died for them and all Americans? No, they were there to protest gay rights. See the connection? Perhaps, there's a thin thread from the end of "Don't ask, don't tell" to protesting against gays at a serviceman's funeral, but it's tenuous, considering that the Westboro crowd also say that God hates not only "fags" but also Islam, Israel, and India, among many others.
Has the Supreme Court stretched the boundaries of the First Amendment beyond comprehension? Actually, not. After all, think where our country would be without the free speech of the founding fathers, Abe Lincoln, the leaders of the women's movement, Martin Luther King and so many other fighters for human rights, the gay rights movement and many, many more. And, yes, members of the Klan, corrupt politics, flag burners, the governor of Arizona, the Tea Party, Sarah Palin, and even members of this so-called church of God that claims to be speaking for God. Is my diatribe full of anger, sarcasm, and bias? You betcha! After all, I've got freedom of speech. And I know that the Court made the right decision, whether we like it or not.
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