Do you think Gov. Sebelius should sign the funeral picketing bill? / LJWorld.com

Asked at Massachusetts Street on March 31, 2007

“I’m definitely leaning towards yes, because it is a funeral and there are better and more tasteful places to picket.”

— Erica Rowe, Kansas University junior, Lawrence

“Yeah, I think she should. That should be a time for families to deal with their grief and not be bombarded with these issues.”

— Dustin Kinsey, manager, Lawrence

“I think that she should unless it’s obviously going to become a First Amendment fiasco.”

— Adam Dixon, environmental restorationist, Lawrence

“Yes. Governor Sebelius should sign the legislation, but does this mean we can’t picket Fred Phelps’ funeral?”

— Sarah Martin, historic preservation specialist, Lawrence

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sgtwolverine 6 years, 1 month ago

Seriously, Gootsie. Nothing else need be said after Sarah's genius.

The Phelps' will just find something else. Their livelihood depends on offending people to the point that some government will violate their constitutional rights and then they sue that government for a lot of money.

75x55 6 years, 1 month ago

So much for freedom of speech.

Gootsie 6 years, 1 month ago

Sarah wins!!!

paladin 6 years, 1 month ago

Yeah, sure. Why not? Might stir things up some. Make the news more interesting for awhile.

Agnostick 6 years, 1 month ago

"So much for freedom of speech."

So then, the freedom of one person or group should override the freedom of another person or group?

And "responsibility"... that goes out the window, too?

Are you saying that "responsibility" only applies to women carrying babies in their womb?

Agnostick agnostick@excite.com http://www.uscentrist.org

H_Lecter 6 years, 1 month ago

Weddings need to added to that legislation.

The man has ruined the two most significant life/death events of people's lives.

I love to spend some time with him in my basement (to get inside his head).

Bone777 6 years, 1 month ago

I don't know why there is all this "Phelps" bashing.

He is setting swimming world records right and left...

Agnostick 6 years, 1 month ago

Tell ya what, let's compromise....

Give the Westboro Bigot Cult 100% ironclad protection from criminal liability or prosecution for peacefully exercising their First Amendment right.

And give them zero protection from people seeking redress from personal grievances, damages etc. in the civil court system. If somebody wants to try to sue them in civil court for monetary damages, like this:

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=18241

then the cult has to face the music. If they lose the suit, they pay up.

Deal?

Agnostick agnostick@excite.com http://www.uscentrist.org

Aileen Dingus 6 years, 1 month ago

I'm torn on this.

Yes- it would be wonderful if grieving families and friends didn't have to put up with stupid BS while they're quite possibly trying to pick up pieces of shattered lives and figure out how to go on.

On the other hand- quite often, it could be said that the very soldiers' whose funerals are being picketed had died supporting the US Constitution and all it stands for. INCLUDING the right of buttnuggets to picket funerals and hurl epithets etc. So to deny the buttnuggets that right would be kind of, um- disrespectful? I can't think of the right word.

RETICENT_IRREVERENT 6 years, 1 month ago

As much as I detest the Phelps clan protesting at funerals, if you restrict one form of free speach, you restrict all free speech. This is why the ACLU has represented the Phelps clan, defending their right to free speech. To protect any form of free speech, all free speech must be protected.

The bill Sebelius is proposing to sign will not go into effect until it has been ruled constitutional. This will reduce the liability of the State in paying legal fees. If the bill is found to be constitutional it would restrict protesting within 150 feet of a funeral one hour before, during or two hours after the end of the service. The bill also would potentially allow surviving family members to sue to collect damages if they feel the deceased is defamed. As Babboy stated, speech can not be regulated, but actions can. Hatred is not an action in itself. INCITEMENT requires intent, and is an action. If the the Phelps clan protests can be proved as intent to INCITE, then there "speech" becomes an action, and thus can be regulated.

Where is the line between speech and incitement?
It seems to be one of the questions of the ages.

One aspect of this bill is support of the philosophy of dualism. By allowing for damages to be pursued for defamation of the deceased, the state is in effect creating an "eternal soul".

RushIsRight 6 years, 1 month ago

"grandmesa said yeah 75x55.... get your guns get your truck watch your FOX news from your trailer... praise that non existant god....

yeah buddy!!!"

Wow.. Implying someone is a rightwing redneck from a leftist comment.. Remember, more lefties cry about their 1st Amendment Protections than righties..

ksmom 6 years, 1 month ago

Word for the day: BUTTNUGGETS

Now, we just need the definition. LOL I love it!

ksmom 6 years, 1 month ago

Don't go making some law that will not hold up in court. I'd rather let them picket and then get their arses rearranged by some other "buttnugget" group. What goes around comes around. I'm almost certain that when Phelps and all his clan start to die off, there will be picketers at their funerals as well. Most likely from all over the country.

paladin 6 years, 1 month ago

They just may be picketing right outside the Pearly Gates, cause they've all been refused admission. And, I'll be astanding around there a laffin my buttnuggets off, out.

sunflower_sue 6 years, 1 month ago

I know that words have incited me to do many things I would not have otherwise done. The whole "sticks and stones" is BS. (Even 5 yr olds know this)

Buttnuggets is a great word.

H_L, you crack me up (hopefully not literally).

Jace 6 years, 1 month ago

Gee, the posters "buttnuggets" and "gandmesa" sure didn't last long...did they?

Jace 6 years, 1 month ago

excuse me, I meant "grandmesa".

And as far as the question goes.....I think that keeping the Phelps clan about a block or so away from the church (during a military funeral) is sufficient enough.