Makes Me Sick

Today the US Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the following case:

By Warren Richey, Staff writer, Christian Science Monitor/ October 6, 2010
The US Supreme Court is set to hear a high-stakes battle over free speech on Wednesday in an appeal filed by the father of a US Marine killed in Iraq who claims his son’s funeral in 2006 was disrupted and ruined by an antigay protest.

Albert Snyder had won a $5 million jury verdict against the Rev. Fred Phelps and members of his Westboro Baptist Church for intentional infliction of emotional distress and violating the sanctity of the funeral of his son, Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder. But the judgment was later reversed by a federal appeals court panel that ruled that despite the offensive nature of the protests conducted by the Westboro members, their activities were protected by the First Amendment.

Mr. Phelps is well-known nationally for his fire-and-brimstone opposition to homosexuality. Since 2005, he and members of his Topeka, Kansas-based church have organized protests at military funerals of service members who are not gay in an effort to attract public attention to their cause.

The group believes that God hates homosexuality and is punishing America for its growing acceptance of gay rights by killing US troops overseas.

Family members and others at military funerals have complained about the protests. But Phelps and his supporters insist they have a constitutional right to carry their message to the people at the funerals.

"Snyder had one (and only one) opportunity to bury his son and that occasion has been tarnished forever,” wrote Mr. Snyder’s lawyer, Sean Summers of York, Pa., in his petition urging the high court to take up the case. “Snyder deserved better. Matthew deserved better. A civilized society deserved better.”

The appeals court that reversed the jury verdict did not disagree with that point. But the appeals court said despite the “distasteful and repugnant nature of the words being challenged,” Phelps had a First Amendment right to speak on public issues, even when the speech was highly offensive.

It makes me sick that this "church" prefers to protest at a fallen soldier's funeral.  These are NOT gay soldiers.  They are killed overseas, therefore--according the Westboro Baptist Church--God allowed these soldiers to be killed because He is punishing America for its stand on gay rights.

I understand why the high court if hearing this case.  It is a First Amendment issue--free speech versus privacy.  And sadly, I think I see that the court might just rule in favor of the church--because repulsive, harmful, and hurtful speech is still Free Speech according to the Constitution. 

It makes me sick, that in order to continue to enjoy our American freedoms, we are forced to allow this kind of discourtesy and disrespect.  It just goes to show that values along with ethical, moral, and correct behaviors are not universal nor common place.

Why can't people just be kind to each other, and live the Golden Rule?  You remember, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you".  If everyone did live according to that 'law' alone would solve a lot of society's issues.  Sad, the high court cannot mandate that ruling.