In light of breaching one thousand views...,
- I would like to dedicate this time and moment unto you, my esteemable readers, by providing this entry purely unto you. Please feel free to submit any comment regarding whatever particular issue you have in mind and, as long as it abides within the parameters of civil discourse, I will earnestly seek to either provide an answer or relay your attentions towards another more well-versed regarding the subject matter in question.
- Exceptionally complex and/or thought-provoking subject matter will, of course, recieve it's own inherent blog entry...the individual submitting the topic will be acknowledged regarding thusly. Again, my most sincere well-wishes unto those who have saught to inquire the issues at hand with a sincere desire to contemplate alternative resolutions...even if said resolutions come from an independent source.
Peace be with you,
The American Deist,
M.D. Little.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Westboro Baptist Church, Freedom of Speech and the First Amendment...
Westboro Baptist Church...,
- Where to begin...oh, I'm certain there's quite a few people who have some sincere 'choice words' to describe them. I, myself, happen to regard Pastor Phelps and his brood to be akin to what I regard as the 'lowest common denominator' employed to define a member of the human race. Still, even though the Westboro Baptists have precious little redeeming value...they did manage to do ONE thing that I am actually quite thankful for...let us take a look at the First Amendment of Our Constitution:...
- Now, I have heard about a few incidences where some Westboro Baptists have come harm or their property (...such as their vehicles...) have become damaged. Lamentable as that may be, they should well know that wence they choose to engage in an activity...that they are ultimately accountable and responsible for their own actions and...if someone becomes so offended that they lash out against them...then perhaps it is up to Pastor Phelps to consider whether or not his Westboro Baptists are truely 'peaceably assembling' or merely inciting a riot. Thus far, it seems that the Westboro Baptists have come unto more grievance then support which makes me inclined to wonder exactly what their intentions truely are?...do they really seek the Rights due unto them via the Constitution of the United States or are they merely being sensationalistic?
- Regardless of their motives, the Supreme Court ruled in their favor proclaiming that the Westboro Baptists have the Right to continue petitioning the funerals of former soldiers, homosexuals, celebrities and probably anyone else they can think of as it does not seem that they have any real clue as to who (...or why...) they're actually petitioning funerals in the first place. This, of course, is acceptable...if they choose to place their children in location whereas individuals are already emotionally stressed due to the loss of a loved-one who most obviously do NOT share the Westboro Baptist view then I guess they enjoy having their tires slashed and their children nearly run over as they do what they feel is their 'religious obligation to society'. For me, it simply means thus...
- Thanks to the Westboro Baptist Church, I am STILL able to say whatever it is I feel compelled to say about them AND I have the legal Right to do so...
- On top of that, anyone whom may feel compelled to express their opinion...can...without fear of being oppressed, their writings burned and their mouths gagged. That means that someone else (...who may well have something intelligent to say...) has the Right to say it and more people can gain from it than were the Westboro Baptists successful in having the First Amendment...amended.
- I would like to issue forth a special thanks to the Freedom Riders (http://www.freedomridersusa.org/) for seeking to do exactly what the Westboro Baptists do - expressing themselves by following the Westboro Baptists around and obscuring the Westboro Baptists with massive American Flags so as to not cause those travelling along the funeral route undue duress by the Westboro Baptists annoying presence (...as well as playing Patriotic music to drown out the Westboro Baptists insipid and boorish chanting...). THIS is how you resolve someone with a differing opinion...you obscure them and drown them out until they are forgotten (...works in politics, anyways...they call it 'fillibustering'...).
- To sum up, I'd like to see the Buddhists, Christians, Roman Catholics, Muslims and Jewish to get more involved...afterall, if what the Westboro Baptists do is TRUELY that offensive then why haven't there been a whole gaggle of opposing religious groups gathered in front of the Westboro Baptists extending praises and well-wishes for those of the recently fallen? It seems to me that at least the Westboro Baptists are willing to go out and actually EXPRESS their belief...why not follow thier lead? The Freedom Riders do...this is America where you CAN express yourself - so what are you waiting for? Find out where the Westboro Baptists are going next and express to them exactly what YOU think of them...just do it peaceably.
Sincerely,
The American Deist,
M.D. Little.
- Where to begin...oh, I'm certain there's quite a few people who have some sincere 'choice words' to describe them. I, myself, happen to regard Pastor Phelps and his brood to be akin to what I regard as the 'lowest common denominator' employed to define a member of the human race. Still, even though the Westboro Baptists have precious little redeeming value...they did manage to do ONE thing that I am actually quite thankful for...let us take a look at the First Amendment of Our Constitution:...
- In regarding the First Amendment, those whom seek to express themselves and petition (...in whatever fashion they feel needed...) are provided the RIGHT to do so...regardless of opposing opinion as that very same Amendment ensures that those whom do not approve can, likewise, express themselves in the same fashion as long as such gatherings are peaceful in nature. The mere fact that the Westboro Baptist protests are based upon religious views only ensures that their protests are even FURTHER protected by the Constitution for Congress can make no law prohibiting the free excercise of their religious beliefs (...as long as, of course, their religious beliefs do not inherently violate another person, their rights and/or their property unto which the essence of law is derived...)."Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
- Now, I have heard about a few incidences where some Westboro Baptists have come harm or their property (...such as their vehicles...) have become damaged. Lamentable as that may be, they should well know that wence they choose to engage in an activity...that they are ultimately accountable and responsible for their own actions and...if someone becomes so offended that they lash out against them...then perhaps it is up to Pastor Phelps to consider whether or not his Westboro Baptists are truely 'peaceably assembling' or merely inciting a riot. Thus far, it seems that the Westboro Baptists have come unto more grievance then support which makes me inclined to wonder exactly what their intentions truely are?...do they really seek the Rights due unto them via the Constitution of the United States or are they merely being sensationalistic?
- Regardless of their motives, the Supreme Court ruled in their favor proclaiming that the Westboro Baptists have the Right to continue petitioning the funerals of former soldiers, homosexuals, celebrities and probably anyone else they can think of as it does not seem that they have any real clue as to who (...or why...) they're actually petitioning funerals in the first place. This, of course, is acceptable...if they choose to place their children in location whereas individuals are already emotionally stressed due to the loss of a loved-one who most obviously do NOT share the Westboro Baptist view then I guess they enjoy having their tires slashed and their children nearly run over as they do what they feel is their 'religious obligation to society'. For me, it simply means thus...
- Thanks to the Westboro Baptist Church, I am STILL able to say whatever it is I feel compelled to say about them AND I have the legal Right to do so...
- On top of that, anyone whom may feel compelled to express their opinion...can...without fear of being oppressed, their writings burned and their mouths gagged. That means that someone else (...who may well have something intelligent to say...) has the Right to say it and more people can gain from it than were the Westboro Baptists successful in having the First Amendment...amended.
- I would like to issue forth a special thanks to the Freedom Riders (http://www.freedomridersusa.org/) for seeking to do exactly what the Westboro Baptists do - expressing themselves by following the Westboro Baptists around and obscuring the Westboro Baptists with massive American Flags so as to not cause those travelling along the funeral route undue duress by the Westboro Baptists annoying presence (...as well as playing Patriotic music to drown out the Westboro Baptists insipid and boorish chanting...). THIS is how you resolve someone with a differing opinion...you obscure them and drown them out until they are forgotten (...works in politics, anyways...they call it 'fillibustering'...).
- To sum up, I'd like to see the Buddhists, Christians, Roman Catholics, Muslims and Jewish to get more involved...afterall, if what the Westboro Baptists do is TRUELY that offensive then why haven't there been a whole gaggle of opposing religious groups gathered in front of the Westboro Baptists extending praises and well-wishes for those of the recently fallen? It seems to me that at least the Westboro Baptists are willing to go out and actually EXPRESS their belief...why not follow thier lead? The Freedom Riders do...this is America where you CAN express yourself - so what are you waiting for? Find out where the Westboro Baptists are going next and express to them exactly what YOU think of them...just do it peaceably.
Sincerely,
The American Deist,
M.D. Little.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)