I read this in the paper and felt compelled to post it.  It’s another of Chuck Humeston’s columns from the Iowa Falls paper and I found it quite thought-provoking.  Maybe when I’m not dying, I can even offer some of my own thoughts.  We’ll see how that goes – I’ve been on antibiotics for three days now and I feel worse than I did the day I went to the doctor.  Rotten death-plague.

Church protests not free speech issue

 My older brother has a quaint quote, “Everyone has the constitutional right to make an ass of himself.”  Last week the United States Supreme Court upheld a Kansas group’s right to exercise it.

The group calls itself Westboro Baptist Church, but I won’t grant the IRS hedge credence, so in accordance with exercising their aforementioned “right,” I’ll henceforth refer to them as “Westburro.”  One of Westburro’s litanies of infamy is picketing and protesting military funerals.  Ostensibly Westburro’s head muleskinner, Fred Phelps, believes God is killing American soldiers, sailors and Marines for America’s tolerance of homosexuality.

The father of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq sued after the group protested at his son’s funeral, citing emotional distress resulting from the group’s actions.  The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which tossed out the lawsuit.  The logic boggles the mind.  Since Westburro also demonstrates against Jews, Catholics and other groups, therefore, their venom was not directed personally at the fallen Marine’s parents.  In other words, “Hey, they hate everyone, not just you, so don’t take it personally.”

The court made it a free speech issue rather than examining federal and state laws limiting protesters’ proximity to a military, or any, funeral.  To paraphrase, the 8-1 decision said free speech may be hurtful causing grief and tears, but government’s duty is not sensitivity.

Oh really?  Then call me a confused citizen.

If I cry “fire” in a crowded theater, I can be arrested for disorderly conduct, as it’s been held free speech is a right insofar as egregious displays don’t disrupt or endanger others.  I guess the right to bury one’s son in peace is not protected.

If I brandish a swastika, and spout anti-Semitic phrases at a synagogue, I can be prosecuted for “hate crimes.”  If I was in high school taunting a fellow student daily with insulting names or social network posts, I can be prosecuted for “bullying.”  And, understand, I don’t advocate such actions.  But, notwithstanding issues of trespass and assault, isn’t it free speech?

There is also controversy brewing over opening prayers at congress and the Iowa Legislature.  A Des Moines pastor’s recent opening prayer asking for forgiveness for allowing abortion, and asking to honor marriage has been criticized.  One legislator has suggested a moment of silence instead.  I fully support the Legislature’s right to be silent and encourage them to exercise it often, but who are they to limit the visiting pastor’s right to free speech save for hanging their hat on a phrase in a personal letter written by Jefferson?

I’ve had the misfortune to observe Westburro’s vile actions including standing on a U.S. flag holding “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” signs.  They have the right to believe whatever absurdity they want.  While I’m thankfully not a Hahvahd Lahw School graduate I can’t agree with the court.  Dissenting Justice Alito recognized the “vicious verbal assault” and “personal attack” involved.  Unfortunately, it’s not Iowa, and the other eight can’t be held in account at the ballot box.

Time to go fix sandwiches for ze kids.  Then maybe we’ll watch The Wizard of Oz.  That sounds like a nice way to spend the afternoon.

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