"The louder they bellyache, the better. Because then and only then- we know exactly where these people are. We can listen to them and, God forbid, actually communicate with them. This way they can't ferment like bad yeast and ooze out of the brew vat when we're not looking. No First Amendment produces Hitler. Healthy First Amendment produces David Duke. There's a big difference here."
- Dennis Miller, "Dennis Miller Live"
I find the Westboro Baptist Church abhorrent. I feel like they are scum-sucking assbags who manipulate the law and abuse the rights of Americans to promote their agenda of hatred towards gays. I feel that they are the worst kind of troll, a group of people who feed on the grief of others for their own purposes. I feel like they abuse the First Amendment to show just how despicable they are.
Thanks to the First Amendment, they have the right to do what they do.
And thanks to the First Amendment, I have the right to deride and mock them.
...
You have to understand, there is literally no part of their message that I agree with. I find that it's incredibly unfortunate that they have the right to spew hatred and destroy the one moment for families that should be their own- the burial of a child, sibling or parent. Their methods are disgusting, and their efforts are worsened by the fact that the media in general feels compelled to cover these "protests."
And yet... and yet, as a citizen of the United States I have to unfortunately agree with the Supreme Court's rulign that they have the right to protest.
It's the same reason I feel that the Supremes were right in ruling for Larry Flynt. If the first amendment protects the ability of the worst of us to say things that are disgusting yet protected, then I know it will protect me when I disagree with the worst of us.
So, it's with understand that I am protected by the First Amendment when I say that I humbly ask the Westboro Baptist Church, the Phelps family and anyone who agrees with their message to please-
Go fuck yourselves.
Out.
