Mitch Albom had a great column the other day entitled "Westboro case sounds right but feels wrong".
Albom is absolutely right. How are we to reconcile the fact the case sounds legally right but morally wrong? To do this one must understand that the Westboro protesters were in compliance with all local laws when they picketed the funeral of the plaintiff's son. Therefore, the issue was not really joined in this case. When local governments enact more restrictive laws against picketing funerals, as I think they should, and the Westboro folks violate those laws and are charged with a crime, then the issue will be truly joined.
Free speech, like all other rights, has never been absolute. Reasonable restrictions are always in place. Certainly a family has the right to bury a child without being subjected to these despicable protests. The Westboro loonies can get their message out without invading the privacy of a grieving family.
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