CNN: ” Bikers roll to military funerals to oppose anti-gay protests”
Fred Phelps and his annoying family members are an interesting exercise in free speech. At least as offensive as the Ku Klux Klan, they picket funerals, church meetings, memorial services, and anywhere else their “message” will be as ill-received as possible.
Preaching a message of hate isn’t new, but Phelps and his band of obnoxious relatives pumps the practice to a new low.They video tape every protest in case someone gets overly upset, and then badger the police to arrest the “offender.”
However, it appears Kentucky’s state legislature is trying to deal with Phelps in their own way:
Kentucky, home to sprawling Fort Campbell along the Tennessee line, was among the first states to attempt to deal with Phelps legislatively. Its House and Senate have each passed bills that would limit people from protesting within 300 feet of a funeral or memorial service. The Senate version would also keep protesters from being within earshot of grieving friends and family members.
Limitations on the right to free speech must be reasonable as to time and place. Kentucky’s proposal does seem reasonable in both respects, and may result in similar regulations around the country, if they are passed.
Edit: Wikipedia shows that other states are also considering bans.
