Mean, Sick, Cruel "Activists" ... all in the Name of God ... Prosecuted for Flag Desecration???
The inspiration for this article began when I was reading headlines and found one that said Judge Permits Flag-Desecration Prosecution in Nebraska. This was referenced by one Mark Godsey, a criminal law professor. So, as I read his article, I wanted to know more about the facts of the case and the ruling made by the Court, and I got very, very distracted... I've always known you could find anything on the internet, and this verifies it.
Given that there was a reference to the Defendant, Shirley Phelps-Roper, who is a member of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, I looked up both, and was amazed at the amount of traffic out there. And, when you go to the church's link, pay attention to their URL. To think that this is a "church" really makes the statement of Trust in God but Question Religion make more sense to me....
Check out this video for a really good taste for more about Shirley Phelps-Roper:
Yes, now I'm ranting, and this has little to do with me as an Austin criminal defense attorney, other than to point out that even people like Shirley and the members of her church deserve to be protected by the laws of this nation, to have the right to free speech, as protected by the Constitution. I must be clear, I am not defending or condoning Shirley or her "church" but I am saying that she should not be prosecuted for flag desecration, assuming it was a form of speech.
More coming on the flag desecration line of cases... even though it may protect a hate-monger like Shirley and the Westboro Baptist Church.... Quite honestly, I'm surprised that the Baptist conventions have not taken it upon themselves to expel this "church" from their flock.
Flag-burning as a form of speech should be protected under the 1st Amendment. And so should protests and demonstrations.
That being said: The government reserves the right to legislate appropriate times and places for such demonstrations. A FUNERAL is not a political event and should NEVER be turned into one by anybody. The Phelps family are hate-mongers and indeed an abomination to our country, not to mention to Christianity itself. They are (indirectly) responsible for more deaths than I can count through their hate-speak. Few mourned when the "Rev." Fred Phelps died. In fact, many celebrated.
Hannity or Colmes one points out in the segment that Westboro Baptist Church is not associated or affiliated with any other church, convention, organization, Baptist or otherwise. And I will point out, that while most Baptists are homophobic, they would NEVER say the things that came out of Shirley Phelps-Roper's mouth or do the things that members of this "church" have done in the name of God.
In the words of Christ Jesus: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!"
Certainly, one could not define Westboro Baptist Church as anything but a hate group; one thing people seem to be forgetting is that this country became so great in such a short time because of tolerance. Tolerance, in its entirety, with the understanding that others are not going to be as tolerant as you are.
Personally, I feel that the Westboro Baptist Church have the social value of a newt, one out of the sewer water.
That being said, they have a fundamental right to express their views, no matter how much I do not like the message, provided (as courts have assented) they are not trying to induce violence or harm - physical or emotional.
Is flag burning offensive to a personal level? To some people, it is very much so. Then again, some find it very offensive to their person that others would advocate a woman's right to vote.
On a side note, that Fox News clip showed both sides pulling a "Falcon Punch" on themselves. I had a hard time watching the clip with both sides acting in such a childish and mean-spirited nature. If you are not familiar with it, check out "falconpunch.org", provided you can stomach a mean-spirited joke.
I truly appreciate you taking the time to share this . Look forward to more posts from you