Quote Originally Posted by ggiese
Nope - not condoning LEO's from cracking heads, but I'm also not really fond of people like the Westboro Baptist church that protests soldier's funerals or the gay community (even though I may SOMEWHAT agree with some of their message - their way of presenting it turns me off). And to point at those people and say they have the freedom of speech... Or the American Nazi Party that wants to protest in the midst of a largely jewish community... That's absolutely, positively looking for trouble...

Just like those liberals who are TRYING to get arrested by pushing the limits to the absolute outside of the bounds of reasonableness. Forming a human pyramid of naked men, with the exception of thong underwear, is WELL outside of the bounds of reasonableness - I don't care WHO you are. I don't want to look at that nonsense - and are you suggesting that I am forced to in the name of "freedom of speech"?

In the current state of heigthened fears over terrorist attacks on our infrastructure - I believe there has to be a sense of reasonableness with protesting high value "targets" (politicians). If you don't understand that - I'm not EVER going to make you understand...

We're at a different point in history. Back in the 40's, 50's and even into the 60's, Americans wouldn't EVEN THINK of acting like some are acting now. It wasn't proper respect for the office or for the institution that is the US. That seems to have been thrown out the window in favor of "freedom of speech". So it seems the pendulum is swinging MORE in the favor of freedoms that weren't even dreamed of 20, 30 or 40 years ago.... Do you also condone the use of an American flag as a door mat - or burned because people disagree with the policies of the government (which, by the way, was a "protected" expression of free speech)???

And you complain the freedom of speech is being taken away??? Seems to me it's more prevalant than it was in the past...
Whether or not we agree with the Westboro freaks, or the gay community, or even the nazis is irrelevant. What is, is that they have a right to have their points, or protests, heard, or more accurately, have a right to voice them. None of these groups, however, has any relationship with a public official who just doesn't want to be exposed to a dissenting viewpoint. As long as they're not inciting to riot, or trespassing, etc., they have every right.

As far as the human pyramid, disgusting as it may be, is still a valid expression of free speech. If you don't like the message, don't listen, or look, whichever the case may be. NO ONE IS FORCING YOU TO WATCH.

Please stop with this fear of "turrists" bullshit. It's a complete smokescreen. Non of those "high value" targets, are in any more danger than at any other time in our history. I know they would like you to think that, as it puffs up their head even more.

Maybe it's got something do to with DESERVING respect. It really needs to be earned. BTW, disrespecting public officials is a VERY long held tradition in this Country.

Flag burning, or its use as a doormat, is all protected speech. Do I personally burn flags, no, but I support the rights of those who might.

Protection of free speech means protection of possibly offensive speech. If it wasn't offensive, it wouldn't need protection. That was the point of the First Amendment.

I don't think free speech is more prevalent, the protestors are just better organized. And, in the case of this admin, they've created more of them.