Darksheare wrote: “It is in black and white: Slander and Libel are not protected.”
Perhaps I’m just not getting it today. I understand slander and libel are not protected. Nor is speech that creates a public safety hazard, i.e. shouting fire in a crowded theater.
How is sign stating, “God hates...” slanderous? How does it create a fear of being attacked, i.e. assault? How can a state law legally prevent speech that creates “emotional distress?”
If this is true, that someone can sue me simply for saying something that causes them emotional distress, then I don’t really have free speech any more.
“Perhaps I’m just not getting it today.”
Understatement of the year.
“How does it create a fear of being attacked, i.e. assault? “
You haven’t seen video of the Phelps, have you.
And if you have, your statements here are disingenuous and trolling.
“I understand slander and libel are not protected.”
Really?
Then why do you continue with your line of unreasoning?
“How is sign stating, “God hates...” slanderous? “
Now where did I say that sign specifically?
I didn’t.
Their slander was of our soldiers.
Got that?
“then I don’t really have free speech any more.”
You have free speech, you just aren’t free to call our soldiers baby killing rapists, libel and slander me, or anyone else.
Nor does it guarantee you an audience.
Nor does it guarantee you the ‘right to be heard’.
The rest of us can ignore you at will.
Or sue you if you are disruptive enough.
“How does it create a fear of being attacked, i.e. assault? How can a state law legally prevent speech that creates “emotional distress?””
There is REASONABLE PRESUMPTION that a funeral is a time and place of mourning and grieving.
People like you and the Phelps don’t understand this at all.
Go troll elsewhere.
Freepmail deleted unread.
If you have something to say, say it in forum.
“If this is true, that someone can sue me simply for saying something that causes them emotional distress, then I don’t really have free speech any more.”
Yes you do. You have the right to say anything that comes to you.
But, others have just as much of a right to sue the hell out of you for what you say, if it is slanderous or libelous.
They can even punch you in the mouth. They have that right.
You then may call the cops and charge them with assault, as that is also your right.
“How is sign stating, “God hates...” slanderous?”
It’s not (just) the signs.
It’s what phelps & co. shout out and spew over megaphones.
But as far as signs go, let me provide some examples of what phelps & co. have at military funerals....
“Thank God for IED’s”
“Thank God for Dead Soldiers”
“Soldiers Die, God Laughs”
And those are the more “tame” ones his group has used, and yeah they may not be “slanderous” but like I said it’s the chants and the taunts that phelps & co. say to the families.
Now put yourself in the position of any one of those family members and tell me that you wouldn’t sue phelps for his actions.