Sounds like a pretty heavy blog title huh?
I'm up early watching the news today and I saw the most horrifying story.
Anti-something people protesting at funerals, specifically military funerals.
I've seen this story before and every time I see it, I'm disgusted. In this morning's particular story it is a church protesting military funerals because there are homosexuals in America and soldiers defend America. They aren't even protesting the funerals of homosexuals, just any soldier. The families who are suffering at their hands aren't even families for their target! It's more widespread and in my mind, therefore more horrifying than that.
I disagree with their beliefs but what I disagree with even more is the basic loss of humanity. No matter why someone died, let their family grieve in peace. I'll even go as far to say it would be inappropriate to protest the funeral of a murderer. Yes, that person was terrible and did terrible things but once they are dead you are hurting the family who frankly has been hurt enough.
What is just...dumbfounding though is I'm not sure the Supreme Court can stop this breach in humanity. Freedom of speech probably protects it. I'm a big fan of freedom of speech but I'm also fairly confident that Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, et al did not mean for it to be used against grieving families, especially families of soldiers defending our country (whether or not we agree with the war).
I'll admit I'm no constitutional law scholar. This is just my gut reaction: that its wrong but that the Constitution might protect it (though would never intend it). Do you think that's correct? I mean, is my understanding accurate? Is there a loophole I'm not thinking of? Or are families, again especially military families, just susceptible to this kind of torture in the worst moment of their lives?
1 comment:
I heard this on the radio today, and yes - there is a loophole. The Constitution also states an individual's right to privacy, and I think that funerals fall under this jurisdiction. Granted, I'm no Supreme Court justice, but common sense, the law and basic human decency seem to be on my side here. You want to protest a cause? Fine, I have no problem with that. But I'm pretty sure it's impossible to protest death, and the loved ones left behind to pick up the pieces should not have to deal with your idiocy, beliefs or convictions - just leave them be.
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