Westboro

I'm glad you noticed it was a joke :3

Ok, so let's skip straight to global hegemony with civility for all.

Since when did I forgo nationalism?

It's FFXIAH, my sarcasm meter doesn't work here >_<

We have right to not be protested against? Since when

True that. But at the same time towering egos

Zandra is actually correct here.

You have to prove:

1) Monetary damage was caused by the statement
2) The person knew the statement was false at the time they said it
3) They knew the statement would cause you monetary damage
4) They said it specifically and solely to cause you said damage

If you don't intend to prove all four of these things, you have no case for a libel suit.

You (and your hurt feelings) will get your *** tossed out of court, and likely fined for wasting the court's time.

Don't mistaken my notions for being anti-American or unpatriotic, and I promise I won't mistaken yours for making you a chauvinist.
It's good to have debates and whatnot like this.

Edit: Alas! It is time for work. Don't have too much fun while I'm gone >.>

Fair enough. I just opted to go with some hyperbole but the point I was ineptly trying to make is that eroding constitutional rights is a very dangerous prospect, and one that should not be taken as lightly as you appear to.

So your saying that even if the person didn't know it was truth as long as they didn't know it was an outright lie it doesn't count?

I understand. And my condition which unfortunately I was too vague to point out was it would take a severe national tragedy to even so much as remotely push the idea around into legal action. After all, it took 9/11 to issue the Patriot Act.

absolutely

i love how so many people here are in favor of free speech until it's something that they don't like hearing

Pretty much.

Hence why it's very, very difficult to prove a libel/defamation case.

I'm in favor of free speech to a certain degree. I think what they do is *** and it shouldn't be allowed, but hey that's just me. I know if someone tried to pull this outside the funeral of someone I care about I'd beat the ever loving snot out of them.

Meh I'd heard otherwise before. Like people knowingly spreading stuff and trying to use ignorance as an excuse didn't really work.

I mean theoretically all you have to do is not research it or it be something there is no way you could know for a fact (like say secret ingredients) and claim you unknowingly lied. I mean for all I know there really is puppies in pepsi

Which is actually their entire business model.

Reports from ex-members, including the son of the Fred Phelps himself, is that a lot of their gig is professional trolling.

Yes, they believe what they're saying, but they survive off being so over the top, someone eventually throws a punch and they get to sue for millions in damages. It's how they keep their operation going.

Hmmm interesting way of making money... wonder if that would still work without the whole church backing.

free speech "to a certain degree" does not work. we have idea after idea that we live by today that was just as repugnant at one time as the westboro baptist church is to us today.

the idea that the universe did not revolve around the earth was once seen as the height of blasphemy.

the idea of the equality of the black and white races was once seen as infinitely repugnant.

homosexuality was once regarded with the disgust that the westboro baptist church is regarded with today.

the problem with that disgusting minority is that, not very often, but sometimes, they end up being right. and for the sake of the progress of humanity, we must allow them the opportunity to at least make their case.


is the westboro baptist church right? nope. do we kill a beautiful system over 70-some people, throwing the baby out with the bathwater? also nope.

Would they necessarily even see a dime from me? I don't exactly have the income to pay for anything they managed to win in court. I don't exactly know what happens when a person doesn't really have the income to pay for one of those ridiculously large lawsuits.
I respect you and what you say.. But..

Like I said, that's just me. That's my opinion on the entire thing and if that makes an ignorant hypocrite, so be it, it won't change.

they garnish your wages.

I have no wages. I'm currently unemployed. And from the way things have been, that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.

Honestly, this to me is what makes the US the best country in the world to live in. I may get flamed for this, and I'm ok with it.

Westboro are a bunch of jerks. I don't think any of us gathered here can come right out and say we agree with what they're doing with their free time.

However, we are blessed to live in a nation where they are allowed to voice their opinions and say what they want without fear of repercussions and censorship by the government. As are we. We can go out on a street corner and scream that "Westboro are a bunch of slime sucking ***". We may get a fine for disturbing the peace, but that's about it. As much as I hate to admit it, living and enjoying life in the US is a paradox. We have the freedom of speech on our side, and proof that the government will back us up in that endeavor. I honestly take heart in this ruling. I also take heart in the fact that one day, these *** are going to push someone too far and someone is going to exercise their right to bear arms :D

And if that doesn't work (you quit) they can jail you and make you work it off

Well as long as it isn't directly harming people. Like calling fire in a crowded area etc

They're like "shiiiitshoot, we can't make money helping out our community...lets try harassing them instead!"

yes, that is certainly true

right to swing fist ends where other man's nose begins etc

I would suggest reading that link I posted, if you haven't already.

It's quite enlightening about what makes these guys tick.

Link is blocked at work :( But I'm off soon, will read when I get home.

Your work sucks!

have you read "addicted to hate"