The Left Comes Out In Support Of Fred Phelps

[MachZer0]

ACLU Sues for Anti-Gay Group That Pickets at Troops' Burials

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit Friday in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., on behalf of the fundamentalist Westboro Baptist Church

I suppose this is an example of how much most of the Left dislikes George Bush and the war. So much so that they support Fred Phelps

 

[praying]

Who are the "Left"?

 

[MachZer0]

Who are the "Left"?

It's in the OP

 

[bammertheblue]

ACLU =/= this thing you call "the Left".
The ACLU defends civil liberties, even cases in which the use of them is something we find repugnant. That's the deal with free speech. People will use it to say things we don't like. It's part of the package. What's guaranteeing your right to free speech also guarantees theirs.
The ACLU defends Christians as well as other religious groups, although I am not sure how Christian Fred Phelps really is, no matter what he says.
http://www.aclu.org/religion/tencomm/16254res20050302.html
Some highlights:
"August 4, 2005: ACLU helps free a New Mexico street preacher from prison.

November 20, 2004: ACLU of Nevada supports free speech rights of evangelists to preach on the sidewalks of the strip in Las Vegas.

November 9, 2004: ACLU of Nevada defends a Mormon student who was suspended after wearing a T-shirt with a religious message to school.
August 11, 2004: ACLU of Nebraska defends church facing eviction by the city of Lincoln.
July 10, 2004: Indiana Civil Liberties Union defends the rights of a Baptist minister to preach his message on public streets.

June 3, 2004: Under pressure from the ACLU of Virginia, officials agree not to prohibit baptisms on public property in Falmouth Waterside Park in Stafford County.
May 11, 2004: After ACLU of Michigan intervened on behalf of a Christian Valedictorian, a public high school agrees to stop censoring religious yearbook entries.
July 11, 2002: ACLU supports right of Iowa students to distribute Christian literature at school.
April 17, 2002: In a victory for the Rev. Jerry Falwell and the ACLU of Virginia, a federal judge strikes down a provision of the Virginia Constitution that bans religious organizations from incorporating.
January 18, 2002: ACLU defends Christian church's right to run "anti-Santa" ads in Boston subways."

P.S.
I also don't see where you're getting the idea that "The ACLU hates George Bush".

 

[praying]

It's in th OP

it is, I don't see it. I see the word of course but who exactly is the left. Of course we know the ACLu will defend those whose freedom of speech is violated so it isn't them unless defending the consitituion is a "left" thing to do.

 

[MachZer0]

it is, I don't see it. I see the word of course but who exactly is the left. Of course we know the ACLu will defend those whose freedom of speech is violated so it isn't them unless defending the consitituion is a "left" thing to do.

I think you got the picture

 

[blueapplepaste]

ACLU Sues for Anti-Gay Group That Pickets at Troops' Burials



I suppose this is an example of how much the Left hates George Bush and the war. So much so that they support Fred Phelps

To suggest that the "left" supports Phelps is a downright misrepresentation and pretty much a lie. I believe the Bible says something about this. I can't stand Phelps and his tactics as much as the next guy. Phelps is doing anything but the work of God and is a disgusting human being; if he can even be called that. however, his rights are being violated by his "protests" being limited. Once we outlaw his free speech then we start down a slippery slope. Once again the ACLU isn't supporting some radical agenda; unless that radical agenda is the Constitution.

 

[praying]

I think you got the picture

Well I will proudly where the badge as a defender of the constitution, when did that become not a good thing?

 

[MachZer0]

To suggest that the "left" supports Phelps is a downright misrepresentation and pretty much a lie. I believe the Bible says something about this. I can't stand Phelps and his tactics as much as the next guy. Phelps is doing anything but the work of God and is a disgusting human being; if he can even be called that. however, his rights are being violated by his "protests" being limited. Once we outlaw his free speech then we start down a slippery slope. Once again the ACLU isn't supporting some radical agenda; unless that radical agenda is the Constitution.

So you support Fred Phelps in this case? Do you consider yourself part of the Left?

 

[SOAD]

Westboro Baptist Church uses the ACLU to fight for it's free speech. I love the irony of this situation!

 

[morningstar2651]

ACLU Sues for Anti-Gay Group That Pickets at Troops' Burials

I suppose this is an example of how much the Left hates George Bush and the war. So much so that they support Fred Phelps

Actually, the ACLU is defending freedom of speech. They don't care who the client is.

That's why they're called the American Civil Liberties Union.

 

[MachZer0]

Actually, the ACLU is defending freedom of speech. They don't care who the client is.

That's why they're called the American Civil Liberties Union.

I see. The name is more important than the actions

 

[bammertheblue]

So you support Fred Phelps in this case? Do you consider yourself part of the Left?

You can support him having the right to say what he says without supporting the message or agreeing with it.

 

[morningstar2651]

I see. The name is more important than the actions

I see nothing wrong with defending the freedom of speech. Do you?

 

[MachZer0]

I see nothing wrong with defending the freedom of speech. Do you?

So do you support Fred Phelps in this case and do you consider yourself part of the Left?

 

[morningstar2651]

"If you want to be free, there is but one way; it is to guarantee an equally full measure of liberty to all your neighbors. There is no other." - Carl Schurz

"The First Amendment is often inconvenient. But that is besides the point. Inconvenience does not absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate speech." - Justice Anthony Kennedy

"The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all." - H.L. Mencken

 

[MachZer0]

"If you want to be free, there is but one way; it is to guarantee an equally full measure of liberty to all your neighbors. There is no other." - Carl Schurz

"The First Amendment is often inconvenient. But that is besides the point. Inconvenience does not absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate speech." - Justice Anthony Kennedy

"The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all." - H.L. Mencken

May I assume that the answers to my questions are both "Yes"?

 

[morningstar2651]

So do you support Fred Phelps in this case and do you consider yourself part of the Left?

I do not support Phelps, and I am, for the most part, left of center. It depends on the issue at hand. On some topics, I'm fairly conservative (that is, in the traditional sense of the word: resistant to change).

 

[MewtwoX]

Supporting Phelps =! Supporting Phelp's right to free speech.

 

[MachZer0]

I do not support Phelps, and I am, for the most part, left of center. It depends on the issue at hand. On some topics, I'm fairly conservative (that is, in the traditional sense of the word: resistant to change).

I'm confused. You seemed earlier to be saying you supported the ACLU in this case and therefore supported Phelps in this case as well. Now, you are saying you oppose Phelps. Can you clarify your stance as it regards this particular situation?