Shirley Phelps-Roper, a member of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, is on trial in Papillion, Neb., on a charge of flag desecration. Authorities allege that Phelps-Roper let her son stand on the flag during a 2007 funeral protest, and they say that Phelps-Roper herself wore a flag as a skirt that dragged on the ground.
The defense is arguing that her First Amendment rights are being ignored here. They've tried to get the law itself thrown out, but a county court has upheld it.
The AP says that both sides in the case have presented written arguments, nothing oral, and the judge will give his ruling at some point in the future. No deadline was set.
Methinks the good paster doth protest too much.
Posted by: Brad | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I have no sympathy for Squirrely Shirley, but she's right in this case.
I oppose laws which do nothing but protect the comfort of the establishment. I love the flag, but it's only a symbol. I love freedom of speech more, even that speech I disagree with.
A law that today quashes the freedom of those I oppose can be used tomorrow to quash MY freedom.
Posted by: Keith G. in P.V. | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 11:05 AM
...I hate backing anyone from their clan...
...but...
*swallows hard*
...this should be protected as a non-harmful form of expression...
*gags slightly*
Posted by: anarchanon | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Yeah, I just threw up in my mouth a little too. but there is no case here. If the liberals can burn flags in protests of wars,Than religious fanatics can stand on it in protest of sin.
IF the current government keeps up it's crap I may be burning one everyday in my front yard.
Posted by: Searching | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Sigh . . . this really hurts, but I have to side with the Phelps on this.
I think I now need to take the rest of the day off and drink heavily to forget the words I just wrote.
Posted by: gee | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 11:43 AM
If the flags were made in China then they can do what they want with them in my opinion.
Posted by: D-man | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 11:59 AM
What a creep. While I'm generally an advocate for free speech, I think trodding on a flag at a serviceman's funeral is not protected speech. I hope she loses.
Posted by: FanDanGo | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Ahh, but it is protected speech. So, unless you want to be shut down, when you feel you are right about something, then you have to allow it of others, too.
but yeah, I cant stand the rat b@st@rds either.
Posted by: Searching | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 12:48 PM
It will just go the the supreme court and be overturned. They've done this hundereds of times in multiple states.
Posted by: Tim P | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 01:33 PM
Even a broken clock is right twice a day. I have to join the reluctant contingent supporting the Phelps clan (or should that be klan?) on this one.
Posted by: Realist | Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 06:37 AM