tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post4027602898584596521..comments2024-03-22T12:11:58.453-06:00Comments on Michael Offutt: Free Speech, Anonymous, and Hate GroupsMichael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-17754328535502470232011-03-05T19:37:42.298-07:002011-03-05T19:37:42.298-07:00I'm not sure that allowing a group of people t...I'm not sure that allowing a group of people to harass another group of people at their son's funeral should be considered allowing free speech. There are limits to free speech in this country-- we limit them all the time and I think the court pretended that they didn't know that when they do.Danettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15043881305977386629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-19097671905574105092011-03-03T19:19:00.500-07:002011-03-03T19:19:00.500-07:00We actually discussed this in U.S. History today. ...We actually discussed this in U.S. History today. We decided that while the verdict was legally accurate it was morally wrong. But then, our legal system is messed up anyway, half the time.Brooke R. Bussehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17147444223968856153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-62794950215733537572011-03-03T16:40:01.260-07:002011-03-03T16:40:01.260-07:00I respect the Supreme Court, but I don't agree...I respect the Supreme Court, but I don't agree with the ruling. This wasn't debate. This was the harassment of a private citizen by a private group of citizens, and I don't understand why one can't sue the other because what they used to harass him with was words. It's just as vicious as if they threw bricks at him. <br /><br />You should check out Nate Phelps[http://n8rphelps.blogspot.com/], the estranged son of the pastor. He's a LGBT advocate and has a very thoughtful opinion on the ruling.J E Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03372746219262163566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-25551310266306810962011-03-03T16:16:25.416-07:002011-03-03T16:16:25.416-07:00Yeah, sometimes people become even more empowered ...Yeah, sometimes people become even more empowered by hate than a popular fan following. Everything is a matter of perspective, right? I just don't understand what compels them to act this way...it's really sad.Saumyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08517289532769906489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-23878018748606132752011-03-03T16:11:30.759-07:002011-03-03T16:11:30.759-07:00Yes, Ben...these are one and the same. I think the...Yes, Ben...these are one and the same. I think they are universally hated by most Americans though. Their church (despite being well known) only has like 100 members in it. I will never understand why a group is so proud of being despised.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-18549128094775643742011-03-03T14:39:24.434-07:002011-03-03T14:39:24.434-07:00Are they the twats that desecrated Matthew Sheppar...Are they the twats that desecrated Matthew Sheppard's tombstone? I keep telling people Canada & USA are the same, but apparently, below the bible belt it's something else. We don't have those people here.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11483490020980574428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-19551929321652168922011-03-03T14:35:15.019-07:002011-03-03T14:35:15.019-07:00Oh. My. Gosh. Terrible.
I think this is just one...Oh. My. Gosh. Terrible. <br /><br />I think this is just one of the reasons I'm a writer: So, I can kill off characters like these in my manuscripts.<br /><br />Oh, wait. Does that make me as prejudiced as them?<br /><br />Nah.Margo Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474612650116392270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-85313744303673314002011-03-03T11:58:01.660-07:002011-03-03T11:58:01.660-07:00I wish the Supreme Court would just add sexual ori...I wish the Supreme Court would just add sexual orientation to the protected groups list. If this was about race, they would absolutely be shut down and these nuts NEED to be shut down. Honestly though, What I'd like to do is remove their children and educate them with FULL free speech so they can see what wack jobs their parents are. That kind of hate poisons everything it touches.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-65907978221174539562011-03-03T11:54:59.315-07:002011-03-03T11:54:59.315-07:00The WBC is so ridiculous in my opinion. I hate tha...The WBC is so ridiculous in my opinion. I hate that they're able to continue spouting their drivel and hatred without any consequences--but, it's the way the US works. Speech is speech and you can't control it. <br /><br />Can't say I support criminals but, go Anonymous! They definitely have a Robin Hood sort of feel right now.Devin Bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02778910287345364738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-88474618528744431422011-03-03T09:05:01.202-07:002011-03-03T09:05:01.202-07:00It's horrible. I hate it that they are being a...It's horrible. I hate it that they are being allowed to continue such hateful behaviors, but I understand why the court ruled as it did.Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-2865837156151139012011-03-03T08:54:54.980-07:002011-03-03T08:54:54.980-07:00Without giving a great deal of analytical thought,...Without giving a great deal of analytical thought, my gut reaction is kind of parental, and also sides with the court. Those bad bad people of WBC can behave odiously, but they will have to accept the natural consequences of their bad bad choices. And they won't be good.yrmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05261922505263237618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-20098980014029936012011-03-03T08:52:42.937-07:002011-03-03T08:52:42.937-07:00If dehumanizing metaphors are banned from the radi...If dehumanizing metaphors are banned from the radio as hate speech, why should this "church" be allowed to do this in person to people? Even watching the video shows these people infringe on the free speech of others. She never let anyone speak if she could help it. No where in the Bible does it say you get to decide if someone is going to hell, how pretentious that they think they're all knowing to decide here who will and will not.<br /><br />More importantly people shouldn't hear hacking and always assume Anonymous. Anonymous always takes credit when they do things, it's obvious the "church" probably spread the threat for more media attention. But there are plenty of hacker groups that go softer and carry a bigger stick. Besides calling them immature is underestimating the coordination and sophistication going into such attacks. Brilliant job by that guy for using 9000 and serious business memes.Steph Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00975939582442193113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-75957281423907560242011-03-03T08:22:58.048-07:002011-03-03T08:22:58.048-07:00Pesonally I'd love to kick those Westboro'...Pesonally I'd love to kick those Westboro's fucker's asses, but I have to side with the Court here. You can't start drawing lines on free speech or soon it won't really be free anymore.<br /><br />Of course like trolls on the Internet if we ignore them at the funerals and don't cover it in the media then eventually they'll have to look for another publicity stunt.PT Dillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394481476862013009noreply@blogger.com