Free Speech Dilemma in the Heartland!!!

[kiteinthewind]

Hey, DUers, we could really use some input (and some VOTES!) to get this discussion going! Thanks!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1307064&mesg_id=1307064
:thumbsup:

[Bluzmann57]

1. The old adage is

"I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it." I despise Phelps and his people, but they have just as much right to free speech as the next person. I think that they are getting nothing but negative pub anyway with their antics. So a problem could be that if your group unites with his group in a lawsuit, your group may be seen as agreeing with those people and that is certainly not a good thing. Let his outfit bring the suit and you move back five feet to 1005 ft. Good luck from a neighbor to the north, a proud Iowan.

[kiteinthewind]

2. Thanks for the advice, Bluz!! You're right, we certainly don't want to be

affiliated in any way with this freak of nature!! Hope you don't mind, but I am going to post a link to your comment on the main OP.
:hi:

[Bluzmann57]

4. No I don't mind

Heck it's nice to see that someone respects my opinion. Thanks.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. I just hate to open the door here

Also the lawyer we talked to yesterday said nothing about uniting with Phelps. I would imagine Phelps will file his own lawsuit, seperate from ours. Also, from what I understand, Phelps is a cheap bastard so why pay another attorney when his whole family is made up of lawyers? Or he just may sit back and let us fight this law ourselves. But you know his name will be dragged into it.

Thanks for the advice and good wishes. It is hard to know what to do here.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. An update

Phelps has now contacted the ACLU. He wants them to fight this law on his behalf. Our group will meet with our attorney next week. I'll keep you all posted!

[zonmoy]

6. considering the number of churches in our nation

wouldn't this law make nearly all protests illegal considering that there are probably precious few places in urban areas that are farther than 1000 feet from a church.