2008 Woodie Awards
First Amendment protects even the vilest of speech
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial
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Since its founding many moons ago, we at The Journal have defended the right to free speech enshrined in the hallowed First Amendment. Whether arguing for the freedom of the press or for the individual rights of student expression, we have been consistent with our stance on speech issues.
This week is no exception, though we do find ourselves with strange bedfellows - Fred Phelps and his infamous Westboro Baptist Church.
Phelps, a disbarred lawyer from Kansas and pastor of the vehemently fundamentalist WBC, is a loathsome man who disseminates unbelievable messages of hate, whether they be racist, homophobic or sexist. His favorite phrases include "God hates fags," "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "Thank God for 9/11." The reactionary members of WBC have repeatedly appeared at various events with even a mild hint - or none at all - of homosexuality to express their vitriolic hatred and displeasure.
Indeed, Phelps even came to protest on this very campus in response to an April 2004 showing of "The Laramie Project" by the Conservatory of Theatre Arts.
For the past few years, Phelps and his small church - which consists mostly of his own family members - have taken to protesting at the funerals of U.S. soldiers, angered by what they perceive as the gross tolerance of homosexuality by the United States government. Last year, the father of slain soldier Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, whose funeral the WBC protested, sued Phelps and his church for defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. This Halloween, a jury awarded the Snyder family nearly $11 million in damages.
As bizarre as it may seem, we at The Journal support the right of the WBC members to say what they will, barring any libelous or slanderous material. Though his speech is reprehensible, Phelps has the right to express his political and religious views in whatever public venue he chooses. This is why the jury should not have punished Phelps for his fringe viewpoints.
This week is no exception, though we do find ourselves with strange bedfellows - Fred Phelps and his infamous Westboro Baptist Church.
Phelps, a disbarred lawyer from Kansas and pastor of the vehemently fundamentalist WBC, is a loathsome man who disseminates unbelievable messages of hate, whether they be racist, homophobic or sexist. His favorite phrases include "God hates fags," "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "Thank God for 9/11." The reactionary members of WBC have repeatedly appeared at various events with even a mild hint - or none at all - of homosexuality to express their vitriolic hatred and displeasure.
Indeed, Phelps even came to protest on this very campus in response to an April 2004 showing of "The Laramie Project" by the Conservatory of Theatre Arts.
For the past few years, Phelps and his small church - which consists mostly of his own family members - have taken to protesting at the funerals of U.S. soldiers, angered by what they perceive as the gross tolerance of homosexuality by the United States government. Last year, the father of slain soldier Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, whose funeral the WBC protested, sued Phelps and his church for defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. This Halloween, a jury awarded the Snyder family nearly $11 million in damages.
As bizarre as it may seem, we at The Journal support the right of the WBC members to say what they will, barring any libelous or slanderous material. Though his speech is reprehensible, Phelps has the right to express his political and religious views in whatever public venue he chooses. This is why the jury should not have punished Phelps for his fringe viewpoints.
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