Whatever you believe about how Imus was or should have been treated for his comment, it seems obvious to me that he must be quite stupid to believe he could get away with saying such filth on public radio. Has he not paid attention to what has happened to other people who've said similar things? If we're defining the line at the point where a comment hurts a person or people in a slanderous way, then Don Imus definitely stepped across the line.

I agree Aero it is very subjective and not very cut and dry at all. I guess where I would draw the line is when you make statements that hurt in the matter of slander.

Aero,  I was so upset with how much crap Imus got for his comment.  People make comments like that everyday!  What about when Kanye West said that our president hates black people on live TV where many people say it.  Nothing happened to him and he was denouncing our president not just some girls basketball team.  In my opinion if you don't like Imus don't listen to him.  I live in the south, and a military town so it is a VERY racially diverse town and you hear everything about every race from everyone but they are just comments and sometimes ignorant opinions.  Even the ones said about my race, there comes a point where people need to just let others have their own opinion and ignore it if they don't agree.

Now when it comes to taking action and actually following funerals or going to where that group of people hang out or seeking out the people that you have something bad to say about, that is wrong.  If you don't like gays then don't go to the places that are know hot spots for them.  That is invading their space and no one deserves to have people follow them and intrude their lives just to say hurtful things.

These nut cases are way out there. The gramps sounds more like a brain washing jack@$$ than a preacher.

As for the freedom of speech goes, I am all for it as long as it does not hurt  someone. This groups protest is very close if not over that line.

Lori, I agree with you, now when it comes to these funerals they should not be allowed within earshot.  I would not want to hear that crap and have my memory of a loved ones funeral tainted by their voices.  But I agree that one must not invade my person space and I also do not need anyone trying to change my opinion on things.  Speaking of the JW's I had them in my living room yesterday.  At 9:00 they show up and ring the doorbell.  I had been up all night with a sick kid and I was not yet awake so I run to get some decent clothes on and answer the door it was raining and I let them come in to get out of the rain.  It was obvious I was half asleep but they sat on my couch asked me a few dumb question and left a packet for me.  I was nice and you know where that got me, as she was leaving she said she would be back next week to discuss the items she left.  So because I was nice I have to deal with them again next week.  I am going to have to burst her bubble next week and let her know that I have no plans to take part in any religion and that she should not waist her time.  So that is where being nice got me.  But all in all free speech is great but people lack tact when using it.  Come on people use your brains! 

People have been hating each other openly and behind closed doors for thousands of years.  Christians, Muslims and Jews have hated each other so much they have murdered each other because of their religious beliefs - and quest for land/oil/gold/cinnamon (honest - cinnamon).  I'm currently reading about the Turk, Greek, Kurd and Armenian death marches that occurred before, during and after WWI.  Whoever had the upper hand (fiercest military) emptied towns and cities of anyone that was "different" (religious & ethnic) and marched them someplace else.  Hundreds of thousands died in these marches. 

The KKK is alive and well - just visit the south.  Actually, you can experience them first hand right here in Tehachapi.  Oh, they don't call themselves the KKK.  But I've been in their living rooms and they are, indeed, racist and ignorant which, in essence, is the KKK.

People show up on my door step and think they have the right to preach to me about "godliness" and the real meaning of the real bible.  I guess the one they carry isn't one of the fake ones. 

I'm the liberal (one of) aero is referring to.  I believe in free speech.  But, here's something else I believe in .... your freedoms stop exactly at the place where mine begin.  I figure my personal freedom space is approximately a 20 foot circumference around me and mine.  If you should invade this space uninvited - and spew the kind of hatred these baptist nazis spew - beware.  You will not get out without serious emotional wounds.  I will not be invaded - the JWs that have been to my door could explain in more detail.  I can't write the things I have said --- so use your imagination.

Deep breath - calm thoughts.  OK - I'm over it.  We must all try to ignore these kind of people - any attention gives them encouragement. 

aero...I am one of those people who believe in free speech.  But this too much like I stated before.  Just because there is free speech, there should be consequences as well....like maybe God striking them down with lightening.  If that happens, I will become a believer at last!!

Aero, I am so torn when it comes to this being under free speech and what should be done to these people.  One part of me can't even comprehend how they can do these things, say the things they do, and it be legal.  Then the other side of me feels that they are just voicing their opinion though it is strong and hurtful it does fall under legal free speech.  Also part of me feels that these people are scum but then I see those children out there and no child can be held responsible for being out there protesting, they are brainwashed.  I have two small children of my own (ages 4,2) and they hold on to every word I say and believe everything that comes out of my mouth.  If you look at the mother she is a person who grew up being brainwashed (by her father the leader of Westboro Baptist) so I feel that her thoughts are probably very real to her and the hate is wired into who she is.  So basically after viewing everything and trying to separate my emotions from my logical thinking, I feel that there is a point that we need to step in and not allow something like this.  A family of a grieving soldier should not be put through this!!!  My husband is leaving for Iraq in a few weeks and I am dreading it and I don't know what I will do if he does not come home!  I can say that if these people were to show up at anyones funeral that I was at I would probably go to jail!!!  Now when it comes to homosexuality I have taken a long hard look at it.  I have taken classes to study it I have had open conversations with the gays that I know and I believe that it is not a choice.  Even if it was a choice it is not anyones business!  So to answer your question I don't feel that they should be allowed to do this but it is legal.  Does this mean we should change the law?  If the law was to change who would change it and how would they change it?  If it did get changed would it start a trend that could compromise our constitutional rights?  Answer those question for me because I cannot answer them myself. 

these people need to be treated for extreme cases of psychosis

Yeah it is pretty bad!  I have watched their crap for sometime now and up until a bill was passed stating that they cannot protest within 500 feet of a funeral they would go right up to where the service was taking place and spew their crap.  We have many friends in the military and my husband was in the Old Guard and marched at over 1,000 funeral and each one is devastating.  Do these people really not see how horrible it is to do this to a grieving family?  It really is mind boggling that so many great people die everyday and these people get to go on living lives filled with hate!

Wow, it's pretty amazing what comes from those people's mouths.  And to claim they are spreading the word of God.  Who's God?   It's their own twisted interpretation.  From what that lady shouts at people it's plainly obvious she's got her own anger issues.  At first I had a hard time believing her shtick was real, but sadly it is.  Eleven kids.  I think that's a problem right there.  And then to teach them that crap.  Disgusting.  And you're right, they have no clue that they are able to spew their crap BECAUSE our soldiers have fought for their right to do that!

Other than the disrespect given to our soldiers there are two other things that disturb me about this family.  One, they are teaching their children this crap.  Two, they claim to be Christian yet act in a most un-Christian like manner as possible.