The US Supreme Court & the Westboro Case

The following quotation is from a comment which I wrote on the NYTimes website about the Westboro Case.  I would elaborate a bit more here.

“Cases like these compel the public need for an Amendment to the United States [Constitution] for a ban of hateful speech. This would include [a] communications ban akin to Germany's constitutional ban on hatred, racism etc. Those communications are when marshaled for hate and injury by that incitement, […]not protected speech.

Further, until that is done, the United States Commander-in-Chief can [and should] order a policing of military funerals with a reasonable restriction, as on and at Arlington Cemetery, by cordoning them within an accorded temporary military jurisdiction. “ (copyright http://www.nytimes.com)

 

Privacy, not well nor materially plead is also an issue here.  A private right , even in public circumstances, to grieve and bury one’s dead; even when one’s government joins the funeral.  That same Privacy was sought to protect the names and identities of  medical patients exposed to the hate-filled  taunting and privacy invaders at medical clinics.  (Particularly those seeking counseling or protection for birth control and abortion counseling.)  In my balance to that issue, there is no picketing permitted where the clinic does not have  a private entrance or exit to sustain medical privacy.

 

Funerals, the most intimate time of many person’s lives with their passing  family member deserve a kindred protection.

 

A full and firmer legal balance, articulated by the State and Federal Government can state the tone and distance and taste [decorum] of comment.  That government can protect the dead, their grieving friends and families as it protects the living from assault.

One believes the Court might have left the door open to grave assaulting “robbing” for the purpose of inserting a comment in the casket.

That cordon would float and apply at discretion of the family or the military when participating (police  & public safety functions too) per event.

On Wisconsin?

Should state employees have their union broken?  Interesting public support against it in the evening news and internet news polls on that question. (see http://www.cbsnews.com)

The Federal Government has a few unions, the famous air traffic controllers strike’s example, and the wage –grade unions, say for the postal workers or the GPO.  There is nothing however like AFSCME, the NEA  and their associated unions of the state workers.

The Federal approach would see the salaries and wages set to scales set  by Congress.  the state legislatures adopting that approach would do the same.

It is not the same government however, and the issue is one of collective bargaining rights, coupled with the people’s government’s right to nullify a contract.  Sometimes, the people also cannot afford what they want.

The taxpayers won’t be held hostage.

Collective bargaining does it; but its price in Wisconsin is apparently too high?

The bargaining table, with reasonable negotiations is far cheaper and a better taxpayer buy. 

Let’s get it on Wisconsin!

Support for Free Libya

Libya ‘s people have freed themselves in the eastern city of Benghazi, and to Tripoli west in Zawiyah.  Further opposition, rebel armed forces are bringing a revolution to Tripoli to capture its capital in a move which the Dictator of Libya claims will commence civil war.

Civil War began with the rebellion in Bengazi. It is continuing. It is a revolution to remove, because there are no national elections, an evil dictator.

Qadaffi ‘s government is not good.  It is obscene.  An absurd playground for a madman and his sons with a people’s treasury.

As civil wars go, Libya’s newly freed will need protection from Qadaffi’s security forces.  Some as menacing as Communist Nicolai Ceaucescu’s Securitate.  Capturing Qadaffi and his sons in the field may be possible for a similar field trial and execution, but it is not a closely approaching event.

Civil wars bring refugees – massive numbers of fleeing people in displacement – the women, children, the i firm and elderly who will need food and other human needs.    Qadaffi will not be permitted to hold them hostage in their plight.  The rebel forces will need military equipment – supplies in reinforcement to continue their rebellion.  Libya’s money and oil incomes can be internationally tapped for that relief through the United Nations, which is setting up border camps and providing aid now.  Benghazi would be a logical center for a new Libyan Government in the interim; which can bring recognition and international assistance.  That is what the American people will be asked to do.     Today, American President Obama has frozen $30 billion dollars of Libyan assets invested in America – other governments are doing the same elsewhere in the world.  They will be held for the people of Libya, and their next government; assessed through American due process of law.   Assist Libya – Free Libya with the international community.  In the past century Americans  have seen many revolutions; even on  their border for removal of corruption and freedom, Mexico in 1912.  They will aid other peoples as they always will have, and have no fear of those seeking and gaining self-government.

Free Libya is a cause now  and it will not end.

The American Government have proposed a no-fly-zone to protect the rebel forces from some of the aerial prowess which Qadaffi still has.    A no fly zone neuters his air power against certain reactive and defended ground points, as the allies did in Iraq against Saddam Hussein.The British government led yesterday an airlift with German and other European Powers to relieve the potential harm and capture of  hundreds of oil & petro-chemical engineers and their community.   A job well done.

Mr. Qadaffi, as he is humanized and equaled to others now, will be removed from power with his sons and his clan.  His ridicule and open criticism of him safely from free Libya is refreshing and restores free humanity to Libya.

 

As an American, this blogger prays and hopes that Libya in the rebelling areas and those with a conscience in Qadaffi held Libya will protect the eyes and means of good journalism, as the Geneva Convention expects.  There will be an assessment or crimes against humanity if needed against Qadaffi.

Qadaffi --  for God’s sake, GO.  retreat to whatever internal exile or whatever external safety you’d seek.  Libya’s people will govern themselves for Libya.  People in the interim will be protected and fed and nursed by another good force until their government  governs.

A nation of an absurd man’s rule leading a mock nation in disappearing youth from North Africa to the world black market labor and sex trade will end.  An oligarchy which impoverished more than a third of its people with some of the world’s richest oil wealth will end.  An oligarchy which enjoys the best of world telecommunications, while censoring its people’s yearning for the information they need for self-government, is ending.

Qadaffi – Go to back to your wadi; and Saif with your brothers, go to your room.  Libya’s people, and the Qadaffi Clan which you can no longer arm and buy for loyalty, will have you no more.

 

News sources for some of the facts inthis article attributed to CNN, BBC CBS, NBC, MSNBC, ABC & alJazeerah, ad many news sources on the internet.