The First Amendment

The colonies decided to declare independence from England as tensions mounted over taxation and other issues. One big problem is the colonists felt they had no voice or say in matters important to them or representation by the crown.

When the Bill of Rights was written, the first amendment stated there would be no establishment of religion, freedom of the press, the right to peacefully assemble and freedom of speech. If I say King George looks like a sissy in his wig, I shouldn't have to face the stockade for it. It's just an opinion.

Over 200 years later, the desire to uphold these rights puts us in a quandry. You have the right to thank God for dead soldiers, but it is thanks to the soldier that you have this right at all.
The supreme court of the United States has supported the Westboro church as having the freedom of speech to protest at military funerals.

Today, hundreds of bikers called the Patriot riders escorted the family of a young man from the airport. He was a 21 year old Marine killed in Afghanistan.
When Westboro announced they would be protesting at this man's funeral, the people responded. With the right to peacefully assemble, hundreds of Gastonia residents lined the streets to keep the protestors from harrassing the family.

The numbers must have intimidated Westboro, because they never showed up, and the family was able to put the focus where it belonged.
As a mother, I can't help crying over the loss of this child. As an American, I can't contain the pride in my community. We the people sent a message. The dignity of our fallen will be respected as will the mourning time for these families.

We have a voice, never forget it.
Be well,
Jen