This page was last updated on March 6, 2011.
Free speech ruling makes no sense; Oren M. Spiegler; Beaver County Times; March 6, 2011.
Mr. Spiegler is such a prolific letter writer the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review gave him a little tribute back in 2003. Google “Oren M. Spiegler” and you’ll get more hits than you know what to do with. Unfortunately, prolific is not a synonym for competent. Mr. Spiegler claims to be a Republican. In my critique of “Breathing more freely,” I cited reasons why I was “beginning to believe Mr. Spiegler is simply another Republican impersonator,” but he sealed the deal with “Greatest foreign policy debacle.” Subsequent letters have been more confirmation, including this one. The group of local Republican impersonators also includes Messrs. William A. Alexander, Arthur Brown, William G. Horter, Edward J. Hum, and George Reese, all claiming to be disgruntled Republicans.
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“It is troubling and stunning that our Supreme Court can so often see issues in such a radically different way than individuals with common sense and a modicum of decency.
“Our Constitution establishes certain unalienable rights, but there are reasonable limits to them, the most well-known of which is that, for obvious reasons, there is no right to yell ‘Fire!’ in a crowded theater.
“Apparently, an eight-member majority on the court now believes that there are no limits to free speech, hence the hateful loons of the tiny but vocal Westboro Baptist Church have been given license to continue their mission to disrupt and shatter the lives of individuals who are grieving the loss of beloved fallen soldiers, these ‘pillars of the church’ protesting in close proximity to the funerals, asserting that the decedents deserved their fate because in their view our nation supports homosexuality.
“Only Associate Justice Samuel Alito chose the noble, honorable and sensible path in dissent.
“The court has struck a blow not for freedom, but for the wickedness and evil that shall now be officially sanctioned in the name of religion and free speech. It is a sad day for America.”
[RWC] As disgusted as I am with the antics of the Westboro people, I reluctantly agree with the Supreme Court’s ruling. That said, I hope there is a special place in Hell for people who do what the Westboro people do.
As a reminder, “Punishing language” (3/10/10) concluded with “Will they [the five conservative members of the court] protect First Amendment rights or curtail them? It matters.” The five non-lefty justices voted 4-1 (including Chief Justice John Roberts) in favor of Westboro. It’s been four days since the ruling and the Times still has not commented.
© 2004-2011 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.