Pinthouse Pizza
Violating Our Constitution
RECEIVED Tue., June 6, 2006
Dear Editor,
I'm gay and no friend of radicals who think gay rights are the problem in Iraq. And even if it were for a cause I find just and relevant, like foreign policy restraint, I wouldn't join a protest at a funeral because it's too rude to grieving relatives. But there is a little amendment that says, "Congress shall make no law respecting ... the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Someone, if not your writers, needs to point out that when Bush packs protesters off to a fenced-in "free speech zone," well out of sight and sound of one of his speeches, or Gov. Perry signs a law from our Republican legislators banning protest at military funerals, it violates our Constitution.
Also, could you please clarify the statement "Texas joins Oklahoma and Ohio in passing laws that tolerate neither gays nor anti-gay protesters at funerals" [“Naked City,” News, May 26].? Did the law ban gay protesters, rather than all gays?
I'm gay and no friend of radicals who think gay rights are the problem in Iraq. And even if it were for a cause I find just and relevant, like foreign policy restraint, I wouldn't join a protest at a funeral because it's too rude to grieving relatives. But there is a little amendment that says, "Congress shall make no law respecting ... the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Someone, if not your writers, needs to point out that when Bush packs protesters off to a fenced-in "free speech zone," well out of sight and sound of one of his speeches, or Gov. Perry signs a law from our Republican legislators banning protest at military funerals, it violates our Constitution.
Also, could you please clarify the statement "Texas joins Oklahoma and Ohio in passing laws that tolerate neither gays nor anti-gay protesters at funerals" [“Naked City,” News, May 26].? Did the law ban gay protesters, rather than all gays?
Thank you,
Will Warner
Will Warner
[News Editor Michael King responds: 1. Under longstanding legal precedents, the Constitution does not necessarily protect potentially disruptive hate-speech in all circumstances, e.g., during funerals. 2. The three named states have passed both anti-gay legislation (e.g., Prop. 2 in Texas) and now this law banning protests during funerals. The sentence is correct as it stands, but we welcome the opportunity for clarification.]