How Far Should the Right to Freedom of Speech Extend Essay Example

Military funeral protestor case as an instance where Freedom of speech rights should be limited. Matthew Snyder 20 was killed in a tour in Iraq, 2006. Pastor Fred Phelps and several members of Westboro Baptist Church stood protest in front of Snyder's funeral parading around with signs protesting which I believed to be about homosexuality in the military. The deceased soldier’s father sued the church, charging the protests were an obscene and unlawful invasion of the family’s privacy since they’re not public figures.

The church insisted it was merely exercising a no-holds barred, First Amendment free speech right. Personally I think regardless of the options of the protestors, regardless if the stated claims were true, the family should be given respect to bury their son in a peaceful manner. The justices appeared inclined to set a limit to freedom of speech when ordinary citizens are targeted with especially personal and hurtful attacks. I think this would be a good idea.

No matter how you look at this case utilizing the freedom of speech and violating peace at a funeral are two completely different ideas, this Freedom of speech went way too far. I feel they could have gotten their opinions across in a less aggressive way. I feel great sadness for the Snyder family and all they have endured. As with all other freedoms, the freedom of speech has consequences and can obviously be misused. Yes we have the right to exercise Free speech, and I am glad that we do, but we also have the responsibility to use it sensibly.

I think it’s great that so many citizens want to exercise this freedom. But if making small

sacrifices to add more limits to this freedom, will eliminate some of the ignorance I think it should be done. No one should have to experience hurt, harm or even the upmost level of disrespect, not even the people that have so much to say. Retrieved from Barbour, C. , & Wright, G. C. (2011). Keeping the republic: Power and citizenship in American politics.