The debate over allowing or banning funeral protests is essentially one that seeks to balance respect with free speech. 

The free speech advocates, Such as the disgusting Rev Fred Phelps, say free means anywhere any time.

The other camp suggests that sometimes respect for the fallen and their grieving loved ones outweighs that.

Common sense suggests that there is a reasonable expectation of dignity and respect at a funeral that most normal people would honor. and even in areas of free speech there is a time and a place for everything.  

In this case, Common sense teamed up with respect and they, with the help of Congress and the President seem to have won the day…for now:

Bush Signs Funeral Protest Ban

President Bush has signed into law a bill that prevents demonstrators from disrupting military funerals. The measure is aimed squarely at the Reverend Fred Phelps, an ultra-conservative clergyman from Kansas who has been picketing the funerals of Iraqi war dead, claiming that God hates the U.S. for its tolerance of homosexuality. Phelps has also made news for protesting the funerals of AIDS victims. He also demonstrated at the funeral of slain gay man Matthew Shepherd, claiming that Shepherd deserved what he got and displaying signs reading "God hates fags."

The new law bars protests within 300 feet of the entrance of a national cemetery and within 150 feet of a road into the cemetery. This restriction applies an hour before until an hour after a funeral. Those violating the act would face up to a $100,000 fine and up to a year in prison.

Phelps and his followers showed up today to protest Memorial Day observances at Arlington National Cemetery. They were met by placard-carrying demonstrators who were showing their support for American troops.

Shortly after the new legislation passed the House, Phelps charged that Congress was "blatantly violating" his First Amendment rights. He said that if became law, he would continue to demonstrate but would abide by the law’s restrictions.

I am sure a legal protest will ensue, and it will not shock me to see this law overturned.  Nothing really surprises me anymore.

But for the moment, the law will allow the respect that the fallen military members have earned will be granted.

Others blogging this:  Stop the Aclu

My previous posts:

• Finally, something both sides can agree on
• Free Speech? Not at a friggin funeral, for crying out loud