George,

While there is nothing I like about what Fred Phelps and his gangsters do and say, especially claiming to be Christians and a church, and I'm not a supporter of AG Cuccinelli, this time he is right. Democracy and freedom of speech and religion are messy businesses because they permit those with whom we vehemently disagree to exist and parade their ignorance and hate in public. If I want to be able to express my opinion in the public square, I must allow those with whom I do not agree to do the same. There is no small print in those amendments that allow me to be the arbitor of what is acceptable and what is good or bad.

That said, I am in complete sympathy with the Snyders. What was done to them in such a stressful and sad time is, by all rules of civility and socially acceptable behavior toward those in mourning, despicable and hateful and ignorant. We just cannot legislate against ignorance.

Martha Wood (Electronic mail, June 4, 2010)