Free Speech VERSUS Right to Privacy

**Jolie Rouge** · 09-05-2006, 08:44 PM

Anti-war protesters' sales aren't un-American

I thank commentary writer Jonathan Turley for defending my right to sell T-shirts that bear the words "Bush Lied ... They Died" overlaid on the names of U.S. troops who have died in Iraq. It is important to keep the names and faces of the fallen at the forefront of our discussions about the war ("A war with flags but no faces," The Forum, Aug. 17).

But as Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., explains in his letter, he does not support my right to sell anti-war shirts bearing the names of the fallen. He has introduced legislation to stop my sales (" 'Fallen Heroes' bill would stop exploitation," Letters, Aug. 24).

He says he supports the right to use the names of the fallen in anti-war protests, but he draws the line at selling merchandise bearing the names of the fallen troops.

It is the effort to make a profit he opposes, as if trying to make a profit were an un-American activity. Is he saying no anti-war protests should be strengthened by the energy of capitalism? Should Michael Moore have let everyone see Fahrenheit 9/11 for free?

Many anti-war protesters, including Cindy Sheehan, have seen the value of using the names of the fallen to spread their message. But when we are talking about thousands of names, there is no practical way to incorporate those names into anti-war gear unless some money changes hands. Very few anti-war protesters are prepared to write 2,600 names on a T-shirt by hand. But many are prepared to pay $18 for a T-shirt.

Dan Frazier
Flagstaff, Ariz.

Death doesn't erode privacy

As a member of the military, I must protest the use of the name of a fallen soldier, sailor, airman or Marine as a method of profit for someone other than his of her family. If I died in service, I surely wouldn't want anyone to profit from the use of my name without family permission, whether it be in protest of the war I died in or for any other purpose.

Americans place great value on privacy, and death should not take that right away from the deceased or his or her family. I don't think the words "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech or of the press" grants a person the freedom to make a buck on a T-shirt that takes my dead name in vain if I died in a controversial war, possibly using my name to support a cause contrary to my beliefs.

I serve in support of the Constitution and the First Amendment; I support the press's right to publicize the war dead as well as take photos of caskets returning from Iraq. But what gives anyone the right to photograph my funeral without my family's consent? And how could the First Amendment extend so far as to allow someone to profit because I died while serving my country?

Yvonne Levardi
Honolulu

Not without permission

My son, Army Capt. Matthew J. August, was killed in action in Iraq in January 2004. That year, Cindy Sheehan and her ilk were protesting the war in Iraq near the president's ranch in Crawford, Texas.

Around that time, my wife took a plane trip. The lady in the seat next to her was gushing about how brave Ms. Sheehan was and wasn't it wonderful how she put up all those crosses with the names of the fallen. My wife softly explained that her son and three of his sergeants had been killed by an improvised explosive device, and that no one had ever asked her permission to use his name in a protest. Her fellow passenger was, needless to say, speechless for the rest of the flight.

In one of his few calls home, our son said he and his soldiers were trying to help the majority of Iraqi people overcome the effects of 30 years under a brutal dictator and fighting terrorists then and there so his nephews and nieces would not have to fight them somewhere else.

As for me, if I see an anti-war protester wearing my son's image on a T-shirt, he or she runs the risk of becoming an unintended casualty of war.

Richard J. August
North Kingstown, R.I

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/200...rentunamerican

Tue Sep 5, 7:36 AM ET

**Advertisement** · 09-05-2006 08:44 PM

**hblueeyes** · 09-06-2006, 04:06 AM

I remember when we all bought POW/MIA bracelets in the 70s. What is the difference? I think it memoralizes them. If it were so private then why are their names published?

Me

**ggawlak** · 09-06-2006, 05:16 AM

Originally Posted by hblueeyes

I remember when we all bought POW/MIA bracelets in the 70s. What is the difference? I think it memoralizes them. If it were so private then why are their names published?

Imagine if your son was a member of the military serving in Iraq, despite the fact that you are both anti-war. Suppose, then, that a group used a picture of your son after he was killed in combat to PROMOTE the war on terror. I'm quite certain you wouldn't take kindly to that now would you? It's no different for these people - their sons and daughters are in Iraq, doing a job, fighting for freedom, believing in what they are doing. It's not right to use their images for an anti-war cause when it goes against everything they believed in.

**hblueeyes** · 09-06-2006, 06:21 AM

OMG! I misunderstood. I thought it was an anti-wat t-shirt. I am sorry then for my post. I do not support the war but I whole heartedly support my troops and my country (right or wrong).

Thanks for clearing it up for me. I would never spend my money on such a thing and doubt I would keep my trap shut if I saw someone wearing it.

Me

**hblueeyes** · 09-06-2006, 07:23 AM

Dear Laura,

Your support for the ACLJ has rarely meant more than it did a few days ago - at the funeral of Navy Petty Officer, Second Class Marc Alan Lee.

Word got out that protestors would be there - and once again the ACLU was involved, providing legal backing for those who scorn the sacrifices of our military heroes!

So Mrs. Lee called us - and I'm glad she did.

She wanted our help from a legal standpoint to ensure that her son's funeral would take place with respect and honor.

Help stop the ACLU's disregard for the memory of our brave fallen soldiers by giving your immediate secure online gift to support the ACLJ.

After Mrs. Lee's call, I immediately assembled a team to prepare legal position papers and other documents to submit to city and county officials.

We found that the officials wanted to protect the funeral from disruption. But the ACLU was representing a group determined to disturb those in attendance, insisting on their "free speech rights."

Now, you know that we fully support free speech. The majority of the ACLJ's work involves protection of citizens' rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

But ... a funeral is not the time or place for a protest. It's inappropriate.

Give your generous online gift right now to help the ACLJ prevent the ACLU from twisting the words of our First Amendment to dishonor our fallen military heroes.

I am happy to report that our work bore fruit, and the funeral took place with dignity and respect.

But the ACLU continues to be a threat!

Military funerals are being targeted all across our nation. We have worked on three more military funeral cases just since Petty Officer Lee's mother called.

It is clear: The trauma that Petty Officer Lee's family faced will be inflicted on family after family - until we stop the protests defended by the ACLU!

Today, I am asking for your immediate help in mounting a nationwide effort to protect military funerals from inappropriate anti-war protests ... give your tax-deductible online gift RIGHT NOW.

Our senior staff is conducting a comprehensive analysis of the law in all 50 states to protect the memory of brave men and women who have fallen defending freedom.

Our firm commitment is to PROTECT MILITARY FUNERALS FROM THE LEGAL THREATS OF THE ACLU!

Our thoughts and prayers are with Petty Officer Lee's family and friends at this difficult time. We also pray for the family and friends of all those who are giving their lives for the cause of freedom.

Thank you for your faithful ACLJ membership; you are making a difference in this country!

Why would the ACLU be involved in such a horrendous act?

me

This organization is also fighting to ban live birth abortions, which is sooooo barbaric. Sorry all you pro choice people, but if you haven't figured it out by the time the baby is being born than give it up.

Me

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