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    The McMaster Department of Philosophy has now put together the following notice commemorating Barry: Barry Allen: A Philosophical Life Barry…

Today’s First Amendment Decision from the Supreme Court

The opinions are here, the decision 8-1 in favor of the free speech rights of the Westboro Baptist Church crazies.  Only Justice Alito dissents, and if he were right on the facts (which I take it he is not), there would be much to be said for his position.  Justice Breyer's concurrence is especially notable for going out of its way to say the decision says nothing about First Amendment protection for intentional infliction of emotional distress on the Internet.  (Cyber-sociopaths take note!)     I am not a First Amendment scholar, though my impression is the decision is sound as a matter of the existing doctrine.  It is striking that, given how heinous the Westboro crazies are, and given that not a single one of the Justices can possibly have any sympathy for them, that the Court so resoundingly upheld their First Amendment protections.  Sometimes precedent works.

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