…the Westboro Baptist Chruch decided Reno was the enemy. They decided that since we have soldiers die in combat, we’re faggot loving sinners. 365 days ago, www.godhatesreno.com decided it was also going to exist, because we could. We have seen what happens when the typical fare takes a “god hates,” site for their purposes, and for our purposes, we have succeeded. We have prevented an avenue of pathetic, nutty opinion, meanwhile, decided we were going to worship satan, run around naked, eating feces and whatever other bizarre accusation we’re doomed to be celebrating.
Our “birthday,” celebration is without fanfare, without notice, and arguably, without much gusto. This wasn’t intended, but considering I hold this whole project single-handed, I’m not about to go and organize a party for everyone. We’ll see how people feel a year, two years, three years from now, but we’re busy still pulling on everyone’s apron strings letting them know we exist. So our birthday goes on doing what we’ve always done, and that’s just fine with us.
The Nevada Legislature is also reviewing a law, Assembly Bill 1, that would make it a crime to protest within 300 feet of any funeral, one hour before and one hour after said funeral. A similar measure died in 2007 because of opponents saying it violated the freedom of speech. This 2009 version will be deliberated and decided upon hopefully soon.
Freedom of speech makes websites like this possible, it allows us to protest if we want to. I want to be able to continue to do such things.
Where does the line get drawn, however? Do you think someone should be able to protest a funeral?
I admire the Nevada Legislature for not totally preventing a protest, though I have mixed feelings about controlling it. It’s one of those areas because crazy people have done a crazy thing that was never conceived beforehand, and since “their brand,” is protesting funerals, they have notoriety thanks to it. Is this more opportunity for people to agree that freedom of speech should be defined, or should it truly be free? Do people have the right to cause further grief to a grieving family by seeing inappropriate signs as they walk behind the casket of a loved one?
What I believe is protests and freedom of speech should be protected, period. I think people’s grieving due to a death should also be protected. That’s why I’m okay with the way the Nevada Legislature is approaching this. There should be staged areas where people can do whatever they want to, but so it isn’t interfering with the important closure of a funeral.
I hate to say it, but in all fairness, even crazy people have a right to say their crazy rants. People have the right to grieve uninterrupted. I see no other option than to regulate how speech is applied. Obviously, there’s laws that say you can’t rant in neighborhoods unless there is an organized method or you are “disturbing the peace,” so there’s room to work on this. I mean, I’m all for funeral protest being defined as legal only from the bottom of mine shafts, but that’s just me talking.
Regardless, what was born of crazy religious interpretation and the deaths of people close to Reno, we have come out on top mentioned MORE than the Westboro Baptist Church in regards to Reno, so honestly, if we were to shut down today, we’ve done our part. Nevada is doing it’s part by making sure it takes care of our country’s philosophies and our inhabitants.
God Hates Reno has had over 50,000 page views, almost 12,000 unique IP visitors since a year ago, and our direction and position, while unwavering, has taken some interesting turns. We’ve become an oddity that people have actually heard of, we’ve become something people recognize to a small degree. This pleases me. Thanks, Reno!
Truthfully, our birthday present has already come, as far as I’m concerned. Considering we have no real goal, and our purpose is just to be here for the everyone that needs or wants it, I’d say “Mission Accomplished.”
Here’s to another year of doing… whatever the hell we want to.
GR
