Kinnell... dude... I was kidding. I meant that statement to have a "laugh factor" in there, and I guess Akhil was the only one who got it.
But the topic itself brings up a few very good questions. The first is how exactly do you define the words "mentally ill"? The term itself is very broad. Most of us don't have advanced psych degrees, thus we can't make the statement-for sure-that this woman is in fact mentally ill, much less even define the term. That and, to be frank, we don't know this woman's life. We just know her in front of the cameras, and her protesting at fallen soldiers' funerals (again, in front of the cameras). Her statements and actions don't necessarily mean she's mentally ill, or "retarded" by any means. Anyone who has an advanced psych degree, please enlighten me on your thoughts. I'm really interested to hear what you have say
The second is where does her freedom of speech end? I'm sure we've all heard of the statement, in one form or another, that "One's freedom ends where another's rights begin." Yes, she does have freedom of speech-but does that freedom of speech overtake these families' right to mourn the death of their loved one(s)? The "no protesting within 500 yards of a funeral procession" law might be valid in that state, but I'm sure that law isn't passed in others. The police, as I'm also sure the family itself, was literally driving right through the protesters. That's absolutely appalling! No one deserves such treatment at such a vulnerable time in their lives, and quite frankly I don't believe that any one has the right to treat others in such a manner. If I'm wrong, I'd
LOVE to protest right outside of this woman's funeral procession (joking!!)
Lastly, how "mentally ill" does one have to be to avoid criminal charges? Anyone who took some form of criminology-please I'd love to hear from you too! I can guarantee everyone on this forum this much-even if one is determined to be "mentally ill" in court, you'd be incredibly mistaken if you believe that any court in these United States would just let that person go to commit said acts again. He/She would be mandated to undergo several hours of psychological treatment at an institution, where one would also have to reside, before being released. Maybe/Hopefully people who actually know what they're doing would be able to enlighten her with the errors in her way. Otherwise she'll just be back at it again.
I don't know what else to write.