In an article posted on CNN’s National News page today, the publication discusses a recent court decision that sanctions the right of a fanatical church to protest at the funerals of deceased members of the U.S. military .

Putting aside for a second the disgusting hatred displayed by Westboro Baptist Church (an organization now almost synonymous with hate speech), this decision raises a number of interesting questions about laws governing free speech. Ultimately we cannot fault Westboro for choosing to speak their minds – the ability of ordinary American citizens to deliver speeches with the potential to incite public unrest is one of the cornerstones of our society, and possibly the most powerful tool we have for inspiring real change. But protesting at a funeral seems like a pretty textbook case of privacy invasion, and I can’t help but question whether crashing a private military funeral should be a lawful act.