I agree with the importance of Free Speech and the pit falls. But proxiimity should not be part of the issue. I know that it is a slippery slope, but when does this become harassment?
The thing is, the Supreme Court has to rule on legality, not decency. We're legally allowed to do all sorts of things that are indecent. Many states (I think 44 of them now, but i wouldn't swear to it) have regulations which determine how close to a funeral one is allowed to protest. The Westboro Baptist Church knows their rights, and they don't step outside legal boundaries.
The Supreme Court made the right decision.
However, free speech goes both ways. We are just as free to go and protest their pickets, as I will be doing this coming weekend. They get chased off by protesters once in a while, and honestly that's the only thing that can really be done.
Ginary