Constitutionally and historically, U.S. law has protected all speech, no matter how irrational, disrespectful or controversial it is. And it's not too often that state lawmakers feel the need to take a look at free speech rights and evaluate their constitutionality in terms of true life events.

A handful of states are doing just that in response to a fundamentalist Kansas church whose members have made a name for themselves protesting the funerals of fallen U.S. soldiers and gays since the 1990s.

Politicians are especially paying attention now because the group -- which holds signs proclaiming "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" and "America is Doomed" -- is showing up at the funerals of soldiers killed in action in Iraq.

A spokeswoman for the congregation said they want to convey the message that God strikes down soldiers because they fought for a country of gays and adulterers.

The issue is simple: How do politicians preserve the rights of family members to honor loved ones peacefully without stepping on the free speech rights of protesters wishing to disrupt these ceremonies?

At least two viable solutions have been proposed.

Some lawmakers have suggested limiting the times and places protesters can demonstrate. For example, the group could only legally protest funerals an hour before or after the service. Or they could be required to protest at several feet, or several blocks away.

As disgusting and utterly ridiculous as the Kansas congregation's message is, their right to free speech must be protected. If we ensure white supremacy groups the right to parade through the streets of American cities, we must also preserve the rights of a fundamentalist self-proclaimed Christian group to protest soldier funerals.

However, there is no need for these demonstrators to impede upon the rights of family members to honor their loved ones.

That's why time and place restrictions on funeral protests are a rational solution.