Posted on 04/05/2006 8:11:05 AM PDT by StarCMC
They have created a firestorm by picketing the funerals of U.S. soldiers.
Now members of Topeka's Westboro Baptist Church plan to send their message to those wounded in action.
The church has scheduled a protest on Thursday at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Church member Shirley Phelps-Roper said protesters will carry signs that read, "Thank God for maimed soldiers."
"The issue is the wrath of God pouring out on your head," she said. "It's a punishing blow. In some ways, death would be kinder."
The new protest plan comes as 27 states, including Kansas, craft legislation to curb the group's protests at military funerals. Westboro Baptist Church, led by pastor Fred Phelps Sr., believes military deaths are the result of God punishing the United States for tolerating homosexuality.
The church's efforts have been criticized by lawmakers and dignitaries across the country.
"A funeral is a solemn occasion to support those who grieve and to honor the life, service and sacrifice of the fallen. It is not a time or place to hide behind the First Amendment and spout hatred," Jim Mueller, commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., said Monday.
Federal legislation was introduced last week that would ban demonstrations one hour before, during and one hour after a military funeral at a national cemetery. It also would keep protesters at least 500 feet away from mourners.
A hearing on the bill is set for Thursday in front of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Westboro members will protest Thursday afternoon outside the Capitol before traveling to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
According to its Web site, the Walter Reed Health Care System provides health care to more than 150,000 soldiers, family members and retirees at 10 major treatment centers.
"The point is to warn them," said Phelps-Roper. "People going in there are going to get the message."
I came myself, and I've got to admit I was afraid, and waded right into the middle of the crowd of 300 of them alone, with my megaphone, and I had a "serious disagreement" with them.
I overpowered and destroyed their whole rally, and was subject of the news reports, instead of them. Delusions of grandeur ? No. Sense of duty ? Yes.
One man can do a lot, WHEN HE TRIES. I think the President should SHOW he cares by TRYING. Imagine what a man with so much power who we all worked so hard to elect could accomplish if he fearlessly tried !
I guess that is the main difference between Bush and the Honorable President Reagan....That and the consequences of action / inaction that will be with us for decades.
I've got to admit I've never been called a leftist before. I don't even understand that line of thinking...How does saying someone should be more concerned about their sense of duty than their sense of entitlement make me a leftist ?
As for taking myself too seriously...Guilty. So ?
Thank you Star!! Thank you DC FReepers. You're the best.
For everyone who went today, thank you all so much. To all soldiers, thank you for all you've done for all of us.
Excuse me?
Thank you for doing that. We have to all do what we can. I disagree with you about President Bush for the most part. But what you did took guts.
Yeah but it works
These people seem to have a lot of time and disposable income on their hands. Don't they have better things to do than make a spectacle of themselves?
Whoo-Hoo!!
I plan on writing them a polite note, with a link to this thread. For what good that may do.
Please see above.
Sent:
Hi!
You reported about the sleazebag inbred protestors being outside Walter Reed yesterday. What about the counterprotestors (who outnumbered the protestors roughly 2-1)? How about a little fair reporting here. The wounded warriors at WRAMC deserve better.
Sincerely,
Star
I got a nice reply back from the Marketing Manager.
They already got your message, scumbag.
i, for just one person, do NOT know. all i know is what i read in the media & i do NOT trust the media to be TRUTHFUL.
and i certainly do not trust ANYBODY in the media to make the RULES, given the LIES they spout.
free dixie,sw
free dixie,sw
is YOUR church "government approved"???
free dixie,sw
otoh, i DISLIKE intensely what (i think) i know about this bunch of loonies.
btw, is YOUR church "government approved"???
free dixie,sw
otoh, i am a stout/constant DEFENDER of "freedom of speech" & "freedom of religion".
the antidote for "HATEFILLED speech" is MORE SPEECH, rather than NO speech or "government approved speech".
free dixie,sw
free dixie,sw
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