Posted on 06/27/2005 4:22:37 PM PDT by raybbr
A Green Beret killed in Afghanistan will be laid to rest in his native Marblehead today as police brace for the anticipated arrival of a Kansas hate group.
``We're in Massachusetts now and we will be in Marblehead,'' said Margie Phelps of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church.
The WBC has blamed the 9/11 attacks and deaths of American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan on America's tolerance of homosexuals. The group, which recently demonstrated outside local Catholic churches and public schools it deemed tolerant of homosexuality, has threatened to show up at services today for Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Piper, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan this month.
The group's literature proclaims ``Thank God for IEDs (roadside bombs)'' and states that Piper and other slain soldiers were ``cast into Hell to join other dishonorable Americans.'' Officials in Marblehead and Chicopee, home of slain Marine Capt. John Maloney, have denounced the group's plans to demonstrate at the fallen heroes' funerals. Both men's families have said freedom of speech is something they died trying to protect. Maloney was killed by an IED in Iraq this month.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bostonherald.com ...
"How in the world do they get homosexuality was the cause of 9/11....?"
Wasn't that what the very Rev. Fallwell said, too?
I'm really surprised Phelps hasn't teamed up with Chief Ward Churchill of the Cigar-store tribe to spew vile invective at grieving families. The Phelps-Churchill tour, coming to a military cemetery near you!
I sharply disagree with the posters who say he should be shut up. On the contrary, it is his free excercise of speech that has demonstrated for anyone with the eyes to see and the ears to hear that he is a contemptable fool with no credibility whatsoever. He should be ahsamed. Sadly, shame seems to have gone out of fashion.
The fallen soldiers Phelps has condemned to hell are in good company, for the Rev. Phelps has informed us that Pope John Paul II is safely in Satan's arms - to be joined someday by Benedict XVI.
"How in the world do they get homosexuality was the cause of 9/11....?"
Wasn't that what the very Rev. Fallwell said, too?
I didn't ask that question, just replied to it. I think Falwell said it in a different way and certainly did not use it against soldiers, such as endorsing roadside bombs.
If Gore was a Republican, the NYT and AP would begin the story with:
"Former Al Gore campaigner Fred Phelps, who bankrolled Al Gore's debut into Presidential politics,.......
It almost nakes me wonder......
Perhaps the poor mother came up with the best approach. Ignore them and they'll go away. No press, no lawsuits against the townspeople, etc.
Bingo!
I agree, they are a tool of the left. I think they are a cult, and give Baptists a bad name.
The left wants to demonize Christians, insult military, and cause a demand for suppression of free speech. They sit around and dream up a group like this. It's a pattern with them through the years.
I don't KNOW this to be true, but I darn sure suspect it. Years ago, when this "group" began to make headlines, the local lefty newspapers were only too happy to associate Phelps with any basic Bible believing church.
Actually, God loves "fags". It is the sin {and society's acceptance/ approval of homosexuality} that God hates.
On second thought, I'm going to slightly modify my stand on Phelps' first amendment rights. I don't think his right to demonstrate (which he has) gives him the right to violate the graveside service of a grieving military family. He should be allowed to demonstrate - on the other side of the cemetery, outside the gates on the sidewalk and out of sight and earshot of the family.
The soldiers being buried gave their lives for this nation - and the families are certainly due their privacy in this period of profound sorrow without being interrupted by a bunch of hooligans and idiots. That's a reasonable restriction of Phelps' free speech.
I'm beginning to think there is a real possibility that the Phelps gang is indeed a leftist front group. It does follow a classic leftist modus operandi. Time for the blogosphere to start investigating the Rev. Phelps!
Fred Phelps is and Antichrist. His vile, inbred automotans were out in front of a grade school a couple of weeks ago with their "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for 9/11". Their reasoning is so twisted for these acts that it almost suggests parody. Phelps is a registerred Democrat and a disbarred attorney; if that doesn't scream Moveon.org I don't know what does!
Stop them? No. Free speech isn't always pretty. Shame them? No. They have no shame. But it is possible to show them up, and to show support for the families of the fallen soldiers.
The gay-rights activists in Laramie, Wyoming had a good approach to Phelps and his zealots at Matthew Sheppard's funeral. Dressed in angel costumes, they showed up and silently interposed themselves between the protesters and the family. With their backs turned to the protesters.
I don't know if that level of theater is necessary, but forming a buffer zone to let the families mourn in relative peace would be a worthwhile counterprotest.
They certainly fit the pattern. It's no accident that everything is being politicized. This is war.
"This goes far beyond freedom of speech. It's akin to shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theater."
Is it legal to shout "MOVIE!" in a crowded fire station? :)
That's what I meant, it's an invasion of privacy, tresspassing, harrasment, causing a disturbance, just to name a few. A graveyard is NOT puiblic property, and a funeral is NOT a public event.
They can, and should be charged to the full extent of the law, and given the max. fines/or sentences.
Any private cemetery, like any other owner of private property, can decide who has access. Even a government cemetery, I'd think, could restrict access to folks who they feel are disruptive. Phelps and his minions have a right to protest on the nearest sidewalk or in the nearest public park, but not at graveside.
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